WordPress

Category: Politics

  • Flood: NDDC begins construction of emergency shelter

    Flood: NDDC begins construction of emergency shelter

    Shelter

    By Naomi Sharang

    Abuja, June 10, 2024 (NAN) The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), said it has begun construction of Multipurpose Emergency Shelter designed to serve as a refuge during flood emergencies in the Niger delta region.

    Managing Director of NDDC, Samuel Ogbuku, made this known on Monday in Abuja, while defending the commission’s 2024 budget estimate of N1.911 trillion before the Senate Committee on NDDC.

    In his presentation, Ogbuku said that from the proposed 2024 budget, N38.5 billion was for personnel, while N29.2 billion was for overhead and N1 trillion earmarked for legacy projects.

    He said that the Multipurpose Emergency Shelter, which was a flagship of NDDC’s present administration, with a capacity of over 1,000 accommodations, was designed to serve as a refuge during flood emergencies.

    “In a response to the frequent flooding challenges faced by Niger Deltans, we have commenced construction of Multipurpose Emergency Shelter with a capacity of over 1,000 accommodations, designed to serve as a refuge during flood emergencies.

    “The facility includes essential amenities such as a school, hospital, cafeteria, police post, and recreation centre, aimed at providing comprehensive support to the community.”

    He said that once completed, the multipurpose emergency shelter would play a vital role in offering temporary accommodation and necessary services to the population in the event of emergencies in the region.

    “The NDDC’s proactive approach in addressing the needs of the affected communities through such initiatives underscores the Commission’s commitment to enhancing emergency response and resilience in the Niger Delta region.”

    Ogbuku further said that in the area of infrastructure, the commission came up with “Operation Light Up Niger Delta Region”.

    “This has seen a reasonable number of the communities being lit up using solar powered street lights, which have boosted the economic activities of communities at night.

    “In education, we have awarded foreign scholarships to 750 individuals between 2023-2024 (for 2022, 2023 and 2024 years) and provided educational grants to 84 individuals.

    “Additionally, we are distributing 45, 000 Ulesson tablets preloaded with Nigerian and WAEC syllabus to schools in the nine states in the Niger Delta region.”

    He said that the commission had commissioned a programme, to enable enrolment of poor and vulnerable people into the various Social Health Insurance Schemes of the nine NDDC states.

    This, he said was in view of the prevailing poor health indices of the country and particularly the region.

    “This is to also facilitate easy access to essential health and social services towards Universal Health Coverage.”

    Ogbuku said that the commission was working toward completion of some ongoing projects, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s directive.

    The MD also said that his administration was committed to payment of legacy debts because, “we are committed to the welfare of our people in the Niger Delta”.

    He said that N100 billion was earmarked to begin payment of legacy debts, adding that in 10 years’ time the commission would have offset the legacy debts.

    Chairman of the Senate Committee, Sen. Asuquo Ekpenyong, while noting that although the budget was brought late, said NDDC had recorded salient achievements like ‘light up Niger Delta’.

    “I hope that the 2024 budget will consolidate on already existing projects. I commend the NDDC’s scholarship programme,”he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    NNL/AMM

    ==========

     

    Edited by Abiemwense Moru

  • Edo assembly passes bill to make’Beautiful Edo, Glorious Edo’ official anthem

    Edo assembly passes bill to make’Beautiful Edo, Glorious Edo’ official anthem

    Anthem

    By Nefishetu Yakubu

    Benin, June 10,2024(NAN) Edo House Of Assembly on Monday passed a bill for a law to declare ‘Beautiful Edo, Glorious Edo’ as the official Anthem of the state.

    A motion to consider the bill was moved by the Majority Leader, Charity Aiguobarueghian, (PDP Ovia North East) and it was seconded by the Minority Leader, Henry Okaka(APC Owan East).

    Considering the bill clause by clause, the lawmakers said the “Beautiful Edo, Glorious Edo” as the official anthem was to promote unity, pride and a sense of identity among Edo people.

    The lawmakers said that the Anthem, composed by the wife of the state governor, Mrs Betsey Obaseki would leave a lasting legacy of her in the state.

