The Nation Newspaper

Tag: commission

  • Commission seeks support for bill against unsolicited text messages

    The Federal Public Complaints Commission (FPCC) has urged Nigerians to support a Bill in the Federal House of Representatives seeking to discourage unsolicited text messages from network providers.

    The advice was contained in a statement issued last week by the Lagos State Federal Public Complaints Commissioner, Funso Olukoga.

    The Bill being sponsored by Hon. Ali Madaki from Kano aims at sanctioning any GSM service provider sending unsolicited SMS to subscribers.

    Olukoga expressed delight at the effort of the law makers to come to the aid of the mobile phone users in the country.

    He said the Public Complaints Commission had been in the fore front of the campaign to protect the public against the menace of unsolicited text messages.

    The campaign, he said, had been based on the high volume of complaints received from the public on the stress experienced in dealing with unsolicited text messages.

    The Commissioner pointed out that many of the cases in fact turned out to be acts undertaken to defraud mobile phone service subscribers.

    According to the Commissioner, the law makers and regulatory agencies have to come to a point where priority has to be placed on the protection of the fundamental rights of Nigerians on privacy as enshrined in the constitution.

    He said commercial activities that seek to invade their enjoyment of such rights is a violation of their rights under the constitutionm

    Nigerians, he said would be delighted to learn that they would be able to file civil claims against any erring GSM service providers.

    On his part, the commissioner pledged the commitment of the Public Complaints Commission in helping to create enlightenment with the general public regarding their rights under the Bill.

  • Commission arrests own operative

    Commission arrests own operative

    • …for collecting N45m bribe from military officers under probe

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested one of its operatives, Abdulrahman  Mohammed Biu,  a Deputy Detective Superintendent, for collecting $150,000 (about N45 million) from some military officers being investigated.

    He was said to have promised to give the unnamed seven military officers soft landing to escape probe for the $2.1billion arms scandal.

    A statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said documents relating to the ongoing arms scandal investigation were recovered from the suspect.

    The statement said: “An operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Abdulrahman Mohammed Biu, Deputy Detective Superintendent (DDS), has been arrested for offences bordering on extortion, influence peddling and impersonation.

    “The officer was arrested on Monday following intelligence report alleging that he extorted a whopping sum of $150,000 from some military officers on the pretext that he would help give them a soft landing in the ongoing investigation into the arms deal scandal.

    “Upon his arrest, a search was executed on his residence in Abuja where the following items were recovered: $20,000 cash, N500, 000 cash, two police uniforms bearing his name with the ranks of Deputy Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent; Police warrant card No: 27/2014 with the rank of DSP allegedly obtained from Kano Constabulary office; documents relating to military arms investigation and account information of several senior military officers.

    “A search of his car parked in the premises yielded the following items: unbranded pistol with a magazine and ten live ammunitions.

    “His modus operandi includes dropping the names of ranking officers of the commission, claiming he was acting on their behalf.

    “A paper containing seven of such names was recovered in his house.

    “The suspect has made useful statement while investigation continues.”

  • We won’t appear before commission, insist Shi’ites

    •’Release Zakzaky’

    The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) otherwise called the Shi’ite, at the weekend, insisted that it would not appear before a Commission of Enquiry set up by the Kaduna State government to investigate last month’s clash between it and soldiers.

    It said it would only appear if its leader, Sheikh Ibrahim Yakubu El-Zakzaky, was released.

    The group, which embarked on a peaceful demonstration in Kaduna at the weekend, after the 40th day prayer for the repose of the souls of the victims, however, said it would never take up arms against the government and would not be violent in seeking redress for its members, who were allegedly killed in Zaria.

    Addressing reporters, spokesman Mukhtar Abdullahi Sherief said the movement would use legal means to ensure justice was done.

    He said the Shiite did not have confidence in the commission because some of the members were enemies of the group and condemned it.

