Abuja: Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, has emphasized the necessity for ongoing training of legislators to ensure the effective delivery of democratic benefits in the country. He made this assertion in Abuja during the inauguration of a two-day workshop organized by NILDS for members of the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the workshop, titled 'Ethics, Privileges, Practice and Procedures for Effective Legislative Performance', aims to enhance the capacity of legislators. Prof. Sulaiman highlighted that effective legislatures depend not only on laws and infrastructure but also on the capabilities and commitment of lawmakers and staff to fulfill their constitutional responsibilities efficiently. He noted that the carefully chosen topics for the workshop are crucial for any legislature's overall performance.
Prof. Sulaiman explained that a thorough understanding of Standing Orders would enable legislators to effectively manage debates, motions, and other legislative procedures. He also stressed that understanding legislative privileges' scope and limits is vital to maintaining the institution's sanctity and preventing abuse. Oversight and committee management were also mentioned as essential for ensuring accountability and transparency in governance.
The director-general underscored that ethics and privileges are fundamental principles that define the legislature's moral compass and shape public perception of democratic governance. He urged legislators to leverage the workshop as an opportunity to expand their knowledge, enhance their skills, and strengthen their capacity for impactful legislative work. Prof. Sulaiman reaffirmed NILDS's commitment to supporting state houses of assembly across Nigeria through training, research, technical assistance, and institutional partnerships.
In his remarks, the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly, Mr. Udeme Otong, highlighted the universal emphasis on the importance of knowledge across cultures and traditions. He referenced Proverbs 4:7 to illustrate the value of wisdom and understanding. The speaker mentioned that the workshop's thematic areas include parliamentary business, legislative processes, personal etiquette, and promoting legislative-executive relations. It also covers the bill process, analysis, judicial review of legislation, and the budget appropriation process.
Mr. Otong expressed that the workshop aims to raise awareness of ethical standards, privileges, and legislators' responsibilities. It seeks to enhance the capacity to enforce ethical compliance and uphold legislative integrity while strengthening oversight mechanisms for transparency and good governance. He encouraged participants to take full advantage of this unique learning opportunity to bridge existing gaps and build their capacity to fulfill their mandates more effectively.