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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. From a sterling academic foundation that 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.
Background
Saraki attended the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom and earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics. She did her national service at the Nigeria Bank for Commerce and Industry, Lagos. She worked for the Societe Generale Bank (Nigeria) with the post of the Head of Money Markets and later as Head of Domiciliary Accounts. From 1994 to 1999, she was Executive Director of Ashmount Insurance Brokers, Lagos. Her father is Abubakar Olusola Saraki, who was a leading senator of the Second Nigerian Republic (1979–1983) and father of politics in Kwara State.Political career
Saraki was elected as a member of the House of Representatives in 1999 under the umbrella of the All People’s Party (APP).[citation needed] She ran under the umbrella of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) for the senate in 2003 and won the seat, representing the Central Senatorial District of Kwara State. She re-contested in 2007 and won again, serving as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for eight years (2003-2011). In 2011, she contested in the gubernatorial election of Kwara State under the ACPN party, losing the election to PDP’s Abdul Fatah Ahmed. As a legislator from 2003-2011, she was a member of several committees. At the Senate in 2007-2011, Saraki chaired the Senate Committee on National Planning, Poverty Alleviation and Economic Affairs. She also acted as Vice-Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs. 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.Sign up to the Connect Nigeria daily newsletter
She built her unique political career on the 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 of 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:
- House Committees on Aviation;
- Foreign Travel Habitat;
- Legislative Budget and Research Office;
- Navy;
- Privatization;
- Special Duties;
- Transport.
- Media and Publicity;
- Women Affairs and Youth development;
- Environment and Ecology; and Public Accounts.
- Senate Committees on Commerce;
- Rules and Business, Police Affairs;
- Intergovernmental Affairs and Aviation.
- National Agency for Occupational Safety and Health (Establishment) 2004
- Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (Amendment) Bill 2004
- Protective Helmets (Mandatory Use) Bill 2004
- Legal Aid Council (Amendment) Bill 2004
- Existing Vacancies (Publication) Bill 2005
- Public Interest Disclosure Bill 2005
- Skills Acquisition and Development Trust Fund 2007
- Police Tax Fund 2007
- Coast Guard Bill 2007
- Anti-Terrorism Bill 2008
- Mortgage Regulatory Bill 2009
- Labour Act Amendment Bill 2009
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