A bill to amend the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, has successfully passed its second reading in the House of Representatives.

The bill, which mandates compulsory counseling and training for individuals convicted of corruption-related offenses, was sponsored by Rep.

Leading the debate, Akiolu explained that the bill sought to amend Section 67 of the principal Act, introducing new provisions that were not part of the original section.

“These additional provisions, found in subsections 2, 3, and 4 of the amendment bill, require judges and magistrates to not only impose imprisonment and/or fines on those convicted of corruption but also mandate a minimum four-week anti-corruption counseling and training.

“The counseling and training will be designed and delivered by the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN) and aims to address the psychological factors related to corrupt behaviour.”

Akiolu emphasised that the training would help reform convicts by addressing their corrupt tendencies and could even transform them into advocates for anti-corruption efforts.

He added that this approach aligned with the reformative aspect of the criminal justice system, which focused not just on punishment but also on rehabilitation.

“As per subsection 4, the bill allows magistrates and judges to order convicts to cover the cost of their counseling and training, preventing additional financial burdens on the government.”

Akiolu further argued that if the bill is passed into law, it would strengthen the country’s fight against corruption.

He urged the House to support the bill for the country’s benefit, given the widespread negative impact of corruption.

Following the debate, the Speaker of the House, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, referred the bill to the relevant committee for further legislative consideration.(NAN)

Chairman of the 11th Kwara Trade Fair Organising Committee, Mr Abu Salami, on Wednesday in Ilorin called for more focus on production and industrialisation via agriculture and livestock development.

Salami said that the sector had the potential to create jobs and wealth for youths and women while contributing to the state’s economic growth and prosperity.

“We are thrilled to be marking a significant milestone in the history of our Trade Fair which began on Friday at the Kwara State Sports Stadium Complex and will end on Monday.

“As we move forward, I urge us all to focus on production and industrialisation via agriculture and livestock development.

“This sector has the potential to create jobs and wealth for our youths and women, ultimately contributing to the state’s economic growth and prosperity.

“Let us work together to create a brighter future for ourselves, our children and our state.

“Let us harness our collective energy, creativity and resources to drive economic development and improve the lives of our citizens,” Salami, who is the First Deputy President of Kwara Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KWACCIMA), said.

He added that a collective passion for KWACCIMA’s vision and mission was crucial in achieving success.

Speaking also to newsmen, the President of KWACCIMA, Mrs Ronke Adeyemi, said the Trade Fair, like the others before it, was specially designed.

She said it was designed for businessmen and women to showcase their products and services to the world with a view to attracting customers and investors to the state.

Adeyemi said Kwara was not only blessed with human, natural and agricultural resources but also strategically located in the middle of the country.

“This allows for favourable weather conditions that is good for the growth of diverse agricultural products,” she said.

The KWACCIMA President noted that, like the rest of the world, Nigeria was passing through a difficult economic period.

“This is taking its toll on businesses, and this is why our theme for this year’s Trade Fair is ‘Unlocking Investment Potential of Kwara State for Sustainable Economic Development’.

“The sharp rise in the cost of fuel and electricity in our country are dealing big blows on our economy.

“But these hard times also have an advantage.

“We are forced to think outside of the box, not only in the effective management of our resources, but also to develop new business ideas that are capable of improving our lives as a people.”

Adeyemi pointed out that Kwara was blessed with good weather, mineral resources, fertile land and a healthy population consisting of all cadres of people.

“This year’s Trade Fair is therefore aimed at drawing the attention of investors and the business community to the limitless opportunities that abound.

“We have on display products from our intellect, factories and from our farms.

“Our people in (Ministry of) Commerce are here with their wares and our local government areas have come with samples of products available in their localities.

“We implore our guests to go round and see our products and patronise our people”, she said.

The KWACCIMA President then expressed her appreciation of the governor of Kwara for the development of the private sector in the state and his generosity in hosting the Trade Fair.

“We seize this opportunity to acknowledge the urban renewal programme now embarked upon by the Kwara government to beautify our cities.

“This is a welcome development that has largely corrected the distortion of the landscape of llorin in particular and we appreciate the governor for this bold step,” Adeyemi said.

She however pleaded for nano and small-scale business owners whose shops and sources of livelihood have been greatly affected by the development to be resettled in another market area.

“Our kind and compassionate governor should assist these groups with the provision of a resettlement market where they can continue their businesses without hindrance.

“Times are really very hard now and every help received will go a long way in alleviating the condition of our people.”(NAN)

Prof. Sadiya Sani-Daura, Director-General, National Teachers’ Institute (NTI), Kaduna, says education is key to changing and transforming Nigeria in all ramifications.

Report says that she spoke on Wednesday in Kaduna while declaring open nationwide training workshops for 222 basic school teachers drawn from across Nigeria.

The five-day training is also focusing on E-learning, climate literacy and green life skills.

The training is taking place simultaneously in Kaduna and Lagos, with the participants drawn from the 26 states and FCT.

It has as its theme, ‘Digital Pedagogy, Remote Learning, E-Learning, Climate Literacy and Green Life Skills.’

The training was organised by the Institute in collaboration with the Universal Basic Commission (UBEC).

She said, “With the right attention given to the education sector, a lot of the negative narratives in Nigeria will change for the better.

” A lot of things went wrong hitherto because education was not getting the desired attention.

“With education getting the desired attention, everything will change, including combating criminality.

“It is however gladdening that the present administration of President Bola Tinubu is unwaveringly committed to redressing the obnoxious situation.”

The director-general further reiterated the unwavering commitment and dedication of the Institute to teacher training and development.

According to her, NTI will remain steadfast in making the Nigerian teachers globally competitive,hence helping to restore the lost global glory of the nation.

 Sani-Daura, said they represent a milestone in the collective effort to advance teacher education and strengthen the foundations of basic education in the country.

She said that NTI, in collaboration with UBEC has consistently championed innovative strategies to equip the teachers with the skills and knowledge required to address the evolving demands of modern education.

Sani-Daura said, “Today’s workshops reflect this commitment, providing an avenue for professional development that aligns with global best practices and national priorities.

“The first focus area, which is digital pedagogy, remote teaching and e-learning, comes at a time when technology has become an integral part of the teaching and learning process.

“Teachers must be empowered with the tools and skills to harness the potential of digital platforms to enhance instruction, engage learners and foster critical thinking.

“This training is expected to bridge the gap between traditional teaching methods and the emerging trends in education technology as well as prepare the teachers to thrive in the digital age.”

On climate literacy and green life skills, the director-general decried that the world was grappling with the effects of climate change, saying, “our responsibility as educators goes beyond academics.

“Teachers play a critical role in shaping attitudes and behaviours that promote environmental sustainability.

In a welcome address, Dr Bature Salisu, Special Technical Assistant to the director-general, said that the collaboration between NTI and UBEC underscored the shared vision and partnership to advance teacher education.

He said, “This initiative is a testament to the NTI’s unwavering commitment in enhancing the professional capacity of teachers and addressing contemporary educational challenges.”

According to Salisu, the training reflects a collective resolve to equip teachers with innovative teaching methodologies and critical life skills to prepare students for the demands of the 21st century.

The acting Registrar of the Institute, Mrs Zainab Aliyu, described the theme as apt and timely.

 She stressed that Nigerian teachers must not lag behind, urging them to be creative using technology.

The teachers attending the workshop at Kaduna were drawn from all the Northern states and FCT while the participants at the Lagos centre were drawn from all the Southern states. (NAN)