The Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye, has stressed that a legislature which fails to genuinely engage with its constituents and anticipate societal challenges cannot be effective.
Aribasoye made this known on Tuesday while delivering a keynote address at a public lecture organised by the Law Students’ Representative Council of the Federal University, Oye Ekiti (FUOYE). The theme of the event was “The Role of Effective Legislature in Addressing Modern Social Challenges: Striking a Balance Between Innovation and Regulation.”
According to a statement from his Special Adviser on Media, Babajide Agbeyo, the Speaker said effective legislation remains the backbone of good governance and societal development. He emphasised that quality laws must be clear, purposeful, and capable of addressing both present and future challenges.
“An effective legislature must be representative, accountable, proactive, and responsive. It must constantly engage with the people, foresee social changes, and enact laws that protect the vulnerable while ensuring overall progress,” he stated.
Aribasoye further noted that the legislature remains a pillar of democracy, playing a central role in upholding democratic values through lawmaking and oversight.
Quoting a notable Supreme Court judgment in A-G Abia State v. A-G Federation (2002), he underlined the constitutional power of the legislature to make laws for the peace, order, and good governance of the country, stressing the importance of the separation of powers.
As the Chairman of the Southwest Conference of Speakers, Aribasoye highlighted key features of effective legislation, including clarity, responsiveness, enforceability, public participation, and strong oversight.
He also spoke on the importance of innovation in legislative work, showcasing the technological strides made by the 7th Ekiti Assembly, particularly the move towards a smart, paperless parliamentary process.
Responding to questions from the students, the Speaker said the lawmakers had taken note of the students’ concerns and suggestions, assuring them that the Assembly would consider them in future legislative actions.
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of FUOYE, Prof. Abayomi Fasina, represented by the Provost of the College of Medicine, Prof. Patrick Adegun, appreciated the Speaker and the Ekiti Assembly for the engagement, saying it would positively impact the students.
Also speaking, the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof. Olufemi Abifarin, commended the Speaker for steering the Assembly in a progressive direction.