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….Sets up Security Centre, radio station
From Fred Itua, Abuja
President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, on Wednesday, said the National Assembly, going forward, will monitor armed conflicts and other forms of crimes in the country, in order to come up with strong legislations.
Lawan revealed this in Abuja during the official commissioning of the Legislative Centre for Security Analysis and National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) Democracy Radio.
He said the Legislature as an arm of government cannot be left out in the scheme of things, especially issues about insecurity and policy.
He said: “The Nigerian legislature cannot afford to be left behind in view of the fact that violent conflicts, insecurity and crime in all parts of the country have risen in the past few decades and therefore, we are obliged as an arm of government responsible for shaping public policy, making laws and representing citizens, which grants us the legitimacy to play a central role in ensuring good security sector governance.
“Committed to the afore-mentioned concern, I am proud to inform you that the NILDS Governing Council, under my leadership having critically examined the proposal for the establishment of the Legislative Centre for Security Analysis, graciously approved its establishment, which will be domiciled under the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, and saddled with the specific objective of providing on a sustained basis information to the National Assembly in the area of security and conflict analysis.
“It will also monitor and track the dynamics of conflict and insecurity and advise the National Assembly on legislative measures and oversight.”
Director-General of NILDS, Professor Abubakar Sulaiman, said the new radio station will not only transmit the legislative businesses, but also serves as the voice of Nigeria people.
He said: “History will be kind to 9th National Assembly for being supportive an intellectual outfit under the National Assembly but domiciled in NILDS, the Legislative Centre for Security Analysis which is in line with fulfilling the
Mandate of NILDS to conduct quality academic and professional research, promote and disseminate the practice of science-based methodologies of law-making legislative assemblies and promote critical research material and policy insights as background materials for the legislature.”
Speaking on the new Security Centre, Sulaiman said it is the first of its kind in the entire Africa Continent. “Therefore, Nigeria is taking the lead for other countries within the continent of Africa to benefit from and emulate for the development of the continent as a whole,” he said.
“The essence of this all important Centre cannot be over-emphasised due to the rise in violent conflict, crime and insecurity in the country and other parts of the continent of Africa.
“It is expected that the Centre will be dedicated to carry out wide ranging functions which include: enhancing the security of Nigerians through primary research and studies in all aspects of security in the country to determine the causes and implications and identify areas for legislative intervention; promote understanding of the security environment, share knowledge, and use that expertise to identify legislative actions and interventions; undertake tailor-made research to advance knowledge and ability of government and security as well as intelligence agencies to counter threats and incidents; produce research reports and policy briefs on
security-related issues for consideration by the National Assembly; draft security-
based Bills, Motions and Resolutions for speedy legislative consideration; Improve security incident detection through continuous monitoring and analysis of security data,” he added.
