….Warns Against Indiscipline, Illegal Picketing in National Assembly
By Comfort Olayinka
The Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA), Kamoru Ogunlana, Esq., on Monday declared open a three-day capacity building programme for Directors of the National Assembly, with a strong call for strengthened leadership, discipline, and institutional integrity within the legislative bureaucracy.
Speaking at the Comfort Hub Hotel in Kano, Ogunlana described the training, themed “Leadership Masterclass for Effective Corporate Governance,” as timely and crucial for deepening professionalism across the National Assembly’s over 4,000-member workforce, including its more than 200 directors.
He noted that the current generation of staff is the most experienced and educated in the history of the institution, but stressed that continuous training remains central to Management’s reform agenda. According to him, over 3,000 staff and legislative aides have undergone various training programmes this year alone, alongside a surge in participation at international workshops and conferences.
Highlighting achievements since he assumed office on February 2, Ogunlana listed major welfare improvements, including settlement of longstanding arrears, consistent payment of salaries, reinstatement of departmental imprest, commencement of newly recruited workers’ first 28-day allowance, procurement of utility vehicles for key departments, and substantial upgrading of the National Assembly Clinic.
He added that Management is working towards providing utility vehicles for all qualified directors, improving medical support for staff, and securing ownership rights to National Assembly complexes in Lagos and Abuja to align with global parliamentary standards.
The CNA also addressed structural challenges affecting directors such as delayed promotions, inadequate office accommodation, and instances where directors report to “ranking directors”—a situation he described as “structurally unhealthy.” He urged patience, collaboration and support for institutional reforms, saying many of the issues require time and improved budgetary allocations.
However, Ogunlana issued a stern warning against acts of indiscipline following a recent attempt by some staff to organize what he described as an illegal picketing aimed at disrupting legislative activities.
He revealed that the organizers had neither submitted a complaint nor issued any formal demand before circulating a purported “Notice of Peaceful Picketing,” allegedly coordinated by three Grade Level 09 officers claiming to represent “Concern PASAN Staff.”
According to him, intelligence reports uncovered that the group had opened a bank account to solicit funds for the planned action, with about 75 staff—including a director—already contributing. The account has since been frozen, and contributors are being profiled for possible prosecution.
Ogunlana dismissed the allegations raised by the group—ranging from salary interference to non-remittance of statutory deductions—as baseless, insisting that discipline remains the foundation of the public service.
He also reminded directors of their leadership responsibility, stressing the need for due process in communication and strict adherence to the National Assembly’s Conditions of Service.
Expressing appreciation to the organizers, resource persons and participants, Ogunlana formally declared the capacity-building programme open, wishing attendees productive deliberations.
