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Tag: strategies

  • Govt roll out strategies to sanitise Atlantic Ocean

    The Federal Government has initiated frantic efforts aimed at safeguarding the Atlantic Ocean and other marine resources in the country.  Government believes that intensifying efforts at studying and sanitizing the Atlantic Ocean will result in huge benefits to the economy and humanity.

    Disclosing this at the opening ceremony of the 5th high level industry, science and government dialogue on the ‘Atlantic Interactions’, held in Lagos recently, the minister of science and technology,Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, says government was determined now more than ever, to understand the Atlantic Ocean and the associated benefits.

    “The success story of Victoria island, the beautiful Island in Lagos State is one of Nigeria’s most developed islands, and is today one of Nigeria’s busiest centre of banking and commerce, hosting headquarters of most major Nigerian and International corporations.

    “The success story of this island shows the need for Nigeria to join the rest of the world to intensify efforts at studying the Atlantic Ocean, which will result in huge benefits to humanity”, Onu stated.

    According to the minister, understanding the Ocean will facilitate the creation of wealth, jobs, accelerate the reduction of poverty among Nigerians and curb ocean pollution to benefit all.

    “The benefits of the study of the Atlantic Ocean are numerous, but it is important to mention that this will also help create the opportunity to build friendship among countries, help solve the problem of the environment, including global warming and climate change.

    “This will help give hope to those whose livelihood depends on the Atlantic Ocean, thereby promoting peaceful coexistence among nations,” Onu opined.

    Participants at the two-day dialogue is jointly organised by the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology and the Atlantic International Research Centre (AIR Centre) cut across nations, including Portugal, Brazil, the USA, Namibia, the development the minister says is a calculated efforts aimed also to encourage scientists to start studying the other oceans of the world.

    “I am impressed that scientists, engineers and other professionals from all over the world are working together using their knowledge of space, the atmosphere, oceans, climate, energy and Big data to study the Atlantic Ocean.

    “Government is convinced that if efficiently exploited, the Atlantic Ocean can provide for our needs. We are prepared to handover a clean Atlantic to our children and the time to work towards this is now”, Onu concluded.”

    Describing this latest effort of government as ‘exceptional development initiative’, in his goodwill message, the president of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Engr. Mansur Ahmed, affirmed members support of efforts aimed at improving the environment and preserving the natural endowments for the benefit of humanity.

    Ahmed expressed the gratitude of MAN to the Federal Government particularly the Ministry of Science and Technology for the diverse support systems so far created to enhance sustainable manufacturing in the country.

    “Noteworthy are the efforts of the Ministry towards development of local input for production and reduction in the dependence on foreign input; linkages between Industries and Research Institutes; facilitation of Industrial Research base on manufacturers’ needs and the implementation of the Executive Order 005 aimed at improving local content in public procurement and the Science, Technology and Innovation Promotion Roadmap and many more,” says MAN president.

    According to him, effective management of the Atlantic Ocean and its resource endowments is central to beneficial trade, transportation, maritime activities, employment creation, poverty reduction, food security, industrial development, commercial transactions and safety of the environmental.

    “This is the reason the synergy being promoted by the focus of our dialogue today is not only commendable but germane if we must explore the Atlantic Ocean sustainably for the utmost benefit of Humanity and safeguard of our environment.

    The effect of poor management of the ocean and coastal lines are numerous and usually devastating. For instance, abuse of the coastal lines strongly accounts for the level and magnitude of flooding that occur in our coastal cities”, Ahmed stressed.

    According to him, MAN is aware of the importance of protecting and sustaining the environment, particularly the ocean waters and as a matter of policy, encouraged  members to adopt best practices in the management of waste and has established structured partnership platforms with Environmental Protection Agencies (EPA) and other regulatory bodies with similar mandate to ensure seamless compliance to environmental standards.

  • Stakeholders chart new strategies for security in Lagos

    STAKEHOLDERS and security experts have canvassed new strategies and ideas on how to consolidate on the successes recorded by the State in securing lives and property of residents.

