Good Governance: PLAC Trains Legislative Interns
BY GLORIA USMAN, ABUJA – Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), has commence training of over 35 legislative interns cut across the states of the federation.
Speaking at the Orientation/Induction Programme for the legislative interns, the Executive Director of PLAC, Clement Nwankwo said, the program is for 10 weeks and that the interns with be attached to the legislature to learn the legislative process.
According to him; “The interns will be equipped with the necessary skills to enable them provide legislative, administrative and office support to their assigned committees”.
The two days training which is aimed at promoting good governance in Nigeria was organised by PLAC with support of the European Union.
In his remarks, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Public Petition, Hon Jerry Alagbaosa, challenged the new interns to assimilate the lessons of the induction and work hard towards the future.
While urging the youths to continue to push for greater roles in governance, Alagbaosa said, they should prove that they can fit into roles assigned to them in the political spaces by paying attention and apply the lesson and knowledge they’ll acquire from PLACs program.
He said; “They must bear in mind that they represent the youths of the country, and therefore must utilise the platform to not only prepare them for the challenges ahead but also develop strategies or plans to ensure that their voices are not only heard but presence also felt in all spheres of political endeavors.
“You are expected to maximise the opportunities presented by PLAC to sharpen your skills and garner more knowledge that would be beneficial to your personal and social endeavors and most importantly prepare yourself for leadership roles or position”.
Alagbaosa said though democratic governance has been for a decade, yet there are gaps and circumstances which hinders full citizenship participation in democratic processes; hence the need for programs like the legislative internship designed by PLAC to introduce men and women across Nigeria to political consciousness towards good leadership skills.
He said the orientation induction ceremony was in line with the resolution of the 122nd interns parliamentary assembly in Bangkok in April, 2010 entitled “youths Participation in the democratic process”.
Head of the Delegation, European Union in Nigeria and ECOWAS, Ambassador Ketil karlsen, said he is pleased to see that Nigeria legislature consider the roles of young people as critical in nation building and the need to be supported.
He said no doubts the event demonstrated Nigeria’s legislative commitment in re-enforcing the country’s democracy, adding that for any democracy to work it needs to bring young people in its mist.
“The legislative leadership is actually mutually beneficial for you, because it will provide you with very vast valuable legislative process.”
“It will also be beneficial to the National Assembly with the right commitment, motivate young people that would help its members exploit its committee to actually work. Enjoy as much as you can, work as hard as you can, because this can be a life changing experience if you like to make most of it.
He said that the proper functioning of the legislature is very important for stability, economy development and poverty reduction in the country.
