Onomiguren Agbamu
The Delta State House of Assembly Service Commission has commenced its 2026 Capacity Building Workshop for members and staff of the Commission, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening legislative administration through continuous manpower development and improved service delivery.
Speaking at the opening session of the training programme held at the Conference Hall of the Prof. Chike Edozien Secretariat Complex, Asaba, Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Ebireri Ohwo Sunday, described the workshop as a strategic investment in the workforce, noting that an effective and efficient legislature remains the bedrock of a vibrant democracy.
The workshop, themed “Effective and Efficient Service Delivery,” is being organised in collaboration with the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, NILDS, Abuja.
It is designed to equip staff with modern administrative skills, enhance productivity and improve institutional performance within the legislative bureaucracy.
Mr. Ebireri said the Commission had remained committed to training and retraining of staff by engaging seasoned professionals to expose them to contemporary legislative practices and emerging trends in public service.
The Commission Chairman attributed the success of the annual training programme to the unwavering support of the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Elder Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, for consistently approving funds for capacity development initiatives.
He also appreciated the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, for approving the workshop and for sustaining a cordial working relationship between the Assembly and the Commission.
Mr Ebireri urged participants to maximize the opportunity by discarding obsolete methods, embracing modern innovations and upholding the professional values required for effective public service.
He commended members of the Commission, the Secretary, management, staff and the Training Department for their commitment to the successful organization of the programme.
The Commission Boss noted that facilitators from NILDS would provide participants with the knowledge and practical skills required for efficient legislative administration.
In his welcome address, the Secretary to the Commission, Barr. Austin Uwasike, described the workshop as timely, stressing that effective and efficient service delivery is fundamental to a productive legislative workforce.
He noted that the Fifth Commission, under the leadership of Mr. Ebireri Ohwo Sunday, has consistently prioritised annual capacity-building programmes to preserve institutional memory and strengthen staff competence.
Barr. Uwasike also expressed gratitude to Governor Oborevwori for the prompt release of funds for the exercise and thanked Speaker Guwor for facilitating the approvals that made the training possible.
He acknowledged the purposeful leadership of the Commission Chairman, the dedication of Commission members and management staff, and welcomed the team of facilitators from NILDS for partnering with the Commission in fulfilling its constitutional mandate of manpower development.
He urged participants to reciprocate the confidence reposed in them by applying the knowledge acquired during the workshop towards delivering more effective and efficient services to the Delta State House of Assembly.
Speaking on behalf of the Director-General of NILDS, Professor Abubakar Suleiman, the Institute’s representative, Dr. John Olanrewaju, commended the Delta State House of Assembly Service Commission, the Delta State House of Assembly and the Delta State Government for their sustained investment in legislative capacity development.
Dr Olanrewaju described Delta State as a national reference point in legislative administration, noting that the state had set a standard worthy of emulation by other state legislatures.
According to him, Delta State has consistently remained at the forefront of human capital development, particularly within its legislative institutions, resulting in an administrative structure capable of matching global best practices.
Olanrewaju stated that the Delta State House of Assembly and its Service Commission could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with advanced legislatures across the world, stressing that the state’s commitment to continuous training for both members of the commission and staff over the past four to five years was uncommon among state legislatures in Nigeria.
The NILDS representative further explained that genuine financial autonomy for state legislatures can only be achieved through strong administrative autonomy, which depends on the existence of a vibrant and independent House of Assembly Service Commission.
He maintained that Delta State remains the leading example of this principle in practice, assuring the Commission of NILDS’ continued partnership and support.
Dr Olanrewaju said the institute would sustain its collaboration with the Delta State House of Assembly, the Service Commission and the state government.
He expressed appreciation to the Chairman of the Commission, the Speaker of the House and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for their confidence in NILDS, pledging that the institute would continue to provide its best in strengthening legislative governance and democratic institutions in Delta State.
Participants who spoke expressed appreciation to those that made the training programme possible.
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