    The deliberations took place at the inaugural Lagos State Security Summit held recently at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island.

    The summit, with the them: “Securing Lagos State: Towards a Sustainable Framework for a Modern Mega City.”

    The forum provided a platform for leaders, leading minds and subject-matter experts to share best practices knowledge and experiences focused on recommendations for a sustainable security framework for the state from 2018 to 2030.

    In his opening remarks, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode who was represented by  Chairman of the State’s Security Trust Fund, Mr Oye Hassan-Odukale, said in a bid to scale up security in the State, there was a need for a concept of collective vigilance to be put in place whereby all stakeholders in security management would have properly defined roles and relationships to stay ahead of all form of violent crimes such as terrorism, cyber and transnational organized crimes, among others.

    He said the concept had become imperative in view of the vulnerability of the State to various security threats due to continuous influx of foreigners and people from other parts of the country into Lagos on a daily basis.

    Also speaking, Executive Secretary/ Chief Executive Officer of Lagos State Security Trust Fund, Dr Abdurrazaq Balogun, said with the population of Lagos which he puts above 21 million, it was certainly important for technology to be fully incorporated into the security architecture of the state.

    He said: “I think technology is just the way to go for security in a state like Lagos with a population of about 21 million people and still counting.

  • Commonsense strategies for healthy vision

    As the World marks  the annual Glaucoma Week ,OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA writes that people should not take their vision for granted as eyes are among the most precious organs of the body. If one does not care about one’s eyes, one is at an increased risk of blindness.

    Before we get into specific nutritional factors, which benefit one’s eyes, it is important to address some of the dangerous lifestyles that can impact one’s vision. According to an iridologist, Dr Gilbert Ezengige, some natural, common-sense strategies that can help protect vision as one ages  include quiting smoking. Smoking, according to him, increases free radical production throughout the body, and puts one at risk for less-than-optimal health in many ways, including the risk of decreased vision.

    Caring for cardiovascular system

    High blood pressure can cause damage to the miniscule blood vessels on one’s retina; obstructing free blood flow. Dr Ezengige said one of the primary ways to maintain optimal blood pressure is to avoid fructose, as a research by Dr. Richard Johnson, chief of the division of kidney disease and hypertension at the University of Colorado, showed that consuming 74 grammes or more per day of fructose (equal to 2.5 sugary drinks) increases one’s risk of having blood pressure levels of 160/100 mmHg by 77 per cent.

    So, it is good to normalise one’s blood sugar. This is because excessive sugar in the blood can pull fluid from the lens of the eyes, affecting the ability to focus. And, it can damage the blood vessels in the retina, and obstruct blood flow.

    Eat plenty of fresh dark green leafy vegetables, such as spinach

    Studies have shown that a diet rich in dark leafy greens helps support eye health. And that those with the highest consumption of carotenoid-rich vegetables, especially ones rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, have increased vision health.

    Get plenty of healthy omega-3 fat

    A study published in the August 2001 issue of Archives of Ophthalmology found that consuming Omega-3 fatty acids protects one’s healthy vision. Unfortunately, due to widespread pollution and fish farming, fish is no longer an ideal source for omega-3 fats unless one can verify its purity.

    Avoid trans-fats

    A diet high in trans-fat appears to contribute to macular degeneration by interfering with omega-3 fats in one’s body. Trans-fat is found in many processed foods and baked goods, including margarine, fried foods like fried chicken and doughnuts, cookies, pastries and crackers. So, to protect the eyes, one must avoid trans-fats like the plague. Trans fat may interfere with omega-3 fats in the body, which are extremely important for the eyes’ health. A diet high in trans fat also appears to contribute to macular degeneration. Trans fat is found in many processed foods and baked goods, including margarine, shortening, fried foods like chips, fried chicken and doughnuts, cookies, pastries and crackers.