    Aiguobarughian said the bill, when passed into law, would also promote the cultural heritage of Edo people.

    The Deputy Speaker, Maria Oligbi-Edeko, also said that late Anthony Enahoro was the first to move a motion for Nigeria independence,

    Oligbi-Edeko added that Edo was always known for initiating new policies and programmes in the country.

    The Speaker of the House, Blessing Agbebaku,  said that Edo would be the first state to have an official anthem.

    According to Agbebaku, if you listen to the lyrics and rhythm of the three stanzas of the anthem, they are all perfectly arranged and composed.

    “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said that we should all go back to the old national anthem of “Nigeria we hail thee”, it also good that as a state, we also have our official anthem,” he said.

    The lawmakers unanimously supported and passed the bill.

    The Speaker directed the Clerk, Yahaya Omogbai to forward clean copies of the bill to the governor for his assent. (NAN)
    (www.nannews.ng)
    NY/JI

    Edited by Joe Idika

     

  • Soludo receives 1,300 defecting PDP faithful into APGA

    Soludo receives 1,300 defecting PDP faithful into APGA

     

     

    Defection

    By Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu

    Awka, June 10, 2024 (NAN) No fewer than 1,300 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faithful in Anambra have formally defected to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

     

    The defectors, who came from across the state, were received by the Gov. Chukwuma Soludo at a welcome ceremony in Awka 

     

    Soludo urged the new party members to take advantage of the on-going APGA electronic re-registration to complete their membership.

    He said: “I am happy that PDP in Anambra has woken up and discovered that joining APGA movement is the only way to the Promised Land.

     

    “I appeal to everyone to join hands with my administration to build the party and make it a vehicle for transformation; and I’m also committed to using the vehicle to enhance development in the state.

     

    “APGA as a party is deliberate about building human capital in a sustainable way. As you can see in some of our policies – free education, free antenatal care and delivery services for women, distribution of palm and coconut seedlings, among others.

     

    “I promise to do more because APGA is the only platform through which real development will be taken to the people, especially the poor and downtrodden.”

     

    Earlier, the State Chairman of APGA, Mr Ifeatu Obi-Okoye appreciated the governor for leading the initiative and creating the enviable atmosphere within the party.

     

    Speaking on behalf of the former PDP faithful, Mr Emeka Anyaenetu, said that Gov. Soludo’s people-oriented policies informed their decision to join the APGA movement.

     

    “We want to help the governor continue and complete his agenda for the development of Anambra state,” he said. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

     

    LCO/GOM/AOS

    ================

    Edited by Gregg Mmaduakolam/Bayo Sekoni 

     

  • Prioritise education, healthcare of insugency survivors, Amnesty International tells FG

