The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, signed a landmark agreement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to implement the Parliamentary Development Programme, aimed at enhancing the capacity of legislators and staff of the House.
According to Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, Nigeria House of Representatives Musa Abdullahi Krishi, the agreement was signed by Speaker Abbas and UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Elsie Attafuah, during a ceremony held in Abuja.
The Parliamentary Development Programme, which was earlier signed by the Speaker’s Office and the UNDP, outlines a comprehensive capacity needs assessment for the 10th House of Representatives. It aims to bolster the legislative capabilities of the House’s members, staff, and clerks over the next three years through targeted training and support.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Speaker Abbas hailed the agreement as a historic moment for Nigeria’s legislature. “Today is another milestone for the legislature, for the National Assembly, and particularly for the House. This is probably the most important document of collaboration between the House and the UNDP since the inception of our parliamentary democracy in Nigeria,” he stated. He emphasized the significance of the programme, noting that the UNDP has committed to establishing a dedicated office and staff to manage the project from start to finish.
“With this agreement, our capacity to deliver on the promises to our people in key areas will be significantly strengthened,” Abbas added.
UNDP Resident Representative Elsie Attafuah commended the Speaker and the House for their commitment to the partnership, reaffirming the UNDP’s dedication to supporting Nigeria’s development and legislative goals. “We truly are blessed that you believe in us and our ability to deliver. We will not disappoint you,” Attafuah said. She also praised the Speaker’s focus on inclusivity, particularly in advancing women’s participation in politics and governance, which aligns with the UNDP’s priorities.
The signing ceremony was attended by key House officials, including the Majority Leader, Hon. Julius Ihonvbere; Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Akin Rotimi; Chief of Staff to the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Toby Okechukwu; Deputy Chief of Staff to the Speaker, Hon. Chamberlain Dunkwu; and Head of the Programmes Coordinating Unit, Dr. Jerry Ohuo.
The UNDP delegation included Deputy Resident Representative Programmes Varsha Redkar-Palepu, Team Lead Governance, Peace and Security Unit Matthew Alao, Technical Specialist for Legal Sector Reform Paul Turay, Public Engagement Outreach and Partnership Lead Christabel Chanda-Ginsberg, Partnership Analyst Eno-Mfon Akinde, Project Analyst Governance, Peace and Security Unit Oluwatosin Richard Ologunla, and Project Officer Governance, Peace & Security Unit Moyosoluwa Oladayo.
