... Strengthening Inclusive Governance
TAF Africa, with support from the European Union through its “Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria” (EU-SDGN II) program, organized a two-day intensive training for nine persons with disabilities (PWD) selected as interns to serve in the House of Representatives. This initiative aims to promote disability-inclusive policies and legislation by equipping selected PWDs with the knowledge and skills to influence key legislative practices within the House of Representatives.
The training aimed to equip the interns with a deep understanding of legislative practices and procedures, enabling them to support relevant committees effectively. Specifically, the program sought to build their capacity to integrate disability considerations into policy-making and legislative outputs. The nine PWD interns, drawn from a pool of established disability inclusion advocates, are set to begin a six-month placement in nine key committees within the House of Representatives.
The initiative reflects a deliberate effort to ensure that the voices and aspirations of Nigeria’s disability community are represented at the highest levels of governance. The deployment strategy, which involves embedding interns in committees, is designed to ensure that critical legislative activities, including appropriation and oversight functions, reflect a disability-inclusive perspective.
The program’s strategic design was highlighted during the training sessions, which incorporated adult learning methods to promote active participation and shared learning. These methods included direct facilitation, slide presentations, role-playing exercises, and scenario-based discussions. Participants engaged in a simulated budget defense process, providing them with hands-on experience in navigating legislative processes.
Expert facilitators, including Benjamin Ekeyi, a seasoned Development Specialist and Legislative Policy Analyst, and Kelvin Ogburie, the Special Adviser on Equal Opportunity to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, played pivotal roles in preparing the interns for their responsibilities. Ekeyi provided an in-depth overview of the National Assembly’s structure and budget processes, emphasizing the critical importance of engaging at the committee level, where legislative work is most impactful.
Ogburie examined the specific roles of PWD interns, outlining their responsibilities in ensuring that disability inclusion is mainstreamed across legislative activities. He emphasized the necessity of understanding committee operations and contributing to the integration of disability-focused perspectives into legislative frameworks. Additionally, the Special Adviser on Inter-parliamentary Affairs and Public Relations to the Speaker, Chimdi Neliaku, facilitated a session on legislative processes and advocacy strategies, ensuring the interns were well-versed in practical approaches to influencing policy development.
The training also emphasized the importance of curiosity and continuous learning, encouraging participants to seek knowledge about legislative procedures and disability advocacy. Interns were urged to ask questions and actively engage with committee members to maximize their impact.
Representing the CEO and Founder of TAF Africa, Amb. Jake Epelle, at the opening ceremony, Muyiwa Aderibigbe welcomed participants and stressed the critical role of disability inclusion in governance. He called on the interns to view their placement not merely as an opportunity but as a significant responsibility to strengthen disability inclusion within Nigeria’s legislative system. The program manager, Adeolu Kilanko, outlined the overarching goals of the internship. He expressed optimism that by the end of the six-month placement, the interns’ contributions would lead to a more disability-inclusive National Assembly. This vision aligns with the broader aspirations of the disability community, which seeks to ensure that legislative outputs and processes genuinely reflect their needs and rights.
This initiative holds the promise of not only enhancing the representation of persons with disabilities in legislative processes but also ensuring that their voices are integral to the nation’s policy and decision-making. As the interns prepare to begin their assignments, the program is poised to be a catalyst for change, contributing to the creation of a legislative environment that genuinely champions the rights and aspirations of persons with disabilities.
The training aimed to equip the interns with a deep understanding of legislative practices and procedures, enabling them to support relevant committees effectively. Specifically, the program sought to build their capacity to integrate disability considerations into policy-making and legislative outputs. The nine PWD interns, drawn from a pool of established disability inclusion advocates, are set to begin a six-month placement in nine key committees within the House of Representatives.
The initiative reflects a deliberate effort to ensure that the voices and aspirations of Nigeria’s disability community are represented at the highest levels of governance. The deployment strategy, which involves embedding interns in committees, is designed to ensure that critical legislative activities, including appropriation and oversight functions, reflect a disability-inclusive perspective.
The program’s strategic design was highlighted during the training sessions, which incorporated adult learning methods to promote active participation and shared learning. These methods included direct facilitation, slide presentations, role-playing exercises, and scenario-based discussions. Participants engaged in a simulated budget defense process, providing them with hands-on experience in navigating legislative processes.
Expert facilitators, including Benjamin Ekeyi, a seasoned Development Specialist and Legislative Policy Analyst, and Kelvin Ogburie, the Special Adviser on Equal Opportunity to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, played pivotal roles in preparing the interns for their responsibilities. Ekeyi provided an in-depth overview of the National Assembly’s structure and budget processes, emphasizing the critical importance of engaging at the committee level, where legislative work is most impactful.
Ogburie examined the specific roles of PWD interns, outlining their responsibilities in ensuring that disability inclusion is mainstreamed across legislative activities. He emphasized the necessity of understanding committee operations and contributing to the integration of disability-focused perspectives into legislative frameworks. Additionally, the Special Adviser on Inter-parliamentary Affairs and Public Relations to the Speaker, Chimdi Neliaku, facilitated a session on legislative processes and advocacy strategies, ensuring the interns were well-versed in practical approaches to influencing policy development.
The training also emphasized the importance of curiosity and continuous learning, encouraging participants to seek knowledge about legislative procedures and disability advocacy. Interns were urged to ask questions and actively engage with committee members to maximize their impact.
Representing the CEO and Founder of TAF Africa, Amb. Jake Epelle, at the opening ceremony, Muyiwa Aderibigbe welcomed participants and stressed the critical role of disability inclusion in governance. He called on the interns to view their placement not merely as an opportunity but as a significant responsibility to strengthen disability inclusion within Nigeria’s legislative system. The program manager, Adeolu Kilanko, outlined the overarching goals of the internship. He expressed optimism that by the end of the six-month placement, the interns’ contributions would lead to a more disability-inclusive National Assembly. This vision aligns with the broader aspirations of the disability community, which seeks to ensure that legislative outputs and processes genuinely reflect their needs and rights.
This initiative holds the promise of not only enhancing the representation of persons with disabilities in legislative processes but also ensuring that their voices are integral to the nation’s policy and decision-making. As the interns prepare to begin their assignments, the program is poised to be a catalyst for change, contributing to the creation of a legislative environment that genuinely champions the rights and aspirations of persons with disabilities.
