By Nefishetu Yakubu

National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) has honoured four distinguished Nigerians with the Fellowship Award for their various contributions to the development of democracy and national development.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the awardees included Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, Rt. Hon. Patricia Etteh, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Prof. Faraday Orumwense, and late Prof. Nuhu Yaqub.

The conferment of the awards took place during the 10th NILDS-UNIBEN Postgraduate Programmes Convocation Ceremony held at the NILDS headquarters in Abuja on Monday.

The Director-General of NILDS, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, said the awards were part of the institute’s efforts to recognise individuals whose contributions had helped strengthen democratic principles and practices in Nigeria.

Sulaiman said the Fellowship Award initiative was introduced by his predecessor, adding that he considered it a worthwhile tradition deserving of continuity and consolidation.

He explained that the awardees were selected in recognition of their impact on national development, particularly their contributions to promoting democratic governance and its underlying principles.

The NILDS director-general acknowledged the support of past and present members of the institute’s Governing Council, saying that their contributions had been instrumental to the institute’s achievements.

He particularly appreciated the leadership and members of the National Assembly for supporting the institute’s academic programmes and broader institutional mandate.

Sulaiman said NILDS remained committed to consolidating and disseminating knowledge on legislative practice, democratic governance and related principles, with the support of its governing authorities and institutional partners.

He expressed appreciation to the institute’s stakeholders for their contributions to its development, noting that their support had helped advance its mission of promoting good governance and strengthening democratic institutions.

Also speaking, the vice-chancellor of UNIBEN, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, described the conferment of the NILDS Fellowship Award on former UNIBEN vice-chancellor, Prof. Faraday Orumwense, as well deserved.

Omoregie congratulated Orumwense on the recognition and commended his contributions to strengthening collaboration between the two institutions.

He said Orumwense played a significant role in sustaining the partnership between UNIBEN and NILDS, which began during the tenure of another former UNIBEN vice-chancellor, Prof. Osayuki Oshodi of blessed memory.

The UNIBEN vice-chancellor said the collaboration had grown stronger over the years and reflected both institutions’ commitment to academic excellence, quality postgraduate education and the adoption of global best practices.

Omoregie also commended NILDS for the Fellowship Award initiative and expressed confidence in the continued growth of the partnership between the two institutions.

In her remarks on behalf of the fellowship award recipients, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Patricia Etteh, described Nigeria’s security challenges as political, calling on the government to address them through political solutions.

Etteh said the government had the capacity to tackle insecurity if it demonstrated the determination to do so, urging Nigerians to support efforts to restore peace and security across the country.

She said tackling insecurity should not be left to the police alone, stressing that all security agencies had a responsibility to restore public confidence and ensure Nigerians could sleep peacefully without fear.

Etteh commended NILDS for its academic programmes and development and expressed interest in enrolling for a master’s degree in Election and Political Party Politics to enhance her knowledge and involvement in politics.

She congratulated the graduands and pledged her continued support for the institute’s development.

(NAN)

NY/KOO

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Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa