Senator Godswill Akpabio, President of the Senate, has stated that the 10th Assembly will pass quality legislation that will raise the country’s educational standard.
At the 10th National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS)/University of Benin (UNIBEN) Post Graduate Programmes Matriculation Ceremony held on Monday in Abuja, Akpabio made the commitment.
“I am very much aware of the current state of education in the country, and I wish to assure you all that this administration is committed to addressing the nagging issues that bother education instability and restiveness in our tertiary institutions.
“This is evident with the recently-assented Students Loan Act by President Bola Tinubu, to ensure access to education for all.
“I wish to equally assure Nigerians that the 10th Assembly shall have as its fulcrum part of its legislative agenda a boost for educational development, as we believe that our growth and development as a nation is proportional to the quality of our educational system.
“Therefore, the 10th Assembly will pass quality legislation, whose implementation will raise the standard of education service delivery Nigerians expect from us,” he said.
Akpabio urged the matriculating students to view the opportunity of their admission as a great privilege because the knowledge they will acquire cannot be found in traditional universities. He was represented by Senator Jibrin Barau, Deputy Senate President.
He claimed that the programmes would provide the matriculants with the knowledge they would need to support the nation’s democracy and overall development.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, also spoke at the event and emphasised the importance of research, training, and education in fostering a strong, virulent, and vibrant democracy.
Abbas thanked NILDS for supplying lawmakers, decision-makers, and the general public with the knowledge and abilities required to successfully navigate the complexities of legislative and democratic processes. He was represented by Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker.
“However, you are reminded of the huge task at your hands given the composition of the 10th Assembly, which has nearly 70 per cent new membership.
“The institute must quickly come up with programmes to fill the capacity gaps not only among our new colleagues and some of their legislative aides but the entire staff of the National Assembly.
“It is hoped that your quick intervention in this regard with targeted programmes will enhance the efficiency and productivity of members and staff of the National Assembly,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Prof. Lilian Salami, congratulated the students on their acceptance into the institution’s various programmes during her remarks.
A total of 107 students were admitted to study a variety of programmes, up from 80 students in the previous session, according to Salami, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic, Prof. Ray Ozoluwa.
The master’s degree in elections and party politics, the postgraduate diploma in elections and party management, legislative drafting, parliamentary administration, and legislative studies, according to the speaker, are among the programmes.
She claims that the courses are uncommon and unique programmes that are hardly ever offered elsewhere.
Salami declared that the university and the institute would not sit back and do nothing but continue to educate students with high-quality information and stay abreast of global trends.
She urged the students to maintain their focus and be disciplined, to abstain from vices, and to only accept that which is good in order to be deserving of the Postgraduate degree or Diploma of UNIBEN/NILDS, earned based on knowledge and character.
Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, Director-General of NILDS, stated in his remarks that NILDS and UNIBEN’s cooperation had proven to be fruitful over time.
He reaffirmed the institute’s dedication to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) it has with the university.
Sulaiman urged the matriculants to arrive on time for lectures because sitting for exams requires a minimum attendance of 75%.
He claimed that since continuous assessment makes up 30 to 40% of exams, it must be treated seriously.
“Upon your successful completion of the programme, you would be awarded certificates by the University of Benin; the best students’ amongst you would also be recognised and offered an award of excellence.
“The pillars of the NILDS- UNIBEN Postgraduate Programmes are anchored on discipline and dedication; you are therefore expected to exhibit a high sense of discipline while running the programme.
“The postgraduate programme will not award its degree to students who are found wanting in character and in learning.
“I wish to state that your choice of the NILDS- UNIBEN Postgraduate Programmes is a wise one, and we are committed to seeing that we impart to you all the necessary skills you deserve,” he said.