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Constitutional Review: Kalu Inaugurates 9-man Team Of Consultants, Issues Appointment Letters

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…as he charged the team to sacrifice for Nigeria

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has charged the technical team of consultants for the ongoing constitutional review exercise to make necessary sacrifices for the nation by helping birth an acceptable, more people-orientated constitution.

The Chairman, Committee on Constitutional Review and Deputy Speaker of the House, Rep. Benjamin Kalu stated this at a meeting of the review panel with the 9 man team of consultants chosen to drive home its mandate on Tuesday in Abuja.

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The committee also formally inaugurated and issued appointment letters to the consultants, and shared the timeline of its workplan with the consultants, urging them to study it and make their inputs where necessary.

Naijablitznews.com recalled that the constitutional review committee recently unveiled the action plan, targeting December 2025 as the period to conclude its assignment.

Members of the team included Mamman Mike Osuman, SAN; Professor Nuhu Mohammed Jamo; Chief Chris Uche, SAN; Mr. Seni Adio, SAN; Hon. Samson Osagie; Prof. Ezeilo Joy Prof. Ladi Hammalia and Barr. Clement Nwankwo who was also named coordinating consultant of the team.

The team has the mandate to develop a reasonable time bound work-plan for the Committee’s activities in liaison with the Committee Secretariat; advise the Committee on the methodology to adopt in carrying out consultations with stakeholders and interest groups and sieve out germane issues that may arise therefrom.

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Develop reliable and appropriate data collection techniques for adoption by the Committee; collate, study, analyze and asses all memoranda received from the public to bring out the issues raised in a structured manner and where applicable draft constitution amendment bills for the Committee’s consideration; analyze and present the data collected in a simple, concise and organized manner for the Committee’s deliberations and consideration to assist in ultimately taking critical and informed decisions and conduct research on bills/measures and policies referred to the Committee and advise on their viability and likely consequences on proposed constitutional alterations.

Other responsibilities were to advise the Committee to arrive at decisions that are fair to all and in accordance with the fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy; attend all Committee meeting or events of the Committee as may be directed by the Committee or Chairman; produce a comprehensive report in liaison with the Committee Secretariat for adoption by the Committee.

The coordinating consultant was also asked to liaise with his fellow consultants and the Senate to achieve coordinated work and seamless implementation of activities. Any other duty as may be directed by the chairman/committee.

Speaking at the meeting, the Deputy Speaker charged the consultants to write their names in the annals of history by making necessary sacrifices for the advancement of democracy in Nigeria.

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He said: “Today marks a major milestone in the work plan of the Committee with the composition of a Technical Team.
In order to pass the Constitution amendments in record time, I am pleased to announce to you that a 9-man technical team of consultants has been appointed to provide expert input and insights to the Committee’s work.

It is pertinent to note that the selection of the technical team was purely based on merit, expertise and personal capacity.

“You are also enjoined to consider this assignment as a call to duty and your contribution to national development.

“Like I said when I stated that it is not a commercial outing for the consultants because we know we may not be able to afford to pay for your services knowing your status in the society in the work that you do and how well or highly rated that you are. It’s a call to serve your fathers land that when it is mentioned that the constitution of the federal Republic of Nigeria was amended with better attention given to pertinent issues affecting Nigerians that you played a role in pointing the touch light to the right directions, drive away the darkness, various inconsistencies and bottlenecks in our constitution as it is at the moment hindring the advancement of our democracy. We welcome you on board because we know that you have a lot to add to the work we want to do.

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“I have no doubt that with the calibre of people seated here who have announced themselves in their chose professions, success is certain. We did not chose you because of your efficient career path, we chose you because of what you represent, a Nigeria that is fair, equitable, a country that believes in democracy.

“Again, I solicit for your optimal commitment and dedication to this all important national call to duty. Write your names in gold with your contributions, sacrifice. Working for the nation, partnering with the parliament will come with a lot of challenges. The parliament will ask a lot of questions in the manner you conduct your duites but I want to assure you, it is only for the interest of the nation that those questions will come.

“We may not based on our resources and tax payers money be able to make you very comfortable in the course of doing this job. Be ready to sacrifice. We know you can and that was why we chose you”.

In their various responses, the consultants thanked the committee for finding them worthy of service.

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Acknowledging that it is a national call of duty, they pledged to work effectively to justify the confidence reposed in them by the committee and Nigerians in general, assuring that the team will not fail Nigerians.

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Customs disolves border patrol team amidst smuggling, brutality allegations

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The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the dissolution of its Joint Border Patrol Team (JBPT).

The Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Abdullahi Maiwada, in a statement Tuesday, said the decision was made after due consultation with the office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

The House of Representatives had, on December 11, mandated its Committees on Customs and Excise, Defence, to investigate the operations and activities of the NCS across the nation’s borders over alleged complicity in aiding smuggling and involvement in brutality against Nigerians.

The committees were also directed to examine the role of military personnel attached to Customs patrols in order to ensure their operations comply with legal frameworks and human rights standards.

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The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance by Rep. Sesi Whingan who alleged that rather than prevent smuggling, recent reports showed that Customs’ personnel across the borders were aiding and abetting smuggling.

But the Customs spokesman explained yesterday that the dissolution of the joint border patrol team was part of the NCS’ efforts to strengthen border management and reinvigorate its 2025 enforcement strategy.

The JBPT, coordinated by the ONSA, evolved from an ex-swift response team to become a tripartite operation comprising Benin Republic, Niger Republic and Nigeria.

The patrol team was tasked with combating smuggling, irregular migration, and other transnational organised crimes along the nations’ borders, among others.

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Maiwada said the team’s dissolution would not compromise border security or trade facilitation, but represents a significant step towards modernising Customs’ operations, improving trade compliance and strengthening national security.

The NCS said the move was part of the organisation’s ‘2025 enforcement strategy’.

“This strategy is aimed at removing bottlenecks associated with trade, strengthening border security, combating smuggling, and facilitating legitimate trade,” he said.

Maiwada also disclosed that Adewale Adeniyi, NCS Comptroller-General, had approved the reduction of customs checkpoints across the country to streamline its operations and to ease movement of goods and persons.

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According to the statement, Adeniyi said the NCS would shift reliance to intelligence.

“Moving forward, customs operations will rely more on actionable intelligence and strategic risk management frameworks to enhance efficiency and effectiveness,” the statement quoted the CG as saying.

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Nigerians Are In Pains Because We Chose Darkness In Place Of Light — Bishop Kukah

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The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, has stated that Nigerians are pains because they refused to be liberated from “darkness.”

The priest said this in his Christmas message at the Holy Family Cathedral Catholic Church, Sokoto Diocese on Tuesday night.

He emphasised that embracing transparency, accountability, and integrity in public service, politics, and individual conduct could significantly improve the country’s current state.

He said, “Nigeria’s lack of visible and measurable progress is tied to the fact that we have chosen darkness rather than light.

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“Imagine if we let the light shine on our public service, on our politics, on our individual, community, and national life, and on our public institutions. Imagine what Nigeria would be like if we chose light instead of darkness.

“They will know we are Christians by our love,” highlighting that the country’s journey to greatness remains constrained by ethnicity, nepotism, and greed.

“We are still unable to embrace the ideals of our national anthem that says: ‘Though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand.’ Diversity is a gift from God. Let us use it effectively as a tool for national mobilization and cohesion,” he advised.

Kukah also lauded the passage of the “Not Too Young to Run Bill” in 2018, which opened doors for increased youth participation in politics.

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However, he acknowledged the ongoing challenges, such as the high costs of political participation and issues of internal democracy, which still hinder young people’s active engagement.

He also commended the enactment of the Student Loan Act 2024 and the establishment of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund by the federal government.

These initiatives, he noted, have the potential to expand opportunities for Nigerian youth, including those pursuing vocational and technical skills.

“It is significant that the Act does not limit access to university students alone. We hope this project will be free of bureaucratic bottlenecks and favoritism, ensuring that poverty does not exclude anyone from receiving a good education,” Kukah said.

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He encouraged the youth to take full advantage of these opportunities while also expressing concern about the ongoing security challenges in the country, which he described as a persistent obstacle to national stability.

Kukah, however, called on all Nigerians to choose the path of light, unity, and love, stressing that these values are essential for the nation’s progress and development.

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Omole celebrates christian faithful, says this is time for renewal of faith in nation and state

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As Christians across the globe celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the Foundation of christianity today, the Coordinator of the Osun PDP Dynamic Support Group, Comrade Omole Oluwasegun has called on Christians in Osun State and Nigerians as a whole to renew their faith in our country, insisting that our nation must be great again.

Omole noted that Nigeria is blessed with enormous material and human resources.

He said Nigerians should believe in the greatness of our nation and support the Government to achieve the required dividends.

He called on Christians to use the occasion of the birth of Jesus Christ to rededicate themselves to the advancement of the ideals of nation building. He also called for prayers against societal ills such as terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.

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Omole said Nigeria and its leaders need all the prayers and support at this time to positively change the fortunes of our fatherland.

“May this Christmas present for you an opportunity to renew and grow your faith in God and our nation, Nigeria. And may you and your family be blessed beyond measure”, he prayed.

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