NILDS D-G Calls for Training Programmes for Nigerian Legislative Body

Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman

 

Bu Fatima Mohammed-Lawal

Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, the Director General, (D-G) National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) has advised on development of training programs for enhancement of skills and knowledge for the legislative body in Nigeria.

Sulaiman made the call in Ilorin while delivering the First Public Lecture organised by the Institute for Legislative Studies, University of Ilorin.

The presentation was entitled: “Fostering Legislative Governance through Capacity Building: Lesson from the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies”.

He stated that the legislature in Nigeria is challenged on several fronts that can be addressed through sustained capacity building.

He observed challenges including the high rate of turnover of members, and need for capacity building for its staff, intense public scrutiny on how its functions of lawmaking, oversight, and representation are conducted.

According to him, there is need to ensure that legislative processes and procedures continue to strengthen the institutions of the legislature.

“Despite these gaps, the legislature is faced with limited opportunities for capacity building.

“Thus, enhancing access to capacity-building programs for the legislature at the national and subnational levels is critical for enhancing the quality of legislative governance in Nigeria,” he said.

Sulaiman noted that comprehensive and structured approach to capacity building is required.

He explained that the approach should involve the development of training programs that can enhance the skills and knowledge of members and staff of the legislative body.

The D-G added that the training programmes should be designed to address the specific challenges that the legislative body is facing.

According to him, the success of capacity-building programmes will depend on the commitment of stakeholders, including the legislative body itself, civil society organizations, and the private sector.

“It is crucial that these stakeholders work together to ensure that the capacity-building programmes are relevant, effective, and sustainable.

“The leadership of capacity building institutions must also be proactive in drawing plans and actions that will enhance their capacity building programmes,” said Sulaiman.

The D-G stated that the Institute has become a reference point in drawing up lessons on how best a legislative building capacity institution should operate in other to meet or surpass their targets.

He advised the University of Ilorin Center for Legislative Studies to take the advantage of its location in the North Central Nigeria and its proximity to some states in the western region to build the capacity of the nation legislators and other democratic institutions in Nigeria.

Earlier in his welcome address, Prof Wahab Egbewole, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin commended NILDS for collaborating with the Institute for Legislative Studies, University of Ilorin.

He observed that the NILDS D-G has been of utmost support to the development of the institute.

The vice chancellor expreeesed hope that the the Institute for Legislative Studies, University of Ilorin will grow from strength to strength.

Also speaking, Mr Kehinde Eleja, SAN, Chairman of the Occassion, described the Legislature as an important arm of government in any democracy and Nigeria.

“The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), as the grundnorm has deliberately created the legislative arm of government.

“This is consisting of two chambers (Senate and House of Representatives) at the National level and the State House of Assembly for each State of the Federation,” he said.

Eleja stated that Section four of the Constitution outlines the scope and limits of the powers of the National Assembly, which include the power to make laws for the peace, order, and good government of the federation or any part thereof.

According to him, the Constitution also grants the National Assembly the power to conduct investigations, summon any person or authority, and expose corruption, inefficiency, or waste in the execution or administration of laws or funds appropriated by the Acts of the National Assembly.

The Lawyer observed that events in recent times have shown beyond any peradventure that in some glaring cases the legislature has performed below expectation in the discharge of its functions

He  however, added that in some instances, it had gone beyond its boundaries and these have affected the quality of governance in the country.

Eleja stated that some instances, the legislature has attempted to usurp the functions of some institutions that are created by law in the name of oversight functions.

He diacloaed that the Institute has a vision of being a world-class institution that promotes the culture of excellence, effectiveness, and accountability in the legislature and democracy in Nigeria.

“It has a mission of providing quality research, training, and advocacy on legislative and democratic issues, and facilitating the exchange of ideas and experiences among legislators, experts, and practitioner.

“The Institute has under the present leadership been carrying out various activities and programs that aim to foster legislative governance through capacity building,” he said.

He added that the Institute has made significant contributions and impacts on the improvement and strengthening of legislative governance in Nigeria. (NAN)

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