    Avoid aspartame

    Vision problems are one of the many acute symptoms of aspartame poisoning. Dr Ezengige said antioxidants are the greatest allies for healthy eyes. As the job of an antioxidant compound is to neutralise dangerous free radicals in your body, including your eyes. A few of the antioxidants that have been shown to be of particular benefit to the eyes include: Lutein, Zeaxanthin, Black currant anthocyanins, and Astaxanthin. These can be obtained in a health shop of repute.

    Lutein and zeaxanthin important for eyesight

    Dr Ezengige said Lutein and zeaxanthin are fat soluble antioxidnats, which are incredibly important for your eyesight. Lutein, which is a carotenoid found in particularly large quantities in green, leafy vegetables, acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells from free radical damage.

    Some excellent sources include kale, tomatoes, spinach, broccoli, brussels sprouts and egg yolks, particularly raw egg yolks. Egg yolks also have zeaxanthin, another carotenoid, in an equal amount to lutein. Zeaxanthin is likely to be equally as effective as lutein in protecting eyesight. It is important to note that lutein is an oil-soluble nutrient, and if one merely consumes the above vegetables without some oil or butter one can’t absorb the lutein. So, one must ensure  eating some healthy fat along with vegetables.

    Omega-3 fat supplement also good for eyesight

    A type of omega-3 fat called docosah-exaenoic acid (DHA) may help protect and promote healthy retinal function. DHA is concentrated in the eyes’ retina and has been found to be particularly useful in preventing macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness. Omega-3 fats, including DHA, are found in tuna, herring, sardines, mackerel, flax oil and walnuts.

    Eating dark-coloured berries often also good

    In Nigerian super malls, one can also obtain different berries. He said the European blueberry, bilberry, are known to prevent and even reverse macular degeneration, and bio-flavonoids from other dark-coloured berries including blueberries, cranberries, raspberries and cherries are also beneficial. They work by strengthening the capillaries that carry nutrients to eye muscles and nerves. However, because berries contain natural sugar they should be eaten with walnuts and porridge to keep insulin levels low.

  • Lagos trains workers on new strategies to curb terminal diseases

    Lagos State government has begun training for commissioners, special advisers and civil servants on new strategies to prevent diseases, especially terminal ones.

    It expressed concerns that a large percent of workers do not know their health status and a healthy workforce is a productive one.

    Senior Special Assistant to the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Health Matters, Dr. Shola Pitan, in a chat with newsmen at the health engagement campaign, disclosed that Governor  Ambode believed that the best solution to have a healthy workforce was to ensure that workers are aware of their health status.

    He said: “The Body of Permanent Secretaries was the first group and the following week, we continued with state Executive Council. After that, we moved to the civil servants of different grade levels. The activity will also be extended to the security officials.”

    The Special Assistant stressed that beyond training on diabetes, cancer and other terminal diseases, workers would be trained on how best to provide first aid treatment to colleagues, who suffer injuries or heart attack at work before rescue health workers arrive the scene.

    “For one to have people working in a place, we know that accident happens, and beyond that, we know that people can have one challenge or the other, which they aren’t aware off. And if that health challenge comes up, someone should be enlightened enough to assist before they call on the doctor or ambulance.

    “Research has shown that if someone has heart attack, before the doctor arrives, it takes some time. There will be need for people within that location to intervene by giving that person cardio-pulmonary resuscitation by using the machine called defibrillator, which sends electronic signals to the heart. If that is done within first two minutes, that person will have at least 60 per cent chance of survival,” he added.

    He continued:“In order to achieve this, considering the huge workforce,  government has decided to appoint health captains, who will provide first aid treatment whenever the unforeseen health issue occurs.

    “Beyond that, if one sustains injury at work, how can someone within that location assist immediately? The workforce is a community and there is need to cater for them.

    “We will have health captains in each office, such person must have undergone first aid training. And the reason is that if anything happens, such person can assist immediately.”

