Clerk to the National Assembly of Nigeria, Kamoru Ogunlana, has advocated for the development of legislative drafting manuals as a way of boosting the quality of legislation that meet global best practices.
Ogunlana made this call on Monday while receiving the delegation from the British Parliament that was in Nigeria on a working visit, at the National Assembly, Abuja.
He said the visit of the British Parliamentarian offered an opportunity to exchange ideas and learn from experiences, which could enhance Nigeria’s efforts in building a more robust democratic institution.
“As members of the British Parliament, you share a legacy of fostering governance that reflects the will of the people and champions rights and freedoms.
“We take immense pride in the path we have forged and the collaborative spirit we have nurtured with you over the decades. Our member-to-member engagements, parliamentary exchanges, and mutual visits have enriched our legislative processes and brought our nations closer together.
“The National Assembly of Nigeria consists of two chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives. Together, we are entrusted with the critical responsibility of making laws, representing the interests of our citizens, and overseeing the executive branch of government.
“We are dedicated to promoting good governance and enhancing the welfare of Nigerians through legislation that meets our national aspirations.
“Your visit is particularly significant as it provides an opportunity to strengthen our dialogue on various issues, including economic cooperation, security, and the fight against corruption. We are eager to exchange ideas and learn from your experiences, which can enhance our efforts in building a more robust democratic institution.
“As you engage with our lawmakers and experience the rich culture and diversity of Nigeria, we hope you will find inspiration, friendship, and fruitful discussions that pave the way for even more profound collaboration in the future”, he said.
Ogunlana reminisced on the long term relationship that existed between the British Parliament and Nigerian Parliament, saying such a partnership laid the foundation for legislative framework, influencing Nigeria’s governance structures and fostering a culture of democracy that continues to evolve today.
According to him, the historic relationship between the Nigerian Parliament and the British Parliament dates back to the early 20th century, when Nigeria was still under colonial rule.
He added that the relationship laid the foundation for Nigeria’s legislative framework, influencing governance structures and fostering a culture of democracy that continues to evolve today.
On her part, the leader of the delegation and Member of the House of Commons in the British Parliament, Kate Ofunne Osamor, said the team was in Nigeria to further strengthen the bilateral legislative relationship, and to further study how the Nigeria’s Parliament is fairing, to know where to intervene, if necessary.
She said, “the whole essence of that work is that we transfer skills and knowledge to Parliamentarians from the Commonwealth and this is why it’s really important that we are here, to learn about the work that is happening here, and to find the way to support the Clerk’s needs”.