Legislature
NASS retirement age review: Group enumerates why Tinubu should sign bill in to law
A Civil Society Organization has enumerated reasons why it is expedient for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to sign a Bill which effected an upward review in the retirement age of National Assembly staff into law.
The National Assembly recently passed a Bill which seeks to extend the retirement age of the National Assembly staff by 5years
The CSO, Alliance for Credible Legislative Conduct, at a Press briefing by its Chairman, Comrade Clement Afuye, indicated that assent to the Bill would help strengthen the National Assembly as an institution which is pivotal to the success of any democracy.
According to him, despite misconceptions about the Bill, the Senate and House of Representatives had acted patriotically by passing a critical legislation to address the manpower needs of the legislature.
The group said it had become imperative to call on patriotic Nigerians and President Bola Tinubu to join hands to defend the nation’s topmost legislative institution from “powerful vested interests and predators.”
Afuye said: “Considering the enormous work inherent within the Parliamentary system, especially when compared to advanced democracies and the competencies and experience required to perform arduous legislative tasks, adding extra five years to the tenure of staff of the National Assembly will never exacerbate unemployment situation in the country; it will rather stabilize the parliament, deepen its procedures and practices and increase its capacity to deliver for the good our democracy and country.
“The added years, in our view, would help reduce cost, curb brain drain, retain critical mass of competent and experienced staff and ensure optimum productivity and effectiveness of the National Assembly’s bureaucracy.
“It is based on the strength of the above that we passionately use this medium to call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a former Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to append his signature to this Bill.
“Signing the Bill will be an added cap on his reforms efforts and a testament to his progressive and effective leadership style aimed at repositioning the nation’s economy and democracy as a critical member of the global community.”
The group added: “For the avoidance of doubt, the Legislature as the only symbol of democracy in Nigeria is still evolving and trying to develop its practices and procedures compared to the other two Arms of Government.
“Let us recall that since 1979, when Nigeria had its transition from parliamentary to presidential system of government, the bureaucratic structure of the National Assembly has since been evolving and struggling to stabilize in the face of competing challenges.
“Another setback was the Intermittent military interference in governance and suppression of the legislature during the reign of the military governments and the National Assembly had to contend with such debilitating scenario for decades.
“It may interest you to note that until the return of democracy in 1999, and the creation of National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) in year 2000, the National Assembly’s bureaucracy was not fully independent.
“At this juncture, we want to make it very clear that, whatever will make the National Assembly to operate to its fullest statutory capacity in tandem with other parliamentary democracies globally cannot be silenced or truncated by any selfish group or individuals…”
Legislature
NASS modifies NDLEA Act, Prescribes Life Imprisonment for Drug Traffickers
The National Assembly has modified the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act to prescribe life imprisonment for individuals found guilty of storing, transporting, or concealing illicit drugs and substances.
The amendment was adopted on Thursday during plenary, presided over by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, following broad support from the senators.
The amendment reflects a harmonised position of the Senate and the House of Representatives on Section 11 of the NDLEA Act.
The House had earlier passed an amendment prescribing life imprisonment for drug traffickers, while the Senate had proposed the death penalty.
To reconcile the differences, a conference committee of both chambers was convened. Senator Tahir Monguno, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters, presented the harmonised version to the Senate.
He urged lawmakers to adopt the House’s position of life imprisonment, arguing that enforcing the death penalty could lead to the execution of over 900 accused persons currently awaiting trial for drug-related offenses.
The Deputy Senate President who presided over the plenary had put the resolution to a voice vote, and the majority of senators supported the amendment.
The approved version stipulates life imprisonment for offenders.
The amended section now reads:
“Anybody who is unlawfully involved in the storage, custody, movement, carriage, or concealment of dangerous drugs or controlled substances and who, while so involved, is armed with any offensive weapon or is disguised in any way, shall be guilty of an offence under this Act and liable on conviction to be sentenced to life imprisonment.”
This amendment aims to strengthen the fight against drug trafficking while addressing concerns over human rights and the judicial implications of the death penalty.
The move is part of efforts to curb the growing menace of drug trafficking and its adverse effects on Nigerian society. According to Senator Monguno, the life imprisonment penalty strikes a balance between deterrence and humane judicial practice.
With the amendment, the NDLEA now has a robust legal framework to prosecute offenders and combat drug-related crimes effectively.
Legislature
President Tinubu urges Senate to approve ₦1.767trn External Loan
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally requested the National Assembly’s approval for a $2.209 billion (₦1.767 trillion) external borrowing plan to finance part of the ₦9.17 trillion fiscal deficit in the 2024 budget. The loan, included in the 2024 Appropriation Act, is critical to the government’s broader strategy for economic recovery and growth.
In a letter to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, President Tinubu noted that the borrowing aligns with the provisions of Sections 21(1) and 27(1) of the Debt Management Office (DMO) Establishment Act, 2003. He also indicated that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had approved the plan.
The President explained that the funds would be sourced through Eurobonds or similar external financial instruments. A detailed summary of the loan’s terms and conditions accompanied the letter to guide legislative scrutiny.
“This borrowing is necessary to address the budget deficit and fulfill our fiscal strategy for 2024. Swift approval will enable us to move forward with mobilizing these funds,” the President stated, emphasizing the urgency of the request.
Senate President Akpabio referred the matter to the Committee on Local and Foreign Deb
Legislature
Senator Natasha Transforms Kogi Central Schools with 5,000 Digital Learning Devices
By Isah Bala
Access to quality education is a cornerstone of societal progress, and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is embodying this vision by bringing transformative educational tools to Kogi Central. In a groundbreaking initiative, the senator recently provided 5,000 digital learning devices to public primary and secondary schools in her district, aiming to bridge the digital divide and set a new educational standard.
The devices, unveiled at Abdul Aziz Attah Memorial College (AAAMCO), are preloaded with the Nigerian curriculum from UBEC and internationally acclaimed educational resources, including Khan Academy and Discovery Kids. Through this initiative, students will experience interactive learning, enabling them to explore subjects in depth, enhance digital literacy, and engage with complex topics in a hands-on way.
This project is just the beginning of Senator Natasha’s ambitious plan to make “smart schools” the norm in Kogi Central. She envisions a future where every child in her district has equal access to digital learning, stating, “My dream is to equip all public primary and secondary schools in Kogi Central with digital learning devices before the end of my tenure in 2027.”
Beyond device distribution, the senator’s initiative includes UBEC-led teacher training to ensure educators are equipped to integrate these tools into their classrooms effectively.
With this dual approach of student and teacher empowerment, Senator Natasha is laying a foundation that will support digital literacy and skill development for years to come.
Senator Natasha’s commitment to educational advancement represents a significant step forward for Kogi Central, ensuring that young students have access to the tools they need to succeed in an increasingly digital world. This initiative marks her dedication to the constituency that entrusted her with this mandate.
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