Abuja:The Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, has called on Sergeant-at-Arms personnel to maintain discipline and professionalism in their role of safeguarding the National Assembly. This appeal was made during the closing ceremony of a three-day training program focused on legislative security policy in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the training was a collaborative effort between NILDS and the National Assembly. Sulaiman stressed that the security of the National Assembly involves more than just physical protection; it is about preserving democracy and the integrity of the legislative body. He outlined the extensive responsibilities of the Sergeant-at-Arms, which include maintaining order, safeguarding lawmakers, staff, and visitors, and enforcing parliamentary authority.
Sulaiman emphasized the importance of emotional intelligence, sound judgment, and professionalism over physical strength in fulfilling these duties. He further highlighted NILDS’ commitment to enhancing the capabilities of parliamentarians and legislative staff through training and support, noting that over 300 National Assembly staff have benefited from NILDS’ educational programs.
The Director-General also addressed the alleged unruly behavior of some participants during a temporary power outage on the first day of the training. He remarked on the importance of responsible conduct, especially on social media, for public officers. Sulaiman urged participants to exemplify institutional discipline and professionalism.
Additionally, Essien Essien, representing the Clerk to the National Assembly, Mr. Kamoru Ogunlana, encouraged participants to apply their new skills to improve workplace performance. Ogunlana emphasized the importance of responsible communication of grievances and commended the NILDS Director-General for the successful training program. Participants were directed to apologize for their conduct during the training, which they did, reinforcing the training’s goals of fostering effective duty discharge.
Source News Agency of Nigeria