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NASS Authorities Urge Lovers of Democracy  to Protect Legislature 

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By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja

Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA), Architect Amos Ojo, yesterday, urged all lovers if democracy in the country, to protect the legislature, which he reminded, was the symbol of democracy all over the world.

The CNA gave the charge in Abuja, at the opening of a 3-Day Training Workshop for Staff of the House of Representatives, with the theme, ‘Legislative work ethics and behavioural conduct at work place’.

He said, “Training and development of employees assist both the organisation and employees in attaining diverse goals, such as improving morale, sense of security, employee engagement and overall competencies.

“The Legislature is the first among the three Arms of Government – the Legislature, Executive, and the Judiciary. These Arms are characterised by the principle of separation of power as each is supposed to be independent of the other. 

“The Legislature derives its powers from the 1999 Constitution (as amended) in Sections 4(1) and 4(2). The Legislature is vested with the powers to make laws for the peace, order and good governance of the Federation.

“It is also vested with investigatory powers, financial powers, confirmation and impeachment powers.

“It would not be out of place for me to use this occasion to remind us that the Legislature is the symbol of Democracy all over the world. It is therefore pertinent and incumbent on all lovers of Democracy to ensure that this Institution is protected.

“One of the ways of doing this is adequate training of Staff. As I said at one of the training programmes organised for Staff, we cannot continue to do things in the same way and expect to achieve different results.

“Although it is the Legislators that have the monopoly of presenting Bills during plenary, most of you play critical supportive roles in ensuring the enactment of quality Bills. These could be in the conduct of research, drafting, scrutinising Bills, while some of you are responsible for cleaning up the Bills and Authentication of Bills by me, before forwarding them for Presidential assent.

“Your roles in the law-making process are therefore critical to the sustenance of Democracy in Nigeria and well recognised by Management. We must continue to add value to the legislative process and should not underestimate the importance of the services we render to our dear nation as we facilitate quality lawmaking that would promote public order and security,” he stressed.

On his part, Clerk of the House of Representatives, Dr Yahaya Danzaria observed that previous National Assembly management teams since 2010, had presented staff with a Code of Ethics through workshop Training or booklets form, intended to guide our work ethics and behavioural conduct in a public place.

“The essence was to bring about forthrightness in the conduct of the National Assembly staff and to ensure optimum service output and serve as a means of enlightenment and constant reminder of staff oath of office as civil servants.”

According to him, “At policy level, the values of administrators, policymakers etc are known to inform the kind of policies they initiate or support including the way they go about realizing them. These two factors as we are aware are contained in the civil service rules which embody full moral principles to guide the civil servants in the discharge of their duties.

“The inability of the civil servants to keep to these rules is ‘serious misconduct’ as in Section 04401 of the civil service rules. Serious misconduct is a specific act of serious wrongdoing and improper behaviour which can be investigated and proved. It includes absence from duty without leave, disobedience, refusal to accept posting, corruption, dishonesty, drunkenness, insubordination, falsification of records, negligence etc.

“Ethnicity is the use of ethnic and sectional sentiment to confer unmerited and undue advantage to people of same ethnic origin. This happens in many ways including a situation where a particular part or ethnic group attempts to dominate leadership of some government institutions because of the number of officers from such region. The leadership of such institutions is treated as exclusive preserve of the dominating region.

“The implication is that if you are a leader and not from that part of the region, you intend to lose the loyalty of the officers from that region. It is no mistake that Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria stated that: ‘the composition of the government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity and also to command a national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few state or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that government or any of its agencies.”

“In giving effect to section 14(3) of the Constitution, the Constitution in Part 1 of the Third Schedule provided for the establishment of a federal character Commission.”

On the policy prohibiting leaking of Official Secret, he observed that: “civil service considers as very important, the need to maintain secrecy on official government documents. The Oath of Secrecy of 1962 has remained in force in the civil service to demonstrate the premium government places on official documents. An official who divulges official secrets in the civil service is said to have divided loyalty.

“This three-day workshop is intended to bring staff to speed on their ethical and behavioural responsibilities and guide them to their legislative processes.

