Follow Us on Google
SPOTLIGHTS
- The “Legislative Oversight Handbook” offers practical tools and strategies for effective oversight
- It covers various aspects, including defining oversight, types of hearings, and tools for investigation
- The handbook stresses the importance of capacity building within legislative bodies
- Sule believes that robust oversight is crucial for ensuring government accountability and efficient use of resources
- He highlights the negative influence of money politics on Nigeria’s democracy
From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
A Kaduna-based former banker, Mr Bernard Akuh Sule, has authored a book to educate legislators and staff of the National Assembly on oversight functions.
The 30-page book is titled “Legislative Oversight Handbook: Maximising Impact for Nigeria’s Economic, Social and Political Progress”.
Mr Sule, who spent over 30 years in the banking sector, said the need to empower lawmakers to improve their performance across the numerous ministries and agencies under their oversight functions motivated him to write the book.
Speaking with the Daily Sun in an interview, the Kogi State-born author disagreed with the insinuation that lawmakers are rubber-stamps of the Executive arm of government, but accepted that it is unfortunate that the nation’s democracy is dominated by money politics.
“I wrote the book to educate our legislators and equip them with a handy resource for their quick reference. The legislature, to me, is the most important arm of government that can impact every segment of our lives, activities and institutions via lawmaking and oversight.
“I have this motivation to empower the lawmakers to improve their performances across the numerous ministries and agencies put under their oversight functions.
“The legislators are provided with clear strategies to achieve impactful oversight functions. Practical tips are given to inspire those who are innovative and pragmatic to adapt.
“The ‘Legislative Oversight Handbook’ is designed to provide legislators and their staff with practical tools and advice for conducting effective oversight of the executive branch. The primary goal of legislative oversight is to ensure government accountability, particularly in the efficient and proper use of taxpayer dollars by executive agencies.
“Key contents of the handbook include defining Legislative Oversight; it outlines oversight as the review, monitoring, and supervision of public policy implementation, serving as a crucial check on executive power.
“Hearing/Informational Hearings: these are intended to educate legislators and the public on specific topics or agency functions.
“Investigatory Hearings: these focus on fact-finding about particular incidents or issues, such as budget overruns or policy failures, to understand what happened and to recommend improvements.
“Oversight Tools and Processes: The handbook provides a comprehensive toolkit for conducting oversight, including guidelines for preparing briefing books, working with the Office of Legislative Counsel, and setting subpoena policies. It also covers the legal and procedural aspects of oversight, ensuring legislators conduct their inquiries ethically and effectively.
Read also: LP chieftain tasks NASS on electoral reform
“Institutional Capacity: it emphasises building the capacity of legislative bodies to perform oversight through proper research, coordination, and systematic processes.
“The handbook underscores that effective oversight can be more impactful than merely passing new laws, as it helps ensure that existing laws are implemented as intended. It also highlights the importance of thorough preparation and research to conduct successful oversight hearings, whether they are informational or investigatory in nature.
“Optimally capitalised banks need a very efficient and robust oversight regime. The frequency of banking recapitalisation in Nigeria, in particular, shows a lack of fit in our policies. The oversight of the banking regulators cannot be said to be right from what the public hear and know about the Apex Bank. These are in the public domain.
“I do not agree that the present crop of lawmakers are rubber stamps. The brand of politics played in Nigeria for now is based purely on remuneration, participation and recognition. These are based on negotiation, collusion, greed instincts and consensus. The outcomes are not pleasant but for now that’s what is dominant.
“I spent 24 years in the banking industry, with half of that in the iconic franchise called UBA when it was mostly owned by five international banks. My further 17 years in management and financial consultancy cannot be separated from banking either, being involved in business development and advisory services,” Mr Sule said.
Asked whether he would be running for elective office to represent his people at the National Assembly or State House of Assembly, Mr Sule, who is now a management and financial consultant, said: “Elective politics? Oh no. Too late for my age. But involvement via capacity building, risk management, resource development services are available to those who appreciate my perspective.”
Looking at his brief biography, Mr Bernard Akuh Sule is a banker and consultant who is passionate about helping individuals achieve an impactful footprint in both their personal and professional lives.
With over 30 years of experience in banking, investment, and business advisory, he has gained valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities that envelope the lives of executives.
Throughout his career, Mr Sule said he had worked with diverse individuals and organisations, providing guidance, support, and practical strategies for achieving expectations and set targets.
