The Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Speaker of the House of Representatives, emphasized the unwavering commitment of the 10th House to address the desires and aspirations of the Nigerian populace. During a roundtable discussion with development partners of the National Assembly in his office in Abuja on Monday, Speaker Abbas emphasized the importance of institution building as the pathway to professionalism, efficiency, and productivity.
In his statement, the Speaker articulated, “As Representatives of the people, we recognize that institution building is fundamental to enhancing our capacity to meet the expectations of our citizens. We are acutely aware that we are serving during a pivotal moment in the nation’s political history.”
Highlighting the significance of a dedicated and well-equipped legislature in delivering services that align with the people’s expectations, Speaker Abbas noted, “It is only through a committed and properly equipped legislative body that we can effectively serve the needs of our citizens.”
The meeting included representatives from esteemed organizations such as the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), the Department for International Development (DFID), the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Partnership to Engage, Reform and Learn (PERL), the Civil Society and Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), International Community on Red Cross (ICRC), and Order Paper, among others. The House was represented by the chairpersons of relevant House committees and key personnel from the Office of the Speaker.
Acknowledging that this was the first direct interaction between his office and development partners, Speaker Abbas explained that the meeting aimed to facilitate the exchange of ideas and updates regarding the partners’ contributions and support for capacity development among House members and staff.
The Speaker outlined one of his primary policy objectives upon assuming office, stating, “Capacity development for members and staff of the House of Representatives is a key priority for me as the Speaker of the House. This is particularly crucial given the substantial turnover in the 10th House of Representatives, with over two hundred new Members and numerous Legislative Aides. To meet the demands of our offices effectively, we must enhance our institutional capacity, making it an integral component of the 10th House’s Legislative Agenda.”
Speaker Abbas commended the technical partners for their past contributions to the success of the National Assembly’s legislative endeavors and encouraged them to continue their support for the 10th Assembly. He also emphasized the Legislative Agenda of the 10th House as a vital gauge for assessing the House’s engagement with the Nigerian populace, expressing his expectation that the partners would play a pivotal role in its successful implementation.
The Speaker observed, “Over the years, some partners have engaged with different House committees and departments, often organizing programs without a coordinated approach or a thorough needs assessment of the House. While we greatly appreciate your support, the unique challenges of capacity gaps in the 10th House necessitate greater coordination.”
To address this, Speaker Abbas revealed his intention to establish a Program Monitoring Unit (PMU) in his office, overseen by the Special Adviser on Policy and Strategy. The PMU’s purpose would be to ensure comprehensive documentation and effective utilization of all partnership programs to drive the desired transformation. It would also offer guidance aligned with the Legislative Agenda of the House for technical support and partnerships, ensuring equitable attention to all House committees and departments.
In response, the representatives of the development partners expressed their readiness to provide further technical assistance to the National Assembly across various thematic areas, including electoral laws, legislative processes, law-making, and capacity building. They proposed the organization of a technical session by the PMU, where all stakeholders could collaborate on a policy document outlining their contributions to the design and implementation of the 10th House Legislative Agenda—an idea that Speaker Abbas welcomed and directed to be put into action.
