Bashir Opaluwa Idris
The Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf, has emphasized the importance of continuous training and teamwork in enhancing effective service delivery within the legislature.
The Speaker made this known in a message delivered at a one-day seminar organized for Legislative staff at the Assembly Complex in Lokoja.
Represented by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Comfort Ojoma Nwuchiola Egwaba, the Speaker said training, retraining, and continuous learning are essential tools for improving efficiency and building a high-performing workforce.
“In any society, if the team is strong, the society will be strong. When individuals work together and manage their skills effectively, success is inevitable.”
Hon. Yusuf urged staff members to apply knowledge gained from the seminar in their respective duties, noting that practical implementation is key to achieving institutional growth.
In a remark, a former Deputy Clerk (Administration) of Kogi State House of Assembly, Mr. Enimola Martins, described the seminar as timely and aligned with global discussions on human resource management.
While emphasizing that building high-performance team requires trust, psychological safety, and effective communication, Mr. Martins noted that leadership goes beyond supervision to include empathy and strategic engagement.
He stressed that proper communication and collaboration are essential for organizational success, adding that even dissenting views, when well-managed, can contribute to growth.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of Kogi State House of Assembly Service Commission, Alhaji Andas Abdulmalik, described the seminar as a significant milestone in the development of the Legislative Service in Kogi State.
He said the seminar was aimed at strengthening institutional capacity and enhancing service delivery within the Assembly Service, stressing that the Commission remains committed to promoting efficiency, accountability, and professionalism among staff.
According to him, the Commission, as a statutory organ of the Legislature, is responsible for recruiting, appointing, and managing personnel who handle administrative, technical, and technological functions of the House.
Alhaji Abdulmalik noted that the ever-evolving nature of parliamentary practice requires continuous learning, adding that the effectiveness of any legislature depends largely on the competence and capacity of its workforce.
“The Legislature cannot rise above the quality, knowledge, and experience of its staff.”
He also appreciated Kogi State Government under Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for granting partial financial autonomy to the 8th Assembly, which has enabled initiatives like the seminar, and called for sustained support for staff development and infrastructure.
The Commissioner in charge of Training in the Kogi State House of Assembly Service Commission, Barrister Alfred Bello, in his lecture, described the legislature as a “temple of justice,” stressing that staff conduct, appearance, and professionalism must reflect the dignity of the institution.
He said the behavior and public outlook of legislative staff are critical in distinguishing Legislative staff from other civil servants in other sectors , adding that building strong institutional values would enhance credibility and public trust.
Barrister Bello who said the Commission is sponsoring a bill for the establishment of a Legislative Training Institute in the state, noted that the proposed institute has already commenced legislative processes and is expected to pass first reading soon.
According to him, the institute, when established, would provide structured training not only for Legislative staff but also for legislators at state and local government levels.
He expressed concern over gaps in legislative knowledge at the grassroots, noting that some local government officials lack basic understanding of lawmaking procedures, including motions and by-laws.
The proposed institute, he explained, would serve as a hub for training lawmakers and legislative personnel, with the capacity to attract participants from other states and even outside Nigeria.
Bello added that the institute would engage qualified professionals and experts, positioning Kogi State as a centre of excellence in legislative training across the country and beyond.
The resource person, Professor Abraham Musa Peter of the Political Science Department,Federal University Lokoja presented a paper on “Leading and Managing High Performing Team in the Parliament ”
Good will messages were presented by the former Speaker of the State Assembly, Rt. Hon. Alfa Imam, former Majority Leader, Hon. Alhasan Adakeke, General Manager of Kogi State Hotels and Tourism Board, Hon. Philip Orebiyi, and others.
They commended the initiative, describing the seminar as timely and essential for strengthening institutional capacity, improving workforce efficiency, and promoting good governance within the legislative arm of government.
The seminar brought together staff of the Assembly to enhance capacity, promote efficiency, and reposition the legislative institution for improved service delivery in Kogi State.
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