Ahead of the June 3rd inauguration, the Ondo State House of Assembly has organised a two-day Capacity Workshop for the 26 newly elected lawmakers.

The decision to organise the workshop is to broaden the minds of the elected legislators on legislative agenda, the procedures and processes as well as to remind them of the primary needs of their people.

Declaring the event open at Epe Tourist Resort, Lagos State, the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, while congratulating the lawmakers - elect said the decision of their constituents to elect them as their representatives is a big testimony of the confidence reposed on them.

The Governor, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Hon. Agboola Ajayi, described legislature as the engine room of democracy, adding that when legislature is removed, what is left with is autocracy.

According to him, 'this is why everything must be done to ensure a very virile and well informed legislature".

Akeredolu charged the lawmakers-elect to see themselves as trustees of the entire state.

"While it is normal for you to be a strong voice for your constituents who sent you to the legislature, you must also see yourself as a trustee of the entire state. Therefore, whenever you are faced with difficult decisions, you must always endeavour to stand on position which will take care of the opinions of your constituents while at the time, will not be at loggerheads with the State Government.

"To work well, government requires a bond of trust between citizens and their representatives. Tearing down government diminishes your ability to solve problems in the legislature. When you demean the institution, you demean yourself. Try to appeal to the best instincts of the electorate, talk about what you stand for and what you intend to do during your time in office, then work as hard as you can to fulfil those promises", he said.