By Gloria Ikibah
The newly retired Mace Bearer of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Mr Aku Jethro, has shared how effective intelligence coordination and teamwork helped him and his unit protect the legislative mace from potential theft during his years of service.
Naijablitznews.com recalled that the mace, widely recognised as the emblem of authority in any legislative chamber, must be formally positioned during plenary sessions for the proceedings and decisions of the House to be deemed valid, and its protection falls under the responsibility of the Sergeant-at-Arms Department of the National Assembly. 
Speaking at a farewell ceremony organised in his honour, Jethro, who devoted over three decades to the National Assembly, much of it as the principal custodian of the House mace, reflected on his years of duty with pride and gratitude.
He noted that while the role came with challenges, consistent vigilance, coordination, the collective effort of his colleagues ensured the mace remained secure through evenat the most trying periods of parliamentary activity.
He said: “It’s just an intelligence network. We are able, I would say, staff that are working closely with me or that worked closely with me during that time had an intelligence network you know, we sized the chamber if there are feelers that something is about to happen, we mobilize, and we strategize. The politicians too will know that yes, these people are not taking things for granted even though, even though sometimes there is pressure. But notwithstanding, we’re equal to the task in the House of Representatives.
“We are always ready to protect the mace and we’ve been protecting it all this while. Even though there are pressures, I tend to admit, severally, that through our collaborative effort within the staff in the chamber, sergeant at armed staff, we always overcome all these things. It’s just collaboration and intelligence”.
Jethro explained that asides his work definition, his decades of experience in the parliament has shown that, politicians may be doing their best but much was still required.
“We have three arms of government, and they’re supposed to check each other. They are doing their best, but then, we still expect that they should do more than what they are doing,” he added.
To his colleagues, he said “I’ll greatly miss you, but I can never forget you. I know I’m leaving you in capable hands.”
Friends and colleagues of the retiring Sergeant-At-Arms officer, including a member of the House of Representatives from Plateau State, Rep. Daniel Asama, took turns to pay tributes over his qualities and dedication to dutiy after which he was presented with an award plaque of honour for his “Meritorious Service.”
According to Rep. Asama, the retiree was a person dedicated to his role with all seriousness.
“Jethro doesn’t talk to anybody when he’s carrying the mace until he’s is done before he will greet anybody. I have worked in the Plateau State House of Assembly before, so I know what the mace means, ” he said.