  • Medium-term development strategies for power sector

    SIR: The aim of a Medium Term Sector Strategy (MTSS) is to improve the connection between policy making, planning and medium-term budgeting, especially so as to facilitate better implementation of government’s policies. The strategies should articulate medium term development goals and objectives against the background of the overall goals of high level national power policies, international power standards and the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals.

    Consequently, the ministry of power is expected to have medium term targets which fit into the overall goals and objectives of the power sector. It should work towards the ‘Sustainable Energy for All’ targets. The current aggregate level of 40% (urban=65%, rural=28%) energy access is unacceptable. There should be a conscious effort to achieve 75% (urban=90%, rural=60%) energy access by 2020 and to replace 50% of traditional firewood consumption for cooking by 2020 with improved clean cook stove technology. The ministry of power should work closely with the private sector to roll out Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) to Nigerians at affordable cost. To ensure energy efficiency, lighting bulbs that are at least five times more efficient than incandescent lamps should be introduced to 20% of Nigerian households by 2020. For sectors that are high energy consuming, efficient energy technologies should be progressively introduced as well as other demand side management measures such as peak load management when possible. Energy audits should also become compulsory for public buildings and high energy consuming sectors.

    There are some shortcomings the ministry of power needs to address if the sector’s medium term targets will be met.  One of such is the absence of collaboration between the tiers of government.  A lot of resources have been invested by various MDAs on renewable energy especially solar street lights and solar boreholes across the federation. However, the investments do not show coordination between the federal ministry of power, states, local governments and communities for the maintenance of the projects. These renewable energy projects usually become non-functional within months of completion and commissioning and no one has a clear mandate for its maintenance. There is usually no value for the resources invested. This questions the wisdom of having a Rural Electrification Agency domiciled in Abuja overseeing the responsibility of providing streetlights in rural communities across Nigeria. The Federal Ministry of Power, Rural Electrification Agency and indeed any other relevant federal agency needs to have a Memorandum of Understanding with the states and local governments for such low level projects. The MoU will ensure that the project is handed over to the local authorities upon completion. The local authorities will take over the recurrent, running and maintenance costs of these projects.

    Another is the issue of poor Research and Development (R&D). Research and development votes in the power sector are usually for unspecified purposes and this leaves the sector with little home-grown contributions to the development of new goods and services for the power sector. Most of the materials used in the power sector are imported thereby increasing costs due to the declining value and volatility of the Nigerian currency. Research and development should be properly funded, demand driven and responsive to the needs of the power sector. Research institutes should be given grants based on performance.

    A moratorium on brand new capital projects that are not related to existing ones has become necessary unless the new project is of utmost priority. Otherwise, resources should be spent on completing, equipping and rehabilitating already existing projects.

     

    • Martins Eke,

    Centre for Social Justice, Abuja.

  • Medium-term development strategies for power sector

    SIR: The aim of a Medium Term Sector Strategy (MTSS) is to improve the connection between policy making, planning and medium-term budgeting, especially so as to facilitate better implementation of government’s policies. The strategies should articulate medium term development goals and objectives against the background of the overall goals of high level national power policies, international power standards and the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals.

    Consequently, the ministry of power is expected to have medium term targets which fit into the overall goals and objectives of the power sector. It should work towards the ‘Sustainable Energy for All’ targets. The current aggregate level of 40% (urban=65%, rural=28%) energy access is unacceptable. There should be a conscious effort to achieve 75% (urban=90%, rural=60%) energy access by 2020 and to replace 50% of traditional firewood consumption for cooking by 2020 with improved clean cook stove technology. The ministry of power should work closely with the private sector to roll out Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) to Nigerians at affordable cost. To ensure energy efficiency, lighting bulbs that are at least five times more efficient than incandescent lamps should be introduced to 20% of Nigerian households by 2020. For sectors that are high energy consuming, efficient energy technologies should be progressively introduced as well as other demand side management measures such as peak load management when possible. Energy audits should also become compulsory for public buildings and high energy consuming sectors.

