Former military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd), has commended the leadership of Speaker Yakubu Dogara in the House of Representatives.

Speaking when he received members of the House of Representatives led by the Speaker in his Hiltop residence in Minna on Saturday evening, IBB described the Dogara-led House of Representatives as “committed and dedicated”, according to a statement issued by Dogara’s spokesman Turaki Hassan.

The former Nigerian leader urged the legislators to continue to display commitment and dedication to their duties as legislators.

“I am grateful that you've found time to be with us this evening. I’m elated that you and your colleagues have had time to pay this visit,” he said.

“It’s always nice to see you all and the way you conduct yourselves for the purpose of piloting the nation. You can see knowledge and commitment being displayed during your various debates. Sometimes, tempers may rise but the ability to control situations is the hallmark of democracy. I want to commend the whole house for doing a good job.”

“I think you have a unique advantage which we never had – we are analogue, you are IT compliant. I want you to please keep it up. I want to commend and congratulate you, Mr. Speaker, for your very able leadership and I hope you will continue to do the country proud.

I want to thank you once more for coming to visit,” he said.

On his part, the Speaker emphasised the need for inter-generational interaction, in order to make progress by learning from the past.

“We are here to pay our respects,” Dogara said. “For us to make progress in this country, there has to be a meeting point between the past and the present, and seeking counsel helps us to be better guided.”

•Photo shows Speaker Dogara.