Author: ericjames.ochigbo

Sanction

By EricJames Ochigbo

Abuja, June 21, 2024 (NAN) The Rivers Caucus in the House of Representatives has urged the leadership of the house to discipline Rep. Ikenga Ugochinyere (PDP-Imo) for allegedly spreading “falsehoods” on the escalating political crisis in Rivers.

In a statement  by the leader of the caucus, Rep. Dumnamene Dekor (PDP-Rivers), the caucus alleged that Ugochinyere also engaged in spreading held-truth in the media.

According to the caucus leader, Ugochinyere had thrown caution, decorum, and responsible conduct, expected of the high office he now occupies, to the wind.

Delay said his interventions in the media were laden with blackmail, half-truths, outright lies, misinformation and disinformation, and malicious propaganda.

The lawmaker explained that Ikenga’s prejudicial media statements also constituted a thoughtless assault on due process and ongoing judicial processes aimed at resolving the disagreement in Rivers.

Dekor said the conduct of Ugochinyere impinged on the privileges of members of the caucus,  integrity of the house itself, and constituted a reckless violation of sections 49 and 72 of the Constitution.

“The attention of the Rivers Caucus has been drawn to yet another unfortunate and misleading press briefing by Rep. Ikenga Ugochinyere on Tuesday, June,  18, on the ongoing disagreement between the Governor of Rivers and the House of Assembly, and latterly, Local Government Chairmen.

“To begin with, Ugochinyere is not from Rivers, so his political value is unquestionably non-existent, except to those who are naive enough to fall for his cheap gimmicks.

“The current situation in Rivers does not concern him in any way because he is from Imo, a state that is grappling with myriad political and social issues of its own in respect of which Ugochinyere cannot find his voice.

“The disagreement in Rivers has never been brought to the floor of the House of Representatives to warrant other members’ intervention in a debate.

“His actions impinge on the privileges of members of the Rivers caucus, the integrity of the house itself, and constitute a reckless violation of the constitution vide sections 49 and 72.

“We,  hereby,  publicly call on the leadership of the House of Representatives to take urgent steps to discipline Ugochinyere,” he said.  (NAN)

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Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Sadiya Hamza

Education

By EricJames Ochigbo

Abuja, June 20, 2024 (NAN) The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas has urged all stakeholders to prioritise investment in education to safeguard the future of Africa.

Abbas made the call on Thursday in Abuja, at the 2024 Day of the African Child celebration, organised by the Project Hope Alive, an NGO interested in child development.

Abbas, represented by his Special Assistant on Youth Matters, Mr Lamir Umar, said that the children are the future of the continent.

“Education for all, is empowerment for all Africans, it is also an investment in the future we so yearn for, for the Africa we always strive to develop.

“Children are the compass of this historic continent; therefore, investing in their education will no doubt bring immense return today and tomorrow.

“Let me use this opportunity to call on all stakeholders to consider education as a necessity, as a collective input to continue building an Africa we will be proud of,” he said.

In his remarks, the President of Project Hope Alive, Amb. Chibuzo Okereke, said that the initiative to celebrate Day of the African Child commenced in 2016.

He said that education was an enabler, a stimulator and a fundamental human right that should be enjoyed by all.

Okereke, however, said that as a result of social inequality, there was a need to speaker for the vulnerable if they must have access to education.

“So for us, we are advocating for inclusive quality and relevant education, especially for children, just in line with the African Union declarations and framework and most of the countries of Africa, including Nigeria, sign into the Child Right Act.

“The aspirations of the Act is so that no child should be left behind, 2024 is the year of education in the African Union.

“So it should reflect even in the country’s budget, it should reflect even in policy directions of government of countries in Africa,” he said.

Okereke called for proper data bank of children on the continent to ensure proper education was delivered to them especially those with disabilities.

He said that with proper data, Nigeria should be able to take education to all out-of-school children wherever they might be, saying that retired teachers could play a role in teaching in communities.

Okereke said that there was gap that needed be closed in the education system, suggesting that corporate organisation should consider investing in education as part of the Social Corporate Responsibility (CSR).

The president announced a cash donation of N100,000 and other items like books, school bags, water bottles, writing materials among others to Junior Secondary School Jabi I, which hosted the ceremony.

Other stakeholders at the event also donated cash to the school to support indigent students, while others offered scholarships for some orphans in the school.

In her remarks, the Principal of the school, Dr Grace Onyeanusi, commended the organisers for choosing to mark the day in the school.

Onyeanusi appreciated Project Hope Alive and its partners for the donations and items donated to the school for the children.

