Veteran journalist, Demola Badejo advocates financial autonomy of Houses of Assembly

A former Chairman Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ), Ogun State Council, Demola Badejo said  holistic implementation of financial autonomy for State Houses of Assembly and the judiciary across Nigeria will boost the operations of the two arms of government towards achieving their constitutional roles.

Penpushing reports that, Badejo made this known while delivering a lecture paper titled: “Values, Attitudes and Work Ethics in the Parliamentarism: Issues, Challenges and Panacea” at the maiden edition of the International Day of Parliamentarism

The veteran journalist at the ceremony organized by the State chapter of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) held at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, added that this will thereby gives lawmakers   the needed impetus to effect the needed change for the sustenance of democracy.

The former Permanent Secretary/ Clerk of the Ogun State House of Assembly, who doubles as legal practitioner explained that it was essential for the legislative arm to be independent in order to fully discharge its constitutional responsibility in a democracy.

Penpushing further reports that, Badejo  explained  that an independent legislature must attain a new dawn that would enable it perform in line with the high expectations of the populace as the only arm of government responsible for the identification of the needs, yearnings and aspiration of the common man.

The guest lecturer while lamenting the long process and tortuous journey towards achieving independence for the State Houses of Assembly, noted, that in this respect, the principle of separation of powers, a basic element in a democracy is yet to evolve fully.

‘Consequently, the growth and development of the legislative arm, the major difference between a democratic dispensation and military rule, has been stunted over the years because the executive obviously do not want an independent legislature’, he noted.

‘Most Chief Executives would prefer a lame duck House of Assembly. While the situation in the National Assembly is fairly better, the States have the Governors holding on to their jugular by stifling them of necessary funds’, Badejo added.

‘I recall how we battled in the past to get Houses of Assembly budgeted funds on the first line charge. Some Hon. Speakers even voted against the initiative, claiming their Governors would have removed them from their positions before they got home from our meeting in Abuja!”, he recalled

Penpushing also reports Badejo who was equally  a former national officer of Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ)while outlining the challenges facing the legislature, pointed out that, absence of infrastructure has also hindered efficiency and stagnated development of the legislative arm of government in the State.

‘ While the executive has moved the Office of the Chief Executive from Oke-Ilewo to Oke-Mosan (1, 2, 3, &4) and the Judiciary has moved from Isabo to Kobape, the Legislature has remained in its 1978 complex, which has become archaic and most unbefitting’.

“Closely related to this is the issue of lack of regular training for legislative staff. As the least developed arm of government through no fault of hers, the legislature (members and staff) need to be exposed to regular training, locally and abroad”,he stated

Penpushing reports that, the journalist turned lawyer, counseling the Assembly’s staffers to perform their functions effectively, noted that availability of competent, dedicated and professional staff remained of high priority

The guest lecturer admonished them to exhibit loyalty, integrity, humility, honesty, spirituality, selflessness, compassion and kindness in addition to the strict adherence to the public service maxim of impartiality, neutrality and avoid animosity as encapsulated in the “omoluabi ethos”.

Penpushing further reports that, in his opening remarks, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olakunle Oluomo, admonished the staff to continue to exhibit respect for the work ethics and the workplace towards sustaining productivity.

“Knowing fully well that the fine values, ethics and behaviours such as courtesy, integrity, accountability, diligence, perseverance and sense of discipline in their collective bid are essential towards achieving institutional goals”, he said.

The number one lawmaker assuring the workers  of sustaining a reward-driven institution and enabling environment, challenged them  to upgrade their skills, seek additional knowledge with a view to meeting emerging innovation in the discharge of their legislative duties; saying that today’s knowledge and skills would not be sufficient in confronting tomorrow’s challenges.

“However, at a time like this in the nation’s polity where the structures and institutions of democracy, whether in the developed or developing climes are built and centered around the legislature; workers who find themselves in its service must, as a matter of utmost responsibility be mindful that values, work ethics and attitudes are dynamic factors that determines the workers’ effectiveness’.

‘They must exhibit time-tested values, ethos and traditions of honesty, probity, transparency, integrity, hard work and service excellence that are all the attributes of the public service founding fathers”, Oluomo added.

Penpushing also reports that, earlier in his welcome address, the State Chairman of Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), Comrade Ayotunde Ojediran appreciated the members of the association for their steadfastness in the discharge of their duties.

The association boss added that the body was irrevocably committed to exploring all avenues to improve on the capacity of its members, who would in turn contribute to the development of the legislative institution.

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