Bill to introduce legislative studies in schools passes 2nd reading

A Bill seeking to amend the National Universities Commission Act 2004 to provide for introduction of parliamentary studies in universities on Thursday passed second reading at the House of Representatives.

The sponsor, Rep. Ossy Prestige (Abia-PDP) said the bill was to strengthen the growth of democracy in the country.

According to Prestige, parliamentary studies will strengthen the activities of the legislature and afford citizens the opportunity to know what the lawmakers are doing and why they are doing so.

He said that the study would include the process of introducing bills, how they are passed and other sundry issues in the legislature.

Prestige argued that other advanced countries had long introduced parliamentary studies in their tertiary institutions in order to deepen knowledge about the workings of democratic institutions.

Contributing, Rep. Obinna Chidoka (Anambra-PDP) said that if the bill was passed, it would provide the citizenry needed knowledge of the significance of the legislature as an arm of government.

The Speaker of the house, Mr Yakubu Dogara, in his remarks, referred the bill to the Committee on Tertiary Education for further inputs.