ALF Legislative Internship Programme

2007 - 2009


The Legislative Internship Programme (LIP) is a programme of the ALF Parliamentary Support Institute aimed at consolidating and institutionalizing the norms and principles of liberal democracy in Nigeria. The programme is specifically designed to provide interested alumni of ALF Democratic Leadership Training Workshop (DLTW) and other Nigerian young men and women an opportunity to acquaint themselves with parliamentary norms and processes with a view to encouraging them to take – up parliamentary career or work as members of parliamentary support staff.

GOAL:

The goal of the project is to strengthen the Nigerian nascent democracy by building the capacity of the successor generation to demand and practice good governance as well as positioning them to serve as agents of change in an environment tainted with endemic corruption.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:

Provide opportunity for young leaders to sharpen their skills in participatory democracy and governance;

Expose DLTW alumni and other young Nigerian men and women to the workings of the parliament;

Encourage young Nigerians to take-up parliamentary career or join the parliamentary support staff.

ORGANISATION:

The legislative Internship Programme (LIP) is a three-phased programme, made up of (i) a two – day briefing and orientation programme, (ii) 21 - day attachment with legislative Assemblies and (iii) a two – day debriefing and experience – sharing session. Interns will comprise select DLTW alumni joined by other young men and women to be drawn from across the six geo-political zones of Nigeria. After the Orientation workshop, selected applicants will be attached to the National and State Assemblies, depending on proximity of their residence.

During the practical internship session, interns will be engaged in all aspects of the work of the Assembly under the tutelage of a “legislative mentor” to be appointed by the Clerk of the House. Interns will be exposed to the parliamentary procedures and processes. They will be assigned to understudy the workings of the various House Committees and be allowed to seat-in during the open sessions of the parliament. Assigned task will include research, bill drafting and analysis, oversight investigations and other related policy issues. Upon completion of the attachment phase, interns will attend a two –day debriefing and experience sharing workshop. In all, a total of 120 persons are expected to benefit from the programme between 2007 and 2009.

BENEFITS:

The benefits of ALF LIP are both educational and experiential. The Briefing and Orientation Session is designed to expose the beneficiaries to the theoretical underpinnings of the parliament, while the 21 – day practical internship session will expose interns to the practical workings of the parliament. It is expected that observation of and direct participation in the parliamentary procedures and processes will reinforce the theoretical session and enhance participants’ understanding of the parliament.

Participating Legislative Assembles will provide interns a transit accommodation, while the ALF will pay participants N400 bursary allowance per day during the practical internship period.

SCHEDULE OF TRAINING:

The maiden edition of the LIP will commence with the Briefing / Orientation Programme in August 2007, when higher institutions in Nigeria are expected to be on vacation.

Please contact Adindu Chukwudi on adindu@africaleadership.org