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Tag: Mark

  • Why Sovereign National C onference can’t work now, by Mark

    Why Sovereign National C onference can’t work now, by Mark

    Senate President David Mark has urged proponents of sovereign national conference to forget it.

    He spoke at the 53rd Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Calabar, Cross River State.

    Mark, represented by Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN), said it was it was not feasible, until the section on Constitution amendment is reviewed.

    He said: “The 1999 Constitution (as amended) made provisions for its alteration. It did not make provisions for any new constitution.

    “It is in answer to the clamour for a new constitution by vocal sections of the polity that an amendment to make provisions for how a new constitution can come about is being contemplated.

    “In making these calls, suggestions for the process of making a new constitution have been made. These range from a constitutional conference to a ‘Sovereign’ National Conference.

    “The National Assembly recognises the right of Nigerians to aggregate, assemble or meet in any legitimate form or manner to discuss the affairs of their country and indeed encourages such fora as it is a constitutional right.

    “A mark of such encouragement is the elaborate public hearings that have become part of our constitutional amendment process.

    “We, however, have difficulties with the calls by certain sections of the polity for a ‘Sovereign’ National Conference.

    “The 1999 Constitution (as amended) with all its imperfections, including its debatable origin, remains our grundnorm, our supreme law from which all other laws derive and expresses our sovereignty.

    “It creates all the powers, institutions and authorities of the State to which we have all submitted. We have challenged its provisions in courts of law established by it and obeyed the decisions of these courts. We have therefore ratified the constitution by our conduct. The 1999 constitution (as amended) is a reality.

    “Consequently, where will the ‘Sovereign National Conference’ be deriving its sovereignty from, and under what framework? How will the conference be convoked and by whom and under what terms? I have been confronted by the argument that sovereignty derives from and belongs to the people. This is certainly beyond argument.

    “How then do we get the people to confer sovereignty on such a conference? There are intractable issues to be addressed by the agitations for the ‘Sovereign National Conference’ and that is why I subscribe to the proposal for an amendment to the 1999 Constitution to provide for the making of a new Constitution.”

    Former Vice-President Atiku Abubukar and House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal also spoke on the state of the nation at the event.

    Tambuwal said Nigeria faces serious challenges of nationhood, adding that despite being blessed with intellectual and material resources, the gap between the rich and the poor continue to widen.

    “In the face of stupendous wealth, resources and potentials with which we could build a united nation of prosperous people we are indirectly but gradually building two nations in one: a nation of prosperity and affluence on the one hand and another nation of poverty and squalor on the other, yet our desire and expectation is nation building,” he said.

    “We are, no doubt, a people divinely gifted with intellect and wisdom, but the receiver of a gift is at liberty to apply it in the manner he chooses.

    “When we look around us and behold how bountifully we are blessed as a nation, we cannot help asking the question: Is it in our stars?”

    Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar decried what he called a consistent and progressive marginalisation of the vast majority of Nigerians.

    The discrimination, he said, is as a result of policies which encourage “inequitable interpersonal and inter-regional distribution of opportunities.”

     

  • Insecurity: Don’t give up, Mark tells Nigerians

    President of the Senate, David Mark, yesterday urged Nigerians to renew their faith in the unity of the nation irrespective of the current security and social-economic challenges.

    Mark spoke during a church service to mark his wife, Helen, 64th birthday.

    The service was conducted at the St. Mulumba Chaplaincy, Apo, Abuja.

    He enjoined Nigerians to remain steadfast and believe in the prospect of the country to overcome her challenges.

    According to him: “We should continue to be our brothers’ keeper; we have gone this far and we should not wish away our strength of togetherness.

    “God created us to be together as a nation. We are all made by God and we shall all stand before Him to give account of what we have done here on earth.

    “So, as a people, we should learn to be tolerant and love one another.”

    Mark, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, also admonished Nigerians to eschew violence in any form, saying, “no matter how aggrieved a man may be, resorting to violence will only escalate the situation.”