    Sherief added: “One of the conditions for us to appear before the commission is for the government to release our leader, Zakzakky and others unconditionally.

    “Seven hundred and thirty of our members are yet to be accounted for and bodies of the victims are still with the Army. Let them release the bodies to us for burial according to Islamic rites.”

    The prayer was held at the Rigasa Central Mosque, and the protest started from Katsina Road roundabout to Leventis roundabout.

  • We won’t appear before Commission of Inquiry – Shi’ites insist

    We won’t appear before Commission of Inquiry – Shi’ites insist

    Ahead of the inauguration of the commission of inquiry set up by the government over the last December clash between members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), known as the Shi’ite sect, the group at the weekend insisted that it will not appear before the commission, except its leader, Sheikh Ibrahim Yakubu El-Zakzaky is released.
    The group which embarked on a peaceful demonstration in Kaduna at the weekend however said it will never take arm against the constituted government in the country and will not engage in any act of violence to redress the killing of its members in the Army/Shiites clashed that occurred in Zaria.
    Speaking to newsmen after the demonstration, Murktar Abdullahi Sherief said the Movement will engage all legal means to see that justice is done to the members who are killed by the Army.
    He also said that the Shiites Group does not have confidence in the composition of the Judicial Commission set up by the Kaduna state government because some of the members of the commission are arc enemies of the movement and has come out openly to condemned the group’.
    According to him, “As said earlier, one of the conditions for us to appear before the commission is for the government to release of leader Zakzakky and others was held unconditionally.
    “We are saying 730 of our members have yet to be accounted for since the incident and the corpse of those killed are still with the Army let them release the corpse to us for burial in line with Islamic rites.” He said.
    The 40th day Prayer for the repose of the soul of the killed members of the movement was held at the Rigasa central Mosque while the protests started from Katsina Road roundabout to the Leventis roundabout.

  • Shi’ites give conditions to appear before commission

    •’Zakzaky must first be released’

    The Islamic Movement in Nigeria, otherwise called the Shi’ite group, yesterday demanded the unconditionally release of its leader, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky.

    It said it was after this was done that it would appear before the judicial panel set up by the Kaduna State government to investigate the clash between it and the Army last month.

    Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai last Saturday unveiled the names of the 14 members of the Judicial Commission of Enquiry to look into the clash.

    Shi’ite said its leader was the custodian of its documents and had to be released to direct it in preparing its memorandum and assembling witnesses to appear before the panel.

    It gave the condition in a statement by the President, Media Forum of the movement, Ibrahim Musa, in Kaduna.

  • Commission seeks better deal from council officials

    Lagos State local government officials have been urged to improve on service delivery to compliment Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s efforts.

    Lagos State Local Government Service Commission chairman Mr Babatunde Rotinwa gave the charge when members of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Lagos branch, visited him on Friday.

    Rotinwa said since the local government is closer to the people, its officials should be conversant with their needs so as to meet them.

    He advised the officials to improve on their community relations, noting that the Lagos City Hall, an edifice on Lagos Island, was built by a local government.

    Earlier, Lagos branch of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), president, Comrade Afolabi Ajose hailed Ambode for his choice of chairman.

    The appointment, he said, showed Ambode’s commitment to transforming the councils.

  • Food security: AU Commission trains 90 organic farmers

    Food security: AU Commission trains 90 organic farmers

    The African Union Commission (AUC), said on Tuesday that it had trained 90 organic farmers, practitioners and exporters from East and West Africa, in order to enhance food security in the continent.

    Mr Jonathan Ocran, the Policy Officer, Livestock, Rural Economy and Agriculture of the Commission, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    “To date, 90 organic farmers, practitioners and exporters from the East African community and ECOWAS, have been trained.

    “By this undertaking, organic agriculture platforms in these regions have also been strengthened.

    “The African Union (AU) has been supporting organic agriculture and in 2011, a decision was passed by the Heads of States and Governments of African Union to promote organic agriculture on the African continent.

