The Speakers' Conference of Nigeria, an umbrella body of the Speakers of the States Houses of Assembly, on Friday elected officials to run the activities of the conference.
The newly elected Chairman of the Conference, Inuwa Garba, who is the Speaker of the Gombe State House of Assembly, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja that the new officials would take the conference to a higher level.
Garba stated that his administration would work closely with the entire members to enable the conference achieve its goal of securing financial autonomy to the state houses of assembly.
According to him, state legislators "are the police of democracy in the 36 state of the federation," which if given absolute financial autonomy would contribute immensely in shaping the programmes of the executive.
The legislator added that financial autonomy was very central to the activities of state legislators as it could make them to become a strong force in the political affairs of the country.
"Granting financial autonomy to the state assembly is very central to the nation evolving democracy as it will give members absolute power to exercise their duties accordingly," he stated.
He said the conference under his leadership would create noble programmes that would prepare state legislators in the task of modern parliament.
Also speaking, the newly elected treasurer, Lawal Zayana, said the new leadership would be a uniting force of that would speak with one voice on major national issue.
Zayana restated commitment of the conference to embark on laudable programmes that would ensure national integration of members in the country.
The newly elected officials include the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Monsurat Sunmonu, as the deputy chairman; the Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, Eugene Odo, as the Financial Secretary.
Vice-Chairmen include Daniel Otelemaba (South-South); Ude Oko Chukwu (South-East); Omirin Adewale (South-West); and Ahamed Mohammad (North-Central).
The Punch