    He commended his wife, Helen, for her virtues and love for the family.

    The Senate President said: “We decided to celebrate her birthday with a Holy Mass in our church to thank God.

    “She has been a strong pillar behind me all these years. She has been very supportive and an ideal help-mate.

    “The truth is that, if there should be people to talk of God’s goodness, my family should be in the forefront. God has been so kind and faithful to us.”

    Rev. Father Innocent Jooji, in his homily, urged the congregation to be thankful to God in all situations.

    He stated that God is compassionate and wants His children to live together with a heart full of praise and tolerance.

    He canvassed for oneness and forgiveness among the brethren.

    He noted that the best way to celebrate Mrs. Helen Mark’s birthday was through a Holy Mass.

    He reminded the people to continue to join the Senate President’s family in prayers in the years ahead.

     

  • Minors’ marriage: Don carpets Mark

    Lagos State University (LASU) senior lecturer Prof Prof Ishaq Akintola has criticised statement by Senate President David Mark on the amendment of the constitution that sparked outrage.

    Akintola described Mark’s blackmail’s claim as “an afterthought, laughable and infantile. The position of the Senate president is unacceptable as he puts the blame on blackmail from Senator Ahmad Sani Yerima. How can a single senator blackmail the whole Senate? Does it mean the Senate President is incompetent? We remind David Mark that the buck stops at his table. He is expected to have built a pressure-resisting system in his anatomy. He should simply resign if he is tired.”

    The amendment on the renouncement of Nigerian citizenship, he said, has been erroneously broadcast.

    Chapter 3 Section 29(1) of the Nigerian constitution states that to renounce citizenship, one must be of full age. Subsection 4 goes further to define full age as a) 18yrs and above and b) woman who is married shall be deemed to be of full age.

    The 2013 review sought to remove the second qualifier. That is a married woman before Senator Yerima pointed out the reason for the Senate not to do so.

    Akintola, the director, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) accused the Senate President of showing signs of submission to coercion as he reportedly accused Senator Ahmad Sani of blackmailing the Senate to leave the controversial clause untouched.

    He described as unnecessary the criticisms which have greeted Islam’s approval of marriage to minors.

    According to him, contemptuous cartoons, satirical essays, dirty language and insults have all been used recklessly in the past few days to assail Muslims and intimidate lawmakers.

    His words: “MURIC will not descend so low as to exchange dirty language. We have respect for all homo sapien and for all groups. We also hold firmly to our avowed motto: ‘Dialogue, No Violence’. We will join none in heating up the polity because we know the value of peace in the society. Therefore we will not trade insults. Whether people abuse or not, it will not change the facts on ground. Superior argument based on facts will always remain superior, at least to intelligent minds. Nobody can intimidate us.

    “Instead of jogging people’s emotion, MURIC hereby presents facts and figures on legal marriage age around the world for Nigerians to see and judge.

    “In New Hampshire, United States, legal marriage age is 13 for girls and 14 for boys! In Michigan (US) it is 15 but girls can be married below 15 with parental consent. In Indiana (US) a girl can be married at 14 if she becomes pregnant. In Hawaii and Georgia (US) it is 15 with parental consent.

    “Now let us go outside America, in Britain it is 16, in fact it is 15 in most European countries; In Venezuela it is 14 with parental consent, 14 in Paraguay, 14 in Mexico, Bolivia 14. Coming to the African continent, the legal marriage age is 14 in Mozambique and 15 in Gabon. In Angola it is 15, Niger 15, Cameroon 15, Congo DR 15, Benin 15, Kenya 16 and Madagascar 14. In Equitorial Guinea it is 12!

    So what is all the noise about? Tanzania adds a more pragmatic scenario: the legal marriage age is 14 but girls below 12 can marry for religious reason with the proviso that the marriage will not be consummated until the girl reaches 12. Gambia, Maldives, Saudi Arabia and Sudan place no age limit at all on marriage. Nigeria ranks among the most conservative in this area as marriage age is still 18 under the law.”

