Ekiti State lawmakers plan a November 2024 leadership retreat in Canada to strengthen legislative skills and foster ties with the Ekiti diaspora. While officials emphasize policy development, social media reactions are mixed, with Nigerians questioning the trip's necessity and potential financial strain.
Members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly are set to travel to Brampton, Ontario, Canada, for a leadership retreat aimed at enhancing legislative and executive collaboration. According to a letter by the Assembly Clerk, Titilope Agbede, the November 2024 retreat will equip lawmakers with the skills to address complex policy issues and foster engagement with the Ekiti Kete Association in Canada. The letter outlines that Speaker Adeoye Stephen Aribasoye will lead the delegation, which plans to connect with the Ekiti diaspora community to support cultural ties and explore strategies for effective governance.
Public reaction on social media, however, reveals a mix of amusement and skepticism. Many Nigerians are questioning the necessity and financial cost of traveling overseas for such training, with some users humorously suggesting closer locations, like Togo, as an alternative. Criticism also centers on doubts over the practical implementation of any lessons learned. Comments like “Wasting money to go for a leadership retreat they won't implement” reflect frustration among citizens over the perceived misuse of public funds and skepticism about the retreat’s tangible benefits for the people of Ekiti.
This journey adds to the ongoing debate on the effectiveness of international retreats for Nigerian lawmakers, with many questioning the priority given to overseas trips for training amid pressing local issues.