    There are some shortcomings the ministry of power needs to address if the sector’s medium term targets will be met.  One of such is the absence of collaboration between the tiers of government.  A lot of resources have been invested by various MDAs on renewable energy especially solar street lights and solar boreholes across the federation. However, the investments do not show coordination between the federal ministry of power, states, local governments and communities for the maintenance of the projects. These renewable energy projects usually become non-functional within months of completion and commissioning and no one has a clear mandate for its maintenance. There is usually no value for the resources invested. This questions the wisdom of having a Rural Electrification Agency domiciled in Abuja overseeing the responsibility of providing streetlights in rural communities across Nigeria. The Federal Ministry of Power, Rural Electrification Agency and indeed any other relevant federal agency needs to have a Memorandum of Understanding with the states and local governments for such low level projects. The MoU will ensure that the project is handed over to the local authorities upon completion. The local authorities will take over the recurrent, running and maintenance costs of these projects.

    Another is the issue of poor Research and Development (R&D). Research and development votes in the power sector are usually for unspecified purposes and this leaves the sector with little home-grown contributions to the development of new goods and services for the power sector. Most of the materials used in the power sector are imported thereby increasing costs due to the declining value and volatility of the Nigerian currency. Research and development should be properly funded, demand driven and responsive to the needs of the power sector. Research institutes should be given grants based on performance.

    A moratorium on brand new capital projects that are not related to existing ones has become necessary unless the new project is of utmost priority. Otherwise, resources should be spent on completing, equipping and rehabilitating already existing projects.

    • Martins Eke,

    Centre for Social Justice, Abuja.

  • Evolve strategies for recession, YCE tells Fed Govt

    The Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) has advised the Federal Government to evolve strategies to cushion the effect of recession on the citizens.

    The group, which gave the advice during a visit to one of its founding fathers, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, at his Ilupeju, Lagos, home, said the economic meltdown has increased poverty among the people.

    The Chairman of the Lagos chapter, Francis Akinnikawe, said measures adopted by the government to end the recession should be harnessed for effectiveness.

    Otunba Aremu Akindele, a former chairman of Ifako Ijaye Local Government, decried rising youth unemployment, saying a conducive atmosphere is needed to encourage local and foreign investments.

    He called on the Yoruba to take their rightful place in the scheme of things.

    Akindele observed that if the Yoruba could unite and speak with one voice on national issues they could resist all forms of oppression and marginalisation.

    He urged Southwest governors to embrace economic integration to develop the region and liberate the people.

  • Strategies of museum marketing

    Strategies of museum marketing

    Museum that is rich in both human and material resources without patronage is not an ideal museum. The existence of any museum is to collect, preserve and exhibit the cultural heritage of the people for the purpose of education and enjoyment. If the public lack awareness about the museum, how will patronage take place? This paper treats the strategies through which awareness is made about the museum.

     

    Museum marketing

     

    Museum marketing is different from other marketing. It is not about selling stuff to people that they do not really need, or even about creating demand. It’s about communicating the unique and valuable offers that you have to those who are ready to listen. Essentially, it is about letting your existing and potential audience know what great things you are doing.

    Marketing connect a consumer who is ready to buy a product that is suited to his or her needs. It is really about communication.

     

    Marketing objectives

     

    The main objectives of museum marketing are to increase visitor number, increase public awareness of services and events, increase revenue through temporary exhibitions, sales in craftshops, publication, events and museum kitchen and attract new audiences.

     

    Marketing mix

     

    This is also known as the four Ps, which are the four key elements used to implement marketing strategy: Product, Place, Price and Promotion.

     

    Product

     

    Other marketers different from museum have product, museum just like one of them have its product like wise. Museum products include:

    Museum Exhibition: Objects acquired, conserved and documented, needs to be display systematically to arouse the viewers interest.