  • Mark proposes insurance policy for journalists

    Mark proposes insurance policy for journalists

    Senate President, David Mark, yesterday said the National Assembly is ready to look into the possibility of giving journalists in the country insurance policy to cushion the hazards of the profession.

    Mark, who was in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital for the opening of a 2-day 2013 Senate Press Corps Retreat, said the nature of job carried out by journalists require insurance coverage due to the risks involved in their job, especially in volatile states of the Northern Nigeria.

    He commended journalists for always performing their duties effectively despite risks involved.

    According to him: “I advocate that there is need for you to have proper insurance and life coverage. As part of our legislative oversight function and in furtherance of good governance, it is also our concern and I believe we will be able to address that issue.”

    The senate president charged the Senate Press Corps to be factual in their reportage, educate and enlighten the masses on the activities at the Hallowed Chambers.

    He said: “I want to use this medium to talk to the media on reporting facts. I urge you to report facts as you see them, educate the people.

    “There is no way you can educate people on falsehood. Education must be based on verifiable facts and figures.

    “I must say the Senate Press Corps has done well but there is still room for improvement. The opportunity you have as Senate reporters is not available to all.

    “If you are to criticise, criticise constructively and when it is time to praise, do so. Balance your report so that people can make informed decisions.”

    The Senate President lauded the infrastructural development in Akwa Ibom State.

    He said: “It is impossible to come to Akwa Ibom without making a statement that God’s will is done in the state. What we lack most in this country is not the vision, but the political will and courage to execute projects without distraction like what Governor Akpabio is doing”.

    Governor Godswill Akpabio described Senator Mark as epitome of simplicity, adding “You are making history as the longest- serving Senate President in Nigeria.”

    He admonished Senate Press Corps to project the Senate in good light by focusing on reports that would mould the image and reputation of the Red Chambers.

    Akpabio said: “We should feed the public with good news because it has a lot to do with the image of the Senate and the image of Nigeria.

    “Let’s not focus only on the bad news, bring out the good news. The good news will help to mould strength and build the image of the Senate. The entire world looks at democracy through the National Assembly.”

     

  • PIB: Nigeria won’t accept threat, blackmail by IOCs, says Mark

    PIB: Nigeria won’t accept threat, blackmail by IOCs, says Mark

    Senate President, David Mark, yesterday asked International Oil Companies (IOCs) to avoid the use of blackmail and the threat of pulling out of the country if the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) does not go their way.

    He spoke while inaugurating a two-day Public Hearing on the PIB in Abuja.

    The Hearing is organised by the Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream and Downstream), Senate Committee on Gas Resources and Senate Committee on Justice and Legal Matters.

    However, governors who were scheduled to participate in the event were absent. But Niger, Kaduna and Kano states sent representatives.

    Chairman of the Joint Committee, Senator Emmanuel Paulker, in his opening remarks, said the Hearing was organised to offer Nigerians and other stakeholders the opportunity to contribute to the bill.

    He said members of the Committee have not taken position on any of the clauses of the bill, assuring that submissions by stakeholders would be considered.

    Mark noted that the Sixth National Assembly tried but failed to pass the bill due to proliferation of versions of the Bill, adding that there was no doubt that the speedy passage of the PIB would be a win-win situation for IOCs and the Federal Government.

    The Senate President warned that what the country would not want to hear is the threat of pulling out of the country if the bill did not turn out to be what some IOCs wanted.

    “Nigeria wants to welcome investors in the oil and gas sector, but this should not be at the expense of the country, but IOCs should not take undue advantage of the Nigeria.

    “What we don’t want to hear is if you don’t do this, we pack out. That will be unacceptable because Nigeria has been an extremely friendly country for investment,”he said.

    Also, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, urged stakeholders in the oil and gas industry not to politise or personalise the PIB, stressing that it is geared towards providing a win-win scenario for stakeholders in the sector.

