Legislative Institute to establish centres of learning to tackle perennial challenges of security, leadership

National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) on Wednesday inaugurated two committees for establishment of centers of learning to tackle perennial challenges of insecurity and leadership.

The committees were for establishment of a Legislative Centre for Security Analysis and Advanced Executive Education Programmes.

Director -General of NILDS Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman said both committees have specific assignments drawn from the mandate of the Institute to act as a centre of excellence for research, publication on democratic governance, legislative practice and procedures.

He said the Governing Council of the Institute, Chaired by President of the Senate, Dr.Ahmad Lawan and alternate Chairman, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker of the House of Representatives, approved the projects for take-off in 2023.

According to him, both committees have important implications for democratic consolidation in Nigeria.

He said the committees are to provide scientific and evidence-based solutions to some of the perennial problems that confront Nigeria , including security and leadership.

“They will also promote critical research and policy insights, which will serve as background materials for the legislature and other democratic institutes as contained in the NILDS Act, 2011.

He explained that the Legislative Centre for Security Analysis would specifically provide a sustained basis information to the National Assembly on security and conflict analysis.

” Its key objectives includes undertaking primary research and studies in all aspects of security in Nigeria to determine the causes and implications and identifying areas for legislative intervention.

“It will also monitor and track the dynamics of conflict in all parts of Nigeria and, by so doing, improve the ability of government and security and intelligence agencies to counter threats and incidents.

” But, more importantly, to develop non-kinetic measures to address the fundamental drivers of insecurity.”

According to him, the proposed centre was modelled on similar legislative initiatives around the world like the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance, which has facilitated, driven and shaped security sector reform (SSR) policy and programming worldwide.

” Another specialised structure is the Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum (US), which hosts regular fora for international parliamentarians and government officials to engage preeminent experts on issues that include counter-terrorism financing, cyber security, predatory foreign investments, intelligence sharing, Artificial Intelligence, and other relevant topics.”

Abubakar said the second project on Advanced Executive Education Programmes was designed to fill the gap in the growing demand for executive education programmes and reduce reliance on foreign programmes.

” Indeed, there is a gradual shift from sending participants to advanced countries to domesticating these programmes, infusing them with contextual issues and delivering them in Africa rather than in Europe or the US.

” Examples in this regard include the Oxford Africa Leadership Programme in Kenya and the Harvard Ministerial Leadership Programme.”

He listed the areas to of programmes to include democracy and governance, parliamentary and legislative procedures and election and party management.

“The programmes’ objectives include providing participants with the tools and practical skills to deepen democracy in Nigeria, improve legislative governance and processes and further strengthen democratic institutions and electoral processes.”

NAN reports that Committee on Legislative Centre for Security Analysis was constituted as follows:

The Committee on NILDS Advanced Executive Education Programme has the following as members:
Prof. Attahiru Jega, NILDS Consultant Chairman,Dr. A.G. Abiola Member, Dr. Shuaibu Danwanka Member
Rekiya Ibrahim-Atta Member and Secretary.

Abubakar, said he has no doubt that the members would bring their pedigree, experience and track record of service to bear on the assignment, saying that
both committees have three weeks to submit their reports.

The Chairman of Committee on Advanced Executive Education Programme,Prof.
Attahiru Jega thanked the director -general of NILDS for the opportunity and the honour to serve on the committee.

He said it was a commendable initiative for NILDS to establish Advanced Executive Education Program which to help enhance skills and capacity development for governance and all sectors of the nation’s political economy .

He said the programme would create a competitive training program that can halt the movement of elites and people in leadership position to other countries abroad for leadership training that b Nigeria has capacity and competence to provide in the country.

Jega said he has no doubt that under NILDS, there would be an establishment of a globally competitive executive education program that should attract participants from Nigeria and other people from the continent of Africa.

Responding also, Chairman on committee on Security and Analysis Prof. Edoba Omoregie thanked the Director General of NILDS for convincing the council on need for the center, given the security challenge in the country, saying the program would close the gap in the security issues.