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Pass Anti-Terrorism Bill -Jonathan …Withdraws Mamman, Anka From INEC List

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15 years ago

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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In a related development, President GoodLuck Jonathan has withdrawn the nomination of Major Gen.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)

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198 UNIBEN Students Bag First Class

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6 days ago

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November 24, 2025

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A total of 198 students of the University of Benin (UNIBEN ) Edo State, bagged a First Class degree out of 14,083 students to be awarded first degree at the institution’s 51st Convocation and Founder’s Day ceremony.
Vice Chancellor of UNIBEN, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, disclosed this on Monday in Benin at a pre-convocation press briefing.
He said 4,217 students bagged a Second Class Upper,  7, 928 got a Second Class Lower, while 578 bagged a Third Class degree.
He said 15 new approved programmes by the National Universities Commission (NUC) would commence in the 2025/2026 academic session.
According to him, “The wheel of progress is on course and moving steadily in the University of Benin.  This administration is poised to deliver on its mandate of effective, practical teaching, sound learning, result-oriented research and impactful community service.
“We must applaud the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for establishing NELFUND, and by so doing significantly reducing the financial stress of students in the process of acquiring tertiary education.   We enjoin students and their parents to take full advantage of the federal government’s benevolence in instituting the fund.”
Prof. Omoregie disclosed that Nigeria’s Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, would deliver the Founders’ Day lecture with the topic,  “Reforms for a Shared Prosperity”.
The UNIBEN VC said Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs and Former Vice Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Professor Eghosa Osaghae, would deliver the Convocation Lecture on the theme, “Making Our Universities Great”.
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Bayelsa Education Fund, British Council  trains tra 1,000 teachers

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6 days ago

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November 24, 2025

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The last batch of 400 public school teachers in Bayelsa State on Monday commenced training under the sponsorship of Bayelsa Education Development Trust Fund (EDTF) and the British Council.
This batch will bring to 1000 the number of public school teachers in the state who have benefited in the partnership arrangement.School supplies
The EDTF, British Council and Teachers Training, Registration and Certification Board collaborated in the capacity development programme.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the five day capacity building program, Commissioner for Education Dr Gentle Emelah reiterated the commitment of the Bayelsa government to training and capacity of teachers in the state.
He noted that the improved teaching methodology in the state was responsible for the state producing the best student in the 2025 West African School Certificate Examinations.
Prof Ebimiowei, Executive Secretary at EDTF, noted that the collaboration is aimed at improving learning outcomes for pupils and students of public primary and secondary schools in Bayelsa.
“You will agree with me that until the cutlass is sharpened, it will have no impact on the hands of the farmer and so it is with our teachers., you need to be sharpened very well to give good delivery in your various classes and schools.
“Let me at this juncture appreciate the British Council for accepting to train 1,000 teachers, 50 education managers and 60 trainers for Bayelsa,” he said.
On his part, Chairman of the EDTF board, High Chief Fidelis Agbiki expressed appreciation to the Commissioner for Education Dr Gentle Emelah for his supportive role to the fund.
Agbiki urged the beneficiaries to justify the enormous resources invested by the government of Bayelsa by being dedicated within the five days the exercise would last.
He said; “This board will not operate on business as usual but on business unusual as we will push the frontiers outside the box to ensure that we get value for money,” Agbiki said.
 Chairman of Development Partners Committee of the EDTF applauded the commitment of the partners for the successful completion of the programme, urging them to sustain the tempo
Speaking on the programme, Mr Fwanshishak Daniel, Head, English and Schools, British Council noted that the Bayelsa government had shown exemplary commitment to educational development.
He explained that the commitment has enabled the British Council and Bayelsa government to achieve within one year greater milestones that took other states three years to achieve.
He explained that the resources of the British Council have been made available to Bayelsa with the training of 60 resource persons from the state who will in turn train other teachers to improve education.
According to Daniel, the training will lay emphasis on new teaching methods, use of digital tools for self development and access to school amongst others.
Dr Peremoboere Ogola, Acting Chairman of TTRC, which facilitated training, thanked the EDTF for supporting training of teachers in Bayelsa with world class resources of the British Council.
She noted that another batch of newly recruited teachers are currently undergoing training at State government owned University of Africa, Toru Orua, Sagbama LGA in Bayelsa
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RSG INAUGURATES ARMED FORCES REMEMBRANCE DAY COMMITTEE

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6 days ago

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November 24, 2025

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The Rivers State Government has inaugurated a Central Planning Committee to organize the celebration of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD) in the State.

The committee was formally inaugurated by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba in Port Harcourt, last Thursday.

Dr Anabraba who also serves as Chairman of the Committee

highlighted the State Government’s deep appreciation for the sacrifices of Nigeria’s fallen heroes who laid down their lives for the nation’s peace and unity.

“These heroes have given their lives for the security and peace of our nation and deserve to be celebrated. The Armed Forces Remembrance Day is an opportunity to show our gratitude for their sacrifice,” he said.

Dr. Anabraba further extended recognition to all Security Agencies in the State, emphasizing the importance of the event in appreciating their contributions to national security and sovereignty.

The annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day, observed on January 15 across the country is dedicated to remember Nigeria’s departed soldiers and honouring the nation’s veterans.

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