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Senate Adopts Report On Peace Corps Bill

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The Senate in plenary on Tuesday adopted the Report of the Conference Committee which was set up by the Two Chambers to harmonise the Bill for an Act to establish the Nigeria Peace Corps.

The Conference Committee set up earlier in the year by both the chambers completed its assignment on Wednesday last week leading to the Report been laid and Adopted by the House of Representatives on Thursday, 30th March, 2023.

The Harmonized Report of the Conference Committee which was laid and adopted by the Senate today showed that the Conference Committee adopted the version of the Bill as passed by the House of Representatives.

Highlight of the adopted report is on clause 38 (1) of the version passed by the Senate which is in conflict with the version passed by the House of Representatives as contained under clause 38 (1).

Whereas the Senate’s version seeks dissolution of the existing Peace Corps of Nigeria and National Unity and Peace Corps, the House of Representatives version of the Bill solely recommends the dissolution of the existing Peace Corps of Nigeria to be transformed into the Nigerian Peace Corps when assented to President Buhari.

The Conference report clarified that for a Bill to become an Act of Parliament in Nigeria, it must pass through the two Chambers of the National Assembly, a criteria which the National Unity and Peace Corps Bill could not attain because its Bill was never debated unlike that of the Peace Corps of Nigeria debated and passed by the two Chambers.

However, the Bill for an Act to establish the Nigeria Peace Corps expressly provided under clause 38 (8) a window of opportunity for individuals, groups, associations or bodies that show or demonstrate interest to be absorbed as members of the Corps shall be absorbed subject to the mandatory basic training and orientation program of the Corps as may be prescribed from time to time when the Bill is signed into law.

Members of the Senate’s Committee are:

Senator Kashim Shettima, Chairman.

Senator Abba Moro member.

Senator Betty Apiafi Member.

Senator Oriolowo Adelere member

Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe member and

Senator Seriake Dickson member

Members of the House Conference Committee are Hon Babangida Ibrahim (Chairman) Hon Tijani Kayode Ismail, Hon Chinedu Ogah, Hon Ibrahim Umar Potiskum, Hon Abdulmumini Are and Hon Legor Idegbo as members.

It will be recalled that the Nigeria Peace Corps (NPC) Establishment Bill passed in 2022 by the two Chambers was sponsored by the Chairman, Senate Committee of the Nigerian Army, Senator Ali Ndume while that of the House of Representatives was sponsored by the Chief Whip, Rt Hon Mohammed Monguno as HB17

The Bill, among others, seeks to establish the Nigerian Peace Corps as a body charged with the responsibility to develop, empower and provide gainful employment to youths, facilitate peace, volunteerism, Community Service, Neighborhood Watch and Nation building.

According to part Vlll of the passed Bill, when assented to by President Buhari, would give statutory backing to the existing Peace Corps of Nigeria.

The adoption of the Report by both the Senate and the House of Representatives has brought to its logical conclusion every legislated process involved in the enactment of a Bill has however cleared the coast for the transmission of this all-important Bill to Mr President for assent.

The Peace Corps of Nigeria established over 24 years ago under the National Commandant, Dickson Ameh Akoh is Incorporated in Nigeria under the Company and Allied Matters (CAMA) Act and accorded the Federal Government recognition through the Federal Ministry of Youth Development.

Due to the value driven programs of the Corps, aimed at the socio-economic empowerment of the Nigerian youths and its onerous contributions to peace building and advocacy, the United Nations in 2011 accorded the organization a Special Consultative Status while the African Union in 2016 accorded same status to the organization, thus, making it a member of the Social and Economic Councils of both the United Nations and the African Union.

So far, the organization has a well-structured network of offices in the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory FCT..

 

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NASS Secures Presidential Assent to Federal Universities in Ekiti, Osun

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Senate Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele
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The National Assembly has secured the assent of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Bills establishing Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences in Iyin Ekiti, Ekiti State and Federal Universities of Agriculture and Development Studies in Iragbiji, Osun State.

Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele revealed the decision of the president yesterday after the signing of the two legislations establishing the two universities at the State House, Abuja on Thursday.

Bamidele had sponsored bills to establish Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences in Iyin- Ekiti Kingdom, Ekiti State and Federal University of Agriculture and Development Studies, Iragbiji, Osun State respectively in 2023 and 2024.

He had initiated with strong convictions that the two bills would bridge the knowledge gap in science, technology and innovation required for national development; promote environmental sustainability and climate action as well as enhance agricultural innovation and food security in the country.

Contingent upon their strategic national significance, the upper chamber passed the two legislative initiatives into laws and secured the concurrence of the House of Representatives, thereby informing the resolve of the president to give effect to the two legislations.

After the signing of the bills yesterday, Bamidele revealed the decision of the president, which he described as defining and significant in the quest of the president administration to address food insecurity and challenges associated with climate change in the country.

He, therefore, commended the president for approving the establishment of the two federal universities with specific mandate to address knowledge deficit in environmental technology and promote innovative research in food security and agricultural production.

Before the assent of the president yesterday, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa had strongly recommended the establishment of Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences in Iyin Ekiti, Ekiti State and Federal Universities of Agriculture and Development Studies in Iragbiji, Osun State.

In a letter to the presidency on Wednesday, February 19, the education minister asked the president to approve the establishment of the two federal universities as passed by the National Assembly.

With respect to the Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences in Iyin Ekiti, the minister said the Federal Ministry of Education “has reviewed the provisions of the bill and found that it meets all requisite guidelines and standards for the establishment of a Federal University of this nature.

“The university will specialise in technology-driven education and research, producing graduates equipped with 21st century skills in Engineering, Digital Innovation and Applied Sciences. It will drive Nigeria’s industrialization by fostering homegrown technological solutions for economic growth and job creation.

“The institution will focus on environmental sciences, offering programmes that address climate change, renewable energy, waste management and sustainable urban development. It will serve as a research hub for developing policies and solutions that align with Nigeria’s commitment to global environmental sustainability goals.”

On the Federal Universities of Agriculture and Development Studies in Iragbiji, Alausa specifically said the university would serve as a center for advanced agricultural education, research, and innovation, contributing to the country’s food security and sustainable agricultural practices.

He said: “It will develop improved farming techniques, agro-processing methods, and climate-smart agriculture solutions to boost productivity and resilience. The university will integrate agricultural sciences with development studies, training professionals to address socioeconomic challenges in rural areas.

“It will foster entrepreneurship and Agribusiness, equipping students with skills for self-employment and wealth creation. The university will stimulate economic activities in Iragbiji and surrounding communities, creating employment and business opportunities.

“The university will serve as a hub for collaborative research with international institutions, government agencies, and the private sector to drive innovations in agricultural sustainability, and community development,” the minister wrote in another letter to the president.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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NLM Rejigs Leadership Structure, Says It’s time for Leadership by Productivity

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By Abdulrahman Obaje

The Nigeria Liberty Movement (NLM) has outlined detailed plan as it rejig the leadership structure of the party from National Executive Councils to Family Mobilisers, saying that It’s time for leadership by productivity.

This is contained in an advance Ramadan message by Amb. Moses O. Adebisi PhD, aka ThisDaysMoses, aka Al’Musa, National Leader, Nigerian Liberty Movement.

Ambassador Moses while passing his advance ramadan message said, “Despite the general acceptance of the Message of Liberty by the aggrieved members of Nigeria Society, we have a need, and that need is worthy, able and willing Liberator in our 7 Hierarchical Order of Leadership and Structural Formation.”

“11 person at the state level across all the senatorial districts.”

“11 person at every local government level in your state.”

“11 person at every wards level in your state.”

“Requirements: We need a leader that can assemble these numbers of person together in his state, have a meeting with them, take their details and bring it to the headquarters in Abuja in person.”

“You and them would become the NWC of NLM, You and them will receive our Training, Empowerment and Leadership Tickets in Our Party and Our Government.”

“In quest for Liberty: NLM Through You, Would Emerge New Breed of Leadership in Nigeria’s Political Landscape, For Emergency National Intervention, Self Actualisation of every Nigerian and National Development.”

He charges any member that has the capacity to lead to contact him with his or her detailed plan.

he said, “Can you take this lead for your state?, Come up hitter, Come to my dm and tell me the state you want to lead, We shall bring down this posts in 24hours”

He greats and wishes the muslim community in Nigeria a rewarding Ramadan period in advance and pray that May the Ramadan bring you ever closer to Jannah

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PANDEF Leader Edwin Clark Dies At 97

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The leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Edwin Clark, is dead.

The death of the former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South leader was confirmed by a family representative, Prof. C. C. Clark, on Tuesday.

The statement read, “The Clark-Fuludu Bekederemo family of Kiagbodo Town, Delta State, wishes to announce the passing of Chief (Dr.) Sen. Edwin Kiagbodo Clark OFR, CON on Monday, 17th February 2025.

“The family appreciates your prayers at this time. Other details will be announced later by the family.”

Clark was a leading voice for regional and national unity. He was also known for mediating peace among warring communities and politicians in the Niger Delta region.

Last October, he set up a committee to reconcile Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his erstwhile political godfather Nyesom Wike.

The committee was headed by former Akwa Ibom Governor Obong Victor Attah, Co-Chairman, Pandef BOT.

Clark’s death comes barely four days after the demise of Pa Ayo Adebanjo, the leader of Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group.

Both statesmen were known to be leading voices in the political development of the country.

The duo joined other patriots to attend the Greater Nigeria Conference, which was held in Abuja in 2022 to deliberate on the emergence of the next Nigerian President from the South-East.

In November 2023, they, alongside other and other eminent leaders of thought, renewed the calls for the restructuring of the country to achieve a true federal structure.

They called for the adoption and fully implementation of the 2014 National Conference report, arguing that document contains the antidote to the political and socio-economic problems confronting the country.

 

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