Martins Esin: Akwa Ibom Councillors Get Legislative Training

• Martins Esin sponsored a two-day legislative training for 52 councillors from his Oron/Mbo/Okobo/Udung Uko/Urueoffong Oruko Federal Constituency in Akwa Ibom.
• The National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies facilitated the program, which focused on strategic leadership and legislative practices for effective local government administration.
• The training aimed to strengthen the legislative competence and leadership capacity of grassroots officials, addressing the impact of local government negligence on poverty.
• Key topics covered included the law-making process at the local government level, budget and appropriation processes, and an overview of Nigeria's security architecture.
• Participants expressed confidence that the acquired knowledge would enable them to more effectively address legislative challenges and fulfill their constitutional duties.

This enhanced Akwa Ibom local government legislative capacity is poised to translate into more robust and effective local governance.

A two-day capacity-building initiative, sponsored by Martins Esin, the federal representative for the Oron/Mbo/Okobo/Udung Uko/Urueoffong Oruko Federal Constituency, recently concluded, providing legislative training to 52 councillors from his Akwa Ibom constituency. The program, facilitated by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), focused on "Strategic Leadership, Developing Legislative Practice and Procedures for Effective Local Government Administration in Nigeria."

The opening ceremony, held on a Friday, saw Omen Bassey, the Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, representing Mr. Esin. The primary objective of this Martins Esin Akwa Ibom councillors legislative training was to enhance the legislative competence and leadership capabilities of these grassroots officials. This investment in local governance underscores a commitment to strengthening the third tier of government, which is crucial for delivering development directly to the populace.

The necessity for such training was highlighted by Mr. Esin, who, through his representative, emphasized that the neglect of local government administration has significantly contributed to poverty and hunger across the nation. He stressed the ongoing need for capacity building at the grassroots level to counteract these issues. Furthermore, Mr. Esin commended President Bola Tinubu for his firm stance on advocating for Nigerian local government autonomy, recognizing its vital role in fostering development.

Professor Abubakar Sulaiman, the Director-General of NILDS, represented by David Akinyemi Osanaiye, the institute's Director of Internal Audit, praised the lawmaker's dedication to grassroots capacity development. Professor Sulaiman noted that the initiative is expected to result in improved public service and more effective representation within the constituency. He also pointed out that the riverine characteristics of the area necessitate development approaches that are both strategic and context-specific. Councillors, being the most accessible public servants, occupy a critical position in the relationship between government and citizens, making stronger local government institutions essential for achieving democratic dividends.

The curriculum for the two-day program was extensive, covering several critical aspects of local governance and the law making process local government. Dr. Samuel Oguche, NILDS's Deputy Director of Legislative Support Services, delivered a session titled “Law Making Process at Local Government: Legislative Practice, Process and Procedures, Including Types and Uses of Legislative Instruments; Motions, Resolutions, Public Hearings and Investigations.” He urged participants to apply the knowledge gained judiciously.

Other significant sessions included an “Overview of the Nigerian Security Architecture and State Policing: Issues, Challenges and Prospects,” presented by Professor Hakeem Onapajo from the Legislative Centre for Security Analysis. Dr. Asimiyu Abiola, NILDS's Director of Studies, led a discussion on “Budget and Appropriation Processes, Including Financial and Administrative Autonomy for Local Government Areas.” A session on “Committees in the Local Government Legislative Council: Types, Composition, Operations and Procedures” was also part of the comprehensive training.

Participants expressed strong confidence that the insights gained from the training would significantly enhance their ability to address legislative challenges and effectively discharge their constitutional responsibilities. Hon. Sunday Effiong Eyo, Chairman of the Oron Federal Constituency Councillors Forum, spoke on behalf of the attendees, describing the program as an unprecedented opportunity for grassroots lawmakers. He extended gratitude to Mr. Esin for his sponsorship, acknowledging the profound impact the lessons would have on their work.

This enhanced Akwa Ibom local government legislative capacity is poised to translate into more robust and effective local governance. The councillors, identified as potential leaders whose responsibilities are expected to grow, were encouraged to take the training seriously, with the expectation that the acquired knowledge would lead to improved performance and service delivery within their respective wards. The initiative underscores a broader effort to empower local government institutions to better serve their communities.

Lawyers advising clients with operations or interests at the local government level in Akwa Ibom should monitor for potential changes or increased enforcement of local bylaws and regulations, as enhanced legislative capacity among councillors could lead to more robust and effective local governance and law-making.

Source: Original reporting via The PUNCH