It is a programme designed to provide you with another opportunity to refresh your understanding and knowledge of the legislative practices and procedure; equip you with new skills of bill processing in the era of technology; your role in legislative support service among others.”

According to him, the ultimate purpose of the workshop was to ensure that the Staff of the House of Representatives are the best in the National Assembly when it comes to work ethics, behavioural conduct and performance of official duties. We must have a House that meets best International Parliamentary practices in legislative and administrative issues.

NEWS

Insecurity: Govt to Begins Boundary Demarcation Between Benue, Cameroon, others in April 

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From Attah Ede Makurdi

The federal government is to commence the boundary demarcation between Benue, Taraba, Cameroon, Ebonyi and Nasarawa as from next month as part of non kinetic approach in tackling insecurity situation in the state.

Governor Hyacinth Alia this disclosed this when he visited and donated relief materials to victims of herdsmen militias attacks in six council wards of Kwande Local Government Area of the State.

The six council wards affected are, Moon, Mbadura, Yaiv, Kumakwagh, Mbakyor and Neivwan.

Addressing the displaced persons and other stakeholders at separate venues in Ichongo traditional council, Jato Aka, RCM Special Science Primary School, Nyihemba and Achia primary health Care, Usambeliev Ikyurav ya, the Governor assured that Government would not fold its hands and watch bandits kill, destroy and take over their communities, saying he would soon bring the situation to end 

Governor Alia who was represented by his deputy, Dr Sam Ode, said that a Military post would be established in Abaji to prevent the bandits from attacking farmers in Anyiase, Abande and Nundugh and directed the commissioner of Police to back up the police station in Jato Aka with fifty more police personnel for swift response.

He maintained that the boundary demarcation between Benue, Taraba, Cameroon, Ebonyi and Nasarawa would commence next month, and stressed that the measure would serve as a non kinetic approach in tackling insecurity situation in the state.

Earlier, in their responses, the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Joseph Alakali and Chairman, Kwande Local Government Council, Rev. Mark Hule assured the people of the governor’s commitment to their welfare and was making frantic efforts to resolve the issue once and for all.

While assuring the people of Turan and Ikyurav ya that the police is on top of the situation, Commissioner of Police, Benue State Police Command, Emmanuel Adesina said two bandits were killed and one arrested and weapons recovered from them.

Ter Kwande, Chief Timothy Ahire thanked the Governor for the visit and lamented that the markets in Anyiase Abande, Nundugh and Abaji were no longer witnessing patronage due to attacks by herdsmen militia.

The Executive Secretary, State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, Sir James Iorpuu assured the people of the agency’s continuous supply of food and non food items to cushion the sufferings.

 A victim, Terver Ageba from Nyihemba, Mbakyor council appreciated the Governor and his entourage for given them a sense of belonging, pointing out that the herdsmen have dislodged them from their homes and have nowhere to lay their heads on. 

The Commissioner iv, Benue State Civil Service Commission, Mrs Scholastica Liam (Lyam) who was also on the entourage, encouraged the displaced people to look unto God for a lasting solution to the predicament.

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Gov Alia  Swears in BSIEC Chairman, other Commissioners

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From Attah Ede Makurdi 

The Benue State governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, on Thursday swore in the newly-appointed chairman of the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC), Dr. John Chen , and other commissioners with a charge on them to fostering a transparent electoral process that could enhance public trust and confidence in the democratic institutions.

The appointees are to oversee the affairs of the state electoral body with a view to conducting local government elections.

The swearing-in ceremony which was held at the New Banquet Hall Government House in Makurdi, followed approval of their appointment by the state’s House of Assembly last week.

Those screened, confirmed and subsequently sworn in, were Dr. John Chen who is the Chairman, Theodore Iordye Uchi, Solomon Aikighe Deva, Edache Isaac, Mrs. Gloria Clement, and Peter Baba Ogagbolo as well as Terhemen Shom.

However, the State house of assembly refused to confirm Dr. Gisaor Vincent who was nominated by the Governor for the post of the commission’s secretary  over his nasty post insulting the Tiv people on Facebook

In his address at the ceremony, governor Alia urged the new appointees to demonstrate courage and steadfastness in the face of challenges and assured  that his government stands firmly behind the  commission.