    Survivors
    By Diana Omueza
    Abuja, June 10, 2024 (NAN) The Amnesty International has called on the Federal Government to provide access to healthcare, education and vocational training for survivors of Boko-Haram insurgences to aid easy reintegration into the society. 
    Mr Isa Sanusi, the Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, made the call at a news conference and inauguration of an investigative report on Monday in Abuja. 
    The report entitled: “Help us build our lives: Girl survivors of Boko Haram and military abuses in North-East Nigeria”, was unveiled by Amnesty International to highlight the plight of survivors of Boko-Haram attacks. 
    Sanusi said that the report revealed the plight of girls and young women who escaped Boko Haram captivity in the north-eastern part of the country who are faced with further suffering, including unlawful detention, among others. 
    “The report investigated how girls survived trafficking and crimes against humanity by Boko Haram insurgents. 
    These include abduction, forced marriage, enslavement and sexual violence.
     “The report is based on 126 interviews, including 82 with survivors that were conducted in-person in the north-eastern part of the country and remotely between 2019 and 2024,’’ he said.
    Sanusi said that on April 4, the Amnesty International wrote to Nigerian federal and state authorities, as well as to UN offices, with its research findings. 
    “Nearly 50 girls and younger women told Amnesty International they risked their lives and the lives of their children to successfully escape Boko Haram,” he said. 
    Sanusi said that many women and girls experienced harrowing journeys lasting up to days where they survived with little food found and water. 
    The report said that 31 girls and young women said they were unlawfully held in military detention for almost four years between 2015 and mid-2023, typically because of their perceived association with Boko Haram. 
    Sanusi said that in addition to these, they were not receiving adequate support as they attempt to rebuild their lives after so many years of horrific and traumatic experience. 
    He added that the girls and women after escaping terrorist captivity experienced also faced abuses in prolonged and unlawful detention which called for concerns.
    “Those not unlawfully detained were left to fend for themselves in displacement camps amidst millions of other people needing humanitarian assistance,” he said.
    Sanusi said that some of the survivors were reunited with their surrendered Boko Haram “husbands” in a government-run transit camp, exposing them to the risk of continued abuse.
    According to him, the call for their support to settle well into the society is necessary because their unique experiences and needs have not been given the deserved attention.
    He said that to this end, Amnesty International therefore, recommended that international partners and the Nigerian authorities should support these girls and young women. 
    This, he said, was to enable them get the assistance they needed to rebuild their lives with dignity and in safety. 
    Sanusi said that Amnesty International was calling on the Nigerian government authorities, UN agencies and donor governments, to urgently make available tailored reintegration services for these girls and young women. 
    “Amnesty International urges the Nigerian authorities to ensure girls and young women have a meaningful alternative to being returned to their Boko Haram “husbands” and given necessary support to rebuild their lives. 
    “Relevant authorities should ensure their livelihood support among others to enable the survivors live well,” he said. 
    Also speaking, Mr Auwal Rafsanjani, Chair Board of Trustees, Amnesty International, reiterated the need to punish both the state actors and non-state actors, perpetrators of crimes to serve as deterrent to others. 
    Rafsanjani called for provision of centres for the treatment of survivors of terrorist crimes. 
    “The government has to play its part in this because civil society organisations cannot replace government. 
    “There are a lot we can do but we are limited, but it is keenly the government that can take constituted and necessary actions to address these things. 
    “We only bring credible research elements so that government can take necessary actions,” he said.
    Rafsanjani called on security personal to treat survivors with dignity and respect, adding that all hands must be on deck to address challenges of human rights in Nigeria.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
     DOM/DE/KAY
    ===========
    Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Kayode Olaitan

  • Reps minority leader canvases return to parliamentary system of govt.

    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)

    EOO/JPE

    =======

    Edited by Joseph Edeh

  • 35 Reps seek rotational presidency, single tenure of 6 years, others

    35 Reps seek rotational presidency, single tenure of 6 years, others

    Rotational

    By Femi Ogunshola

    Abuja, June 10, 2024(NAN) 35 members of the House of Representatives have proposed a Bill for an Act demanding the constitutional alteration to provide for the rotation of executive powers among the six geopolitical zones.

    This according to them is to ensure equal representation and reduce the desperation and tempo of agitation for the creation of states.

    The lawmakers led by Rep. Ikenga Ugochinyere (PDP-Imo), made the call while addressing a news conference at the National Assembly in Abuja on Monday.

    He said that the lawmakers were also seeking the amendment of Section III of the constitution to provide for the recognition of the division of Nigeria into six geopolitical zones.

    He added that they were also seeking the provision of a single tenure of six years for the President and Governors in the country.

    “The bill is also seeking reduction in government spending and wastage, efficiency in governance, and national stability by providing a single term of six years for the President and Governors.

    According to them, we want the creation of the office of two vice presidents from the southern and northern parts of Nigeria.

    ” The 1st vice shall be a succession Vice president, while the 2nd Vice president shall be a Minister in charge of the Economy, and both shall be Ministers.

    He added that, the financial autonomy and accountability of Local Government Councils by prescribing an independent Consolidated Local Government Council Account was germane.

    This, he said would be solely superintended by Local Councils and prescribing long-term imprisonment for any misuse of Local Government funds.

    He said that the bill would seek to amend the relevant sections of the Electoral Act to ensure that all elections at both Federal and State levels were held on the same day among others.

    The lawmaker said that the bill if become an Act, would ensure that all elections and election-related litigation were concluded within a period of six months.

