Selfie with Speaker and YIAGA
The Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt (Hon.) Luke Onofiok, paid a courtesy visit to the Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth and Advancement (YIAGA), on Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at the organization’s country office in Abuja .
Rt (Hon.) Onofiok made the visit in a bid to seek partnership with the organization as he undertakes his responsibilities as the Speaker of the 6th Akwa Ibom House of Assembly.
Rt (Hon.) Onofiok made the visit in a bid to seek partnership with the organization as he undertakes his responsibilities as the Speaker of the 6th Akwa Ibom House of Assembly.
In his welcome remarks, the Head Research, Policy and Advocacy of YIAGA, Samson Itodo congratulated Hon. Onofiok on his election as the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.
“As an organization, we are indeed very proud and honored by your visit. We also appreciate your contributions to deepening democracy in Nigeria as well as your dedication to representing the youth constituency”, Itodo said.
Samson Itodo seized the opportunity to report on the successful launch of the Young Legislators Accountability Project (#YLAPNG). He also highlighted the tremendous progress made by YIAGA towards promoting democratic governance, human rights and youth political participation in politics.
Itodo stated that #YLAPNG, an initiative of the Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth & Advancement (YIAGA) and the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) was conceptualized to deepen democratic accountability and bridge the gap between the constituents and the legislature in the 8th National Assembly, with focus on the young legislators.
He further identified legislative support, legislative accountability, political mentorship and enhanced citizens participation as the four pillars of #YLAPNG. He also mentioned that YIAGA is working towards designing an internship program that will see two mentees attached to each young legislator in the National Assembly over a period of twelve months, as the political mentorship component of #YLAPNG.
The political mentorship component of #YLAPNG, according to Samson Itodo, will enable the mentees acquire knowledge on the legislature and develop capacity for political organization.
“As an institution, we are committed to bridging the capacity gap experienced by constituents using innovative ways. Also, via research, we support young legislators to sponsor qualitative bills at the National Assembly”, Itodo said.
“As an institution, we are committed to bridging the capacity gap experienced by constituents using innovative ways. Also, via research, we support young legislators to sponsor qualitative bills at the National Assembly”, Itodo said.
Samson Itodo also took time out to intimate the Speaker that YIAGA, in partnership with the United States Embassy in Abuja, plans to host a needs assessment roundtable discussion with legislative aides of young legislators in order to seek ways of bridging the capacity gaps faced by the aides.
In his remarks, Hon. Luke Onofiok thanked Samson Itodo for his warm welcome describing it as, “a clear example of the value of building a network of friendship and mutual understanding”.
Hon. Onofiok also appreciated YIAGA for opening her doors for him as well as the work the organization has done in the area of youth development and advocacy in Nigeria, particularly in entrenching democracy in Nigeria, saying he is a beneficiary and product of youth advocacy.
Hon. Onofiok also appreciated YIAGA for opening her doors for him as well as the work the organization has done in the area of youth development and advocacy in Nigeria, particularly in entrenching democracy in Nigeria, saying he is a beneficiary and product of youth advocacy.
Hon. Onofiok declared, “I can’t forget the platform that has shot me into limelight. I am a product of youth advocacy in the sense that I have learnt lessons from youth advocacy groups like YIAGA. History will be kind to team YIAGA for helping entrench credible elections in Nigeria”.
While reiterating the purpose of his courtesy visit, Hon. Onofiok stated that he is seeking partnership and collaboration to enable him succeed first as an individual and as a speaker of AKHA.
“Personal success without the success of the AKHA will equal egoism”, he said.
“Personal success without the success of the AKHA will equal egoism”, he said.
Hon. Luke Onofiok prayed YIAGA not to fall under the category of ‘metropolitan advocacy groups’ and extend the #YLAPNG to State Houses of Assembly which are closer to the constituents in the grassroots.
“We have greater number of young legislators under the age group in the State Houses of Assemblies across Nigeria and we will greatly benefit from the #YLAPNG”, he said.
In his response, Samson Itodo recognized the significant role the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has been playing at both national and international levels. He urged the Speaker, Hon. Luke Onofiok to consider YIAGA as his partner and count on the support of the organization.
Samson Itodo also pledged YIAGA’s support towards helping the Akwa Ibom State House of Assemble fulfill its core legislative responsibilities.
“If the Akwa Ibom State 6th Assembly must succeed, it must set its legislative agenda. So, whatever support we provide will be geared towards ensuring that the core responsibilities of the legislature are achieved”, Itodo said.
On the issue of extending #YLAPNG to state legislatures, Samson Itodo revealed that YIAGA will explore the possibility, stating that the Legislative Internship Program of the AKHA fits into the scope of #YLAPNG.
On the issue of extending #YLAPNG to state legislatures, Samson Itodo revealed that YIAGA will explore the possibility, stating that the Legislative Internship Program of the AKHA fits into the scope of #YLAPNG.
“We will explore the possibility of extending #YLAPNG to state legislatures. I am quite optimistic that we will have things going in that regard”, Itodo said.
In conclusion, he thanked the Speaker, Hon. Luke Onofiok for his visit, promising to formalize proceedings from the meeting.
Highlight of the event was the presentation of official #YLAPNG t_shirt and materials to the Speaker as well as a group photograph session.
#AkwaIbom
Highlight of the event was the presentation of official #YLAPNG t_shirt and materials to the Speaker as well as a group photograph session.
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