    “The AU is also supporting and playing pivotal role in the formation and functioning of the continental ecological organic agriculture steering committee.”

    Ocran recalled that a recent study by researchers at the New Castle University had revealed that organically grown produce and cereals have 90 per cent and 69 per cent more anti-oxidants than pesticide residual and conventional grown ones.

    “A 30 year side-by-side comparison of organic and conventional agricultural systems has revealed that organic system match or even out-performed conventional system in terms of yield, profitability and energy efficiency.

    “The research equally showed that organic agriculture also have positive effect on soil water, water quality and also rural communities,’’ he added.

    Ocran also said that the AUC committee on organic agriculture has developed an action plan to for the development and promotion of organic agriculture in the continent.

    “This committee has met thrice since its inauguration in October 2013 and it has revised the action plan and also developed strategic plans for the year 2015 to 2025.

    “This plan has provided guidelines for the promotion and development of organic agriculture in Africa.

    “The African Union has also been organising training workshops for participants for member states.

    “The training workshops are in two parts: one is on organic standard and certification system and the other one is on modern organic production and marketing,’’ he said.

  • Commission seeks support for Child Rights Law adoption

    Commission seeks support for Child Rights Law adoption

    The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Kaduna State Office, has urged communities in Kaduna State to support stakeholders push for the adoption of the Child Rights Law (CRL) in the state.

    Malam Abdulgani Bala, the commission’s Public Affairs Officer in the state, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Zaria on Monday.

    NAN reports that the commission recently organised a stakeholders’ validation meeting in Zaria on the re-drafted Kaduna State Child Rights Law.

    He said that domesticating the law in the state was long overdue.

    According to him, the law, if passed, will go a long way in curbing the soaring rate of child abuse in the state.

    “Previous attempts failed because of public misconception about the purpose and significance of the law, which necessitated extensive awareness campaign by relevant stakeholders to enlighten the public.

    “But not much would be achieved without community support and involvement, which remains very crucial to the eventual passage of the law.

    “We are therefore, soliciting the support of all communities and relevant institutions in the state, so that together, we can achieve the goal of creating an enabling environment for the development of our children.’’

    Bala said that the law would equally help institutions, organisations and all stakeholders engaged in child protection in seeking redress on issues of child rights violations in the state.

    He noted that currently, institutions involved in protection and promotion of human rights were faced with serious challenges, due to the absence of legal instrument with which to effectively address child welfare issues.

    “In most cases, where a state does not provide a law for the protection of the child, we rely on federal laws, constitution and other national and international instruments that have to do with human rights.

    “But they slow down our efforts because there are no clear provisions in such instruments that specifically address child issues.

    “But with the law in place, everyone will know his or her limitations — the parents, the child, care givers and all relevant authorities handling children issues.

    “It will equally not only help in seeking redress, it will also help in educating the public on the limitations of their action; what they can do to a child and what they are not supposed to do to a child.’’

    He added that the passage of the law would further ensure holistic development of a child by providing the required atmosphere for physical, emotional and intellectual development of children among others.

     

  • A case for secondary school commission

    Outgoing Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof Isaac Adewole faced the Senate on Tuesday for his screening as a ministerial nominee.  When asked what he would do if he were given the education portfolio, one of the things Adewole spoke about was a commission to oversee secondary education in the country.

    Many educationists have raised the issue in the past.  Some have even called for an agency similar to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to help raise funds for secondary education.  It is a welcome development that Adewole thinks of it as an important initiative that needs to be put to action.  He said presently, secondary education is like an orphan.  It is indeed true considering that the primary schools and junior secondary schools have the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) which manages and disburses two per cent of the Consolidated Revenue of the Federal Government for use in the primary education sub-sector.  The money is matched with grants provided by state governments and used to build/refurbish infrastructure, provide learning materials, train teachers, and address other needs in the nine-year basic education level (six years of primary education and three years of junior secondary education).

