Roles and Functions of a Legislator in a Democratic Setting

Roles and Functions of a Legislator in a Democratic Setting. A lecture Delivered by Isreal Akinlawon on 14th of April, 2016 on IDC whatssap  platform



First and foremost,I will like Crave for our indulgence to the fact that I will try to use lay man language as possible. Will run away from quoting laws as possible. Two key point shall be explain form our topic before addressing the real topic of the day. The two are Legislator annd Democracy. Who do we refer to as a Legislator?

 A legislator is a person who writes and passes laws,especially someone who is a member of a legislature. Legislators are usually politicians. And are often elected by the people of the local or state as the case may be. Democracy is a means for the people to choose their leaders and to hold their leaders accountable for their policies and their conduct in office. Government is based on the consent of the governed so in a democratic setting the people are sovereign. They are the highest form of political authority. A legislator belongs to legislative branch of government and it works in conjunction with the executive and judicial branches. Its main responsibility is the creation of law. The legislature is an highly misunderstood institution in our country today. Crisis of expectations is the root of the confusion. Most often people confuse the roles of the executives with that of the legislature. Most Nigerian don't know they are different. And may I start it here that its also pathetic that many of the legislators don't even know their responsibilities in this side of the world we find ourselves. To an average Nigerian,they expect legislator to provide Roads,School,Bridges,Markets,Hospitals,Electricity etc in their communities. Even when this is not part of their functions. Legislator only appropriate money for the executives to provide these infrastructures.  After all said then here comes the question what are roles of a legislator. Like I said in the earlier post. The main function of a legislator is to create law. It as been established that a legislator don't just emerged. A legislator is a representative. So a legislator proposes and creates law in respect to the interest of his people.  Aside from creating law a legislator also perform these functions

 INVESTIGATIVE ROLES: The legislature in a democratic has a sole constitutional power to conduct investigation into any agency or government with a view to exposing corruption and correcting any relapses in the conduct of public policies
This power is enjoined under section 88 of the constitution as amended
PUBLIC PETITION: The national assembly through its committees on public petition as the constitutional mandate to receive and enquire into public petitions and complaints brought to its attention. The essence of enquiring into public petitions or complaints is to address or redress any grievances or wrong done to any person(s),group(s) or community(s) within or outside Nigeria

POWER OF APPROPRIATION: Much of the influence which the legislature enjoys in the polity is derived essentially from its power of appropriation Under the law the national assembly is saddled with the power of appropriation. No money shall be withdrawn from the consolidated revenue fund or public fund of the federation without the authorization of the national assembly

 HOLDING GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABLE: The legislature through its oversight functions hold the ministries,department and agencies accountable to the public. They make sure that the allocation given to each segment are effectively  and that people of the public gets value for their money

 POWER OF CONFIRMATION: The legislature also as sole power under constitution to screen and confirm nominees for appointment into the Executive council of the federation and other federal executives bodies

CONFLICT MEDIATION AND RESOLUTION: The legislature as responsibility under the law to mediate into conflict and see to its resolution. Before it lingers so much E.g ASSUU and Federal Government, Fuel Subsidy issue, Etc

PROTECTING PEOPLE'S INTEREST:Like I said initially,since Legislator representing people in their local area then the interest of their people becomes their interest. Effective Legislator connect people to their government by giving them a place where their needs can be properly articulated. As the representative of the people their role and responsibility is to make sure they protect and defend the interest and right of their constituents. Also they should ensure their constituents get their own share of dividends of democracy and also assist in getting job placement. If they don't nobody will do it for them
Finally I want to say that the strength of any legislator is influence and without it He or She can not do anything

Final word from me: Elected representatives st the local,state and national levels should listen to the people and respond to their needs and suggestions. Thanks very much for Your time.

 God bless you all

Influence of Technological Change on Agricultural Development

Influence of technological change on agricultural development.

 A lecture delivered by Jubreal Akintayo on IDC whatsapp page on 11/04/2016


 As we all know, technology is the application of knowledge of nature for achievement of goals. Technology in agric has been in existence from time immemorial.  A technology that is sufficiently pure to be composed of arts and artifacts of a society, developed over the years among the people and peculiar to the people is called 'indigenous technology.  The use of tools and instruments to complement human energy in carrying out activities like tillage and land preparations is an indigenous technology. Tools like cutlass, hoe, etc has been useful to farmers. It however differs from one tribe to the other. Nupe type of hoe is peculiar to them and is quite different from Yoruba's type. Technology of cultivation, pest control, harvest and storage also differ from tribe to tribe. Various tribes have developed techniques for managing pest and diseases both on field and storage, making use of local materials. Example is the use of water from locust bean processing(omi iru), neem leaf(dongoyaro) and palm kernel oil.

 Also, some communities are attached to the belief that cultivation of some certain crops has to be ushered in with festivals and rituals. Some people will not harvest yam until rituals are done (odun Isu). Another example is the use of cloth or\and noise making materials like stone and bottles to scare away squirrel and other rodent pest. Those are some of agricultural indigenous technology used by our local farmers. However, the use of indigenous technology limits the scope of agriculture. Hence the need for technological change.
 Technological change occurs when ideas and innovations in a society are being introduced and adopted in another society.  Example is in transportation where the art of trekking and the use of beast of burden are being replaced by vehicles. Another example is communication where the use of signs, gestures like the use of palm fronds to signal the conveyance of corpse are being replaced by evolving technologies of phones, radio etc. Heath is another example where traditional healing based on superstitious beliefs in supernatural forces are largely being replaced by scientific medicines and hospital care.  Education, where socialization by imitation and direct teaching of basic skills has been enriched by formal instructions in school books and audiovisuals. Traditional houses constructed with muds, sticks and leaves are giving way to permanent structures made of cements, glass, iron etc. Traditional farming has been transformed through the introduction of viable seeds, improved breeds of crops and livestock, agric chemicals, improved processing and storage equipments. The resultant effects of these tech changes in an agrarian society is no doubt an increase in agricultural productivity. The introduction of biotechnology has gone a long way in moving agric sector.
The provision of viable and pest resistant crops and breeding of highly resistant and productive livestock cannot be overemphasized.
 Integrated Pest Management (IPM), habitat preservation, resource conservation technology, farm machineries(like tractors) are some of the brainchildren of tech change and these has led to a remarkable feat in stabilized food production, regular market supply, constant provision of raw materials etc.

As much as technology has positively influenced the agric sector, the undesirable influence cannot be left unattended to. It has relegated some useful indigenous tech that are thought to be relatively advantageous over new invents. For example, it is cost-effective, non toxic to use neem leaf to prevent storage pest rather than the use of chemicals. Digital divide is another negative impact of tech change.  However, it is evident that the positive influence outweighs the negatives. But we can still do more.

On a final note, it is pertinent to state that IDC can adopt agricultural extension as one of its programmes. Iwoland is largely an agrarian society. Agric extension is less costly, cost effective, less strenuous, less-laborious and it will surely go a long way in bettering the lots of the poor farmers around us. Provision of advisory services, teaching of new innovations, provision of viable and economic seedlings, supply of fertilizers and agrochemicals are some of the little ways to help. It is on this note I submit
Thanks for your time
God bless Iwoland