The Nation Newspaper

Tag: review

  • Registrars seek review of tenure law

    The Committee of Registrars of Nigerian Universities, (CORNU) has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to amend the law reducing the tenure of Registrars of federal universities to a single term of five years.

    Their stand is contained in a communiqué issued after the committee’s 54th business meeting held from April 24 to 26 at the Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado Ekiti.

    They claimed that it would disrupt continuity.

    “This unfortunate scenario is better appreciated if viewed in the reality of the new federal universities where the Vice-Chancellors and Registrars were appointed the same day and would leave on the same date. The law will disrupt the continuity and stability in the university system which university Registrars epitomise as institutional repository,” the statement reads.

    Expressing concern over the declining quality of service delivery in universities, the committee appealed to members and all stakeholders to, as a matter of urgency, address the decline through training, capacity building as well as mentoring younger administrators, if Nigerian universities are to take giant strides in the 21st Century.

    They also expressed concern over the declining quality of facilitators in the university system and called for an urgent review of recruitment processes by ensuring that well qualified staff are attracted and retained in the system. CORNU also urged universities to embrace International best practices if they want to remain globally competitive.

    CORNU members praised the Federal Government for inaugurating the Governing Councils for some of the federal universities adding that the newly established universities do not yet have councils.

    It was also stated that there is a need to explore areas of collaboration with similar bodies the world over like the Association of Heads of Administration in the United Kingdom (UK) and synergise with them to enable members share experiences that will enhance their productivity and performance. “Such collaboration would not only leverage on members competences but would also internationalise their operations,” it stated.

    The meeting which was attended by 63 registrars from federal, states and private universities from all the six geo-political zones of the country, elected the registrar of theEkiti State University Ado-Ekiti Dr Omojola Awosusi as its new chairman to take over from Mr Ayorinde Ogunruku.

     

  • Nigeria, UK review Boko Haram battle

    Nigeria, UK review Boko Haram battle

    A plot to weaken national security, sabotage the anti-terrorism war and cause disaffection among military chiefs may have been uncovered, The Nation learnt yesterday.

    Also, Nigeria plans to collaborate with Britain to battle the Boko Haram insurgency.

    There has been a rumour in military circles that Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Admiral Ibrahim Ola Sa’ad has thrown in the towel.

    But Admiral Sa’ad, fresh from a trip to Britain, has dismissed the rumour as the handiwork of “fifth columnists” planning to cause disaffection in the system —according to sources, who did not name such people.

    A source quoted the CDS as saying: “I did not know where this came from but I have not tendered any notice of voluntary retirement and I am also not sick to have warranted such an action.

    “I am not frustrated on this job. I am not suffering from any terminal ailment and I am putting in my best to address security challenges facing the nation.”

    The CDS went to the UK for bilateral talks with his counterpart.

    The source added: “I think we are securing the understanding and cooperation of world powers on how to fight terrorism.

    “The UK CDS visited Nigeria and Admiral Sa’ad decided to reciprocate by going to London to compare notes with his counterpart.”

    Upon his return, the CDS told anxious aides and relatives that he was not going on voluntary retirement as being speculated.

    He said neither contemplated voluntary retirement nor sent a notice to the President.

    Worried by the resurgence of Boko Haram insurgency, the Federal Government may overhaul security in six flashpoints.

    The isolated states are Kano, Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Plateau and Bauchi.

    Also, preliminary investigation into the luxury bus bomb explosion in Kano revealed that it is a 59-seater vehicle which was already steaming to take off before the suicide bomber struck.

    As part of steps to curtail terrorism in the sub-region, Admiral Sa’ad, will today in Cotonou meet with other security chiefs in West Africa.

    A source, who pleaded not to be named because of the security implications, said: “Since the bomb blast occurred in Kano, President Jonathan has been meeting with the CDS, service chiefs and other members of the National Security Council.

    “The President believes that a decisive action must be taken to protect lives and property in all parts of the country, especially the flashpoints. No one was happy with the death of innocent Nigerians.