    The Acting Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Tumini Green,  quoted Mrs. Alison-Madueke, who spoke at the public hearing as saying that the responsibility for the exercise of the powers proposed in the Bill for the President and Petroleum Minister, will, ultimately, rest on any administration in power at the time, and so should not be personalised.

    She argued that it was important for the law to empower any administration to act in the best interest of the Nigerian people.

    “By the time the PIB is fully articulated and implemented, the President and Minister of Petroleum Resources will no longer be in office. This Bill takes a while before it is operational. The proposed transition period after the passage of the Bill is at least three years. Note, there are over 80 regulations to be made for this Bill to be operational,” Mrs. Alison-Madueke said.

    She said while Nigerians learn best practices from other developed nations, they should also work within the understanding of its own socio-economic and social-cultural norms, and create entities and policies that will work and are not destined to fail.

    She said contrary to the impression that the PIB granted enormous powers to the Minister of Petroleum Resources, it should be noted that the powers vested on the Minister by the Bill, are not different from those vested on the Minister’s counterparts by the petroleum laws of the United kingdom, Malaysia and Norway, stressing that the powers granted are less than those of her counterparts in advanced petroleum producing countries.

    Mrs. Alison-Madueke noted that the PIB establishes a flexible fiscal regime that will increase government’s take, and yet encourage investment in the petroleum sector, saying that it allows for production-based incentive system which in the long run, will accommodate every player in the industry.

    On the Host Communities, the Minister noted that it was established to mitigate the human and environmental conditions in the region and to assuage the feelings of the host communities towards oil and gas companies.

  • Stop threatening Nigeria, Mark tells oil firms

    Stop threatening Nigeria, Mark tells oil firms

    The Senate President, David Mark, on Thursday in Abuja cautioned international oil companies (IOCs) operating in Nigeria to desist from threatening to park out of the country at the slightest provocation.

    Mark made the call while declaring open a two-day public hearing on the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) organised by the Senate joint Committee on Petroleum (Upstream and Downstream), Gas and Judiciary.

    “The international oil companies should not take undue advantage of Nigeria. What I do not want is when people begin to threaten that if you do not do this, we will park out of Nigeria.”

    According to Mark, we are conscious of the fact that there are frustrations in the oil industry, but it is only temporary as things are even getting better.

    The senate president said the sixth National Assembly tried to pass the bill but failed as several versions of the bill turned out at the end of the day.

    He said he was optimistic that this time around, there was only one version and encouraged all stakeholders to work together towards fast tracking its passage.

    “To demonstrate the importance of this bill, we have four committees working on it. We like as much as possible to fast tract this bill because it is beginning to hold up so many things.

    “Some investors when you talk to them they tell you that they are waiting for the PIB to be passed so we are anxious to get it out of the way,” the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the Senate president as saying during the presentation.

     

  • Obama, Jonathan, Mark, Tinubu preach peace

    AS the world’s 1.8 billion Muslims begin 29/30 days fasting today, world leaders have wished the faithful a month blessed with joys, peace and understanding.

    Leading the pack are American President Barack Obama, his Nigerian counterpart, Goodluck Jonathan, President of the Senate David Mark and National Leacer of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    Obama said Ramadan is a time for thoughtful reflection, fasting and devotion.

    His words: “This month reminds us that freedom, dignity and opportunity are the undeniable rights of all mankind. We reflect on these universal values at a time when many citizens across the Middle East and North Africa continue to strive for these basic rights and as millions of refugees mark Ramadan far from their homes. The United States stands with those who are working to build a world where all people can write their own future and practise their faith freely, without fear of violence.

    According to President Obama, “Ramadan is a reminder that millions of Muslim Americans enrich our nation each day — serving in our government, leading scientific breakthroughs, generating jobs and caring for our neighbours in need. ”

    President Jonathan urged Muslims to pray for greater peace, security and national progress.

