ASABA/Nigeria: The Hansard Department of the Delta State House of Assembly has formally presented its National Assembly Golden Mace Trophy to the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, following its performance at a national conference of official legislative reporters in Abuja.
The trophy was received by Guwor in his office in Asaba after the Delta delegation returned from the Annual Delegate Conference of the Association of Official Reporters of Nigeria.
The conference, held at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja from September 6 to 12, brought together official reporters from state legislatures in Nigeria and other African countries for sessions on legislative reporting, chamber procedures, report rendition and the stages of bills.
Presenting the award to the Speaker, Director of Publications, Comrade Louis Osiadi, said the Delta Hansard team emerged from a competitive field involving participants from various state Houses of Assembly and other African jurisdictions.
Osiadi attributed the achievement to the working environment and administrative support provided by the leadership of the Assembly, while expressing appreciation to the Speaker for his encouragement of the department.
Guwor, in response, charged members of the Hansard team to regard the award as an incentive to maintain high professional standards rather than as an endpoint.
He highlighted the importance of accurate and confidential legislative reporting in preserving the proceedings and institutional history of the House.
The Speaker, who is also National Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, assured the department of his continued support and urged the official verbatim reporters to remain committed to accuracy and internationally recognised standards.
“I am truly delighted that you have made Delta State proud. This trophy is not just a symbol, it is evidence of competence, diligence and the vibrancy that Delta Assembly is known for. You have represented us excellently,” Guwor said.
The presentation also included a Letter of Appreciation from the Association of Hansard/Verbatim Reporters of Nigeria, signed by its President, Comrade Gobina Drisu.
The ceremony was witnessed by the Clerk of the House, Otto Aghoghophia; Deputy Clerk, Legislative Matters, Silvester Olorogun; and members of the Hansard Department who took part in the Abuja conference.
The conference provided participants with practical engagements covering legislative debates, official report writing and format, chamber protocol and the legislative process.
The Delta Hansard Department’s emergence as winner of the Golden Mace Trophy adds another professional recognition to the House’s legislative reporting operations, with the Speaker urging the recipients to sustain the standards that earned them the award.