She said a lot were being done to support the students saying that the schools believed in education for all.

The principle pledged to continue to reach out to the speaker and other stakeholders to support the school execute with some critical projects in the school.

Miss Jimo Nazirah, a JSS 2b student in an interview with NAN, said that she was happy to be in school.

She urged all stakeholders to do all it took and ensured every child, not just in Africa but in the entire world have access to education.

Guests at the event were treated to a variety of cultural dance display by the students, spoken words, and debates among others. (NAN)

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Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Stakeholders seek  amendment of PIA

Act
By EricJames Ochigbo

Abuja, June 20, 2024 (NAN) Some stakeholders have called for  amendment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), to abolish section 257 which criminalised an entire community, should oil facility be tampered with by any hoodlum within the area.

The stakeholders which include leaders of host communities, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) legal and environmental activists made the call at the third edition of the Niger Delta Socio-Ecological Alternatives Convergence (NDAC) in Abuja on Wednesday.

The conference which was organised by the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) also demanded justice for people of the region for the many years of environmental degradation by oil companies.

They also called for the restoration of the Niger Delta environment before the global transition to clean energy is concluded.

In his remarks, Prof. Lucky Worika, the Director, Center for Advanced Law Research, River State University, said that section 257 should be deleted.

He decried the clause,  saying the PIA which took 20 years before it was passed into law should not have had such a clause in the first place.

“Section 257 that deals with the fact that if there is sabotage or alleged sabotage in communities, that they cannot benefit from the Host Community Trust Fund.

“That is basically criminalising an entire community for the offense of one or a few; it is not done anywhere.

“The is the most anachronistic section in that legislation that I think needs to be deleted immediately because the communities are not happy.

“They have suffered enough then if some miscreants in the communities now go and tamper with installations you now hold the entire community, who does that?,” he said.

Worika said there had  been almost 70 years of oil and gas exploration and development in the Niger Delta, resulting in ecological, environmental damages including destitution for the people.

He said there were many government interventions to salvage the situation but all failed as a result of  political interference.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Bayelsa Traditional Rulers Council, King Bubaraye Dakolo, described PIA as “anti people Act.”

According to him, the section of the Act serves the purposes of the oil companies as against that of the host communities.

He said since 1998 to date, the Federal Government had deployed excerpts and security agencies to address sabotage in the area but had not succeeded.

“So 25 years of Joint Task Force (JTF) did not bring about any oil thief being incarcerated anywhere.

“You are a journalist so go to Kuje prison, go to Kogi presently,  go to Kiri Kiri prison and check the roll call from 1998.

“But today in my kingdom, if there is oil pipeline vandalism in my kingdom, I and my people, my subjects will be held responsible.

“You are passed a job to the traditional ruler that professionals military professionals could not do, security professionals, Department of State Securty (DSS) professionals and other professionals in this country put together could not do. 

“You put it on a youth that has not gone to school to do, you put it on a pregnant woman to do and that if they fail to do it, they will be no benefit from that three  per cent that comes from the trust fund, they won’t get it,” he said.

The Director of HOMEF, Mr Nnimmo Bassey, said the degraded situation of the Niger Delta region must be realigned for the wellbeing of the people and the environment.

He said  the region had been placed on a bloody slab and visited with unrelenting abuse by the forces of extractivism, internal colonialism and dispossession. 

“It has been recklessly exploited right from the time of slavery to the time of colonial monopolies and current realities where it is raped for the sake of keeping a waning petroleum civilisation on life support.

“The convergence continues to demand urgent responses to climate change impacts,  including setting up mechanisms for emergency response to floods, shoreline protection, restoration of mangrove forests and halting of deforestation.

“We demand for proper urban and rural planning and rejection of false solutions such as geoengineering,  Blue Carbon and other carbon upsetting offsets which are tools for carbon slavery and colonialism. 

“The convergence is about people and planet, with the world shifting away from dirty energy, it is of utmost urgency that the Niger Delta region is rid of the scars of that regime and the destitution it has forced on the people.

“It is time to demand a demilitarised region with offshore oil platforms converted to wind farms for renewable energy,” he said. (NAN)

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Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Sadiya Hamza

Condolence

By EricJames Ochigbo

Abuja, June 20, 2024 (NAN) Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, the Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) has commiserated with the former Senate President, Sen. Bukola Saraki over the death of his mother, Mrs Morenike Saraki.

In a statement on Wednesday, Sulaiman expressed his heartfelt condolences to the Saraki family while acknowledging the significant contributions the late Mama Saraki made to nation building.

“She was a pillar of strength, a compassionate matriarch, and a guiding light whose legacy of selfless service and dedication to family values will continue to inspire many.