    At the tertiary level, the universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education have the TETFund as well as their various regulatory bodies – the National Universities Commission, NUC, for universities; the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) for polytechnics; and the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) for the colleges of education.  The TETFund manages education taxes paid by the private sector.  The taxes are disbursed to the institutions to use in similar manner as that of UBEC funds.  Managers of many tertiary institutions publicly acknowledge that without the crucial grants provided TETFund they would not have relevant infrastructure to train their students.

    Like the tertiary institutions, secondary schools need a regulatory body, as well as a funding institution – since the government can no longer do it alone.  Public secondary schools in particular are in dire need of help.  Yearly we complain about the poor performance in the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO).  Perhaps a commission would focus on how to address the challenges secondary schools face in education service delivery and position them to do better.

    A secondary school commission would be better positioned to monitor quality assurance.  Perhaps it could enforce some sort of carrying capacity in public secondary schools, particularly the Federal Government Colleges, so that they are not forced to admit much more than they can cater for.  For instance, many of federal government colleges in city centres like Lagos are so overpopulated one wonders how they manage to deliver on quality. Their principals are usually under immense pressure from people in high places to admit pupils they do not have spaces for.  Yet, the Federal Government does not release adequate funds to them on time and in the right quantity.  As a result, parents are being overburdened to undertake capital-intensive projects to expand facilities.  A funding agency for secondary schools could help to lift this burden.

    The commission would benefit all secondary schools in the sense that they would be able to benchmark standards, monitor the adherence to the national curriculum, and carry all players along – like in the tertiary sector.

  • Benue commission threatens to arrest defaulters

    The Justice Elizabeth Kpojime Judicial Commission of Enquiry sitting in Makurdi, Benue State, has threatened to arrest any individual who fails to respond to its summon for appearance.

    It issued the threat during its sitting at the weekend.

    More revelations have emerged from the public hearings of the probe commission.

    The Chairman, Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC), Prof. Philip Ahire, said over N700million was spent on the 2012 local government elections.

    He admitted that the schedule for last year’s council poll was not approved as expected, but N20 million was later released in January for the postponed elections.

    The commission directed the BSIEC chairman to return on October 15 to tender the financial transactions in the conduct of past elections and provide receipts and payment vouchers.

    The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Tertsea Ikyaabo, said the N97.7million generated from the sale of shops at the Makurdi International Market was lodged in a Diamond Bank Makurdi account in the name of Benue Integrated Market Development Company Ltd (BEMICO), managed by Mr. Sam Tor.

    He said N83million was withdrawn two days to the expiration of the administration of former Governor Gabriel Suswam, leaving a balance of N14 million, stressing that no worker of the ministry was a signatory to the BEMICO account.

    According to him, on May 28, a company, Blessed Day International, withdrew N14 million, while Msughter Demekpe withdrew N20 million, and on May 29, Real World Integrated withdrew N29million and Robbing Minds – Solomon withdrew N19.8million, leaving a balance of only N14 million.

    Mr. Ikyaabo said the BEMICO account managed by Tor had two directors, who were signatory to its accounts, namely – Mr. Alex Adum, a former attorney-general and commissioner for justice and Mr. Austin Ode.

    He tendered other relevant documents as requested by the commission, alleging that the Suswam administration sold Benue shares in Benue Breweries Ltd, BBL and Agro Millers Makurdi.

    The Managing Director of Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC), Mrs. Bridget Sheidu, tendered the relevant documents requested by the commission, including expenditure and retirement of N72million, which a worker of BIPC, Mr. Terese Apenkasev, withdrew for the furnishing of BIPC Guest House and Events Centre in North Bank, Makurdi. The documents were duly admitted in evidence.

    The BIPC MD also tendered the voucher and receipt of N80million, which the management of the company gave one of its workers, Mr. John Tyokegh; a document Mrs. Sheidu said was used in buying a generator for the state Guest House in Kaduna.