    “The government has mandated security agencies to overhaul security in the flashpoints. So, we are likely to witness sweeping changes in Kano, Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Plateau and Bauchi.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “There will be more intra and inter networking, scaling up of intelligence gathering and 24-hour surveillance in these flashpoints.

    “The security overhaul will go beyond the state capital; it will be extended to all local government areas in the affected states.”

    The CDS will meet with other security chiefs in West Africa on the situation in Mali, the Boko Haram and Ansaru threats, and the Al-Qaeda in the Maghreb.

    The source added: “The meeting in Cotonou on Monday (today) will focus on enhanced collaboration because of the likely spillover of the insurgency in Mali to other states in the sub-region. You must have read of the alleged discovery of terrorist cells in Lagos.

    “Once Nigeria is under terrorist siege, other West African countries may not be spared. It is also sad that some nationals of some countries in the sub-region have been implicated in the suicide missions in Nigeria.

    “So, the era of a country standing aloof is gone. We need far-reaching collaboration to tackle terrorism in the sub-region.”

    Preliminary probe into the luxury bus bomb explosion in Kano has confirmed that it was a 59-seater vehicle.

    There are fears that there could be some other occuppants numbering 15 to 30.

    A security source in Abuja said: “The fully-loaded bus was already steaming to take off before the suicide bomber struck. There were a few attaches said to be between 15 and 30 inside the bus.

    “All those in the bus were trapped and burnt to death. Some of the victims in hospitals were mostly those within the vicinity of the bus. A few other buses awaiting loading were also torched.

    “We are still trying to work on the manifest of those on board. Investigation is ongoing. The forensic analysis of the carcass of the bombed vehicle has started.”

  • Boeing 787 for review

    United States of America aviation regulators have ordered a review of Boeing’s latest passenger jet, the 787 Dreamliner, citing “concern” over a spate of technical problems in recent weeks.

    Regulators said the 787 remained safe to fly but a thorough examination was needed to identify the root cause of the problems including a fire on a parked 787 last week.

    “There are concerns about recent events involving the Boeing 787. That is why we are conducting a comprehensive review,” Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood told a news conference.

    The review will put an emphasis on the 787’s advanced electrical systems and cover their design, manufacture and assembly, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

    The move comes on top of a separate probe by US safety investigators into a battery fire which caused “serious damage” to an empty Japan Airlines 787 jet at Boston airport on Monday.

    Adding to incidents that have tested confidence in the world’s first mainly carbon-composite airliner, the jet suffered a cracked cockpit window and an oil leak on separate flights in Japan on Friday.

    The 787 is Boeing’s newest jet and uses new technology to cut the fuel cost for operating the plane by 20 percent.

    Each lightweight jet has a list price of USD$207 million.

    Airlines are pleased with the savings, and have so far given the plane their approval, both by ordering more than 800 jets and mostly sticking by it through the current spate of troubles.

     

     

     

  • Constitution review

    Constitution review

    THE consensus across political interests to amend the 1999 constitution which devolved from the military is threatened by the disagreements over the appropriate procedure to ensure the emergence of a truly people’s constitution. However, the National Assembly appears set to amend the constitution, which many argue should reside in a constituent assembly with the power to write a fresh constitution to help kick start a new Nigeria. In an effort to garner the input of their constituencies, the House of Representatives is proposing a simultaneous public hearing across the 360 federal constituencies.

    This one-day event, in our view, may be too simplistic to ensure the emergence of a people’s constitution. Indeed, it may just precipitate mere rancour, and the chance that a rigorous process can take place across the country on that same day is preposterous as many have rightly argued.

    One eminently informed group that has faulted this process adopted by the representatives is the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). Like many, it doubts if any meaningful benefits will be derived from the confusion that will attend such exercise. The president of the association, while inaugurating the NBA Committee on Constitutional Review and Law Reform restated its preference for a referendum as the ultimate consultation of the Nigerian people.

    While we support public input in the amendment process, there should be a concerted effort to avoid a phony public review. The process of a simultaneous one-day hearing recommended by the representatives may easily be hijacked by their members, while excluding those with opposing points of view. There is therefore the possibility that in many constituencies, there will be no significant representation of divergent interests in the process, while the outcome is yet regarded as the position of the particular constituency. The potent fear is that there will be a stage-managed affair passed off as a public review.

