By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, Esq., has disclosed that the welfare of legislative aides remains a priority of the National Assembly management, promising efforts to address their accommodation and healthcare challenges.
Ogunlana spoke at the closing ceremony of the training programme organised for Legislative Aides of the 10th National Assembly, where he revealed that 3,010 legislative aides had been trained since the programme commenced on August 18.
The Clerk said the accommodation difficulties faced by some aides, particularly those living far from their principals, could affect coordination, synergy and efficiency in legislative duties.
He recalled the period when lawmakers were accommodated at the former Apo Quarters in Abuja, where many legislative aides also lived close to their principals, noting that the arrangement was later affected by the Federal Government’s monetisation policy.
Ogunlana said government might consider reviewing the policy to provide appropriate official accommodation for members and personnel of the National Assembly.
“I believe Government may wish to consider reviewing the policy, with a view to providing appropriate official accommodation for Members and personnel of the National Assembly,” he said.
According to him, such an arrangement could provide significant relief to legislative aides while improving coordination between lawmakers and their aides.
New medical facility underway
The Clerk also addressed concerns over access to medical services, acknowledging that the National Assembly Clinic had come under pressure due to the additional demands created by legislative aides and their families.
He disclosed that the present leadership was already addressing the challenge through the development of a new medical facility.
“A new, world-class medical facility is currently being developed and will be equipped with modern medical facilities and supported by experts in various fields of medicine,” Ogunlana said.
He expressed optimism that the facility would become operational by about the same period in 2027.
Clerk seeks review of severance allowance template
As the 10th National Assembly approaches its terminal date, Ogunlana urged legislative aides to ensure that their records of service were properly updated to facilitate the processing of their severance allowances when due.
He explained that severance allowance was payable to legislative aides who had served for more than half of the lifespan of an Assembly, subject to applicable rules and guidelines.
The Clerk, however, called for consideration of a possible review of the existing template to address situations where multiple legislative aides had served the same lawmaker, in the same capacity and for the same tenure.
“I also personally believe that the existing template may require review to adequately address situations where multiple Legislative Aides have served the same Member, in the same capacity and for the same tenure,” he said.
3,010 aides trained
Ogunlana commended the participants for their discipline, cooperation and active participation throughout the training programme.
He also appreciated Periscope Consulting Ltd, the lead consultant, resource persons, management staff, directors and heads of departments, particularly the Director of Training and Development, as well as the National Assembly Legislative Aides Forum (NASSLAF) and members of the press for their contributions to the success of the programme.
He said the training was designed to strengthen the knowledge and effectiveness of personnel supporting the National Assembly, stressing that investment in human capacity must accompany the institution’s infrastructure and facilities.
According to him, the National Assembly has continued to distinguish itself in the performance of its constitutional responsibilities, with its infrastructure and facilities serving as points of reference for other parliaments.
“Given this standing, our personnel must also be well equipped, knowledgeable and effective. We cannot have world-class infrastructure and facilities without equally investing in the personnel who operate and support the National Assembly and its affiliated agencies,” he said.
The Clerk encouraged participants to continue learning and make use of the National Assembly’s research and information resources, including its library.
He also directed those interested in further academic and professional development to opportunities available at the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS).
Ogunlana urges aides to uphold law ahead of elections
As Nigeria approaches the general elections, the Clerk urged the legislative aides to conduct themselves responsibly and in accordance with the law.
He commended them for their conduct during the training, saying management had not received reports of any “ugly incidents” involving participants.
Ogunlana urged the aides to apply the knowledge gained during the programme in their respective assignments, describing the conclusion of the training as the beginning of a renewed commitment to professionalism, continuous development and excellence in legislative service.
He formally declared the training programme closed and wished the participants safe travels and continued success in their assignments.
