ASSEMBLY SPEAKERS, PRINCIPAL OFFICERS, STORM EKITI FOR RETREAT AS HOST, ARIBASOYE EMPHASISES IMPERATIVES OF PRODUCTIVE ENGAGEMENTS.

As the Ekiti State legislature is set to host a retreat for Speakers and Principal Officers of state assemblies across the South West, the host, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye has highlighted the importance of sharpening strategies for improved lawmaking and related roles.

Aribasoye in a release disclosed that lawmakers would be drawing lessons and sharing thoughts with experts at the retreat which has the theme, "Strengthening Democratic Governance at Subnational Level".

The retreat, scheduled to commence on Friday at the Ikogosi Warm Spring Resorts is supported by Policy & Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) and the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO).

Speakers and resource persons for the retreat include former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu and Lagos State Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa.

Dr. Abel Ochigbo, Dr. Umar Aminu, Mr. Ben Ekeyi, Dr. Otive Igbuzor,  Dr. Umar Aminu and Prof. Abdulganiyu Raji will be handling different sessions at the forum while the State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji is expected to lead a team of the executive arm to grace the opening session.

The statement analysed that participants would be taking in-depth sessions to unlock strategies for effective governance at states, seek concensus on legislative reforms to tackle state and regional challenges, and deepen collaboration among state legislative bodies in the south west.

The Ekiti Speaker, who doubles as the Chairman, Southwest Conference of Speakers, emphasized that the legislature occupied a most strategic space in shaping the future of the country through the instrumentality of lawmaking and proper oversight, highlighting the need to get them more equipped for the onerous responsibility.

Aribasoye, had at different fora, underlined the place of common legislation for regional integration and transformation, with the aim of improving food security, safety of lives and property, and upgrading critical sectors of common interest among other aspects.