By Chinenye Ugonna

I am sure many of you wonder what it is like to
visit the National Assembly. Before I started
working at PREMIUM TIMES, I never thought I
would have any cause to visit the National
Assembly, let alone know what the inside might
look like. I envisioned it to be a tall building where
anyone could walk in without harassment or
protocols; more like a regular office environment.
But that was not the case.
After I had a cause to visit the National Assembly
occasionally, I realised the very many protocols
that goes on there. If I knew the protocols, I would
have saved myself a lot of trouble. So these are five
tips you should know before visiting the National
Assembly.
1. Dress code: This aspect is very important so you
need to take note. When going to the National
Assembly, make sure your outfit is not sleeveless or
even half an inch above your knee. Yes I said half
an inch above your knee! The security guards do
not want to see your knee cap in any way, when
approaching them. I have been sent back a few
times myself. Two weeks ago, I wore a pair of three
quarter pants and a long sleeve shirt, all tucked in.
In my head I thought I looked descent and
corporate but I was wrong. I got turned back when
I got to the entrance. Although there is no formal
dress code to gain entry into the National
Assembly, you can even wear jeans all week if you
want to but make sure they reach your ankle. Make
sure your shirts and dresses have sleeves and are
‘decent’ to avoid the stress of being asked to go
home to change.
2. Invitation: Always ensure you call whomever
you want to visit first before going to the National
Assembly complex. You can’t play peek-a-boo or
surprise visits in NASS because you need the
person’s consent before you are allowed in. The
individual you want to see has to send a message
to the security guards at the gate to give you a tag
or else you would be denied entry. Only NASS staff
and journalists get to have ID cards. You are also
expected to know where exactly you are going
because the passes are restricted.
3. No taking of pictures: This is solely for
professional photographers and tourists. NASS is
not exactly a tourist friendly place. You are not
allowed to bring out a huge camera to take
pictures. They have accredited professional
photographers. You would be stopped by the
security. The only place I see people really taking
pictures are outside the building. Even as a NASS
correspondent, I was told to specifically add
photography to my job description letter and
submit because I was not accredited to take
pictures. So if you are just visiting, take note of
this.
4. Painted Taxis not allowed: Whenever you want
to go to NASS, avoid the painted taxis because you
will be stopped by the police officers at the gate
and asked to turn around. No amount of begging
would get you in. Sometimes, unpainted taxis are
harassed as well but that is rarely the case.
Sincerely, to avoid odd questions, try all means to
use a personal car. Even if you get dropped off at
the gate, you would have to join the long queue for
a shuttle bus which usually takes a while. In this
case, patience is the key.
5. Car park: There are two entrances into NASS.
They let everyone who wants to drive in through
the first gate but the second gate is a no go area for
visitors. The second gate is only for a few staff and
journalists who have a licence to access that area.
As a visitor, you would be diverted to a car park
close to the second gate. Ladies, flat shoes are
advisable to wear to NASS because it’s a long walk
to the main building. Lord help you if the sun is
scorching hot because it’s a long walk from the
second gate to the main building. You can do it my
way. Suck it up, plug in your earphone, wear your
flat shoes, ignore the sun and keep walking. You
would not even know when you get to your
destination. Well, it works for me.
These are a few tips I thought you should know
before visiting the National Assembly to avoid
stress and time wasting. If I knew this before I
went to NASS, I won’t have been sent home the
number of times I did. Thank me later!


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Thanks very much op!