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Crisis Looms in NASS over tenure elongation plot

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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PHOTO: Courtesy visit to Priesthood Orphanage by Just Friends Club of Nigeria Founder

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Dr. (Mrs) Blessing Echenwo, left, founder of Priesthood Orphanage, Karamajiji, Abuja and Mrs. Maria Cardillo, a member of Just Friends Club of Nigeria, during the visit of the club to the orphanage in Abuja…recently

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Just in: NYSC Releases Batch ‘C’ Corps Members Call Up Letters

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The National Youth Service Corps has announced the release of the 2024 Batch ‘C’ Stream I call-up letters for prospective corps members.

The corps made the announcement in a series of post on its official X (former Twitter) handle on Monday.

It said orientation camp for the stream is expected to start on November 27, 2024 and closes on December 17, 2024.

According to the post, “some prospective corp members posted to Lagos will have orientation in Ogun and Osun.

“While some of those posted to Zamfara will have in Kebbi and Sokoto etc”

The corps, however, advised prospective corps members to print and sign an addendum, which will be submitted during registration at the orientation camp.

Tips to guide Deployed Prospective Corps Members

Do not travel to the Orientation Camps at night. Break your journey when necessary.
Report on your scheduled reporting date.
Apply for spelling error and name rearrangement on your dashboard.
After documentation in the Camp, you cannot change your Date of Birth, Date of Graduation, Course of Study and Passport Photograph.
Do not report to the Camp if there is any discrepancies in your course of study or with the Date of Graduation on your Statement of Result and your Call-up Letter. Contact your Institution to sort it out.
ATTENTION TO ALL 2024 BATCH ”C” STREAM I MARRIED FEMALE PROSPECTIVE CORPS MEMBERS

All married female Prospective Corps members (PCMs) who are deployed to States where their husbands are not domiciled should report to the nearest NYSC Orientation Camp for their State of Deployment to be changed.

They are to report during the period of Registration at the Orientation Camps with the copies of their marital and other relevant documents as evidence. Once the change is made it will reflect on theirM dashboard for reprinting.

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Oba of Benin to withdraw suit as Okpebholo restores rights

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The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, and the Benin Traditional Council may withdraw the suits they filed against the state government as Governor Monday Okpebholo, on Sunday, restored the full statutory rights of the Oba and reversed the policies of the previous administration that impacted the Benin Traditional Council.

A statement on Sunday by Okepebholo’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, said the governor abolished the new traditional councils in Edo South created by the immediate-past governor, Godwin Obaseki.

Okpebholo also backed the Federal Government’s recognition of the Oba’s palace as the custodian of repatriated Benin artefacts looted during the 1897 British colonial expedition.

Providing an insight into the governor’s gesture, the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Samson Osagie, said it signaled the resolution of the crisis between the Oba of Benin and the Edo State government leading to lawsuits duringt the Obaseki’s administration.

Osagies said, “The cases in court are cases which the Oba of Benin himself and the Benin Traditional Council instituted against the state government, and they are all civil matters. And you know that in civil suit or in any suit, parties are encouraged to settle amicably.

“So, if the parties are already settling and one side is already meeting the condition of settlement, the next step you are going to hear is that the party who went to court, which is the Oba of Benin, and the Benin Traditional Council, will instruct their counsel to withdraw the cases from court and that will be the end of the matter.

“The two parties are now settling for harmony and peace to reign, so the government is doing its own side of it.

“This statement is a prelude to discontinuing all legal proceedings with respect to the twin issues of the concession of the Oba Akenzua Cultural Centre by government to the Benin Traditional Council for 30 years and the creation of additional councils.”

The statement by Okepebholo’s Chief Press Secretary outlined the administration’s commitment to restoring the dignity and authority of the Benin monarch.

“This administration also hereby abolishes the new traditional councils in Edo South, created by the last administration,” the statement noted.

Additionally, Governor Okpebhol revoked the decision of the Obaseki’s administration to convert the Oba Akenzua II Cultural Centre into a motor park.

The government announced plans to restore the cultural centre to its original purpose.

“This administration is restoring the Oba Akenzua Centre to a suitable condition for its original purpose,” the statement added.

The governor also reinstated the financial entitlements of the Benin Traditional Council, ordering that the status quo before the creation of the abolished councils be maintained.

According to the statement, Okpebholo affirmed support for the Federal Government’s official gazette, which recognizes the Oba of Benin as the rightful owner and custodian of the repatriated Benin artefacts.

He also distanced his administration from the Museum of West Africa Art, instead backing the Benin Royal Museum project to house the artefacts.

“The Federal Government has also issued a gazette for the recognition of ownership and custody of the repatriated Benin artefacts to the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II,” the statement explained. “Governor Okpebholo respects the rights and privileges of the traditional ruler of Benin kingdom… and pledges the support of his administration to ensure the monarch plays his role as the custodian of the rich cultural heritage of the Benin people.”

Okpebholo reiterated his administration’s respect for traditional institutions and vowed to avoid interference in the internal affairs of the Benin Traditional Council. “The Oba of Benin, as the father of all Benin people, is the sole custodian of the customs and traditions of the Benin people, and my administration respects customs and traditions in the land,” he stated, emphasising the government’s efforts to uphold the cultural and historical integrity of the Benin Kingdom.

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