Legislature has been described as the heart of democracy, an institution through which the will of the people are expressed , laws are made and where government is held accountable.
The Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Stephen Aribasoye who was ably represented by Hon Tolulope Ige made this disclosure while declaring open a 3 – day workshop on “Legislative practice and procedures” held in Ado Ekiti.
The Workshop was organized by Ministry of Local Government Affairs in collaboration with the Centre for constitutionalism, human development for the legislative arms( members of legislative officers and the clerk of the house) across the local governments in Ekiti State.
The Speaker explained that local governments legislative councils are critical and are the closest to the people and their effectiveness directly impacts grassroots development which are indispensable for ensuring transparency, accountability and people oriented governance.
He commended Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, who places premium on development of sustainable loyal legislation in the State, noting that the success of governance depends on the functionality of grassroot institutions.
Hon. Aribasoye stressed that the purpose of the workshop is to shape the destiny of Ekiti, lay foundation for stronger democratic governance and sustainable development to empower with tools needed to discharge their duties responsibly.
He charged them to see themselves as agents of national integration and socio economic transformation, being people’s parliament who serve as a bridge between the people and the government.
In his opening address, the Lead Consultant of the Centre of Constitutionalism and Human Development Barr. Tope Agunbiade said that the workshop was organized to engage in the discourse on the practice, procedure and roles of legislative in the 3rd tier of government in order to deliver dividends of democracy to the citizenry of their wards.
He emphasized that the need for a massive re-engineering and fruitful re-orientation made it imperative to achieve the goal and objective of establishing local government.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Babatunde Olaoye explained that it was part of the Ministry’s continuous efforts to strengthen governance at the grassroots and as it would continue to create platforms for learning, collaboration and Innovation in the state.
In his goodwill message the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) Hon. Olusegun Ojo encouraged the participants to fully cooperate and participate in the seminar to learn a lot as governance is one of the pillars of this administration..
Responding, one of the participants ,a Councillor from Ikole local govt, Mr. Valentine David lauded the governor for the approval of the seminar to improve their knowledge on the job.
He promised on behalf of others to put into practice all that would be learnt to justify the confidence reposed in them.
In attendance were also the representative of the Chairman, House Committee on LGA and Chieftancy , Chief of Staff, Chairman Council of traditional rulers the Ogoga of Ikere, Local Govt Executive Secretaries and hosts of others.