The National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) has reached an agreement to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) for capacity building of their staff in legislative affairs.

The move was initiated Friday during the visit of Speakers of EALA, Hnourable Joseph Ntakirutimana and his ECOWAS counterpart, Honourable Sidie Mohammed Tunis to the Director General, NILDS, Prof Abubakar Sulaiman in Abuja.

Tunis who initiated the idea stated that the training was imperative not only for ECOWAS member state but the entire Africa.

The Speaker added that the African Union (AU) with its Head Office in Addis Ababa cannot determine what happens in Nigeria and as such, there is need for collaborative efforts by the two regional bodies in order to serve their people better.

In his remarks, Hon Ntakirutimana stated that he was elated at the knowledge of American Democratic Institute (NDI) in Nigeria.

Accepting the idea of capacity building for their regional staff in legislative affairs, the Speaking stressed the need for NILDS to be autonomous from the Western influence.

He however canvassed adequate funding for the institute by Nigerian government to enable it serve Nigeria and Africa effectively without external influence.

In his response, the Director General of NILDS, Professor Abubakar O. Sulaiman, reiterated that everything about the institute revolves around Africa. According to him, the first support received by the Institute as a program under National Assembly was funded by Africa Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), after which Nigerian Government took over the funding.

Sulaiman, who was the former Minister of National Planning pledged NILDS willingness and commitment to sign pact with the two Parliaments on capacity building of their staff on legislative issues as espoused.

Also in attendance were NILDS lead consultant, Prof Attahiru Jega, Chairman NILDS Academic Advisory Board, Prof Nuhu Yaqub, Secretary General of ECOWAS, Dr. John Azumah, delegation to ECOWAS Parliament, Hon Awaji-Inombek Abiante and a member of Tanzania House of Representatives, Hon. Dr. Mlozi Shogo.

Recall that NILDS was signed into existence in 2011 and since then, it has expanded to 11 departments and awards Higher National Diploma (HND and Master degrees.

Earlier in a separate meeting, Speakers of the two Parliaments have envisioned a prosperous and borderless Africa. This was in the course of the two-day working visit of the Speaker of East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA), Rt. Hon. Ntakirutimana Joseph to the ECOWAS Parliament.

Also speaking, the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, stated that the artificial boundaries that impede free movement of people and goods should be removed to facilitated greater economic partnership and cooperation among the 54 Africa nations.

To achieve this objective, Hon. Ntakirutimana stated that East African countries have developed measures to bring down the border walls created by the colonialists.

According to him, “In East Africa, we have one Passport for all member countries and there is no VISA requirement. We are now working to open the air space to bring down the high cost of air ticket across East Africa. Even tourists do not require VISA to come to East Africa. Even for businesses, there are favourable laws that guide businesses”, he said.

He added that solutions to African problems lie in the hands of Africans, noting that outsiders will not come to solve Africa’s problems for them. He therefore admonished African leaders not to listen to some super powers who are determined to get Africans fight against one another for no cogent reasons.

For the Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament, Rt. Hon Sidie Mohammed Tunis, ECOWAS has put mechanism in place to fast track the integration of West Africa and by extension, the entire African continent.

He added that the protocol on free movement of people and goods within the Sub-Region was a testament to the effort of ECOWAS institutions to integrate the community.

Tunis said that both Parliaments have agreed to come up with resolutions to enhance visa free movement across West and East African countries and to share knowledge on best parliamentary practices.

“We have had a very short but important discussions bothering on the two institutions as to how we can collaborate in the interest of the people of the two regions. For the first time, these two regions have agreed as a parliament to work together to make sure that we bring them together. If these two regions through the parliament can work together, we will be bringing Africa together.”

On his part, the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, urged parliaments of various African countries to review their respective laws impeding economic growth and free movement of people.

“If you are part of African Union, why the boundaries? Why the restrictions? The restrictions have underdeveloped the continent more than it has lifted it to measure shoulder to shoulder among the committee of continents. These we must take seriously and this message we must take to all our countries’ Parliaments for a review of our various positions on this issue”, he said.