By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
The Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf, has reaffirmed the importance of continuous training, teamwork, and professional development in strengthening legislative efficiency and service delivery.
He made this known at a one-day capacity-building seminar organized for legislative staff at the Assembly Complex in Lokoja, describing human capacity development as central to institutional growth and performance.
The Speaker, who was represented by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Comfort Ojoma Nwuchiola Egwaba, said no institution can perform beyond the quality of its workforce, stressing that collaboration and skill optimization remain key drivers of productivity.
“When individuals work together effectively and harness their skills, institutional success becomes inevitable,” he stated.
He urged participants to apply the knowledge gained from the seminar in their daily duties, noting that the true value of training lies in practical implementation.
Also speaking, former Deputy Clerk (Administration) of the Assembly, Mr. Enimola Martins, described the training as timely and aligned with global standards in public service administration.
He emphasized that effective teamwork requires trust, communication, and psychological safety, adding that leadership must go beyond supervision to include empathy and strategic coordination.
According to him, even divergent opinions, when properly managed, can strengthen innovation and institutional growth.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Kogi State House of Assembly Service Commission, Alhaji Andas Abdulmalik, said the seminar marked a major step toward strengthening legislative capacity and improving service delivery.
He noted that the initiative reflects the Commission’s commitment to efficiency, accountability, and professionalism within the legislative service.
Delivering a lecture, the Commissioner in charge of Training, Barrister Alfred Bello, described the legislature as a “temple of justice,” stressing that staff conduct and professionalism must reflect the dignity of the institution.
He also disclosed plans to establish a Legislative Training Institute in Kogi State to provide structured capacity development for lawmakers and staff, positioning the state as a centre for legislative excellence.
The seminar featured a keynote lecture by Prof. Abraham Musa Peter of the Federal University Lokoja on “Leading and Managing High-Performing Teams in Parliament,” alongside goodwill messages from stakeholders.