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Pass Anti-Terrorism Bill -Jonathan …Withdraws Mamman, Anka From INEC List
President Goodluck Jonathan has urged the Senate to pass the Anti-Terrorism Bill and Anti-Money Laundering (Amendment) Bill before the end of June.
In a letter dated April 29 and addressed to Senate President David Mark, Jonathan noted that the two bills were presented to the Senate in 2009 and were still awaiting consideration and passage.
He noted that the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) had identified strategic deficiencies in Nigeria’s anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism regime.
The president said that the identified deficiencies included the absence of a comprehensive anti-terrorism law and the absence of standard provisions in the current anti-money laundering law in accordance with FATF Special Recommendations.
He said that the Inter Ministerial/Agency Team set up in October 2009 had since engaged the FATF Review Group and had submitted a National Work Plan to address the identified deficiencies.
“You may also wish to be informed that at the last face-to-face meeting with the FATF Regional Review Group in Bahrain in February, Nigeria made a commitment to the review process and guaranteed that the Anti-Terrorism Bill and the Anti-Money Laundering (Amendment) Bill before the National Assembly would be passed on or before June 30, 2010, other things being equal,” he said.
Jonathan said that the FATF was determined to apply requisite sanctions if Nigeria showed no serious commitment to addressing the identified deficiencies.
The president noted the grave political and economic consequences of Nigeria being blacklisted again by the FATF if the deficiencies were not addressed.
He said that the consequences of Nigeria being blacklisted again would lead to international investors being scared to invest in Nigeria while “those willing to do will request for the most stringent conditions”.
“Some countries will not honour international financial instruments emanating from Nigeria, including Letters of Credit.
“Nigeria’s international image will be highly dented as a country without the political will to cooperate in the global war on terror.”
In a related development, President GoodLuck Jonathan has withdrawn the nomination of Major Gen. A.B Mamman (Rtd) (Zamfara ,North West) and Ambassador Mohammed Z. Anka (FCT, North Central) from the list of ten nominee- National Electoral Commissioners.
President Jonathan had in a letter dated June 17, 2010 to the Senate president, David Mark sought the indulgence of the senate to remove the two of them from the list earlier submitted to the upper chambers for confirmation.
According to Mr. President replacements for the duo will be forwarded to the Senate in due course.
Though no reason, by the letter was given by President Goodluck, a source close to the presidency has raised the issue of federal character ; the evident inbalance in the regional representation in the list as the major reason for the withdrawal of the two.
The list earlier sent to the Senate for confirmation of the Chairman and ten National Electoral Commissioners has Prof. Attahiru Mohammadu Jega as Chairman of the Commission (Kebbi- North West) ,Mrs Amina Bala Zakari, member(Jigawa – Nort West) and Ambassador Mohammed Z. Anka; member (Zamfara- Nort West).
Also in the list of members are Engr.(Dr) Nuru Yakubu (Yobe- North East), Col. M.K. Hammanga; (Adamawa- North East), Dr. Abdukadir Sulaiman Oniyangi (Kwara- North Central) and Major Gen. A.B. Mamman (FCT-North Central).
Others are Dame Gladys Nne Nwafor (Abia- South East), Mr Ismael Igbani (Rivers- South West), Mrs Thelma Iremiren (Delta- South South) and Prof. Lai Olurode (Osun- South West).
Briefing correspondents, the Senate’s spokesman, Senator Ayogu Eze, said Mr President having sent them the list of nominees for confirmation, in accordance with section 154(1) and (3) of the 1999 constitution the Senate had considered this and resolved to screen the Chairman, Prof. Jega in a committee of the whole on live telecast instead of allowing the committee on INEC to do that and send them their report. This he, said will grant the entire the senate have the opportunity to ask the nominee as much question as possible while the live telecast , Wednesday will enable Nigerians have first hand view of the screening session.
Nneka Amaechi- Nnadi (Abuja)
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.