    This, according to his is before the swearing into office of the validly elected person for the office contested.

    “Ours is a commitment to building a united, stable, and prosperous nation. Nigeria can and must become a great and modern nation.”(NAN)www.nannews.ng
    ODF/SH
    ========

    edited by Sadiya Hamza

  • Gov Mutfwang inaugurates chairman, members of PLASIEC

     

    Inauguration
    By Polycarp Auta
    Jos, June 10, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, on Monday inaugurated Mr Plangji Chishak, as Chairman and six other members of the State Independent Election Commission (PLASIEC).
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor had on June 4, forwarded the names of the appointees  to the state House of Assembly for confirmation.
    Speaking at the event in Jos, Mutfwang said that the appointees were carefully selected based on their track records and experience in public service.
    ”This is very important and significant because today marks a new dawn in the annals of PLASIEC.
    ”The last two local government elections in the state were the most shameful, disgraceful and one that gave us a bad name.
    ”This is why we carefully selected this calibre of persons, particularly the chairman, who has been in the business of conducting election for years,”he said.
    The governor, who charged the appointees to uphold the tenets of democracy through free and fair elections, said his administration would not interfere in its activities.
    ”I am a firm believer in the efficacy and effectiveness of the local government administration and so, we will allow the people to elect those who they want to lead them.
    ”This is why since we came on board, we have not misused local government funds, because we believe in having a credible leadership at the local levels.
    ”I want to assure Plateau people that we will raise the bar of credible and reputable local government elections; we will ensure that true democracy takes place at the local levels.
    ”You are coming at a time when the commission has trust deficit, I therefore, charge you to conduct local government elections in concomitance with global best practice,”he said.
    Earlier, the chairman thanked the governor for finding them worthy of the appointments and promised to rebuild the confidence of Plateau residents on the commission.
    ”We receive these appointments with every sense of responsibility and humility.
    ”I want to assure you that by the special grace of God we will ensure credible elections in the local governments,”he said.
    Chishak also promised that the commission would be open, fair and transparent in all its dealings.
    NAN reports that members of the commission include, Theresa Kaze, Deborah Akanle, Waziri Kwande, and Ado Adare.
    Others members are Audu Dorzhi, Dr Longman Pensiwan and Pam Davou, the Secretary of the commission.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    AZA/IU
    ========
    Edited by Isaac Ukpoju

