(News Analysis) As Acting Clerk to National Assembly, Tambuwal, takes over…

By THE CONCLAVE BOARD OF EDITORS

Normalcy has returned to the bureaucracy of the National Assembly with the take over of the administration by the acting Clerk to the National Assembly, Mr Magaji Sani Tambuwal.

Tambuwal effectively took over on Monday after the outgoing Clerk to the National Assembly, Architect Amos Olatunde Ojo, complied with directive by the National Assembly Service Commission, NASC, to hand over to the acting CNA.

Ojo, whose three-month pre-retirement leave began on Novrmber 14, 2022, had stayed put in office up until December 2, 2022, on the controversial directive by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, that he should be allowed to work hand in hand with the acting CNA in view of the exigencies of the time and the imperative of a substantive CNA signing the authentication page of the clean copy of the Appropriation Bill in line with the provisions of the Authentication Act.

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The workers union- Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, PASAN, had faulted the basis of the Senate President’s directive in a letter to the NASC, saying it did not matter if an acting CNA occupied the office of the CNA, stressing that once in the office, the officer would exercise the full powers of the Office.

Stakeholders’ concerns had culminated in the Senate President reviewing his directive to the NASC to recall the outgoing CNA. He had issued a fresh counter directive to the NASC last week to direct the outgoing CNA to hand over immediately to the acting CNA.

That was done on Friday, December 2, 2022 to the chagrin and pains of the outgoing CNA, Architect Ojo, who, disappointed by the ugly turn of event, left office bag and baggage.

With the acting CNA fully stepping in the saddle on Monday and running the administration, his temporary office in the National Assembly annexe has become a beehive of activity.

There is excitement in the air in the ecosystem of the National Assembly as staff members look forward to a luminous era on Tambuwal’s watch.

● Who is this Magaji Sani Tambuwal that is exciting the National Assembly administrative ecosystem?

Watchers and analysts provided some perspectives.

From his early days in the national assembly back then in 1993, one thing stood him out: his self-effacing persona, simplicity and, to boot, his loyalty to both leadership and followership.

On the job, he has been a meticulous officer, who has so far, applied himself to the job.

With a discplined background and upbringing from the beautiful town of Tambuwal in Sokoto state, North-West of the country, he grew up into a series of opportunities to work with great brains and minds back then with the likes of former CNA’s, Alh Ibrahim Salim, Nasir Arab, and Ogunyomi Ogunyemi. In fact, Alh Abubakar Salisu Maikasuwa and Sani Omolori gave him an insight into leadership and its expectations from the followerships.

Forthright in his dealings, honest and sincere in his interactions, both personal or official, those who worked and continue to work closely with him cannot deny him his rightful place in their testimonies of his work ethic and professional ethos.

Down to brass tacks of his professional ethos, Sani Magaji Tambuwal has exhibited a near perfect knowledge of the accounting system (his forte) of the national assembly. He has been the one representing the institution at crucial and critical finance and budget meetings.

His vast knowledge and understanding of the budgeting process of the national assembly has been responsible for the relative calm in the national assembly.

Despite his equanimity, he is said to be most times, radically, the lone voice, taking firm position in support of staff members’ welfare and benefits. He is said to be strong believer in the philosophy that a worker deserves his pay.

A handful of critics may shade him because of his firm religious beliefs, but like any other religious believer, an individual’s relationship with God is personal, hence his strong and deep affection for his creator.

Sani Magaji Tambuwal, coming on board as the CNA will indeed bring about in the national assembly an era and new dawn of financial stability. This is the position of a vast majority of the staff members in the ecosystem of the National Assembly.

One of the staff members said: “His reign will help introduce financial aid fiscal responsibility. His reign will be one that has place for reward for hard work, competence and commitment to the growth and progress of the national assembly.”

The expectation is that Sani Magaji Tambuwal will make good efforts to fine-tune and introduce immediately most financial issues plaguing the institution with regards to workers benefits, be they management staff members or legislative aides, because of his frugal management of resources and financial discipline.

Now, in looking at what critics argue lamely as his weakness- lack of legislative cadre experience- only time will be the right judge- to confirm whether or not he cannot apply himself to the dicatates of that aspect of his overarching mandate.

But then, as a legislative branch of government, the national assembly will not, understandably, suffer any deficiency from its core and professional mandate under Sani Magaji Tambuwal, experientially leveraging the institution with its vast capacities and multiple competencies domiciled on its experienced staff members.

Doubting Thomases can take this assurance to the bank: his knowledge and understanding about legislative practices and procedures will amaze and thrill even his most ardent skeptics because, he’ll deliver on the core mandate of the NationalAssembly.

Sani Magaji Tambuwal will make deep in-roads to bring back the era characterised by training and retraining of staff members to boost the almost low morale of staff members.

One of the defining credentials of Sani Magaji Tambuwal is his ability to learn from his immediate bosses. Under former Secretary, Finance and Accounts, Abdul aziz Bukoye, Sani Magaji Tambuwal imbibed the confidence of his boss and went ahead to succeed him as the secretary. This boss and staff members’ connection and relationship is rare in our contemporary climes today.

Even as of today, without any prejudice or sentiments, Sani Magaji Tambuwal has remained committed, steadfast and loyal to the outgoing CNA, Arc Amos Ojo. He has been able to guide and direct him in so many professional and experiential ways to the benefit and success of the institution.

Sani Magaji has also remained loyal to the NASC, which is his employer; hence his letter of appointment as Acting CNA was duly issued to him. In the letter signed by the commission chairman, it was copiously stated, “your appointment is as a result of your competence, hard work and loyalty.”

Sani Magaji Tambuwal is not one given to frivolities, he’s a man of few words. He is someone who will outright, from the outset, tell you about the possibility or otherwise of something.

Where work is not occupying his attention, Sani Magaji Tambuwal is engrossed in prayers and meditation with his Creator.

Though, a man of few words, he can be humorous, according to close watchers. In the midst of challenges and difficulties, he’ll just throw up a line of discussion and lighten up the mood.

In a very long time now, the national assembly is about to breath fresh air once again. A staff member stated: “He’s going to be firm, assertive, hardworking and will have no tolerance for laziness or idleness. Everyone must be ready to bring something on board that will help to create and bring about positive change in the national assembly.”

As Sani Magaji Tambuwal steps in as the CNA, the staff members in return, should also get ready for the task ahead. A leader who will lead by example is surely, a leader who will need the support and understanding of his followers. And one can be confident that, at the end of his stay as CNA, the national assembly would be left as a positive, progressive and developed institution, brought back in line with the idea and purpose for its establishment. All hands should be kept crossed as the Magaji Sani Tambuwal’s era as CNA beckons and begins to roll.