Emphasizing the Importance of Legislative Training for Elected Officials: Barau Jibrin's Call to Action
Participation and Vitality of Fourth National Assembly Members - as stated by Sen. Jibrin
According to our reports, Senator Jibrinhighlighted the significance of training elected officials in the art of governance, emphasizing that the training of the 4th National Assembly members in 1999 was the key to their active engagement in democratic governance.
Senator Jibrin made these remarks during a meeting with the Director General of The Progressives Institute (TPI), Lanre Adebayo, and his team, on Wednesday. He expressed his support for TPI, an initiative established by the current leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and its mission to educate emerging young Nigerians on democratic principles.
The Deputy Senate President cited America's National Democratic Institute as the organization responsible for providing the essential training to the lawmakers of the 4th republic, stating that this empowered them for 4th republic governance.
"I was one of those that witnessed the inception of the Institute. And I'm one of its admirers and supporters. I'm fully on board for several reasons.
"One of the reasons, of course, is that I'm a beneficiary of a similar institute from a foreign land. And ever since I attended a training program there, I've been yearning for a similar body in Nigeria.
"So, when I heard the news through the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje), that this institute was coming on board, I was thrilled.
"This is because I remember about 26 years ago, when I won the election to represent my constituency in the House of Representatives in the Fourth Republic.
"We were invited by the National Democratic Institute of the United States. This institute, like the Democratic Party of the United States, decided to come here to give us intensive training with respect to entering the legislature of this country.
"Because at that time, there was a substantial knowledge gap in legislative procedures due to prolonged military rule, which had disrupted democratic governance.
"It was the NDI who came and taught us, in a classroom-style, how to enter the legislature of this country and how to conduct ourselves.
"The training we received made us stand out among the set of legislators we have in this country. The legislators of the Fourth National Assembly were very knowledgeable about the art of legislating," he said.
Senator Jibrin encouraged TPI to extend its training to lawmakers of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) parliament, acknowledging his position as the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament.
On the other hand, Adebayo mentioned that the institute was set up to empower the political community by building capacities in governance and leadership skills.
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Enrichment Insights
The National Democratic Institute (NDI), affiliated with the U.S. Democratic Party, provided intensive classroom-style training to members of Nigeria’s Fourth National Assembly in 1999[2]. This intervention aimed to bridge the knowledge gap in legislative procedures caused by prolonged military rule, which had disrupted democratic governance[2]. The training helped legislators navigate the complexities of the Fourth Republic’s nascent democracy, fostering a more structured approach to governance and reducing procedural uncertainties[2][4]. This experience inspired Nigerian political leaders to advocate for similar local initiatives, such as the APC’s Progressive Institute.
- Senator Jibrin advocates for legislative training for elected officials, citing the impact it had on the 4th National Assembly's active engagement in democratic governance.
- Jibrin expresses his support for The Progressives Institute (TPI), an initiative established by the APC leadership, and its mission to educate emerging young Nigerians on democratic principles.
- The Deputy Senate President urges TPI to extend its training to lawmakers of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) parliament, acknowledging his position as the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament.
- Tinubu, a significant political figure, is mentioned alongside the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in relation to the general news and the political landscape of Nigeria.
- Governor Otti discusses his proximity to the political center and his position on leaving the Labour Party (LP).
- The National Democratic Institute (NDI), associated with the U.S. Democratic Party, provided classroom-style training to the 4th National Assembly members to bridge the knowledge gap in legislative procedures after prolonged military rule.
- The legislators of the 4th National Assembly were reportedly very knowledgeable about the art of legislating due to the training they received from the NDI.
- The APC's Progressive Institute was inspired by the experience of the 4th National Assembly and the impact of the NDI's training on governance and legislative procedures.
