By Olugbenga Salami
Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Thursday commended the management of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, NILDS, for fulfilling the mandate for which it was established.
Akpabio, who is Chairman of the Institute’s Governing Board, specifically praised the Director-General, Prof. Abubakar Suleiman, and his management team “for making it possible for us to have refresher courses.”
The Senate President spoke while presiding over the board meeting at the NILDS headquarters along the Airport Road, Abuja.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, who is Alternate Chairman of the Board, also attended the meeting.
Akpabio told the board that the purpose for establishing NILDS was being achieved, citing its postgraduate and doctoral academic programmes run in collaboration with universities across the country.
He was pleased to hear that NILDS has begun training National Assembly staff and proposed that the Institute be mandated to handle the induction course for incoming Senators and House of Representatives members.
“When we came in 2023, the induction course that we had was at the NAF Centre. I’m sure for new Senators-elect and Members-elect, this place is befitting enough for us to use for the induction course for the incoming parliament.
“I will urge members of the council to consider a resolution in that regard. That once election is over in 2027, the induction should be held here. That will also draw attention to this place. It will further boost the image of the institute,” Akpabio said.
The Senate President also praised NILDS management for the upkeep of the Institute’s headquarters.
“When I came in, I was quite impressed about the maintenance of this edifice. Maintenance of an edifice like this is not easy. For you and your management team, Professor Suleiman, I think you have done the job well,” he said.
Earlier, Prof. Suleiman briefed the board on the Institute’s progress.
He said NILDS’ mandate is to build the capacity of Nigerian legislators at the federal and sub-national levels, and within the sub-region.
Suleiman noted that NILDS now has 12 departments, including a Radio Station, and partnerships with the University of Benin, University of Abuja, and Federal University Lokoja, among others.