    Museum Membership: Museum has association/club e.g. American Museum of Natural History, British Museum, The Metropolitan Museum of Art. In Nigeria, we have Museum Society, Children Saturday Art Club.

    Public programmes: These are museum programmes which include seminars, workshops, lectures to schools, Immigration Officers, Police Officers, Military Officers etc.

    Museum Collections: These are objects on display or in the store that are useful for researchers.

    Shops: This varies from craft shops where visitors can buy art works as souvenir, museum kitchen where traditional dishes and drinks (Palm wine) are sold.

    Infrastructural Facilities: Purposely built museum where all categories of visitors will be put into consideration. An ideal space for galleries, stores and open space, children play ground, rest rooms for visitors and lots.

     

    Place

     

    Location of museum is very important as it must be accessible to visitors, good road, and should be at the centre of the town.

     

    Price

     

    Entrance fee should be moderate and price of their commodities too should be moderate.

     

    Promotion

     

    This aspect of the marketing mix represents the possible tools used to communicate with and attract the target audiences.

     

    Museum consumers

     

    Museum consumers are the beneficiaries of museum products. They are museum audience which could be categorized into four; Children, Youth, Adult and Physically Challenged.

     

    The needs of

    museum consumers

     

    Museum consumers have needs that must be met. The needs are to see an interesting exhibit, i.e. the object on display, to have their children learn about something (children programmes), to carry out research (documented objects), to have a conducive environment for recreation (leisure) to be warmly welcomed (hospitality) to be well secured (security of life and properties). Meeting theses needs should be paramount to the museum.

     

    How can we market museum?

     

    Satisfying the Need of the Society

     

    The main strategy of marketing museum is giving individual member of the public what they want rather than what is good to the museum. For museum to be well patronized, it must ensure that the exhibition on display meet the needs of the society or the targeted audience. An implication of increased market awareness is the adaptation of the product to satisfy the requirements of the user. (Middleton 1985:20-25)

    In planning an ideal exhibition, the first stage of the planning is the feasibility studies which should take place at the very beginning of the exhibition to evaluate possible benefits of implementing an idea or system. It often involves knowledge of both the environment where exhibition is to be mounted, the need of the people and the expected out come to be derived from the exhibition.

    Feasibility methods include; stakeholder interview, visitor survey, staff interview, data and reporting. Having known the need of the targeted audience other process of exhibition can continue. If an exhibition is well packaged, patronage is guaranteed.

     

    • Jolayemi is Chief Museum Education Officer, National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Ilorin, Kwara State

     

  • NLC plans home-grown economic strategies

    NLC plans home-grown economic strategies

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is to engage the service of some of the best economists in the country to develop home grown economic policies that will lead to the economic development of the country rather than rely on such policies from the World Bank and the IMF.

    The President of the Congress, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, who spoke in Abuja, said developed countries, such as Singapore, were able to move from the fourth world to the first world because they were able to come up with home-grown policies to drive their economy.

    Wabba said one of the major problem confronting third world countries today is the over reliance on the neo-liberal policies from the Brenton Wood Institutes, pointing out that the consequences of such policies can be seen in Argentina and other countries.

    He announced that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which is an affiliate of the NLC, has agreed to give the congress ten of the best economists  to engage policy issues and come up with policy options.

    He said: “At the centre of our problem is also policy issues, one of which is our over reliance on the Brenton Wood institutes where the neo-liberal policies which our founding fathers have fought are resurfacing. We see in France our counterparts there on the streets because neo-liberal policies don’t know race or countries.

    “They are on the streets because the interest of the workers in France is being undermined through legislation. Therefore, we must continue to be vigilant, especially in issues of policies because anytime IMF and World Bank come calling, they come to say, implement our policies. Where has these policies taken us?

    “Can we in quick succession forget the consequences of SAP? SAP came to devalue our Naira and that was the first time devaluation took place in Nigeria. I think what we need as a change is good leadership. Thank God we have a leadership now that is focused.

