Tag: Deputy Speaker

  • Reps prioritising constitution amendment to promote unity – Deputy Speaker, Kalu

    Reps prioritising constitution amendment to promote unity – Deputy Speaker, Kalu

    Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu has said the 10th House of Representatives through its Constitution Review Committee has made it a priority to champion constitutional amendments that promote national unity and cohesion, strengthen democratic institutions, and ensure greater inclusion among the people.

    The effort, he said, is also part of the ambitious legislative agenda of the House which focuses on economic growth, security, social justice, and governance reforms.

    Speaking virtually at the beginning of a 2-Day Retreat for his Senior Legislative Aides in Lagos on Thursday, Kalu said the Committee  which he also chairs is engaging stakeholders across all sectors to ensure that the outcomes of the process will reflect the aspirations of the Nigerian people, emphasizing it will provide a solid foundation for national development.

    Organized by the Office of the Deputy Speaker in conjunction with Rule of Law and Anti-corruption (RoLAC) and the European Union (EU), the retreat is themed “Strengthening Legislative Support: Enhancing the Role of Aides in Governance”.

    sANLCAAPCDeputy SpeakerHon. Ben KaluHouse of RepsNWC
    Deputy SpeakerHon. Ben Kalu House of Reps

    Kalu said: “The 10th House of Representatives has set an ambitious legislative agenda focused on economic growth, security, social justice, and governance reforms. As Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, we have prioritized constitutional amendments that promote national unity, strengthen democratic institutions, and ensure greater inclusion. We are engaging stakeholders across all sectors to ensure that our laws reflect the aspirations of the Nigerian people and provide a solid foundation for national development.”

    Kalu noted that the retreat aims to equip the legislative aides with the knowledge, skills, and expertise required to support effective governance and democratic processes in Nigeria.

    He also underscored the significance of continuous learning and innovation in legislative processes.

    Kalu cited a research exercise conducted by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), which shows that well-trained legislative aides contribute to over 60% of successful bill refinements before passage.

    The Deputy Speaker also noted that countries with stronger legislative institutions experience economic growth rates 30% higher than those with weaker governance structures, citing research by the World Bank.

    “According to the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) well-trained legislative aides contribute to over 60% of successful bill refinements before passage. This means that the strength of our legal frameworks and the impact of governance rest significantly on the expertise and dedication of those who support the legislative process. We must take this responsibility seriously.

    “Furthermore, research by the World Bank indicates that countries with stronger legislative institutions experience economic growth rates 30% higher than those with weaker governance structures. This statistic reinforces the fact that our collective efforts are not just about good governance—they are about national prosperity.

    “Think of the challenges before us: our communities in need of policies that uplift and empower, our nation yearning for stability and prosperity. The laws we draft, the policies we shape, and the motions we move are not just legislative exercises; they are the bedrock of national development.

    “Therefore, this retreat is a call to action. It is a call to refine your skills, deepen your expertise, and enhance your strategic thinking. It is a call to move beyond routine tasks and become proactive drivers of legislative impact. Because when we strengthen legislative support, we strengthen governance itself. And when we enhance the role of aides, we empower legislators to make informed, people-centered decisions.

    “We must embrace legislative innovations that make governance more transparent and accessible. We must champion policies that bridge the gap between government and the governed. We must become the architects of a legislature that is not just reactive, but proactive—one that anticipates challenges and crafts sustainable solutions”, he said.

    Kalu expressed gratitude to the European Union and RoLAC for their unwavering commitment to institutional strengthening, noting that “their support is not just about funding programs; it is about investing in the future of governance in Nigeria”.

    Earlier, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Tordue Umah in his welcome address said the retreat is a strategic mechanism to reinforce the efficiency of the legislative aides.

    “This gathering is not a mere formality; rather, it is a deliberate and strategic engagement aimed at refining our expertise, reinforcing our effectiveness, and ensuring that we remain at the forefront of legislative excellence”, he said.

    Also speaking, Mrs Oluwatoyosi Giwa, the Project Manager of RoLAC and International IDEA, expressed confidence that the workshop will help to sharpen the technical competence of the legislative aides, enabling them to deliver effectively.

    “We are confident that this workshop will support the capacity of legislative aides to play their administrative and technical role in the lawmaking process and in scrutinizing and steering the work government for the interest of the people”, she said.

  • Temper justice with mercy, release Nnamdi Kanu – Deputy Speaker urges Tinubu

    Temper justice with mercy, release Nnamdi Kanu – Deputy Speaker urges Tinubu

    The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to temper justice with mercy and release the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, from detention.

    Kalu appealed while addressing the press after the inaugural meeting of the House of Representatives committee on South East Development Commission (SEDC) at the National Assembly complex in Abuja.

    The Deputy Speaker commended Mr President for his continuous and tremendous support and commitment towards peace, development, and stability in the South-East region.

    He noted that the president, since assuming office, has in various ways proven his love for the South-Easterners through his speedy assent to the South East Development Commission Bill, which failed in previous assemblies.

    He said, “We are begging; you can’t coerce the President; he’s the Commander in Chief. All we are saying is use a political approach, not the legal approach. We are appealing to him to temper justice with mercy and release Nnamdi Kanu to Southeast people. It will ensure more security for our people and spring up development that this SEDC is going to bring.”

    Suggesting the adoption of a political approach rather than a legal one for the release of Kanu, the Deputy Speaker said that the people of the region will be eternally grateful to the President if that becomes a reality.

    Expressing optimism that the president will heed their appeal, the deputy speaker noted that when Kanu is released, insecurity in the region will be reduced and as well spring up development that this SEDC is going to bring.

    He said, “Only President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was able to put his feet down to say that the South East remains parts and parcel of Nigeria. It failed in previous assemblies but when it got to him, he assented to it. We are very happy because we know that certain areas of our problems in the region will be prioritised such as agriculture, energy, power, infrastructure, technology we are very innovative people.

    “All we need is the support of government to project the innovative mindedness of the young folks in that region to benefit the entire federation. The next one is the creative industry, how do we look at that, sports, entertainment, to take it from where it is to where it ought to be. In agriculture the whole nine yards, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda on Food Security, that’s what we are looking at. What’s happening with these talents, can’t we have something like silicon valley in the east? We can call it eastern valley, a hub where you creative minds will come together.

    “These are areas we are looking at, with a lot of technology in place, development will spring up. We are thankful to Mr President for doing this for the South-East; you know insecurity is a major concern in the area. You can’t have development in midst of insecurity. That’s why we started what we call peace in South-East project supported by the parliament. But in doing so we noticed that the insecurity there will be reduced if Nnamdi Kanu is released. We want Nnamdi Kanu to be released because we know it will give our people more security.

    “Those who are using him as an excuse to perpetrate all these criminal actions around our area will have no other reason to be on the street. Then the police and security agencies will catch anyone who claims Nnamdi Kanu is the reason for causing harm to the people of South-East.