  • Tinubu is rebooting education sector with creative initiatives, says group

    Tinubu is rebooting education sector with creative initiatives, says group
    Education
    By Emmanuel Mogbede
    Abuja, June 10,2024(NAN)President Bola Tinubu is rebooting the country’s education sector with creative Initiatives that will introduce a fresh breath of air to the sector.
    This is contained in a statement issued by the Chairman of the Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG), Mr Emeka Nwankpa and Secretary, Mr Dapo Okubanjo in Abuja.
    The goup said Tinubu’s initiatives in the education sector could be likened to building blocks for a progressive and modern education system.
    “The education sector is one that the President Tinubu’s administration had since inception been quietly reviving for utmost efficiency in the last one year.
    “Even the perennial agitation of tertiary institution’s work force have been on the decline, resulting to peace on campuses, calls for strikes are also dying down,the group said.
    It attributed the development to Federal Government’s decision to remove universities and other tertiary institutions from the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS) payment platform.
    It noted that the IPPIS since its introduction in 2006, had been a source of acrimony between university unions and various administrations.
    “But what may end up cementing Tinubu’s place in history in this sector, is the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELF) which started only a few days ago.
    “But has received well over 60,000 applications from students of Federal Government institutions,” it said.
    It explained that Tinubu had delayed the take off of the interest-free student loan scheme to ensure it also covered students who may be more interested in skills acquisition than university education
    It said the ultimate intention of the move was to guarantee sustainable higher education and functional skill development for Nigerian students and youths.
    The group added that the goal was to ensure that indigent students do not drop out of school due to financial constraints.
    “As for funding, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFUND, made its highest ever disbursement of N643.4bn to tertiary institutions since inception on President Tinubu’s watch.
    “With Colleges of Education getting a minimum of N1.3bn while individual polytechnics and universities received N1.6billion and N1.9billion respectively.
    “This quantum of funds improves teaching, research, and overall development of our tertiary institutions, staff beneficiaries are able to partake in conferences locally and internationally.
    “It is also used to fund the writing of textbooks and also cater for payments of honorarium to supervisors in education related programmes,” the group said.
    It added that the fund therefore, had a major impact on the development of tertiary institutions, staff, and students.
    It noted that the Tinubu administration was also looking at addressing issues of out-of-school children and the need to boost secondary education.
    The TSMG said like Tinubu, it considered the situation of out-of-school children unacceptable, noting that the president had approved system-wide policies to reduce the number of school-age children roaming the streets.
    It noted that Vice-President Kashim Shettima was recently in Bauchi where he launched a multi-year Accelerated Senior Secondary Education Programme (ASSEP).
    It said the programme was to pave the way for the overhaul school infrastructure and the facilitation of modernised curricula and an integrated virtual learning technology.
    “The initiative is a major policy drive to bridge the gaping educational divide in the country, with the North-East region as the starting point.
    “We also know that 10,000 teachers and educators have been trained in preparation for the establishment and launch of 37 smart schools, one in each state and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT),” it said.
    It added that a National Education Repository and Data Bank was also in the works for the purpose of collecting, collating, and warehousing all education records from 1932 through a dedicated website.
    It said there was already an approval from President Tinubu for a comprehensive national census of schools, teachers, and students in the country.
    This, the TSMG said, was to address the lack of co-ordinated data critical for effective educational sector planning.
    It expressed optimism that such data bank and census if in place, would go a long way to enhancing decision making and policy formulation.
    This, it added was especially because data collated would aid evidence based planning and help identify areas where improvement was required.(NAN)
    EEM/SH
    ========
    edited by Sadiya Hamza

  • Stop ‘demonising’ governors over LG autonomy – Elderstateman begs Nigerians

    Stop ‘demonising ‘ governors over LG autonomy – Elderstateman begs Nigerians

     

    Autonomy

    By Stanley Nwanosike

    Enugu, June 10, 2024 (NAN) Elder statesman, Chief Nduka Eya, has urged Nigerians to stop ‘demonising governors’ over Local Government Area administrative and financial autonomy.

    Eya made the call while addressing newsmen in Enugu on Sunday on issues bordering ton he nation and its people.

    He said that the current negative perception of Nigerians looking at the governors as the problem rocking the council areas; which is not, as the problem stems from the military’s unitary system of rule as well as the constitution.

    ”I was once a permanent secretary to council areas in the old Anambra and I know how the council areas administration and financial system work,” he said.

    Eya, a former INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, said: “To be fair to the governors, especially present governors, the present conditions of council areas are not their making.

    “It started with the military unitary system of government which made council areas of no consequence and no value for decades.

    “The military stopped the smooth running of council areas and dissolved it whereas the regional government of the 1960s made active use of the council or municipal area authorities to drive development to the grassroots.

    “The constitution is not also helping matters. The constitution fully recognized and apportioned clear powers and responsibility to the Federal (Central); regional government (where available) and state components.

    “Nowhere did the constitution make clear cut power and responsibility for the council areas. This means that the constitution leaves room for the council areas to be used at the mercy of the state or federal governments.”

    NAN reports that former President Muhammadu Buhari had in May 2020 signed an Executive Order to grant financial autonomy to the judiciary, legislature, and local government councils.

    NAN reports that Buhari attributed the stunted development at the third tier of government to the governors’ questionable actions on LGA funds.

    Besides Buhari’s remarks, a former minister of Budget and National Planning, Clement Agba had said that the high poverty rate in the country was due to the governors’ inability to complement the efforts of the Federal government in its fight against poverty.

    On the upcoming secession plan of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Eya called on the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, to follow a laid-down process in its constitution to rotate its leadership as spelt out.

    He cautioned the present Ohanaeze leadership, led by Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, to ensure a smooth transition of power to Rivers candidate, which is the state to produce the next Ohanaeze President-General.