    “What we need is also policy engagement. We need policies that are not proscribed by external forces. We need to have a team of Economist that should be able to work through what we need as a country outside the prescription of the World Bank and IMF and work through the policies.

    “I am sure that Nigerians will be ready to follow and even make sacrifices. Not a situation where IMF will come and say remove all subsidies and devalue our currency. No countries in the world have survived with those prescriptions.

    “Even the Singapore we are talking about today, they were able to look at their I house challenges, come up with workable solution and with good leadership, they were able to achieve. The same applies with countries that have excelled. We have seen the consequences of IMF prescription on Argentina and other countries.

    “No country in Africa today is stable either economically, socially because of insecurity  and many other crisis and they will use any means to try and destabilize those countries.

    “From East Africa to North Africa and even to where we are in Nigeria today, where does our youths get arms to engage the government and engage all of us? We must realize this theory that is being imposed. Nobody has monopoly of ideas. Ideas can be shared and it can come from the people. That is what labour is doing is doing.

    “I want to inform all of us that we are going to do engagement in two fronts. ASUU, as an affiliate of NLC has agreed to give us the ten best Economists to engage policy issues and come up with policy options.

    “We must also support the action of workers. That is why it is important for TUC and NLC to champion the fight against corruption and good governance. From the information we have, part of the problem we have had is because of corruption. Therefore, it will take all of us working together to be able to change those policy issues.

  • Strategies for effective legislation

    Strategies for effective legislation

    The 24 members of the Kwara State House of Assembly recently converged on Ede, Osun State, for a-three day retreat on budget assessment, bills, motions and petitions processing.

    Out of the 24 legislators, only six of them are second timers. The remaining 18 are first term lawmakers.

    Resources persons were drawn from the National Institute of Legislative Studies (NILS), Abuja and private sector. A retired clerk of the House of Representatives, Chief Niyi Ajiboye was also on hand.

    No fewer than 20 members of the Osun state House of Assembly led by their Speaker, Najeem Salam witnessed the closing session of the retreat.

    Some of the legislators spoke on their experience at the retreat.

    House Majority Leader Alhaji Hassan Oyeleke said: “The seminar was actually designed to address some basic areas. One, assessing budget in line with new International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAs) methods; to assess anything you have to knowledgeable about it and we were taken through has increased out knowledge and understanding of how IPSAs as a new method of accounting system can be used to assess budget.

    “The other has to do with how members can function very well. I mean processing of bills and motions. It is important because we come from different backgrounds and the moment one becomes an honourable member, you have to understand your responsibility as a member of the house to address issues properly. This will make us better legislators. It will have a ripple effects on the state government too.”

    The legislator from Oke-Ogun Constituency, Kalman Fagbemi said the retreated had fortified him for legislative functions.

    Fagbemi, a lawyer, said: “There were certain things we did not know before but now we have conscientised. We are going to use the knowledge which we have acquired here in the passage of 2016 budget. I will urge first timers to use the knowledge which they have acquired in this retreat in discharging their legislative duties.”

    Ahmed Ibn Muhammed representing Kaiama/Wajibe/Kemanji constituency said “I want to tell you that with this training I am more equipped with ways to draft bills and motions. This will help me in my legislatives in the state. I believe that with this we are going to apply it.”

    The member representing Ilorin Northwest, Abdulrafiu Abdulrahaman, noted that the workshop has been a good adventure.

    “We have been able to acquire new skills; because as a legislator you have to be acquainted with the basic rudiments in legislation and as a legislator you have to be involved in research,” he added.

    Hajia Aisat Budurin from Ilorin East and a first timer hailed the timeliness of the seminar, saying that it has exposed her to the rubrics of legislation.

    She added: The retreat has exposed us more knowledge about budgeting. It will assist us on how to do our oversight. They have prepared us to know what to do before, during and after the oversight.

    “The resource people are competent hands. They have prepared us well on how to draft motions, bills and petitions which are what we are in assembly for. This will prepare us to be more active in the floor.”

