By Nefishetu Yakubu
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has commended the management of the National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) for fulfilling its mandate.
Akpabio specifically commended the Director-General of NILDS, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman and his management team for providing lawmakers with regular refresher programmes and training opportunities.
Akpabio, who chairs the Governing Board of the Institute, spoke on Thursday while presiding over the board meeting at NILDS headquarters in Abuja.
The meeting was attended by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr Abbas Tajudeen, who serves as the alternate chairman of the board.
Akpabio told the board members that the essence of creating the institute was being realised, citing it’s postgraduate and doctoral programmes conducted with universities.
He expressed satisfaction that NILDS had commenced training programmes for National Assembly staff, describing the development as a significant step toward institutional strengthening.
Akpabio suggested that the institute should be mandated to conduct induction programmes for incoming senators and members of the House of Representatives after the 2027 elections.
“When we came in 2023, the induction course that we had was at the NAF Centre. I’m sure that in 2027, this place is befitting enough for us to use for the induction course for the incoming parliamentarians.”
“I will urge members of the council to consider resolution in that regard. That once the election is over in 2027, the induction should be held here.
“That will also draw attention to this place. It will further boost the image of the institute,” Akpabio said.
The Senate President also commended the NILDS management team for maintaining the institute’s headquarters, describing the facility as impressive and well managed.
“When I came in, I was quite impressed about the maintenance of this edifice. Maintenance of an edifice like this is not easy.
“For you and your management team, Prof. Sulaiman, I think you have done the job well,” he said.
Earlier, Sulaiman briefed the board on the institute’s achievements, progress and ongoing efforts toward strengthening legislative and democratic governance in Nigeria.
He said the institute’s mandate was to enhance the capacity of legislators at federal, state and sub-regional levels through research and training.
Sulaiman disclosed that NILDS now operated 12 departments, including a radio station, while maintaining partnerships with several universities across the country.
According to him, the institute collaborates with the University of Benin, University of Abuja, and Federal University of Lokoja on academic programmes.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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