    The President called on all Nigerians, to imbibe the virtues of piety, self-discipline, tolerance, equity, fairness and sympathy for the less-privileged.

    He enjoined all persons of the faith who may have been misled by extremists and agents of international terrorism into taking up arms against their fellow countrymen, women and children to re-open their minds, during this Ramadan season, to Islam’s true lessons of love and peaceful co-existence with others.

    Senator Mark urged Muslims to “fervently pray” for the nation to come out of its current security challenges.

    He noted, however, that with prayers and honest commitment of all to nation building, Nigeria would come out of its these challenges.

    “As Muslims commence the season of Ramadan, do remember our nation in your prayers. You should also remember the poor, the less privileged and the vulnerable in the society.

    “We need to pray and work together for the peace, unity and progress of our country. We have no other place to call our country. We must therefore do all we can to protect and preserve our common heritage,” he said.

    Asiwaju Tinubu called on Muslims to embrace the virtues of personal sacrifice, self-discipline and tolerance during the holy month of Ramadan. According to him, the country is at a crucial stage in which it needs more supplication and prayers for it to continue to survive as an entity.

    “The Ramadan period offers the vast Muslims in this country and elsewhere the opportunity to pray for Nigeria. Nigeria needs deliverance from poverty, corruption, visionless leaders, wicked rulers and purveyors of falsehood. The spirit of death hangs over our country and we must all pray for a change that is beneficial to all,” he said.

    Tinubu urged religious leaders from different faith not to leave the Muslims alone to do it all during this Ramadan season but, to in their own way, offer prayers and seek to imbibe the virtues of peace, sacrifice and forgiveness.

    “The greater burden is however of the political leadership. Those that run the affairs of State. Power is God-given and if we mis-use such powers, if we fail to better the lives of the millions we rule over, if we chastise the citizenry rather than lessen their burden, if violate the fundamental rights of the ordinary Nigerian, then that power they wield will be taken away in due time. The people’s will ultimately triumph”

  • Mark: Senate’ll end impunity in pension administration

    •Committee to reconsider stand on new states

    Senate President David Mark has assured Nigerians that the Senate will end the era of impunity and corruption in pension management in the country.

    He said the determination stemmed from a joint resolution of the Senate and the House of Representatives to stop impunity and corruption in the nation’s pension industry.

    Mark spoke at a public hearing on a Bill for an Act to Repeal the Pension Reform Act, 2004 and Re-act the Pension Reform Act 2013 to make provisions for the contributory pension scheme and for connected matters.

    The two-day public hearing ended in Abuja at the weekend.

    Describing the bill as a positive response to the joint resolution of the National Assembly, Mark noted that it showed that the pension industry plays a formidable role in the socio-economic development of the country.

    The industry, he said, guarantees a befitting welfare for senior citizens as well as makes available huge investment funds for the real and capital market sectors.

    The Senate President said this is why it could not be allowed to be mismanaged or abused by operators/administrators.

    Mark noted that the introduction of the bill demonstrates the effectiveness of the Executive arm in its quick response to the cries of pensioners.

    He said the bill would ensure a paradigm shift and overhaul the apex regulatory agency, the PENCOM.

    The Senate President stressed the role of an effective pension administration on the well-being of pensioners is clear.

    Mark said the efforts of those who laboured for the fatherland would always be appreciated through adequate payment of their pensions and gratuities.

    He said: “This is why I, as the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives do urge the Joint Committee to do justice to this bill by making sure the merits of its passage will address the expectations of the ultimate beneficiaries.”

    Also, there were indications yesterday that the Senate Committee on State Creation may reconsider its earlier stand on more states.

    It has given agitators of new states a second chance to correct the anomaly in their requests for new states and re-present their requests to the committee.

    A member of the committee and Senator representing Kaduna South, Nenadi Usman, said those requesting for new states were asked to correct their mistakes and return to the committee.

