Nigerian Politicians

Full Name: Gbemisola Rukayat Saraki
State of Origin: Kwara State.
Date of Birth: May 3, 1965.
Nationality: Nigerian
Marriage status: Divorced.
Ex-spouse: Segun Fowora
Parents: Abubakar Olusola Saraki
Alma mater: University of Sussex.
Occupation: Politician.
Political party: People’s Democratic Party (PDP)
Position(S): National Senator Kwara Central (May 2003 – May 2011).
Religion: Islam
Website: http://www.gbemisolasaraki.org
Facebook: gbemisola.saraki

Gbemisola Ruqayyah Saraki, born May 3, 1965, and raised in a loving home by her father, the Fulani-Yoruba Muslim legend, Dr. Olusola Saraki of Kwara State, the Senate Leader of the Second Republic and her Christian mother, Mrs. Florence Saraki who hails from Ondo State from whom she imbibed her impressive work-ethic and passion for social issues.

From her youth, she was blessed with direct access to people from all backgrounds and the issues that affect them. This early exposure and parental example would go on to determine her decision to enter into the field of politics and informs the approach of humility, empathy and tolerance that endears her to her constituents and colleagues to this day. Early in her life she took more than passing interests in the lives of the people and she developed a deeper passion to make positive marks.

The young, brilliant Gbemi Saraki attended the prestigious The Cheltenham Ladies College, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England between 1972 to 1982. Encouraged by the sterling performance of their young kid in her elementary school, the Sarakis enrolled their gifted child in another internationally acclaimed college, this time, Brook House College, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, England between the years 1982 to 1984. She thereafter gained admission into one of UK’s first generation universities, the University of Sussex. Ever since its creation, Sussex has grown to become a leading teaching and research institution across the globe. Quite naturally, she had a memorable stay in the university, breaking new grounds and making friends that have till today remained part of her life and family.

From a sterling academic foundation which saw her traverse the length and breathe of the world in pursuit of academic laurels to a rich background in the private sector as a banker and expert in insurance brokerage, Gbemi has carved a niche for herself as a technocrat of repute in Nigeria.

But not one to jettison the plight of her people, GRS answered the clarion call to represent her constituents at different times since 1999 when the present democratic dispensation berthed. She consciously left her comfort zone as a topnotch Executive Director of one of Nigeria’s best paying private companies to venture into the murky water of politics of the country. She was at separate time in both the Green and the Red Chambers of the National Assembly as a member, representing the Ilorin West and Asa Federal Constituency and later, as a Senator representing the Kwara Central Senatorial District.

And quite naturally, after a successful stint at the National Assembly, GRS emerged as Nigerian Best Female Legislator, with the highest number of bills presented and got passed into law by any female in the political history of Nigeria.

Before venturing into the arena of politics, Senator Gbemi Saraki enjoyed success in the private sector, gathering experience in various capacities. Upon completion of a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Sussex, she returned to Nigeria for the National Youth Service Corps.

She served at the Nigerian Bank for Commerce and Industry, Lagos, with duties which included loans assessment and disbursement as well as credit analysis and risk management. She continued to gain banking experiences with the Societe General Bank (Nigeria) Limited, initially as Head of Money Markets and later of Domiciliary Accounts. She later resigned and moved to Ashmount Insurance as director. She got married and started a family.

When democracy returned to Nigeria in 1999, Gbemi Saraki found her niche and joined active politics. She was elected as Honorable Member of House of Representatives under the banner of People Democratic Party. She built her unique political career on core value of positive impact in the lives of her people and of course her state, Kwara. She headed different committees and she further enlarged her understanding the dynamics of governance and the interrelationship with leadership as a fulcrum of building a better nation.

Among others, she was an active member of the following House Committees:
1. House Committees on Aviation;
2. Foreign Travel Habitat;
3. Legislative Budget and Research Office;
4. Navy;
5. Privatization;
6. Special Duties;
7. Transport.
In 2003, the good people of Kwara Central upgraded their trust in her leadership and voted her as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. She was re-elected to the Senate for the second term in 2007.
At the Senate, Gbemisola Saraki chaired several high profile committees, including, the Senate Committee on National Planning, Poverty Alleviation and Economic Affairs and the Senate Committee on Corruption. Her last duty call was the Senate Committee on Marine Transport.
Apart from being the chairperson of the above mentioned committees, she has also acted as Vice-Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and belonged to the following Committees:
1. Media and Publicity;
2. Women Affairs and Youth development;
3. Environment and Ecology; and Public Accounts.
4. Senate Committees on Commerce;
5. Rules and Business, Police Affairs;
6. Intergovernmental Affairs and Aviation.
She was also a returning member of the ECOWAS Parliament.
Legislative experience in the House and the Senate, chairing and membership of the divergent committees and a broad life experience have enabled GRS to develop a deep understanding of the critical issues confronting Nigeria. She is a visionary leader who works tirelessly to improve the rating of our nation in key areas such as poverty, corruption, economic development, education, energy, health, agriculture, water resources and the empowerment of women and youths.
Senator Gbemi Saraki is blessed with extraordinary drive, stamina and a daunting work-ethic as evidenced by her legislative track-record. This hard-working Senator has presented the following bills to the Senate since 2003:
1. National Agency for Occupational Safety and Health (Establishment) 2004
2. Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (Amendment) Bill 2004
3. Protective Helmets (Mandatory Use) Bill 2004
4. Legal Aid Council (Amendment) Bill 2004
5. Existing Vacancies (Publication) Bill 2005
6. Public Interest Disclosure Bill 2005
7. Skills Acquisition and Development Trust Fund 2007
8. Police Tax Fund 2007
9. Coast Guard Bill 2007
10. Anti-Terrorism Bill 2008
11. Mortgage Regulatory Bill 2009
12. Labour Act Amendment Bill 2009

By the end of her public career at the Senate, Senator Gbemi Saraki had sponsored 13 Legislative Bills making her one of the most active Senators in sponsoring bills that added quality values to our democracy. Also of note is the fact that her constituency, Kwara Central, had the highest numbers of constituency projects in Kwara courtesy of Senator Gbemisola Rukayat Saraki. She built a wide political network especially as a grassroots mobilizer.

In 2007 during the third term political imbroglio, Senator Gbemi Saraki etched her name and brand of politics on the national consciousness when she stood fervently and openly against the political illegality of extending the tenure of President Olusegun Obasanjo. That was a period that most of her contemporary were scampering for the safety of their political careers. Her speech on the floor of the Senate became a landmark in the fight for the decency of leadership and a safeguard of our nascent democracy.

She has no intention of stopping there. She is constantly researching a wide range of measures to effect societal development across all strata of society with an emphasis on action – legislative and philanthropic that directly impacts the common man.

2011 GOVERNORSHIP CONTEST
In 2011, she contested for the governorship seat of Kwara State. She was very concerned about the patterns of delivering good governance; enamored by her political experience; and buoyed by the understanding of the genuine needs of her people. Under the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, she contested and came third in the election.
She has no intention of stopping there. She is constantly researching a wide range of measures to effect societal development across all strata of society with an emphasis on action – legislative and philanthropic, that directly impacts the common man.
However, instead of political flirting with opposition against the dictates of her political ideology rooted in genuine passion for the development of her people and her state, Senator Gbemi Saraki elected to maintain her ground of faithfulness with the people and continued to build her grassroots political followers. She remained closer to their aspirations and sympathized with their political needs.