News
WATCH how HoR Minority Caucus leader, Chinda analysed why Nig needs to shift from presidential to home grown Parliamentary system
By Chukwuka Kanu
The Dialogue to ensure Nigerians savour its own home grown Parliamentary System entered a different level on Monday as dignitaries from all walks of life espoused different views on the subject matter at the Shehu Yar’Dua International Conference Centre, Abuja.
Panelist of men of substance from egg heads to former governors, speakers, serving lawmakers all gathered to find a common solution to governance shift that would adopt Nigeria’s peculiarities and take Nigerians to the promised land.
To this end, at the National Dialogue on a Home Grown Parliamentary System of Government, a co-convener and HoR Minority Caucus leader Kingsley Chinda as one of panelists gave a breakdown on the way forward.
Hear him:
“I think that restates the cliche by Alexander Pope referred to by His Excellency that for every form of government they must contend for whatever is best administered.
“But I think it’s not just those who administer the system, you must also have a system that is administrable in your own circumstances.
“And that is why today if you ask, some persons might even say that Nigerians are inherently corrupt but that is not the case.
He stressed further: “When we started we were not like this, so you ask the question where did we get it wrong?
“The only thing that we have seen is that the system we imported, the laws we have so much loopholes and it makes it comfortable for us public office holders to do things that we get away with easily.
“The former speaker talked about the issue of impeachment, removing a councillor under our present law is almost an impossibility and so the councillor knows, I’m not talking about members of the National Assembly, I’m not talking about the executive, the councillor at the ward level because you have to get majority signatures of voters and that will be confirmed by INEC, how do you do that? When even the voters register had more than 50% ghost names, so where are you going to get the 50% genuine persons and their signatures confirmed?
“So this system has inherent loopholes that will allow those who are administering it to go scot-free and we need to tighten it.
“Another reason why we say so is that the same Nigerian who takes pride in beating the traffic light, who takes pride with even the NEPA at home you would want to do a bypass, send that same person to Ghana, I’m not talking about the United States, send him to Ghana and there is a queue somewhere, he will line up quietly because he knows that the system is not the same thing he had at home.
” So some people talk about mindset change, yes you might think about mindset change but to me the person sitting behind, the children behind are the people that require a mindset change because we already know that what we are doing is wrong and when we go to a clime where they have a better and stronger system we behave ourselves, so what mind are you going to change?
“We need to change the system, we need to begin to provide stronger penalty for those who commit crime.
“I remembered once either in the 8th or 7th Assembly we proposed a bill for death penalty for public office holders that steal public funds, it did not see the light of day.
” I think that we should begin to take extreme measures that will discourage public office holders from doing the things that they do.
“And the current presidential system we practice is one that allows a lot of leverage, there are so many things that are morally wrong but legally they are right under our laws and so it becomes difficult to hold anybody culpable even where people criticise over such actions.
“And for us to move on, we must begin to look at our own peculiar attitudes and couch laws that will take care of them, that is the homegrown.
“Homegrown is not that we look at our culture, tradition and all that, no. What are Nigerians likely to do if you give them this opportunity.
“Let me use discretion, if you bring a public office holder in Europe and bring a Nigerian public office holder and ask them to exercise discretion on an issue, I’m sure that you will agree that the Nigerian public office holder will be looking at religion, tribe whilst taking that matter.
Watch video below:
THE END
News
Immigration raises alarm over high number of irregular migration in Nigeria
The Edo State Controller of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Martins Moye, has raised the alarm over the increasing number of irregular migrants entering Nigeria.
Moye raised the alarm at the 2024 Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, enlightenment campaign against irregular migration in Benin, Edo State capital.
He underscored the need for public awareness to curb irregular migration.
A facilitator from NIS headquarters in Abuja, David Amanahu, highlighted Edo State’s historical role in irregular migration.
According to him, due to recent efforts by the Edo State Command, the state has improved in the national ranking on irregular migration.
“The positive news is that Edo State is no longer ranked number one in irregular migration.
“Credit goes to the dedicated team in Edo who worked tirelessly to improve the situation,” Amanahu stated.
Amanahu, while delivering a message from the Controller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap, noted that the NIS is now more focused than ever on border management and migration issues.
News
Boundary disputes responsible for insecurity in coastal states – Oborevwori
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta has said that boundary disputes were also responsible for the rising spate of insecurity, deaths, violence and retarded progress in the country.
The governor stated this while addressing an audience at a one-day workshop for the creation of a platform for Nigeria’s coastal states and local government areas, held at the Government House, Asaba.
The workshop has the theme, “Towards a Secure, Peaceful and Prosperous Borders,” the News Agency of Nigeria reports.
There are many crises in the country over border issues, with Delta State having its fair share.
The boundary crisis between the Okuama community in the Ughelli South Local Government Area and the Okoloba community in the Bomadi Local Government Area, which had claimed many lives, is being resolved by the government.