    In its report, which was presented to the Senate recently by its Chairman, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, the committee said none of the requests conformed with the provisions of Section 8(1) of the Constitution, which stipulates that two-thirds of elected representatives of the area requesting for a state must sign the document.

    Usman told leaders and stakeholders of Southern Kaduna, who are requesting for Gurara State, that only 17 of the requests for state were processed by the committee.

    According to her, none of the 17 complied with the provisions of the constitution.

    She said: “At our last meeting, those of us who are from areas requesting states made a case to the committee. We told the committee that as representatives of the people, we should be able to make provisions for state creation and that we be given the chance to correct the errors in the submissions.”

     

  • Oil theft: Mark insists on death penalty

    •Rolls out legislative agenda

    Senate President David Mark yesterday insisted on death penalty for oil thieves.

    He said persistent crude oil theft would have a devastating effect on the economy if not checked.

    Mark spoke in Abuja when he welcomed the senators back from their one month break.

    He said: “We must, therefore, address it squarely. I still maintain my earlier stance that oil theft should attract capital punishment.”

    The Senate President lamented that the nation was still bedevilled by economic and security challenges.

    He said the gains were apparent in the three states where a state of emergency had been declared.

    Mark added: “As we make progress and win the hearts and minds of the people, government must intensify the provision of social amenities in the areas where normalcy has been restored.

    “We must do everything possible to address the social and economic needs of our people.”

    He urged the senators to give the welfare of Nigerians priority in their parliamentary activities during the Third Session of the Seventh Senate.

    According to the Senate President, consideration of the report of the Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution and consideration and passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) would top the Senate’s agenda for the current session.

    He said other priority areas include Pension Reform Act (amendment) Bill, review of the Electoral Act, 2010, preparation for flood during the rainy season and preparation for the first Africa Legislative Summit in November.

    He said: “I have no doubt that the Seventh Senate will be judged by how well we tackle the items on the present legislative agenda.

    “If we get it right, and I am sure we will, we shall succeed in turning adversity into opportunity for our compatriots and alter our collective destiny.”

     

  • FIFA CONFEDERATIONS CUP: Mark speaks with Eagles

    FIFA CONFEDERATIONS CUP: Mark speaks with Eagles

    •Senate President reassures players
    •On prompt bonus payment

     

    Senate President, David Mark (GCON) spoke with each player of the senior national team before its opening FIFA Confederations Cup game against Tahiti on Monday assuring them of the government’s support. The Nigeria side are in the competition as Africa Champions.

    A National Assembly source revealed to SportingLife that the decision to contact the team in Brazil was as a result of the bonus dispute that nearly threatened its participation.

    Mark is disturbed that the players can boycott their matches if promises earlier made about the payment of their bonuses are not redeemed.

    “The Senate President called Chief Coach, Stephen Keshi yesterday afternoon to tell the players of his decision to take over the matter,” said the source.

    The team’s murmurings and bickering reached the ears of the senate president through the Chairman, Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Ibrahim Gumba and his counterpart at the lower house, Honourable Godfrey Gaiya.

    “They were the ones who informed Mark because they witnessed the entire drama in Kenya and Namibia. Consequently, Mark in his official capacity as the number three citizen briefed President, Godluck Jonathan (GCFR) ,” said our source.

    “Immediately the President called the Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdullahi for further briefing on the budget constraints that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have been crying about. But one issue that they all faulted NFF for was the fact that they did not carry them along when they decided to rationalise the backroom staff and also slash bonuses of both players and officials.

    ” Do not forget that it was Mark that made the U.S. Embassy issue visas to the team ahead of their friendly game against Venezuela last year,” added the source.

    It was also Mark that intervened after Keshi threw in his resignation letter immediately after Nigeria won the Nations Cup in January in South Africa. In a national daily yesterday, stand-in Super Eagles captain, Vincent Enyeama reminded Nigerians that the bonus issue was not over. The players have insisted on NFF reverting to the 10,000 dollars win-in bonus and not 5,000 dollars.