NASS Playing Robust Role In Nigeria’s Democracy – Dogara
BY AMOS DUNIA, ABUJA – Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara said the National Assembly has made appreciable progress in fulfilling its democratic obligations to the Nigerian people.
Dogara said this mandate has been achieved through the special and particular attention given to capacity strengthening the legislative arm of government.
According to the Speaker, parliamentary capacity development remains an important ingredient in ensuring the balance of power among all the three branches of a democratic system, the Executive, Legislative and Judiciary.
He said the development has enabled and strengthened the mechanism of checks and balances essential to sustainable economic growth and development in the polity.
Speaking at the third matriculation ceremony of the National Institute of Legislative Studies (NILS)/University of Benin (UNIBEN) Postgraduate Programme at the National Assembly,
Dogara said it is a globally acknowledge facts by parliaments that nothing hinders the delivery of democracy dividends more than lack of capacity.
He therefore lauded NILS/UNIBEN for designing and administering programmes aimed at building the capacity of legislative staff, noting that this has effectively started yielding positive outcomes.
The Speaker maintained that the knowledge imparted therein will build a pool of competent staff and members to enhance international best practices in the discharge of their duties.
“The point must be made that it is knowledge that animates parliaments all over the world while nothing stultifies the promise of democracy more than an intellectually hollow Parliament.
“By paying particular attention to capacity strengthening, the National Assembly has made appreciable progress in fulfilling its democratic obligations. The capacity of the National Assembly to make laws, review existing laws and perform legislative oversight and representative roles has been significantly enhanced and the technical capacity of staff and legislative aides is progressively being strengthened and expanded.
Dogara, who said with the operation of the 1999 Constitution, legislative responsibilities have become even more crucial as demonstrated by the robust role being played by the Legislature in our democracy”, applauded “the movement towards an open society in which citizens participate more in matters of national importance, contribute in decision-making processes and demand greater accountability on the part of political office holders.”
The Speaker gave kudos to both the students and some Lawmakers honoured with Fellowship of National Institute for Legislative Studies (NILS), nothing that it is in recognition of their contributions to the growth and development of the legislature in Nigeria.
A statement by Special Adviser to the Speaker, Media & Public Affairs, Turaki Adamu Hassan said among those awarded Fellows of NILS are former Presidents of the Senate, Dr Joseph Wayas, Senator Ken Nnamani, former Speakers of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Ghali Umar Na’Abba and Rt Hon Aminu Bello Masari.
