In what appears like a consolidation of the new cordial relationship between the Legislative Aides and the Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA), some groups of Aides under the aegis of Legislative Aides Welfare Front have written a letter of commendation to the CNA for his exemplary conducts in his short reign at the helms of affairs especially with regards to their welfare exemplified by the payment of the long-overdue Minimum Wages Arrears due to Legislative Aides of the 9th Assembly.
In the letter sighted by our correspondence, the group specifically took notice of the open-door policy of the CNA and the fidelity to his promise made to them when they paid him a courtesy visit upon his confirmation as substantive Clerk to the National Assembly.
Excerpts of the letter reads thus: ‘You will recall that in our congratulatory letter dated April 5th 2023, we had expressed intrinsic confidence and trust in your ability to reinvent the wheels and change the negative narratives surrounding previous occupants of the office of the Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA). We are pleased to state that you have justified and lived up to the huge expectations. Even in these early days, you have displayed uncommon humility, accessibility, responsibility and fear of Allah (SWT) – all necessary qualities required to discharge the onerous responsibilities of your office’.
They continued: ‘While we celebrate you, we also appeal to you to offset the balance of salary arrears of affected Aides and ensure that our Severance benefits are paid as soon as practicable as you had promised in our earlier engagement with you. We are not under any illusion that the task before you will be easy taking into account the pressure and demands of your office. It is however your ability to keep to your words and exhibit the sort of rare discipline and responsibility required of good leadership that have made you such a popular figure amongst Aides and Staff. On the evidence of your actions thus far, we have assured our colleagues that the 10th Assembly would be better off for everyone. Again, let us reassure you of our support and commitment to join you in making this 10th a peaceful and mutually beneficial one’.
As far as the Legislative Aides are concerned, issuing a letter of commendation does not come close to expressing the true worth of what they have described as a ‘honourable gesture’ by the Chief Accounting Officer of the National Assembly. As a mark of their appreciation, they presented a crystal plaque of Icon of Integrity Award to serve as a monument of good service to the recipient. The letter and award of commendation was signed by six Zonal Representatives across both chambers of the National Assembly. Some of the signatories includes Chinedu Nwokeukwu Esq. (Southeast), Tijani Waziri (Northeast), Precious Omotosho (Southwest), Medinat Ahmed (Northwest), Prince Zebis Kekung (Southsouth) and Abdullahi Sani (Northcentral).
For those familiar with the historical cat and mouse game between the previous CNA-led management and the Legislative Aides, this gesture represents a new dawn; occasioned by the emergence of Alhaji Sani Tambuwal which is proving to be a watershed in the history of the checkered relationship between National Assembly management and Legislative Aides. This Clerk seems to have endeared himself to all the factions and interest groups within the National Assembly Legislative Aides Forum – the parent body of all Legislative Aides. At least, that was what our investigation revealed.
In digging further, we spoke to the Coordinator of the group, Prince Zebis Kekung and he affirmed his confidence in the ability of the current leadership to successfully birth a new regime of better working conditions for all workers in the National Assembly. We also interviewed the Convener Mr. Lawson Oviasogie. In his words: ‘The Clerk, Alhaji Sani Tambuwal has demonstrated a unique trait that had been lacking in CNA’s since the retirement of Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa. The principle behind our gesture is very simple. If we criticize Mr. A for not doing well, we should in the same breath, praise him when he does well. The current CNA and those around him have elicited a feeling of trust and confidence in Aides across board. For the first time in a long time, there is a near unanimity that this 10th Assembly would be favourable to everyone. In that regard, we are willing to give him all the support he needs to succeed’.
We watch with keen interest to see how long this honeymoon will last. What is however certain is the fact that there is a ray of hope and a sense of a new dawn among Legislative Aides. Whether or not it is a false dawn is another matter entirely. In the meantime, there is a new swagger and a spring in the steps of Legislative Aides as they welcome in an era of purposeful and enhanced welfare conditions under the immensely popular CNA.
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