By Musa Kutama, Calabar
Members and management staff of the Gombe State House of Assembly are in Calabar, Cross River State holding a four-day legislative retreat.
Represented by the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Elvert Ayambem,
Governor Bassey Edet Otu received them and formally declared open the retreat on Thursday at a private hotel in Calabar.
The retreat’s Theme is “Consolidating Democratic Governance Through Effective Lawmaking”.
Governor Otu commended the Gombe Assembly for choosing Cross River State as the host location, noting that inter-state collaboration is essential in strengthening Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
The governor described the retreat as a strategic platform for legislators and senior management staff to deepen their understanding of modern legislative practice, budget analysis, oversight efficiency, and constituency engagement.
According to him, continuous training remains a major pillar for building strong parliaments capable of driving development.
In his remarks, the Speaker of the Gombe State House of Assembly, Abubakar Mohammed, said the retreat is timely as the Assembly moves into a crucial phase of budget consideration and legislative planning.
He added that the Theme is in tandem with their commitment to improving democratic outcomes through well-informed and people-centered lawmaking.
The retreat is expected to feature technical sessions, expert-led discussions, peer reviews, and practical workshops tailored towards strengthening the Assembly’s legislative capacity.
Participants will engage with governance specialists, policy analysts, and parliamentary consultants over the four-day duration.
The event continues through the week as Gombe lawmakers explore new approaches to delivering effective legislation in line with global best practices.
