Stiffer Penalties Await Terrorists …Jonathan Orders Anti-Terror Bill Review

Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State (right) with Secretary to the State Government, Hon Magnus Abe during the passing out ceremony of Batch ‘C’ 2009 corps members at Isaac Boro Park, Port Harcourt, last Thursday

President Goodluck. Jonathan has in Owerri, Imo State capital assured that the Federal Government would review the Anti-Terrorism Bill to meet current security challenges.

The President made the statement at a town hall meeting over the wekend with women, youths, students, artisans, people with disabilities and indigent persons.

Responding to questions on the security situation, particularly in the South- East zone, the President said the bill pending before the National Assembly would be recalled for review.

Jonathan said the nation needed a “strong legislation” to confront the high dimension security situation in the country.

“I have directed the Attorney-General of the Federation to review the Anti-Terrorism Bill before the National Assembly.

“A kidnapper, for instance, must not be allowed to own any property in and outside the country,” he said.

The President said the Federal Government would buy helicopters and distribute to states to help them in fighting crimes.

On the current ASUU strike in South-East universities, Jonathan said the Federal Government had waded into the crisis to find a lasting solution to the matter.

Jonathan also re-assured the audience that the 6-3-3-4 system of education would be reviewed to strengthen the primary and secondary education sectors.

“We will very soon send the UBE law back to the National Assembly for a review in line with our resolution at the recent Education Summit held in Abuja,” he said.

Imo State Governor, Ikedi Ohakim said the town hall meeting was organised to enable the government to feel the pulse of the grassroots on governance and know areas to be improved on.

Prior to the meeting, the President had held a closed-door meeting with 27 political leaders in the state.

The President also inaugurated the new governor’s office in the Government House and the Jonathan-Sambo state campaign office located in the heart of the city.

Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan last Saturday described former President Olusegun Obasanjo as “a great man, patriot, true nationalist, Pan-Africanist and global citizen”.

Jonathan extolled the ex-president’s virtues in Abuja during the public presentation of the two volumes of books written on the outstanding achievements of the 1999-2005 Obasanjo Presidency.

The President, who was represented by Vice-President Namadi Sambo, noted with delight the invaluable contributions of Obasanjo to the growth, development, stability and progress of Nigeria and Africa.

He also noted that a country, which failed to document its past, would be largely unable to understand its present conditions and plan for the future in a pragmatic way.

“We tend at times to be very impatient with our leaders. We also, as impatient beings, rush to pass judgments about the records of our leaders.

“The truth is that our country has some of the best minds in the world and great leaders.

“We must learn to appreciate the commitment, dedication, patriotism and sacrifices of all our past leaders,’’ he said.

Jonathan challenged the country’s current leaders to build a successor-generation at all levels by creating an enabling environment for creativity and innovation.

He stressed that Nigerians must develop a new approach to work, politics, leisure and public or personal relationships.

The President also appealed to leaders with access to the media and the public sphere to be patriotic by promoting good values, national unity and cohesion.

“We should inculcate in us the virtues of positive statements and guard against such comments that could challenge the foundations of our democracy, unity, peace and progress that we are building together,” he said.

Jonathan also urged the citizens to develop and nurture a culture of reading and writing.

“Increasingly, our leaders are losing interest in reading and writing in this information and technology-driven age.

“We cannot afford to be left behind in the comity of nations. It is never too late to become ICT-literate and there is nothing to be ashamed of about beginning again,’’ he said.

Earlier, Dr Samuel Akpan, the Editor-in-Chief of the publications, expressed the hope that the facts presented in the books would throw more light on the achievements of the Obasanjo Presidency.