    “It remains about six months to the end of the current leadership of Ohanaeze’s tenure. We urge the leadership to ensure a seamless and smooth handover following Ohanaeze’s laid-down constitution and not to plunge the respected body into any session of secession crisis,” he said.

    The elder statesman explained that Ohanaeze Ndigbo is made up of seven Igbo speaking states, namely: Abia, Anambra, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo and Rivers States.

    He said that the leadership rotation turn is taken according to the alphabetic mentioning of the Igbo speaking states and now Imo State is currently occupying the President-General position.

    On the lingering controversies in the ongoing reconciliatory talks/moves by Ohanaeze and the North due to the 1966 military coup, Eya said that the move was real and those denying its reality are not telling the truth.

    Eya, a Commissioner for Education in the old Anambra State, said that for some years now, the move for true reconciliation between Ndi Igbo and the North had been in the open; adding that “it has been around for some time now”.

    “However, we are concerned on how leadership of Ohanaeze should concern itself and concentrate on settling the misunderstanding with Ndi Igbo internally in the Igbo speaking states as well as the ones within Ohanaeze as an organisation.

    “To me, I am not opposed to reconciliation and ways to build bridges and peace across the Niger with other parts of Nigeria; just as most of our leaders have continued to work towards,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    KSN/SH

    ========

    edited by Sadiya Hamza

     

  • Experts urge NASS to expedite actions on CIAN bill

    Bill

    By EricJames Ochigbo

    Abuja, June 10, 2024 (NAN) Some experts in the auctioneering industry has urged the House of Representatives to expedite actions on the passage of the Chartered Institute of Auctioneers of Nigeria (CIAN) bill.

    In a statement jointly signed by the experts on Sunday in Abuja, they called on the House to step down the bill on Auctioneers Registration Council as it would be a duplication of already existing laws.

    This is according to the Chairman of Certified Institute of Auctioneers (CIAN) Mr Hillary Nwaukor, the Registrar of CIAN, Mr Adeleke Hassan and the President of United Auction House, Dr Jogunola Onabanjo.

    Nwaukor explained that the CIAN bill was initiated since 2013 during the 7th Assembly and had passed through Third Reading during the 8th and 9th Assemblies of both chambers at the National Assembly.

    He revealed that the CIAN bill had been re-gazetted in November 2023 for consideration at the Committee of the Whole in the green chambers.

    He, therefore, said that the introduction of Auctioneers Registration Council of Nigeria bill was not necessary.

    He emphasised that the CIAN bill has adequately addressed the training and certification of auctioneers and enjoyed overwhelming public support from other sister organisations such as National Association of Auctioneers among others.

    “We therefore observed with much curiosity as well the rationale behind the accelerated consideration being given to a bill that was introduced at the First Reading on, June, 5, and on June 6,  and was referred to the Committee of the Whole in the house.

    “It is in contradiction to extant legislative practices and conventions because at no given time was the Auctioneers Registration Council of Nigeria bill passed through Third Reading in the previous assemblies.

    “While we urge our esteemed legislators to ensure adherence to due process and legislative practice and conventions.

    “We wish to observe that the new Auctioneers Registration Council bill (HB 1508) will lead to a double licensing arrangement which makes auctioneers to be licensed at both the federal and state levels.

    “The CIAN bill is meant to promote professionalism, regulation and control of auctioneers body of skills and knowledge required for the profession,” he said.

    Nwaukor said that the institute in its efforts to develop and deepen the practice of auctioneers in Nigeria already collaborated with state governments and higher institutions in the training and certification of auctioneers across the country.

    He said that the institute was also aware that auction business in Nigeria is on the concurrent list of the Constitution.

    He stressed that many states in the country already had laws on licensing of auctioneers hence the introduction of Auctioneers Registration Council bill will amount to duplication and constitutional conflict.

    He, therefore, stated that the Auctioneers Registration Council bill if passed into law, will be killing the profession and stifling the development of the profession across the country. (NAN)

    EOO/MAM/IAA

    Edited by Modupe Adeloye/Isaac Aregbesola