The governor stressed that he  cannot overemphasize the importance of unity and resilience in overcoming obstacles; together, they can achieve great progress and prosperity for the state.

He called on all well-meaning citizens of Benue State to join hands with BSIEC in ensuring the success of our democratic process, adding that together, they can build a future where fairness, justice, and progress reign supreme.

“In  nominating each member, we were guided by the law establishing the commission, which unequivocally demands that the chairman and members possess unquestionable integrity. This underscores the critical role that the commission plays in laying the foundation for our democracy, as the Local Government Councils and council wards serve as the primary interface between the government and the people.

“I entrust upon you the responsibility of ensuring the consolidation of democracy at this vital level by conducting elections that are free, fair, and credible, accurately reflecting the will and aspirations of the people of Benue State. Our people deserve nothing less than a system where their voices are heard through their votes”,he said.

He commended members of the State Assembly for conducting rigorous screening process and their prompt attention to the nominations and confirmations, stressing that each of the  appointees were selected based on their nonpartisan stance, outstanding qualifications, integrity, and unwavering commitment to democratic principles, which are fundamental to the progress of the state and the core principles required for the survival of  thriving democracy.

Responding, the newly-sworn in BSIEC chairman, Dr. John Chen commended the state government for the opportunity to serve even as he assured that the electoral umpire would conduct credible local government polls when the time comes.

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Gov Alia shuns APC National Leadership  Peace moves in Benue, Inaugurates parallel State Secretariat, Excos 

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From Attah Ede Makurdi

The crisis rocking the ruling All Progressives Congress,APC in Benue State, on Thursday took another dimension as Governor Hyacinth Alia inaugurated  new state executives  of the party.

It should be noted that the APC in the State have been factionalized as result of battle for supremacy between the Secretary to Government of the Federation, SGF Sen.

George Akume and Governor Alia.

All efforts by the National Working Committee to resolve the lingering  crisis have hit brick wall as the party continue to witness disputes between members, while the governor had refused to recognise the leadership of comrade Austin Agada hence he is regarded as SGF senator George Akume’s stooge.

The NWC during its 146th meeting held on the 20th March, 2024 issued a 7 directive to all the warring parties to sheath their sword by withdrawing all lawsuits.

In compliance to the directive, the Austin Agada executive through its Legal Adviser Alyebo Mathew Esq, filed a Notice of Withdrawal on the 25th March, 2024, in the only case filed by the chairman that was pending before High Court 4 in Makurdi. The said case has been consequently struck out by Justice T.A. Kume.

However, on the same day, the Governor constituted the executive of the party led by Benjamin Omakolo at the party Secretariat located close to the Government House, Makurdi.

Represented by his Chief of Staff, Paul Biam described the occasion as ‘historic’ in the annals of the State politics, adding that what they had been doing behind closed doors, has now come to fruition.

Hear him,”this is the day of our liberation. We will conquer, do not b afraid the beginning may be rough but stand firm.

“There can’t be two (2) governors in the State. We have only one leader of the party who is the Governor. Let nobody make any mistake. 

“Let us agree that while we were doing it at the back door, it has come to fruition. It’s a deliberate act to change the state there is no faction. Omakolo has come to stay. Let’s put the record straight to ensure the right thing is done. We have sworn to uphold party supremacy we will be keep APC flying in the State. 

“I commend your doggedness. It is a critical time that requires men of courage. In the end, you will thank God that you were part of those who liberated the State from shackles of darkness The Governor is solidly behind this Exco there is no other APC and there will be none again in the State. 

“We are on a mission to succeed. Already 6 National Assembly members have indicated interest to be on our side. We appreciate Ehaje ward (Austin Agada’s ward) for this development”.

The State ALGON Chairman who doubles as care taker chairman, Konshisha LGA Philip Achuah while pledging loyalty of council chairmen to the party executives,said they are a product of the APC  and there is turning back.

“Be assured of our cooperation at the grassroot. At any time we are called upon, we will be there.We re product of the APC and renewed Progressives”,Achuah said.

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