News
Crisis Looms in NASS over tenure elongation plot
The National Assembly, administrative staff members are reportedly devising strategies to oppose legislative backing for extending the retirement age of its outgoing Clerk and over 200 senior staff by an additional 5 years beyond the existing service scheme’s provisions.
The genesis of the conflict stemmed from recent revelations that the Senate is considering a bill to extend the retirement age of civil servants in the nation’s Parliament and State Houses of Assembly.
This move has sparked discontent among staff anticipating senior positions soon to become vacant.
The proposed bill seeks to extend the retirement age of National Assembly Staff from 60 to 65 years and from 35 to 40 years of service, whichever comes first. Notably, if the bill is passed, the current Clerk to the National Assembly, Sani Tambawal Magaji, could remain in office until the age of 65.
However, this initiative has faced staunch opposition from parliamentary staff and the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), chaired by Bature Musa. The union contends that such an extension would contradict established rules and regulations governing the Public Service, where retirement is set at 60 years of age or 35 years of service.
The union also argues that passing the bill would hinder career progression for its members, primarily serving the interests of management staff. Moreover, they assert that it would contravene the Federal Government’s policies on youth development and empowerment, potentially depriving unemployed youths of job opportunities.
In response to the proposed bill, the PASAN has vehemently rejected it, urging the National Assembly management to focus on implementing existing welfare packages for staff. The union has also threatened industrial action if the legislators proceed with the bill.
While some members of the Assembly management deny the Clark’s involvement in the proposed legislation, others argue that it aims to preserve institutional memory and provide experienced staff an opportunity to continue serving.
Several attempts had been made by the two Chambers of the National Assembly to extend the retirement age of parliamentary staff of the National Assembly since 2017.
The Union argued that the controversial Bill if passed, will bring stagnation on the career progression of her members, thus would serve only the interest of the management staff, especially those who are due for retirement from service.
It averred that the passage of the Bill will contravene the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and would run contrary to the Federal Government‘s policy on youth development and empowerment.
The Union advanced its argument by illustrating that perpetuating persons who have served the nation for 35 years or attained 60 years of age will not make room for employment of Nigerian youths some of whom graduated for more that 10 years without gainful employment.
Consequently, the Union in a letter addressed to the President of the Senate and the Rt. Honourable Speaker of the House of Representatives denounced the Bill and threatened industrial action should the legislators go ahead to pass the Bill.
It said the Union’s position led the two Chambers to discontinue action on the Bill which was respectively sponsored by Sunday Akon in the House and Senator Stella Odua in the Senate during 9th Assembly.
Presently, the Management led by the current Clerk to the National Assembly, Magaji Sani Tambawal is pushing for it again.
The Bill has passed in the House of Representatives and presently before the Senate for concurrence. The Senate after taking the first reading of the Bill some weeks ago reversed itself and listed it for concurrence on Wednesday 14, February, 2024.
Despite the controversy, the fate of the bill remains uncertain as it awaits the Senate’s concurrence. Staff members opposing the bill have called on the Senate to reject it, emphasizing the pressing need to address youth unemployment and implement workers’ welfare measures.
News
Arsenal ten-point ahead others after slamming Everton 2-0 as Dowman emerges youngest goal scorer
Max Dowman became Arsenal’s youngest ever goalscorer as he created one goal and then scored another to sink Everton in a 2-0 win at the Emirates.
The Gunners struggled to break down David Moyes’ side until Downman came off the bench and changed the game.
The 16-year-old delivered a cross which goalkeeper Jordan Pickford missed, leading to a tap-in for Viktor Gyokores. And Dowman finished it off with a run from his own half to score into an empty goal after Pickford had gone up for a corner.
It gave Arsenal a 10-point lead at the top of the table before Manchester City’s match at West Ham later on Saturday evening.
Viktor Gyokeres has this to say at full-time.
On Dowman: “It’s incredible, you can see how he plays, with no fear, and he’s in the right positions most of the time. He’s an amazing player, and I’m so happy.
On what the plan was, he says: “The plan that we talked about before the game, try and change the game and get the win.
“Every win is important, we try to do our best in our games and we’re in a good position.
“Come into games with the right attitude, together with a good atmosphere, I think we can achieve anything,” he added.
News
Terrorists ambush patrol vehicle, k!ll 20 security operatives in Plateau
No fewer than 20 security personnel and local vigilantes were killed when heavily armed terrorists ambushed a patrol team in the Garga area of Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The incident occurred around 4pm Friday when a combined team of military personnel and vigilantes, travelling in two vehicles on routine patrol across Garga, Kyaram, Gyambau, and neighbouring communities, came under heavy fire near Wanka.
