Lagos –  The Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Adeyemi Ikuforiji has urged Nigerians to pray more for the country’s lawmakers for them to make good laws.

Receiving the Muslim community from the assembly complex in his office late on Thursday, Ikuforiji described the legislative arm as the bedrock of the nation’s democracy

“ Democracy resides in the house. There is no democracy without legislators. We appreciate your prayers and support. We need more prayers.

“Only through your support can our dreams and aspirations for a better Nigeria come to pass. Pray for us not to misbehave. It is not easy when 40 people (lawmakers) represent the interest of 18 million Lagosians.

“At times, the spirit of 18 million people may be haunting the 40 at the chamber of the House. Therefore, the power of the 40 people cannot be joked with,’’ he said.

Ikuforiji stressed the need for laws being made to impact positively on the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

He said dividends of democracy and socio-economic development could not be realised without pro-active and efficient legislations.

“The building blocks of legislative arm are the staff of the House of Assembly. In advance democracies, they educate the legislators, irrespective of the legislators’ background.

“The legislators still have to tap from the experience of the staff and this will enable them to perform better. These staff are not ordinary tools but custodians of history,” Ikuforiji said.

He promised a better welfare package for the workers and urged them to continue to give better service to the state.

Ikuforiji said a mosque and a church would be built at the complex to enable Christians and Muslims to continue to pray for the lawmakers and the nation.

The Vice Chairman of the Muslim community, Mr Ganiyu Abiru urged the speaker to conduct the affairs of the House with the fear of God and love for mankind. (NAN)