@ Doris Oliver
The Parliamentary Staff Association Of Nigeria (PASAN), Imo State Chapter, which is the umbrella body for all legislative staff across the country, working in Imo State legislature, has concluded it’s first Parliamentary week celebration to mark the contributions and achievement of the Association vis a vis the sustainability of democracy with particular reference to Imo State and the nation at large.
The event with the theme ” Legislative Service Towards The Sustainability Of Democracy ” identified the crucial roles, contributions, and achievements of legislative workers to the continual existence of the nations democracy.
The event was also an opportunity to appreciate some serving and former legislators whose legislative ingenuity and kindness have impacted the Parliamentary Staff positively.
The event which began with a thanksgiving service at the Imo State House Of Assembly Chapel on Sunday 8th December,,2024 was followed by a fitness walk and lectures on both the need for a healthy lifestyle for effective legislative service and the role of effective service performance to the sustainability of the legislature and democracy.
The event continued on Tuesday, 10th December 2024, with a courtesy visit to prominent stakeholders in the legislative business as well as former and serving lawmakers from Imo state.
The climax of the week long activities was the grand finale on Friday at the Assembly Complex, where a goodwill message was given by the Speaker of the 10th Assembly,Rt. Hon Chike Olemgbe.
He thanked His Excellency, Dist. Senator Hope Odidika Uzodimma( Onwa Oyoko) for providing a conducive working environment and putting in place, all the necessary tools needed to enhance performance of the lawmakers while describing the State House of Assembly Complex as the best in the country. “
The speaker also stated, ” I must confess that the entire Legislators and I are blessed, for having the Clerk and her Management team including her staff in our time. We thank you all very much for your tireless efforts to see we succeed, and today, we are very glad to identify with Imo PASAN. We are here today to rejoice with the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria Imo state chapter on the grand finale of their week-long activity anchored by the Clerk / Head Legislative Service, Ezinne Chinelo Adaora Emeghara Esq and the PASAN leadership”.
He thanked PASAN for a peaceful relationship and support towards his administration as he described the clerk as a woman who is more than a woman.
While receiving an award from the association, the immediate past Minister of State Education, Rt. Hon. Good luck, Nanah Opiah opined that the partnership between the Executive and the Legislature has not only affected the legislative process positively but has also brought economic development to the people. He maintained that this robust and productive partnership should be maintained for the betterment of the state.
Opiah reiterated that ” as legislative workers, your responsibility significantly beyond by practices but to also provide significant research, analysis and technical support which enables the lawmakers to make informed decisions, facilitate public engagement, data feedback to ensure that policies reflect the need of the people. “
The illustrious son of Ohaji Egbema and former speaker of the State House of Assembly echoed that the substance of democracy is anchored on building capacity on leaders at all levels. That six of the lawmakers that were under him while he was the Speaker have gone to the House of Representatives, including himself and one to the senate, he said that his set have also produced Commissioners and Special Advisers who have distinguished themselves in government and some staff who have benefited are now occupying top positions in their offices”, he maintained.
Rt. Hon. Opiah encouraged lawmakers and PASAN to join forces to create a better future for Imo state. He said, “Together, we can achieve the greatness our state deserves.
Rt Hon Opiah thanked PASAN for the award.
Earlier, in his opening remark, the chairman of the occasion, Rt. Hon. Ernest Ibejiako recalled the role played by PASAN when he was made the Speaker of the house, and said that it was the main reason he accepted to chair the occasion.
Ibejiako insisted that he had not heard that any staff castigated the lawmakers , as he advised the lawmakers to have a cordial working relationship with staff in other not to dent their record or have difficulty in carrying out their duties.
In his words, ” Thank you, Mr Speaker, principal officers and lawmakers for the good relationship and for making Imolites proud.”