    Even as we debate the process, there is a consensus to whittle down the powers of the central authority. Many have argued for the reduction in the economic activities listed under the exclusive legislative list, to help engage the states and local authorities in productivity. Again, the dysfunctional system of the Federal Government receiving all the incomes generated across the country, before doling out peanuts to the states, is antithetical to the idea of a federation and fiscal federalism. Again, there is a strong lobby for the provision of state police in the constitution, even if applicable only to those states that can afford it, while retaining the federal police

    These are important issues that need rigorous debate that a one-day affair cannot resolve satisfactorily. As a matter of fact, the possibility of passing off a misrepresentation as the real thing is why many have argued for an elected constituent assembly imbued with the constitution-making power. But if the present political structure will assume the responsibility to give Nigeria a fresh constitution, then a more rigorous process to ensure the involvement of as many informed segments of the Nigerian public as possible is needed, as against a one-off show. We have no doubt that the rigour needed for an enduring constitution may not necessarily come from the number as against the quality of the people involved in the process.

  • Fayemi urges states on peer review

    Fayemi urges states on peer review

    Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi yesterday urged more states to embrace the State Peer Review Mechanism (SPRM).

    He said the review programme is an invitation to all stakeholders to collaborate on a common platform to development their states.

    Fayemi spoke at the presentation of the Ekiti State Self-Assessment Report to the SPRM National Committee in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

    He said his administration will continue to run an inclusive and transparent government.

    Fayemi said his administration embraced SPRM to institutionalise transparency and accountability in governance.

    He said: “Though the report of the SPRM process identified challenges, the unwavering faith of the people in my administration has made us resolve to make the best of the transformational agenda.”

    The United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID) and the SPRM Steering Committee in Ekiti and the national level hailed the state government’s commitment to transparent and participatory governance.

    DFID Southwest Regional Coordinator Dr. Sina Fagbenro-Byron said the state government’s participation in the review programme is an indication of the “political will, progressivism and development-orientation” of the present administration in Ekiti.

    He said participating states have more opportunities to attract development partners and investors to their states because the review mechanism sells them to the public.

    World Bank consultant and member of the SPRM Steering Committee at the national level, Prof. Oladipo Adamolekun, said: “The 280-page report is very candid and well written, as it was prepared through a participatory process.

    “It shows the direction the present state government is headed in the second half of the tenure.”

     

  • House outlines Constitution review agenda

    House outlines Constitution review agenda

    The House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review yesterday released a template containing 36 issues which the National Assembly will consider for amendment in the 1999 Constitution.

    The House has received about 200 memoranda.

    Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, Deputy Speaker Chukwuemeka Ihedioha, said the issues in the proposal will be taken to the grassroots for debate.

    Ihedioha also assured Nigerians that the National Assembly will be fair to all.

    He said the National Assembly cannot convene a Sovereign National Conference (SNC) to amend the constitution because the 1999 Constitution does not make provision for it.

    He said since there is no constitutional and legal basis for SNC, Nigerians should take advantage of the constitution amendment process to air their views.

    The template was released at a one-day stakeholders session at the National Assembly, yesterday.

    The session was attended by Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and civil society organisations.

    In the template obtained by our correspondents, the House restated that it has not foreclosed some proposals including State police, which President Goodluck Jonathan has technically ruled out.

    Some of the issues include single tenure of 5, 6, 7 years for president and governors, rotation of the president office between the North and the South; creation of one new state from each of the nation’s six geopolitical zones; state police; inclusion of the six geopolitical zones in the constitution, independent candidacy, tenure for local government chairmen, 50 per cent control of resources by states; possibility of a unicameral legislature, and abolition of State, Local Government Joint Account.

    Others are: should Nigeria continue with presidential system or return to the parliamentary system?; abolition of the State Independent Electoral Commission(SIEC); funding of LGAs from either the Federation Account or by the states from their allocations; abolition of indigeneship or citizenship for residency; amendment of Section 308 to limit immunity for President, Vice-President, Governor or Deputy Governor to cover only civil proceedings; rotation of governorship among the three senatorial districts in each of the 36 states; reservation of certain percentage of elective offices for women; lowering the qualifying age for contesting various elective offices; judicial reforms as proposed by the CJN among others.

