By John Makurs
Nigeria’s House of Representatives has dis associated itself from purported “Female Legislative Mentorship Programme.”
A statement by the Spokesman, House of Representatives, Rep. Akintunde Rotimi, says, the “House has taken note of publicity materials circulating in both traditional and digital media announcing the inauguration of a “Female Legislative Mentorship Programme on Diplomacy and Parliamentary Affairs.”
According to him, the event is purportedly being organised by the Nigeria–Romania Parliamentary Friendship Group in commemoration of the International Day of Women in Diplomacy and is scheduled to hold on Tuesday, 23 June 2026, at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the House of Representatives wishes to state categorically that the said programme is not an official activity of the House and was neither authorised, approved, endorsed, sponsored, nor otherwise sanctioned by the House of Representatives, its leadership, or the Office of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, GCON.”
The House further clarifies that Parliamentary Friendship Groups are constituted by the House Selection Committee principally to promote and strengthen Nigeria’s legislative relations with other countries through parliamentary exchanges, bilateral engagements, study visits, workshops, seminars, and other recognised channels of inter-parliamentary cooperation and diplomacy.
“Parliamentary Friendship Groups are not Standing Committees of the House and do not possess the authority to organise programmes, enter partnerships, solicit participation from external organisations, confer institutional endorsements, engage in fundraising or sponsorship arrangements, or undertake activities in the name of the House of Representatives outside the scope of their approved mandate and without due authorisation through established parliamentary processes.
“Accordingly, the advertised programme falls outside the mandate, jurisdiction, and approved scope of activities of Parliamentary Friendship Groups generally, and of the Nigeria–Romania Parliamentary Friendship Group in particular.
“Any representation that the programme enjoys the approval, endorsement, sponsorship, support, or institutional backing of the House of Representatives, its leadership, or the Office of the Speaker is inaccurate, misleading, and unauthorised.”
The House further notes that the use of its name, official insignia, institutional identity, parliamentary status, or any representation suggesting official sponsorship, partnership, approval, or endorsement of the programme was not authorised by the House leadership.
“Diplomatic missions, development partners, international organisations, stakeholders, invited guests, and members of the public are advised that the House of Representatives bears no responsibility whatsoever for the planning, organisation, funding, promotion, partnerships, commitments, representations, or execution of the said programme and shall not be bound by any undertaking or representation made in connection therewith.
“The House remains committed to advancing the participation and leadership of women in governance, diplomacy, public service, and legislative affairs through legitimate institutional frameworks and duly authorised parliamentary initiatives.
“Such initiatives, however, must be undertaken in accordance with established parliamentary procedures and within the framework of approved House activities.
“Accordingly, the House of Representatives completely disassociates itself from the programme and advises the public to disregard any claim, advertisement, communication, invitation, or promotional material suggesting that the programme enjoys the approval, endorsement, sponsorship, support, or authority of the House of Representatives or its leadership.”
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