Competence Not Enough, Character Needed for Institutional Integrity, Says National Assembly Clerk
The Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA), Mr. Kamoru Ogunlana, has stressed that beyond technical competence, character and integrity are essential ingredients for building and sustaining the institutional credibility of the Nigerian parliament.
Speaking on Tuesday at the opening ceremony of a three-day capacity-building workshop for National Assembly staff in Abuja, Ogunlana said that while professional skill is vital for effective legislative administration, it must be complemented by strong moral values and a sense of duty to the nation.
According to him, “Competence is critical for performance, but it is not sufficient. Without character, competence can be misused. What sustains institutional integrity is the collective discipline and ethical conduct of those who serve within it.”
He charged parliamentary staff to uphold the core values of transparency, accountability, and patriotism, noting that the credibility of the legislature depends largely on the conduct of those who work behind the scenes to support its operations.
Ogunlana explained that the training programme was designed to enhance staff efficiency, deepen understanding of legislative procedures, and promote a culture of ethical leadership within the National Assembly bureaucracy.
He commended the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) and other partners for organizing the workshop, which he described as timely in strengthening institutional reforms and improving service delivery.
Participants at the event included directors, clerks, and administrative officers from various departments of the National Assembly.
The workshop, themed “Enhancing Professionalism and Ethical Standards in Legislative Administration,” continues through Thursday and forms part of ongoing efforts to reposition the National Assembly for greater efficiency and accountability.