    In his opening remarks at the session, Ihedioha explained why the House would take constitution amendments to the grassroots.

    He said: “The Peoples’ Public Session represents the first time in the history of Nigeria that constitution making process will be taken down to the grassroots.

    “As representatives of the people, it is our desire to ensure the participation of all our people wherever they may live. We are interested in the views of market women, traders, artisans, youths, students, religious organisations, labour and media.

    “We are interested in the views of the poor, the downtrodden, the unemployed as well as the view of the rich and well-to-do. Indeed, the private sector, academia and the public sector all have a stake in the stability of our nation. We should hear them.

    “We need to hear also the views of all ethnic nationalities that are also represented in all the Federal constituencies.

    “We can only promise one thing; that we will be fair and will collate all views as expressed and these shall be the basis of our decision making on Constitution Review.

    “The proposed People’s Public Sessions are aimed at responding to the demand of Nigerians for a bottom up approach to constitution making. The intention of the House is to bequeath to Nigerians a truly peoples’ constitution.

    “The National Assembly has continued to demonstrate its willingness and capacity to provide direction in addressing Nigeria’s national question. For instance, just after the 2007 general elections, that were widely criticized as having been flawed, the 6th National Assembly took action to redeem Nigeria’s electoral integrity by amending the 1999 Constitution to include robust electoral reforms.

    “The 2010 Constitution amendment was a major milestone in the history of constitution making in Nigeria considering that it was the first time a Nigerian parliament would alter the country’s constitution since independence.

    “Despite the success attained in 2010 in amending the constitution, it needs to be noted that the 1999 Constitution has not fully addressed proposals by Nigerians for further amendments in the Constitution. The National Assembly would utilize the opportunity offered by the present exercise to fashion out a more broad-based constitution amendment process.”

    He said the Peoples’ Public Sessions on the Review of the 1999 Constitution will “ hold simultaneously in each of the 360 federal constituencies on November 10, at 10am. It will be preceded by a flag-off ceremony to be presided over by Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal on November 8 .”

    The Deputy Speaker explained why the National Assembly could not convene a Sovereign National Conference (SNC).

    He added: “Some of the more vocal individuals and groups have, because of the deficiencies identified in the Constitution, proposed the convocation of a Sovereign National Conference to fundamentally restructure the constitutional basis of Nigeria.

    “This suggestion is however not contemplated by the present constitution and would therefore have no constitutional or legal basis that would enable the National Assembly or the present political system to implement it. The same problem affects the clamour for referendum within the current constitutional structure.”

  • US, UK, France oppose review of ICJ judgement on Bakassi

    US, UK, France oppose review of ICJ judgement on Bakassi

    • Send solidarity messages to Cameroun

    • Pro-review groups yet to submit fresh documents

     

    Three world powers- the United States of America (USA), United Kingdom (UK) and France are in solidarity with Cameroun on the Bakasi issue amidst pressure on the Federal Government by some interest groups to appeal against the ceding of the Bakasi Peninsula to Yaounde.

    The three countries, according to diplomatic sources, have assured Cameroun of their continued support on the decision of the International Court of Justice (IJC) on the peninsula and their commitment to the Green Tree Agreement.

    The US, UK and France ambassadors in Cameroun, it was gathered, met that country’s Minister of External Affairs at the weekend to express their strong opposition to any attempt by Nigeria to initiate a review of the ICJ ruling.

    The Western nations are all members of the influential Security Council of the United Nations.

    One source said: “We have got diplomatic report of the closed-door session between the ambassadors of the three countries and the Minister of External Affairs of Cameroun.

    “We are aware that they insisted on the Green Tree Agreement at the meeting. This has justified our decision to weigh all options on the latest demand for a review of the judgment.

    “Beyond sentiments, we are looking at the diplomatic implications especially the likelihood of sanctions on Nigeria by the UN Security Council if we seek a review of the judgment.

