Hon Mwimba Malama, MP, Second Deputy Speaker, is leading a Delegation at the 16^th Commonwealth Speakers’ and Presiding Officers Conference, which was officially, opened by His Excellency the Acting President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo at the ECOWAS Parliament Buildings in Abuja, Nigeria on Tuesday 25^th July, 2017.

The theme for the Conference is, “The Presiding Officers in a Changing Society.” The conference has attracted delegates who are expected to discuss the following various topics:

i) Presiding Officers and the Principle of Non-Partisanship;

ii) The Presiding Officers and the Challenge of Managing an E-parliament;

iii) To What Extent can Parliament Coexist with Non-State Actors in Policy Formulation and Legislation; and

iv) Parliamentary Budget Offices, Towards Enhancing Legislative Capacity for Oversight and Scrutiny.

The eleven (11) countries represented at the Conference are Botswana, Cameroon, Ghana, Lesotho, Namibia, Nigeria the hosts, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

In his Keynote address to the Hon Speakers and Presiding Officers, His Excellency the Acting President Osinbajo, reiterated the need for the Executive and the Legislature to work together to end poverty, hunger and disease on the continent of Africa. He bemoaned the conflicts, corruption and weak institutions in Africa that lead to poverty and undermining a good life for the people of Africa. He cited Dr. David R. Hawkins, MD, PhD who talked about, “learning the measure of Humanity.” Dr Hawkins’ hope was that his work might undo the very sources of pain, suffering, and failure, and assist the evolution of human consciousness in each of us to rise to the level of joy that should be the essence of each and every human being’s experience. Professor Osibanjo, said he hoped, like Hawkins, that Political and Legislative leaders could learn to, “Put themselves in the shoes of the majority of humanity, specifically in Africa. The Political elite should bear the burden of the lowly people in Africa if they are to uplift them to a higher level of being.”

Other people who delivered speeches at the Official Opening were the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Rt Hon Yakubu  Dogara, President of the Senate and Chairperson of the National Assembly, His Excellency, Senator Dr Bukola Sarak and Hon Ms Lindiwe Maseko, Chairperson of the CPA  Africa Region Executive Committee. Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Cameroon, Hon Emilia Monjowa Lifaka, delivered a vote of thanks to the keynote address by the Acting President. The Conference is expected to end on Friday, 28^th July, 2017.