“Mama Florence Saraki was more than a mother to one of Nigeria’s eminent political leaders; she was a beacon of hope and a source of support.

“Her life was a testament to the virtues of love, resilience, and faith; she played an instrumental role in shaping the lives of her children, who have gone on to serve Nigeria with distinction,” he said.

Suleiman prayed for the Saraki family as they navigate through this difficult period while praying God to grant the departed eternal rest.

Mama Saraki, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 89. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by AbdulFatai Beki/Bashir Rabe Mani

Reps committee probes appointments of NASRDA, RMRDC DGs

Investigation

By EricJames Ochigbo

Abuja, June 13, 2024 (NAN)The House of Representatives on Friday unveiled plans to investigate the appointments of Director General of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Prof. Martins Ike-Muonso.

The committee will also investigate the appointment of the Director-General of National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) Dr Mathew Adepoju.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Chairman of the committee, Rep. Olaide .

The committee chairman said that a six-member panel headed by Rep. Abiodun Akinlade had been inaugurated to carry out the probe.

He said both DGs were recently appointed by the Minister of Innovation Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnanji.

“The panel is to look at the procedure of the appointments qualification and the compliance with the relevant laws and regulations that established both agencies.

“The panel is to invite the Minister of Innovation Science and Technology, the Secretary to the Federal Government, Head of Service and both DGs amongst others.

“The panel has two weeks to within which to submit its report,” he said.

The chairman promised that the assignment will be free and fair saying that the aim is not to witch hunt anyone but to put the records straight. (NAN)

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edited by Sadiya Hamza

Democracy

By EricJames Ochigbo

Abuja, June 14, 2024 (NAN)A former Minister of Education, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, has called for the decentralisation of power from the Federal to the Local Government Areas (LGAs) for speedy development of the country.

Ezekwesili made the call at a virtual democracy dialogue on LGA administration organised by Fix Politics Initiative as part of activities to mark the 2024 Democracy Day on Thursday in Abuja.

Ezekwesili, who is the founder of Fix Politics Initiative, a citizen-led movement operating in Nigeria and other African countries, called for an overhaul of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution.

She said that the amendment alone could not birth the desired Nigeria, adding that other structural challenges affecting the nation’s democracy and governance should be done as well.

“We believe that foundationally, we have to correct these structural defects by making sure that the local government system is at the centre of the kind of constitutional changes that we are looking forward for.

“We are an organisation that has put our voice out there to say that, tinkering with the 1999 Constitution on the margins will not deliver the new Nigeria we all want; we all want a Nigeria that works for all of us.

“A Nigeria that works for all of us has to be designed by the people and where do you often find the real people, it is at the local communities.

“And so placing them at the centre of the design of a Nigerian project that works is fundamental; the Nigerian project will only work to the extent that the people are at the heart of it,” she said.

On his part, a former Minister of Information, Mr Frank Nweke Jr, said that citizens must continue to be reminded of their collective responsibilities to ensure good governance.

Nweke, who is the Chairman, Fix Politic Initiative, said citizens should not only vote, but support compatriots in government and jointly hold government accountable.

He said that citizens must understand the various roles and responsibilities of all the tiers of governments in the country to effectively track their performance.

Mr Oluwasesan Dayini, from Ebobobaiku Local Government Development Authority in Lagos, said that much attention should be paid to LGAs to make the people feel the impact of democracy.

He said that no state could function without LGAs in spite that current challenges of poor funding, limited administrative freedom among others being faced by the third tier of government in the country.

Dayini said that citizens should, however, call for accountability by tracking budgetary provisions, saying that it is more effective than waiting for anti-graft agencies.

A political activist, Ms Aisha Yesufu, said that there was the need for reorientation of the citizens to make the democracy work better.

She said the ordinary people including children should be allowed to be part of the decision-making process.

The activist said that in schools and religious gatherings, children should not be asked to shut up but make their contributions count based on their ability and understanding.

“By getting the children involved early, when they grow up, they will be able to effectively engage government and will not be intimidated or be blackmailed to keep mute for fear of being regarded as disrespectful,’’ she said.

Yesufu said that asking government officials questions did not amount to antagonism, but should be regarded as efforts to ensure good governance.

Other discussants which include, Ms Ngozi Iwere, a social activist, Mr Saseme Akume, a public affairs speaker, Mr Sam Amadi, a policy strategist and Mr Seun Onigbinde all called for capacity building for citizens and government officials.