    The speaker, Dr Ali Ahmad, said that: “The main reason for the retreat is that bulk of members is first timers. The art of legislation is a technical one. So we need to train and retrain. We hope that at the end of the exercise our legislators will be at par with others in any part of the country.”

    The former Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Judiciary decried the high turnover rate of legislators in the country.

    He said: “The high rate of turnover of legislators in the country is hampering effective and efficient legislative functioning in the country. Nigerians should know that it is tax payers’ money that is being used to train new members. It is like bringing a new law student to come and argue motions in court. Nobody can stand up and argue motions or prepare motion; you have to go through the rubric.

    “So, if you keep bringing new members those states will keep spending money to train the new members; money that could be used for something else. This expenditure is unnecessary and avoidable.

    “The people should start clamouring to our governors, parties and stakeholders to reduce the turnover rate to the minimum so that the money that will be used in training the legislators will be expended on something else.

    Alhaji Najeem Salam aligned with his colleague, saying: “Sometimes it is out of the personal interest of some leaders to change the house members. Otherwise, the experience gathered for years is enough for the House of Assembly to continue and you can see the money being wasted on the training of members. Nobody is saying some members had to in the house perpetually.

    “Look at what happens in developed democracies, in America, members of the parliament will be there for years. Why they are doing it is because of the experience they had gathered over the years that can be deployed to develop their members and state. There had to be a drastic reduction in the number of new members that will be coming into the assembly.”

    Osun State House of Assembly Speaker, Ngion Najeem said it was time the various state Houses of Assembly are weaned financially from the executive.

    Salam added that without financial independence for the state legislators “all these trainings will amount to theory and exercise in futility.

    “We, therefore, appeal to the presidency to sign the amendment act that will give room for the independence of the states Assembly into law. It is only Lagos state House of Assembly that has partial independence from the executive.”

    He urged state assemblymen to put the era of impeachment behind them to ensure stability in the country’s democracy.

    “Unnecessary impeachment will not guarantee stability in the country. I appeal to our colleagues not to allow that to happen in Kwara State,” he added.

    Former Clerk of the House of Representatives Chief Niyi Ajiboye spoke on the domination of the legislature by the executive.

    It is a very serious issue and it is not that easy for the legislature to completely extricate itself from the domination of the executive.

    The retired clerk said financial independence of the legislature would make that arm of government more vibrant and effective.

    His words: “This is because the executive controls the purse. Whoever controls the purse has the power of almost everything. Without adequate finance for the legislature, it cannot survive and if the legislature does not pander sometimes to the executive, it can be starved of funds. This is the biggest weapon the executive uses against the legislature.

    “The only way out is continuous education on their responsibilities, they can overtime during interaction with the executive convince it to leave them alone to manage their affairs; if we have the right people in the right place.

    “But this can happen in the state that has a governor that is forthright, ready to work and has no skeleton in his cupboard.

    Speaking on “effective legislative exercise,” the Head, Research, NILS, Dr Asimiyu Abiola, said the state Houses of Assembly were more susceptible to executive interference than federal.

    He attributed executive interference to inadequate experienced members occasioned by high turnover of legislators.

    Dr Abiola recommended strengthening of oversight functions of the legislators to reduce corruption and enhance sustainable development in states.

    Others are “independence of anti-corruptions agencies from the executive rather they should report to the legislature; there is a great need to support public trust and confidence about the legislature and other public institutions charged with oversight; indeed, Nigeria does not need so many of the anti-corruption agencies –or anti-corruption laws-if oversight of these agencies and laws can be made more effective.”

    This, according to him, will require reversal of legislators’ high turnover more for legislators in the art and science of oversight functions.

    He advocated for effective implementation of the Code of Conduct Bureau.

    On the budgeting system, Dr Abiola said that Nigeria would only experience growth and development when its budget is 70 percent capital and 30 percent recurrent expenditure.