South West Speakers’ Conference To Address Strategies For Improved Lawmaking

By Ayodele Oni

Former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, is leading other resources persons to a retreat for House of Assembly Speakers and principal officers in the south west, which holds at Ikogosi on Friday.

Ekiti Assembly Speaker, Adeoye Aribasoye, who disclosed this in Ado Ekiti on Thursday highlighted the importance of sharpening strategies for improved lawmaking and related roles.

Aribasoye, who is also chairman, south west Conference of Speakers, disclosed that the lawmakers would be drawing lessons and sharing thoughts with experts at the retreat which has the theme, “Strengthening Democratic Governance at Subnational Level”.

He added that the retreat, is supported by Policy & Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) and the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO).

“Speakers and resource persons for the retreat include former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu and Lagos State Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa.

“Dr. Abel Ochigbo, Dr. Umar Aminu, Mr. Ben Ekeyi, Dr. Otive Igbuzor,  Dr. Umar Aminu and Prof. Abdulganiyu Raji will be handling different sessions at the forum while the State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji is expected to lead a team of the executive arm to grace the opening session.”

The conference chairman analysed that participants would be taking in-depth sessions to unlock strategies for effective governance at states, seek concensus on legislative reforms to tackle state and regional challenges, and deepen collaboration among state legislative bodies in the south west.

He emphasized that the legislature occupied a most strategic space in shaping the future of the country through the instrumentality of lawmaking and proper oversight, highlighting the need to get them more equipped for the onerous responsibility.

Aribasoye, had at different fora, underlined the place of common legislation for regional integration and transformation, with the aim of improving food security, safety of lives and property, and upgrading critical sectors of common interest among other aspects.