Speaking at the workshop, the governor said so many lives had been lost to boundary disputes as he called on the National Boundary Commission and other stakeholders to work assiduously in resolving such disputes in the country.
He described the theme as apt, adding that boundary dispute was an ancient and modern disease of humanity.
He said right from the colonial days, Nigeria had been plagued by boundary disputes, which had disastrous and destabilising consequences for the people.
“There is scarcely any state in Nigeria that has not been involved in a boundary dispute with its neighbours, which often results in displacement, death, and destruction.
“Reports indicate that between January 2018 and August 2022; 676 people were killed in various communal and boundary clashes in Nigeria.
“The causes of these disputes are traceable to land ownership, community pride, ancient or colonial boundaries, and socio-cultural factors.
“In Delta State, it is safe to say that at least 80 per cent of boundary disputes revolve around land use, either for farming, mining, and other purposes of economic significance.
“The resultant clashes often leave in their trail a chunk of internally displaced persons with the implication this has for their safety and wellbeing.
“As we all know, the living conditions in IDP camps are unsanitary and inevitably constitute environmental hazards,” he said.
Oborevwori charged the National Boundary Commission to work harder in resolving boundary disputes across the country.
“As the body responsible for resolving boundary disputes in Nigeria, the National Boundary Commission is critical to the peace, security, and prosperity of our communities.
“It is incumbent on it to embark on enlightenment and sensitisation programmes to educate the people on the importance of respecting boundaries.
“It must also properly investigate cases of boundary disputes. In discharging this vital responsibility, officials of the Commission must demonstrate the highest levels of objectivity, neutrality, and integrity to instil confidence and elicit the goodwill of the people.
“Conversations break down fast once there is a perception of favouritism or nepotism on the part of those who are supposed to be impartial arbiters,” he said.
He added, “It goes without saying that an effective conflict resolution mechanism is critical for maintaining national security.
“Hence, there is a need for strong political will on the part of the government to implement recommendations that will resolve disputes amicably, and prevent future border disputes.
“With enhanced peace and security at the core of our MORE agenda, we are committed to partnering with the Commission to discharge its functions effectively for a secure, peaceful, and prosperous Nigeria.”
In his welcome remarks, the Deputy Governor, Monday Onyeme, expressed delight that the African Union Border Governance Strategy would look into good border governance and the attainment of sustainable development.
Onyeme, who doubles as the Chairman of the State Boundary Commission, urged the African Union to sustain the tempo to ensure the harmonisation of all grey areas along the boundary communities.
He observed that the European colonisers arbitrarily, without due regard to the ethnic homogeneity of many African groups, forced Africans to belong to different nations, while diverse heterogeneous communities were hurriedly bundled into a single nation with distinct boundaries.
On their part, the deputy governors of Bayelsa and Rivers states, Lawrence Egwhrudjakpor and Prof Ngozi Odu, respectively, called on relevant authorities to discuss boundary issues often, to enthrone peace in the country.
Earlier, the Director-General of the National Boundaries Commission, Mr Adamu Adaji, said the workshop was primarily designed to engage Nigeria’s coastal states, local government areas and traditional rulers on effective border governance in Nigeria.
The NAN reports that stakeholders, including some traditional rulers from the South-West and South-South states, attended the event.
News
Obaseki embarks on post-tenure medical vacation
The immediate-past governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has proceeded on vacation.
This is for him to rest and undergo a medical check-up, after a successful two-term as governor of the state.
This was disclosed in a statement by his media adviser, Crusoe Osagie, on Wednesday.
The former governor completed his two-term administration on November 11, 2024, and a new governor, Monday Okpebholo, was sworn in on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.
Osagie said, “Following the completion of his second term, a former Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has proceeded on vacation to rest and undergo a medical check-up.
“Obaseki, once again, expressed his appreciation to God Almighty, the people of Edo State and Nigeria for the opportunity to serve.
“He urged all Edo people both at home and in the diaspora to continue to be hopeful and pray for the peace, progress and prosperity of our state and Nigeria.”
-
News20 hours ago
Happening Now! Part of Abuja Model City on fire
-
Opinion19 hours ago
PDP NAT’L CHAIRMANSHIP & THE DELUGE OF ENGR UTAAN’S ENDORSEMENTS
-
News18 hours ago
APC Youth Disown Group Over Protest Against Matawale
-
News21 hours ago
Reps Urge Polytechnics to Introduce Innovative Courses
-
News17 hours ago
Nigerian born billionaire Ogunlesi proposes to fiancée with $500K diamond ring
-
News18 hours ago
Publisher Of Veracity Desk, Ajibulu Felicitates Pastor Oluwaleke Toba, Host Of Hallelujah Everyday Podcast
-
News15 hours ago
SAD! 39 years old actor, found dead in his room, left a letter
-
News2 hours ago
Trump picks ex-Democrat Tulsi Gabbard as US Intel Chief