Ezinne Chinelo Adaora Emeghara Esq, who is the Clerk and Head Legislative Service of the state House of Assembly and the Chief Host, applauded the Governor Senator Hope Uzodinma CON for his outstanding support to the welfare of the Staff of the Imo State House of Assembly and said his experience as a seasvoned lawmaker is responsible for his timely support in all that concerns the Assembly.
Barr Chinelo Emeghara also commended the Speaker for the smooth and harmonious relationship that has existed between the Executive and the Legislature which has resulted in people oriented Bills and Motions while thanking the staff for their resilience,dedication to duty and their unalloyed support to leadership and management of the Legislature.
She said that Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria Imo state chapter had always ensured that a good synergy exists between the staff and the legislators and thanked them for their efforts. She encouraged the guests to relax and enjoy the event.
The Chairman Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria Imo state, Comrade Chukwuma Anya, in his welcome address, mentioned that this event was the first of its kind and it’s because of the cordial working relationship between the legislature and the Executive.
In his words, ” it may interest you to note that there is no better time and season to celebrate such a worthy occasion than this time . Imo State House of Assembly is ranking first among the thirty-six(36) state houses of assemblies in terms of conducive working environment, as you all can sincerely attest to. These conditions were made possible by our dear visionary, Governor Dist. SenatorvHope Uzodimma, and we will not hesitate to thank him continuously whenever opportunity offers itself. “
Comrade Chukwuma Anya emphasized that the event had an exhibition of notable laws passed in the state and a football match between the executive and the legislative arm of the government.
The climax of the event was the unveiling of the Imo State House of Assembly Cultural Dance Troupe, known as Ezinwanne Cultural Dance Group. This dance troupe is the first of its kind in Imo State House of Assembly since the return of democratic dispensation in the country.
The Ezinwanne Dance Troupe’s performance added colour and glamour to the event. The dancers who were beautifully dressed in traditional attire were stunning, and their performance charged the vicinity to the point that the lawmakers stood up to dance with them and appreciate them. The performance from the staff also included the rendition of soul lifting christmas carols
Reacting to this first ever kind of event to have been organized by PASAN, The woman leader of PASAN who was also the chairman planning committee of PASAN Week, Mrs Sandra Mbama said “That this can only be nurtured and executed by our one and only Clerk who believes in uplifting others and who has the interest of her staff at heart.”
The Director of Medical department Doc, Emeka Nwadilibe expressed surprise how the staff of Imo State house of assembly were moving their bodies in rhythm of the music and pointed out that this dance troupe will compete favourably with other well known dance troupes.
The lead dancer, Mrs Nkeiru Nzewuru, who was excited to have showcased that which she knows how best to do, thanked the Clerk, Chinelo Adaora Emeghara Esq, for the formation of the dance troop as she stated that she believes that the dance troupe would go places.
The event also withessed the presentation of awards to distinguished sons of the State who have made remarkable contributions to the development of the State Legislature, Notably the Speaker, Rt Hon Chike Olemgbe, The Deputy Speaker Rt Hon Amara Iwuanyanwu and Rt. Hon. Paul Emeziem received OUTSTANDING EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE AWARD. ” Rt Hon Goodluck Opiah was decorated as the “MOST STAFF FRIENDLY SPEAKER AWARD.”
Rt Hon Ikenna Elezianya received an award of “EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE .”
Rt. Hon. Ugonna Ozuruigbo and Hon. Lugard Osuji also received awards for “OUTSTANDING COURAGE IN LEADERSHIP .”
The Clerk and Head Legislative Service and Dr Echefu were decorated with “EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE AND HUMANITARIAN SERVICE AWARDS”
Other dignitaries at the occasion included serving and former lawmakers, Local Government Area Chairmen, special advisers, industry leaders, and a host of other prominent personalities.
Barr. Chinelo Adaora Emeghara is instituting social vibrance that galvanizes the capabilities of the legislative workers to boost productivity and create ambience of conviviality and affection. She has continued to inspire transformation, and the birth of the dance troupe is an amazing initiative.
The event ended on a very happy note, and everyone went home happy .
