The House of Representatives held a valedictory session to honour its outgoing Clerk, Dr. Yahya Danzaria, recognising his role in maintaining Nigeria’s parliamentary processes and institutional stability. Lawmakers across party lines described his retirement as a milestone for the country’s legislative system.
Presiding over the session, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen said the event marked more than the end of a tenure. “This is a celebration of a career that safeguarded the stability, integrity, and continuity of the legislature,” he said.
He emphasised that while elected officials change with each election, the strength of parliament relies on:
Institutional memory
Strict adherence to procedure
Professional legislative administration
These, he said, are central responsibilities of the Clerk’s office.
Procedure as the Backbone of Lawmaking
Lawmakers highlighted Dr. Danzaria’s role in ensuring parliamentary procedures were practical and functional, not merely symbolic. They noted that he consistently:
Ensured debates followed constitutional rules
Managed disagreements within legal boundaries
Preserved procedural legitimacy in all legislative decisions
The Speaker added that the Clerk’s calm under pressure and avoidance of public conflicts helped maintain order during tense parliamentary moments.
Dr. Danzaria’s career progression reflected a strong foundation in law, public administration, and policy analysis, enabling him to balance legal precision with administrative efficiency.
Members credited him with supporting key institutional processes, including:
Implementing the House legislative agenda
Revising the Standing Orders
Preparing and circulating notice papers promptly
These actions, they said, strengthened legislative planning, coordination, and efficiency.
The session concluded with prayers and goodwill messages, with lawmakers encouraging that Dr. Danzaria’s expertise and institutional knowledge continue to benefit the nation in other capacities.
The tribute underscored a broader issue: professional parliamentary administration is vital for sustaining democratic governance beyond political cycles.