Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has emphasized the 10th House of Representatives’ commitment to driving constitutional amendments that promote national unity, strengthen democratic institutions, and foster greater inclusion. This initiative is part of the House’s broader legislative agenda focused on economic growth, security, social justice, and governance reforms.
Speaking virtually at the opening of a 2-Day Retreat for his Senior Legislative Aides in Lagos on Thursday, Kalu, who also chairs the Constitution Review Committee, highlighted that the committee is engaging various stakeholders across sectors to ensure the proposed amendments align with the aspirations of the Nigerian people and lay a solid foundation for national development.
The retreat, organized by the Deputy Speaker’s office in partnership with the Rule of Law and Anti-corruption (RoLAC) and the European Union (EU), is themed “Strengthening Legislative Support: Enhancing the Role of Aides in Governance.” Kalu underscored the importance of equipping legislative aides with the necessary knowledge, skills, and expertise to support effective governance and the democratic process in Nigeria.
“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 stated.
He also emphasized the importance of continuous learning and innovation within legislative processes. Referring to a research exercise by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Kalu pointed out that well-trained legislative aides contribute to over 60% of successful bill refinements before passage. Additionally, citing World Bank research, Kalu noted that countries with stronger legislative institutions experience economic growth rates that are 30% higher than those with weaker governance structures, reinforcing the need for institutional strengthening to achieve national prosperity.
“According to NILDS, well-trained legislative aides contribute to over 60% of successful bill refinements before passage. This underscores the vital role of legislative aides in shaping the strength of our legal frameworks and the impact of governance,” Kalu added.
He also stressed that the retreat serves as a call to action for legislative aides to refine their skills, deepen their expertise, and enhance their strategic thinking, becoming proactive drivers of legislative impact.
“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 his gratitude to the European Union and RoLAC for their continued support in strengthening institutions, noting that their contributions go beyond funding—they invest in the future of governance in Nigeria.
In his welcome address, Mr. Tordue Umah, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Deputy Speaker, stressed that the retreat is a strategic effort to reinforce the effectiveness of 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.
Mrs. Oluwatoyosi Giwa, the Project Manager of RoLAC and International IDEA, also expressed confidence that the workshop would enhance the technical competence of legislative aides, enabling them to contribute effectively to the lawmaking process and government scrutiny in the best interest of the people.
“We are confident that this workshop will support the capacity of legislative aides to play their administrative and technical roles in the lawmaking process and in scrutinizing and steering the work of government for the interest of the people,” she said.
