Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau has emphasised the need for political officeholders to undergo formal training in democratic studies to enhance good governance at all levels.
Barau stated this yesterday in Abuja when he hosted the director-general of The Progressives Institute (TPI), Dr. Lanre Adebayo, and his management team during a courtesy visit to his office.
He pledged that the Senate would support TP – an initiative of the current leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) – in its mission to train young Nigerians in democratic principles and leadership.
Barau, who said he was a beneficiary of a similar initiative by the U.S.-based National Democratic Institute (NDI), assured that the Senate would provide the necessary backing to ensure the success of the Progressives Institute.
“I was one of those present at the unveiling of the Institute. I am an admirer and strong supporter of what the Institute represents, and I am supporting it wholeheartedly for several reasons,” he said.
“One of those reasons is that I once benefited from a similar institute abroad. Since attending that training program, I have hoped that we would establish such an institution here in Nigeria.”
He continued: “So, when I heard from our National Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, that this Institute was being established, I was delighted.
“I recall that about 26 years ago, when I was elected to represent my constituency in the House of Representatives during the start of the Fourth Republic, we were invited by the National Democratic Institute of the United States—a body affiliated with the U.S. Democratic Party.
“That Institute came to Nigeria to provide us with intensive training on how to function effectively in the legislature. At the time, there was a significant knowledge gap due to the long absence of a functional legislature under military rule.”
Barau stressed the importance of TPI’s work, noting that such training was absent at the dawn of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic and remains limited even after 26 years.
He urged the leadership of the Institute to expand its activities to members of other political parties within and outside Nigeria.
“There was a long period when this country had no functioning legislature due to military intervention in our politics. As a result, much institutional knowledge was lost.
“The NDI trained us in a classroom setting on how to legislate effectively and conduct ourselves in office. That training gave us an edge. Members of the Fourth National Assembly were particularly well-grounded in legislative processes,” he added.
In his remarks, the Director General of The Progressives Institute, Dr. Lanre Adebayo, said the Institute was established to strengthen Nigeria’s political landscape through capacity building in governance and leadership.
