The member representing Oron/Mbo/Okobo/Udung Uko/Urueoffong Oruko Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Martins Esin, has sponsored a two-day capacity building programme for 52 councillors from his constituency.

The training, which was facilitated by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies NILDS, was themed “Strategic Leadership, Developing Legislative Practice and Procedures for Effective Local Government Administration in Nigeria.”

Esin, who was represented at the opening ceremony on Friday by the Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Omen Bassey, said the exercise was designed to strengthen the legislative competence and leadership capacity of councillors at the grassroots level.

He said the programme was aimed at equipping the councillors with adequate knowledge to understand their powers, rights and responsibilities, adding that effective legislative performance is essential for addressing challenges confronting communities.

The Director-General of NILDS, Prof Abubakar Sulaiman, who was represented by the institute Director of Internal Audit, David Akinyemi Osanaiye, commended the lawmaker for investing in capacity development at the grassroots, describing it as essential for effective governance.

Sulaiman urged the councillors to strengthen grassroots governance through accountability, effective representation and improved legislative performance, and to translate the aspirations of their constituents into practical development priorities.

He particularly charged them to pay attention to issues affecting rural and riverine communities including transportation, healthcare, education, sanitation and environmental sustainability, and to promote policies that support youth employment, entrepreneurship, women participation and inclusive leadership.

According to the organisers, the training featured paper presentations and interactive sessions where participants engaged resource persons on practical issues affecting their legislative duties and local government administration, with a call on the councillors to apply the knowledge to improve service delivery.