They called for an access to data for citizens to track performances and a Constitution that allows LGA to function effectively among others.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that discussants at the dialogue tasked citizens on inclusive participation in governance especially at the LGA level.(NAN)

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Edited by Francis Onyeukwu  and Chijioke Okoronkwo

Democracy

By EricJames Ochigbo

Abuja, June 13, 2024 (NAN) Mr Adebowale Olorunmola, the Country Director, Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), says Nigeria’s democracy must strive to address corruption and insecurity in the country.

Olorunmola made this submission in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja in commemoration of 25 years of unbroken democracy in Nigeria.

He said that though Nigeria’s democracy was “work in progress”, it must also address quality of governance, rule of law, accountability and competence of public officers.

WFD is the UK public body dedicated to strengthening democracy around the world and has actively supported democracy across continent for more than 30 years.

The WFD country director said that though Nigeria’s democracy had made progress and had witnessed transition of governments over time, it was still not where it should be after 25 years.

He said that the high expectations of Nigerians in the area of good governance, leadership, public service had not been met.

According to him, Nigeria is not yet there  because the rule of law is still very weak;  there is a lot of corruption, impunity and competent people are not getting into the political space.

He decried the cost of accessing political platform to get to power saying that it was beyond the reach of many competent and well intentioned people.

Olorunmola regretted that Nigerians still saw all manner of conflicting pronouncement from courts on same issues.

He said that the judiciary was supposed to be the last hope of the common man but that at the moment looked to be on trial.

The country director said that the judiciary must rise up to overcome the current situation where it was regarded as an instrument in the hands of the powerful, if good governance must be entrenched.

He explained that the Legislature had a responsibility and a duty to contribute to good governance through oversight function, instead of being complacent.

Olorunmola also said that the 10th National Assembly must rise up to the occasion of effective oversight for Nigeria to begin to witness good governance.

He  said that the executive must set targets for itself and work to reach those targets in terms of good governance, services delivery based on budgetary allocation for dividend of democracy to take root.

Olorunmola noted that the situation where citizens who were professionals in various fields were selling their property to relocate en masse  to other countries for greener pastures did not speak well of Nigeria’s democracy.

”Democracy is about the people; however, a situation where about 50 per cent of the population who are women and over 30 million Persons With Disability (PWD) are not represented in government leaves much to be desired.’’

According to him, every country uses the strength of their young people but Nigeria is yet to appreciate the strength of its youth and deliberately use them.

”When we are able to deal with these, then we can be talking of making progress democratically, and importantly when citizens are safe in any part of the country.

”At the moment, Nigeria’s democracy is work in progress just as in every other country.

”But leadership needs to roll up their sleeves and realise that it is not business as usual; there is work to be done and followership also need to be watchful.

”Citizens must be able to call leadership to order and place a demand on leaders to be more productive than.”

Olorunmola, however, disagreed with calls to return to parliamentary system of government and calls to run a one term elective office of five years.

He said that the problem of the country was not the system of governance but getting the right people into office to address growth and developmental challenges.

The country director said that until Nigeria addressed the quality of governance, rule of law, security, corruption, accountability and getting competent people into governance, a change in system of governance would not do much. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Deborah Coker and Chijioke Okoronkwo

Reps minority leader canvases return to parliamentary system of govt.

Governance

By EricJames Ochigbo

Abuja, June 10, 2024 (NAN) The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Rep. Kingsley Chinda (PDP-Rivers) has called for a return to the parliamentary system of government.

Chinda, who made the call on Monday in Abuja, said that there was a need to practice a homegrown parliamentary system of government to address challenges facing the country.

 The lawmaker explained that the current Presidential system of government was copied without recourse to native background.

 According to him, the current system is skewed towards failure, considering our background, our experiences and our diversity which should be an advantage to us.

 “When you look at the places where systems of government are copied from, they consider their culture, they consider their beliefs; they consider their society in adopting a system of government.

 “But in Nigeria, we either copy from the UK or we copy from the U.S., without recourse to our background. And that is why we are asking for a homegrown system of government.

 “We must twist it to consider our peculiar background. And that is why we say the time has come for us to move forward,” he said.

 Chinda said that government after government had made efforts to cut the cost of governance in Nigeria.

He said that efforts made to merge agencies of government and to slash allowances and salaries of public office holders had not been achieved.

 According to him, it is all motion without movement. We must do something fundamental if we want to move forward.

Chinda said that efforts had been made to study why the parliamentary system practiced in the first republic collapsed, saying that it was as a result of ignorance.

He said that the parliamentary system is cost effective and self-cleansing, as it does not require much to remove a corrupt officer and make people in public office to sit up. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Joseph Edeh