NASS Benue Legislative aides charged to prioritise insecurity, agriculture

Legislative aides of Benue State extraction serving at the National Assembly, under the aegis of the Benue State National Assembly Aides Forum (BENNASSLAF), have been urged to intensify research efforts that will support lawmakers in addressing insecurity and strengthening agriculture in the state.

The charge was delivered during the forum’s one-day retreat and journal launch held yesterday in Lafia, Nasarawa State, aimed at equipping aides with the knowledge required to enhance their effectiveness in legislative duties.

Guest speaker, Dr. Jeffery Kuraun of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, commended the forum for organising the retreat at a time Nigeria is grappling with political, economic and security challenges.

He described legislative aides as “the silent engines” that sustain the work of the legislature through research, analysis and constituency engagement.

“The quality of legislative output often reflects the capacity and professionalism of the aides supporting elected representatives,” he said.

Dr. Kuraun emphasised that insecurity remains one of Benue’s most pressing challenges and urged aides to develop research-based briefings that will guide lawmakers in crafting effective interventions. He also encouraged them to interface with communities affected by conflict to help shape policies that address root causes.

“Security is everybody’s responsibility,” he stressed, calling for sincerity, vigilance and collaboration among citizens, security agencies and political actors.

In his remarks, BENNASSLAF Chairman, Comrade Orvave Norgba, praised President Bola Tinubu for his efforts toward stabilising the country despite current difficulties.

Norgba encouraged members of the forum to engage in field research—subject to the approval of their principals—towards developing motions and policies that can support lasting solutions to insecurity in Benue and across Nigeria.

He noted that many legislative aides assume their roles without prior training on parliamentary processes, making the retreat timely and essential.

Norgba expressed appreciation to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, for his continued support to the association, and also thanked Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule for hosting the event. He said the change of environment had inspired fresh ideas and strengthened capacity building among members.