Starrays
By Moses Agbe & Benedict Iorgyer
When Engr. Bashir Aminu Yero was elevated to the position of the Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly, nobody expressed disaffection with the decision because he was aptly knitted for the post. In place of disgruntlements and permutations, there were bands of applauds for the National Assembly Commission’s pronouncement. For many people, Engr. Yero was fit for purpose to be the Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA), but fate dawned on him to be the DCNA, a much cherished position that many people in the service of National Assembly aspire to attain but only live within the confines of their dreams.
DCNA is the second in command in the hierarchy of the management of National Assembly and weighs much managerial powers, supporting the CNA in the day-to-day administration of the apex legislative institution while standing in for the CNA in his absence. This feat is a notch above the Permanent Secretary, and to attain it suggests that one is above par in his or her service, having scaled through numerous ranking positions in the management of the National Assembly. Thus, many people in line for the top echelon of National Assembly do everything within human abilities to attain this admirable position but sometimes fail along the windy path.
As fate could have it, Engr. Yero did not get into desperation to become the DCNA but was promoted by dint of professionalism, high moral and ethical standing as well as selfless commitment to service, which have over the years distinguished him among his colleagues. These call for deep reflection!
The celebrated DCNA enrolled in the service of National Assembly in 2004 as Chief Electrical Engineer and has over the years scaled dizzy heights to the position of Assistant Director, Elect and Elect; Acting Deputy Director, Estates and Works Department; Deputy Director (Electrical); Acting Director, Estate and Works; Acting Director, Engineering and Environmental Services; Director, Estates and Works; Acting Secretary, Directorate of Works, Estates and ICT; Pioneer Secretary, Directorate of Works, Estates and ICT, and eventually, the current Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly. These are high ranking positions that come with prestige, yet Engr. Yero has not been soaked in pride.
Despite his sheer humility, like the old proverbial, “a golden fish has no hiding place”, Engr. Yero’s progression in service and elevation to the position of DCNA speaks volumes about his exceptional values people in public service and youngsters must emulate.
Firstly, his absolute dedication to service is next to none and commendable in the strictest sense. While some public officials see government business as none of their business, from the cradle of his career in the service of National Assembly, Engr. Yero has been overwhelmingly serious with his responsibilities. He seeks to add value in every position, which singles him out as an overachiever.
Added to the aforementioned is Engr. Yero’s sense of professionalism. Without creating mountains out of molehills, Engr. Yero is the first professional engineer in the service of National Assembly and has been at the forefront of entrenching professionalism in the system. Most of the young professional engineers in the service of National Assembly today lay credence to the fact that they were supported and motivated by Engr. Bashir Yero.
Over the years, Engr. Yero’s quest for professionalism has propelled him to acquire numerous academic qualifications. A trained Electrical Engineer with Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng in Electrical) from the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, he has two Masters Degrees – Master of International Affairs and Diplomacy (MAID) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) – which have equipped him for excellence, academically and administratively.
Also, he acquired Postgraduate Diploma in Management (PGDM), which serves as a bridge to his managerial career. He communes with numerous professional associations, national and international, including Nigerian Society of Engineers, Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, International Facility Management Association, Facility Management Professionals of USA, Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria, Nigerian Computer Society and Nigerian Institute of Management among others.
Another unique quality Engr. Yero possesses is his clean administrative slate, void of corruption and parochialism which have engulfed the Nigerian public service today. Whenever, you are dealing with Engr. Yero, be rest assured of merit regardless of your ethnicity, religion or ideological inclination. This is worthy of emulation across boards.
Engr. Yero may not be a saint or a super guru, but there are a lot of lessons to learn from his personal values, administrative principles and quest for professionalism, which have led to his laudable achievements, too numerous to mention in a jiffy. These are not just worthy of commendation but emulation in the strictest sense.