    “We have a challenge of not being trusted as a nation that respects agreements or treaties. These are all the sides to the matter.”

    There were indications last night that the government has finally foreclosed filing an application for a review of the IJC ruling because there are no fresh facts or documents to support such.

    Nigeria has up till October 10 to file an appeal based on fresh facts.

    Although President Goodluck Jonathan had said government would not appeal the decision of the IJC, scores of groups and individuals have been piling pressure on government to reconsider its position.

    The President, apparently bowing to the pressure, last Wednesday constituted an eight man committee to strategise on the possibility of an appeal by Nigeria.

    But none of the pro-appeal groups or individuals including the Cross River State government has so far volunteered fresh information or document to the office of the Attorney General of the Federation/Justice Minister as directed by the committee.

    At a session on Thursday night at the residence of the Senate Leader, Mr. Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN), the Federal Government committee mandated Cross River State and others canvassing for review to make new facts or documents available to it.

    Members of the committee are the AGF, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, the DG of the National Boundary Commission, Senator Ndoma-Egba, a representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, two members of the House (Ahmed Ali and Nnenna Ukeje) and another Senator.

    Sources close to the meeting said: “Contrary to reports, the meeting was held at Ndoma-Egba’s residence and not at the Office of the Attorney-General as being insinuated. Only the representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was absent at the session.

    “When we asked for documents to support new argument for a review of the ICJ judgment, the counsel hired by the Cross River State Government, Mrs. Nella Andem-Rabana (SAN) and the AGF of the state came to make verbal submissions.

    “Mrs. Andem-Rabana even told the committee that the review is being sought based on four factors. But she could only discuss three factors with her argument based mainly on the Anglo-German Treaty Agreement of 1913. It was the same Treaty she had canvassed as a member of the Federal Government Team at ICJ in The Hague in 2002.

    “When asked if the ceding of Bakassi was not caused by negligence, they had nothing to say.

    “We asked them to get all relevant documents and submit these particulars for evaluation by the AGF in line with Article 61 of the ICJ statute.

    “We have been waiting all day for new pleadings and documents without anything from pro-review side.”

    Asked what would become of the agitation, the source said: “It is apparent that the Federal Government will not seek a review of the ICJ judgment because we formally handed over the territory in 2008.

    “It is laughable that nine years, 11 months and 26 days after the ICJ judgment, we are seeking a review. And those agitating for it have not been able to come up with documents to meet the conditions stated in Article 61 of the ICJ statute.

    “What we have is a situation where they are running helter-skelter at the last minute looking for documents.

    “We have also mandated the aggrieved state and groups to come up with a compilation of alleged violations of human rights of Nigerians resident in Bakassi Peninsula.

    “If these violations are established by the committee, we can forward the list to the UN Committee on Human Rights to consider. Yet, they have not given the committee any example.

    “Most members of the committee felt disappointed that there have been noise all over without documents to back up the agitation. We cannot make ourselves a laughing stock before the international community.”

    Article 61 says: “An application for revision of a judgment may be made only when it is based upon the discovery of some fact of such a nature as to be a decisive factor, which fact was, when the judgment was given, unknown to the Court and also to the party claiming revision, always provided that such ignorance was not due to negligence.

    “The proceedings for revision shall be opened by a judgment of the Court expressly recording the existence of the new fact, recognizing that it has such a character as to lay the case open to revision, and declaring the application admissible on this ground.

    “The Court may require previous compliance with the terms of the judgment before it admits proceedings in revision. The application for revision must be made within six months of the discovery of the new fact.

    “No application for revision may be made after the lapse of ten years from the date of the judgment.”

    Meanwhile, the Federal Government was shocked that barely 72 hours after inaugurating the eight-man committee some highly-placed people have personalized the Bakassi issue by sponsoring attacks on the AGF, who is the chairman of the committee.

    A source said: “The President made the AGF the chairman of the committee because the matter involved is directly under his portfolio.

    “Government is surprised to read about personal attacks on the AGF on a matter being looked into with transparency. Members of the National Assembly are in the committee and the AGF has not imposed his views on any person or group so far.

    “We hope that those behind these attacks will allow the committee to do its work without distraction.”