Deputy Speaker Canvasses More Mentorship For Young Political Leaders

The Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has advocated more resources for the mentoring and training of young political leaders who will take over governance and public service in the future.

Kalu made the call, yesterday, at the 2nd legislative mentorship initiative (LMI) in Abuja, with the topic, ‘Effective Parliamentary Debating & Public Speaking’ held in Abuja.

Kalu taught participants on how best to be a good parliamentarian and how to overcome fears and nervousness while making presentations, highlighting the key elements that are fundamentals of parliamentary debating, without which, a motion could suffer defeat and rejection during a plenary.

He hinted that parliamentary debates follow a structured format that involves different roles and time allocations for speeches, saying, “understanding the format will enable you to navigate debates effectively.”

The deputy speaker also identified the key elements in legislative engagements on the floor of the Parliament to include: “conducting thorough research on the topic of the debate; consulting experts in the field or individuals who have specialized knowledge on the topic; engaging with relevant stakeholders who are directly impacted by the issue being debated; attending public forums or hearings related to the topic.

“Making use of online platforms, such as databases, fact-checking websites and online forums, to gather information and engage in discussions related to the debate topic; and reviewing legislative documents, relevant legislation, policy papers, or reports that have been previously discussed or implemented concerning the topic.”

He said, the ability to communicate effectively and persuasively is crucial in various fields, including politics, business, and academia in today’s world.