Only God knows how the Senators managed the information around the visit. They took the entire nation by surprise. The delegation of the Upper legislative body got to Maiduguri before we all knew that the lawmakers were ready to dare the odds and visit the war theatre where some insurgents who operate under the name ‘Western’Education is bad’ – Boko Haram are subjecting their fellow human beings to agony, pains, deprivation, poverty and destruction.

However, since it was confirmed that Monday afternoon that the delegation led by Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki was actually in Maiduguri to have an on-the-spot assessment of the situation, empathise with the people and encourage the political, military and traditional leadership so that they can continue to   soldier on, despite the difficult times, many Nigerians have been filled with admiration for the Eight Senate.

Like the Governor of Borno State said, it was the first time that the federal legislature deemed it fit to send a delegation to the troubled-zone. More importantly, the Governor said the trip gave hope to his people that they have not been forgotten. The visit was actually very symbolic in many ways.

First, one can see it as an opportunity for the Senate to show the people of the zone that the crisis bedevilling their area is a national crisis and that the entire nation is with them. Such a gesture will rekindle hope in the people that their case is getting attention in the right places.

Second, the new Senate whose leader, Ali Ndume is from the zone will use the visit to show the constituents of Ndume and other Senators from that zone that their colleagues in Abuja share the feeling of their people and are ready to give all legislative, moral, spiritual and financial support.

Third, the eight Senate has used the visit to show that things will be done differently in the current National Assembly. That visit was a radical departure from the past where legislators sit in Abuja and rely on media reports and other unconfirmed sources to make decisions. Now, having seen the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs ) in the camps and listening to their plight as narrated by the victims, Governor Shetimma, the Shehu of Borno and other indigenes, the Senators are now participant-observers and they can go back to their chambers and deliberate on how to make life easier for these unfortunate Nigerians who have become refugees in their country.

More importantly, the kind gesture by the Senate President as he donated N10 million for the upkeep of the IDPs is not just a pointer to the philanthropic nature of the man, but it may also open the gates for more aid to these people. One will expect the Senate President’s action to inspire and encourage other Senators and even, their colleagues in the House of RepresentIves as well as their other friends in and outside the National Assembly to a cue from Saraki. The other people should start sending their aids in cash and kind so that the condition of living in the IDPs camps can improve.

One will expect the Senate not to let the euphoria of its visit and the positive reaction it has generated to blank its main aims. With the information now at its disposal, the Senate can now match its words in Maiduguri with action. It should immediately initiate legislations, motions and resolutions which will compel the executive to move more swiftly, speedily and seriously to end the insurgency in the North East zone. The Buhari administration is really trying all measures to end this Boko Haram problem. It will however do all of us good if the National Assembly gives full legislative backing to these measures initiated   by the executive.

This is where the visit of the Senate to Maiduguri became useful. The Senators can make specific suggestions on how to make life better for the IDPs. The people in those camps need more food, medicine, clothing, tents and educational facilities for the children. The children in those camps need to be well taken care of before they become future Boko Haram adherents. That is why provision of educational facilities must be a priority now. It takes those of them who visited the camps to start drumming it up.

From the submission of Ndume during the debate in the Senate before the trip to Maiduguri, in the whole of Borno State capital, no secondary school is open to students in the last few months. This is because their premises had been converted to camps for habitation by the IDPs. This poses a challenge as a fresh problem is being created in the bid to solve an existing one. The students who have been out of classes, roaming the streets can no longer meet up with their colleagues in areas not under Boko Haram assault. These are issues the National Assembly can start calling attention to.

One is particularly happy that Saraki has now taken it upon himself to be canvassing international support for the Boko Haram infested area. These help may be in terms of military equipment, donation of other facilities and even technical assistance. The Senate President repeatedly told the German and Spanish ambassadors who paid courtesy call on him on Wednesday that Nigeria requires support of various kind in restoring normalcy in the North-east.

Overall, that visit to Borno State and the message of hope spread to the people by the Senate delegation have vindicated those of us who continue to argue that the federal law makers should be left alone to work. It is generally believed that the crop of Senators in the eight senate represent some of the best Nigerians can boast of. If they are saved from the diversions of politics being foisted on them from outside their chambers, they will surely do well and serve the interest of the people.

The unique nature of the inauguration of the Senate itself and the controversy surrounding the emergence of its leadership may be the tonic these lawmakers need to excel. One can be sure that like it happens in the case of the Maiduguri visit, Nigerians can expect many more good news from the Senate in particular, and the National Assembly in general.

Abu Quassim writes from Abuja.