According to a press statement issued Saturday by the Kanam Development Association (KADA), about 12 security personnel, including two senior military officers, lost their lives in the fierce gun battle, while eight vigilante members who joined forces to defend their communities also paid the supreme price.
While some terrorists were reportedly neutralised during the exchange, the attackers later stormed Kyaram community, looting property worth millions of naira and rustling a large number of cattle from innocent residents.
The Kanam group described the attack as part of a prolonged wave of insecurity that has plagued the border communities linking Plateau with Taraba and Bauchi states for over three to four years.
The association highlighted recurring incidents of terrorism, cattle rustling, kidnappings, and property destruction, despite repeated appeals to authorities.
The statement jointly signed by Barr. Garba Aliyu, the chairman, and Shehu Kanam (secretary), expressed deep sorrow over the loss and condemned the continued freedom with which terrorists operate in the volatile border corridor.
They demanded urgent intervention from the local government, Plateau State Government, and Federal Government.
They also called for the immediate deployment of additional military and security forces to Garga, Kyaram, Gyambau, Wanka, and surrounding areas, as well as the establishment of permanent security outposts in these border communities.
We called for enhanced coordinated operations along the Plateau-Taraba-Bauchi border as well as relief support for victims who have lost livelihoods, homes, and livestock,” the statement said.
The association stressed that the affected communities are law-abiding citizens seeking only to farm, raise families, and contribute to national development.
News
Breaking: Iran fires multiple missiles to UAE, six killed, 141 injured including Nigerians
The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defence has disclosed that the country’s air defence systems intercepted multiple aerial threats launched from Iran, as tensions continue to escalate in the region.
In a statement posted on its official X handle on Saturday, the ministry said that “UAE air defence systems on 14th March engaged 9 ballistic missiles and 33 UAVs launched from Iran.”
The disclosure highlights the scale of the latest wave of attacks that the Gulf nation says it has had to repel in recent days.
According to the ministry, the interceptions form part of a broader pattern of hostilities since the beginning of what it described as “the onsets of the blatant Iranian aggression.”
It stated that its defence forces had repeatedly been forced to activate their air defence systems to neutralise incoming threats aimed at the country.
Providing a cumulative breakdown of the attacks so far, the ministry said that “since the onsets of the blatant Iranian aggression, UAE air defences have engaged 294 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1600 UAVs launched from Iran.”
The figures suggest a sustained barrage of aerial projectiles and drones that authorities say have targeted the United Arab Emirates over time.
The ministry also confirmed that the attacks have resulted in casualties and injuries involving people from several nationalities living and working in the country.
According to the statement, “these attacks have resulted in 6 fatalities of Emirati, Pakistani, Nepali and Bangladeshi nationals.”
It further disclosed that a significant number of individuals sustained varying degrees of injuries during the attacks.
The ministry said “141 minor to moderate injuries” had been recorded among residents and workers from a wide range of countries.
Those affected, the statement said, include nationals of the United Arab Emirates as well as individuals from Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Comoros, Türkiye, Iraq, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Jordan, Palestine, Ghana, Indonesia and Sweden.
While giving the casualty details, the ministry did not specify the locations where the fatalities and injuries occurred or the specific incidents that led to them.
However, the statement suggested that the attacks involved multiple aerial threats over time.
Reaffirming the country’s defence posture, the ministry said the armed forces remain on high alert and prepared to respond to any further threats targeting the nation’s territory or security.
The Ministry of Defence affirmed that it remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats,” the statement said.
It added that the military would “firmly confront any attempts to undermine State security in a manner that ensures the protection of its sovereignty, security and stability, and safeguards its national interests and capabilities.”
Authorities did not indicate whether additional defensive measures have been put in place following the latest interceptions, but reiterated their commitment to maintaining national security and protecting residents across the federation.
Recall that the government of Qatar sent another formal complaint to the United Nations and the United Nations Security Council over what it described as repeated military aggression by Iran against its territory.
In a statement released on Friday, Qatar foreign ministry said it had sent its eighth identical letter to the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, and to the United States Permanent Representative to the UN and President of the Security Council for March, Michael Waltz.
According to the statement, the letter was submitted by Qatar’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani.
The Qatari government said the communication was aimed at informing the UN about what it called “Iranian aggression” against its territory and to highlight the security implications for the region.
The letter described the incidents as serious violations of Qatar’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
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