By Dapo Ipoola

Arne Jarrick and Maria Wallenberg-Bondesson at the Centre for Cultural Volution have published a book on the world history of laws, giving a concrete and comprehensive example of cultural dynamics in action. This study of the long-term history of law-making aims at a better understanding of the cultural dynamics of human society as reflected in the efforts made to regulate human interaction.

Through a systematic comparative study of 4 000 years of law-making, spanning from Sumerian laws to the Napoleonic Codes and beyond, the book identifies certain general long-term changes. These long-term changes relate to the content as well as to the structuring principles of laws, for example, the emergence of equality before the law, the development of criminal law referring exclusively to victims towards laws also referring to victimless crimes, and, moreover, the evolution of hierarchical structuring principles of laws. The dynamics of law making refers to how law is created and how it changes over time. This can include the history of law making, the relationship between the judiciary and legislature, and the impact of law on the society.

As part of his life-changing contribution to the 2025 Appropriation Bill, which was extensively deliberated upon during the plenary so as to abrogate repetitive presentation of budget and save cost, he said, “There are certain budget line items that Ministries and MDA’s should not be earmarking anymore. These include the new vehicles, furniture, stationeries and other equipments like computers and printers on an annual basis among others. These could last for years if managed well. As we continue to enact reforms that will shape Nigeria’s sustainable development, it is imperative for public officials in the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government to keep in mind that these are dire times for our people. We should be at the front of line of making the necessary sacrifices, not the citizens. Thoroughly enjoyed the President’s speech during the budget presentation. Kudos to the executive and all those that joined Mr. President in his visit to the National Assembly. Finally, I am grateful to the Speaker for the opportunity and my colleagues for the time.”

In Nigeria, it is an annual practice presenting budget every year, buying same items/materials/needs that had been requested in the budget year-in year-out. But the contribution made by MHR Bello El-Rufai if implemented, will go a long way to save cost, redeem us from the culture of perpetual waste. Such contribution can only come from a sane and sound mind whose interest for the well being of the masses is to dignify their living conditions. And in all of his public engagement and representation, that is what MHR Bello El-Rufai typifies. He hates mediocrity with every fibre of his being. As a ship of his old block, Hon. Bello El-Rufai is pristinely effulgent, both politically and administratively.

As a way of giving back, he has indescribably empowered his constituents by installing over 1000 streetlights in Kaduna North; paid 2025 NECO fees for students in Kaduna North; distributed N50k cash gift to 500 vulnerable women in Kaduna North, with 250 women who have previously benefited from the same initiative; secured federal job opportunities for the youths across his constituency; gave scholarship to medical students who had their tuition fees paid for a year; trained 100 constituents in partnership with Interface Africa, for training in Solar Initiative, who’ll receive training and starter kits to become solar sales, installation, and collection agents, with each agent earning N100k monthly from their activities, promoting economic empowerment and sustainable energy adoption; disbursed N32m as financial support to some of his political associates in Kaduna North; constructed classrooms in various schools across his constituency.

As a legislator with incurable passion for education, he has given millions of Naira scholarship and tuition fees in KASU with 107 beneficiaries; 43 beneficiaries in FUDAMA; 100 beneficiaries in ABU; 83 beneficiaries in COEG/Waya; 30 beneficiaries in the T/Wada midwifery; 100 beneficiaries in Affit; 200 beneficiaries in Islamic schools; 200 beneficiaries in Missionary schools; 20 beneficiaries in WAEC special class; 60 beneficiaries in GSS U/King WAEC tuition fees; 60 beneficiaries in KAWO ward NECO tuition fees; 60 beneficiaries in DOKA/Gabasawa WAEC tuition fees. His huge investment in education is yielding positive results as the youths across his constituency are daily excelling academically and in their various vocational endeavours.

Some may see Hon. Bello El-Rufai as an individual who got his palm kernel cracked for him by the gods, having been the son of a former Minister, DG BPE, and Governor. In all of this, he never allowed himself to be inebriated by his privileged background. Instead, he steamed himself in learning and virtues that’ll outlast whatever his privileged background may afford him. MHR Bello El-Rufai had had his teeth cut on under the tutelages of Senator UBA Sani, where he served as a Senior Legislative Aide and Chief of Staff; and he was at a time an Office Assistant to the former Deputy Speaker, Hon. Emeka Chukwuemeka Ihedioha. Before his election into the House of Representatives where he is currently the Chairman, House Committee on Banking Regulations, he was a manager at Huawei Nigeria; co-founder of Rescue Kaduna Group(RKG), a political action committee; Director of Youth Mobilization for the Buhari Campaign Organisation; board member of the Yasmin El-Rufai Foundation(YELF), and Hamza El-Rufai Foundation(HELF).

Dapo Ipoola, a media consultant wrote in from Abuja.