Legislative Excellence, Democratic Accountability Take Centre Stage at HallowMace National Legislative Awards

…Fatima Abbas says honour reinforces commitment to nation-building, inclusive leadership

By Pan Afric Reporters

Legislative excellence, democratic accountability and quality representation took the spotlight in Abuja as lawmakers, public institutions and distinguished Nigerians were celebrated at the HallowMace National Legislative Awards 2026, with speakers at the event stressing that sustained recognition of outstanding legislative performance is vital to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy and inspiring responsible leadership.

Among the notable award recipients was the Wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairperson of the House of Representatives Spouses Association (HORSA), Mrs. Fatima Abbas Tajudeen, who described her Award of Excellence as a renewed call to greater service and commitment to nation-building.

Speaking after receiving the honour, Mrs. Tajudeen said the award transcends personal recognition, noting that it reflects the collective efforts of individuals and institutions working tirelessly to build a more inclusive, compassionate and prosperous Nigeria.

“I receive this recognition with deep gratitude and humility. It is a reminder that leadership is not about personal triumph but about the collective efforts of many people working to build a more inclusive, compassionate and prosperous Nigeria,” she said.

She commended HallowMace Africa for promoting a culture of excellence by recognising individuals and institutions making meaningful contributions to Nigeria’s democratic development and legislative advancement.

Mrs. Tajudeen noted that through the Fatima Tajudeen Abbas Foundation, her interventions have focused on women empowerment, education, healthcare, humanitarian support and social inclusion, stressing that the achievements recorded by the foundation were made possible through partnerships, goodwill and a shared commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable Nigerians.

She reaffirmed her resolve to continue advocating for women, children and vulnerable groups through initiatives against gender-based violence, cancer and malaria awareness campaigns, and support for greater female participation in governance, particularly through advocacy for the Special Seats Bill for women.

The HORSA Chairperson also paid tribute to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, describing his people-oriented leadership and commitment to legislative reforms as a constant source of inspiration.

She equally applauded members of the 10th National Assembly for their dedication to lawmaking, effective oversight and constituency representation, noting that the legislature has continued to consolidate democratic governance through impactful legislation and responsive interventions addressing national challenges.

Mrs. Tajudeen also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for pursuing reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda, saying governing a country as diverse as Nigeria requires courage, vision and resilience.

She further acknowledged the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her humanitarian interventions and advocacy for women, children and vulnerable citizens, describing her initiatives as a source of hope for many Nigerians.

Calling for greater investment in women, Mrs. Tajudeen said empowering women remains critical to strengthening families, transforming communities and accelerating national development.

“Recognition such as this is not an endpoint. It reminds us that much more work lies ahead. We must continue to promote good governance, social justice, education, economic empowerment and national unity,” she stated.

She congratulated other recipients, urging them to view the recognition as motivation to continue serving the nation with excellence, integrity and dedication.

Speaking on the significance of the awards, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of HallowMace Africa, Ambassador Sunny Anderson Osiebe, said the initiative was conceived to celebrate legislators and public officials whose outstanding performance has contributed to strengthening democratic governance and public service delivery.

According to him, the awards also marked the organisation’s 10th anniversary, reflecting a decade of commitment to promoting accountability, excellence and democratic ideals.

Osiebe said the initiative seeks to correct negative perceptions about the legislature by highlighting lawmakers who have distinguished themselves through quality legislation, effective oversight and impactful representation.

“We want Nigerians to understand that, despite the perception that the legislature is a rubber stamp, there are lawmakers who have consistently delivered dividends of democracy through quality legislation, oversight and effective representation,” he said.

He disclosed that the overwhelming success of the maiden edition has encouraged the organisation to consider making the awards a biennial event to allow for a more comprehensive and objective assessment of legislative performance.

“We are encouraged by the success of this maiden edition. Going forward, we may consider organising it every two years because legislative performance is better assessed over a longer period,” Osiebe added.

The event attracted lawmakers, government officials, diplomats, civil society organisations, media practitioners and other stakeholders, reinforcing calls for sustained recognition of excellence in legislative service as a catalyst for deepening democratic governance, strengthening accountability and enhancing public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions.