Niger Delta
Constitution Review: Committee’ll Be Guided By Ethical Standards – Sen Omo-Agege
Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, says the Senate Committee on Review of 1999 Constitution will apply ethical standards, best legislative practices, integrity and open mindedness in reviewing the constitution.
Omo-Agege said this yesterday in Abuja at the public hearing of the committee, which also had the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Pauline Tallen, some heads of parastatals and prominent Nigerians in attendance.
According to him, the committee conducted zonal public hearing in 12 locations across the six geo-political zones of the country, where members heard the views of many Nigerians and memoranda submitted.
He said the committee had also received a broad range of issues about the review of the constitution, studied them and engaged a selected group of competent consultants to further examine the recommendations from the report of the 2014 national conference.
Omo-Agege said the committee had also revisited some of the bills in the past constitution amendment exercises which did not pass the hurdles of concurrence with the House of Representatives, ratification by state Houses of Assembly and Presidential assent.
He added that, “we have painstakingly re-examined those bills and reintroduced some of the proposals deemed beneficiary to our people.
“We are looking at them to determine at what stage of the process they fell off the list and reasons thereof, with a view to improving on them to suit the demands of our time and ensure that they do not suffer the same fate,” he said.
He further said that some people had advocated for a new constitution rather than amending the one on ground, adding that all opinions toward the constitution would be respected.
He explained that the constitution review would be conducted in accordance with extant legal order provided by the 1999 Constitution, specifically with the provision of Section 9.
He, therefore, urged Nigerians present at the public hearing to abide by the standards, irrespective of political affiliation while making their contributions.
The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Bello, urged Nigerians present at the public hearing of the constitution review to be guided by the principle of national unity.
Bello urged them to make the best opportunity to strengthen the nation’s common values.
The Tide learnt that areas which the committee was specifically looking at were gender equity/increased participation of women and vulnerable groups in governance.
Others are: the Federal Structure in governance, devolution of power, local government administration and local government autonomy.
Some others are: public revenue, fiscal federalism, revenue allocation, constitutional provision for establishment of state police and judicial reform.
Niger Delta
Make God Your Anchor To Fulfill Destiny, Cleric Charges Christians … As Jaja Marks 70th Birthday
The Lead Pastor at Jesus Appointed People’s Bible Church, Ozogbe, Ikwerrengwo-Etche, in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Pastor Promise Nwaelele, has urged Christians to make God the anchor of their lives in whatever position they find themselves, in order to attain the destinies set for them by God.
Pastor Nwaelele, who gave the charge recently in a sermon he preached at the 70th birthday anniversary thanksgiving service of Sir Donald Michael Jaja, a veteran journalist in Rivers State, said this is because any genuine child of God is a permanent target for destabilization and destruction by the devil.
Taking his text from the Bible book of Mark 4:16-17, the preacher stated that fulfilment in life for a child of God required faith, obedience to God’s word, humility and grace to withstand trials and temptations.
According to him, temptations and afflictions are bound to happen in the lives of those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
“No wonder the Bible said that those that endure till the end shall be saved”, he said.
The Clergyman said God prospers believers who are humble, not proud and conceited, and leads them to destiny fulfilment.
“David said in Psalm 51:17, that the sacrifices acceptable to God are a broken spirit, not an impatient or proud spirit”, the preacher said.
He called on Christians not to allow persecutions and afflictions to sway them from the love and blessings of Jesus Christ.
On his part, Jaja, a seasoned Journalist who retired as an Acting Editor of the Rivers State Government-owned The Tide Newspaper, gave thanks to God for honouring him by giving him the grace of attaining 70 years.
“I cannot capture what the good Lord has done for me in my entire life in this fleeting moment of thanksgiving. But, I know that without Him, I wouldn’t have been who I am today, in all spheres. Therefore, my joy knows no bounds as I give thanks to my creator today, alongside my family. Praise be His holy name”, Jaja said.
