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IWD: PLAC Urges NASS To Revisit Gender Bills

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Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) has called on the National Assembly to re-introduce the Bill to Provide for Special Seats for Women in the National and State Houses of Assembly.
Executive Director PLAC, Clement Nwankwo, made the call in a statement as the Centre joined women in Nigeria and the rest of the world to commemorate International Women’s Day (IWD) 2022.
Nwankwo said that the reintroduction of the bill should be with a view to passing same before the end of the 9th Assembly.
According to him, this year’s IWD celebration is themed #BreakTheBias#, adding that the theme is apt considering ongoing experiences of Nigerian women with gender bias in communities, workplaces, and decision-making spaces.
He said that ‘#BreakTheBias#’ is a clarion call to governments, institutions, individuals, and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to take pro-active measures to achieve gender parity.
“The sub-theme for this year’s celebration – “gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow” recognises and celebrates women and girls who are at the forefront of climate change adaptation and response; honours their leadership and contribution towards a sustainable future.
“PLAC joins in calling for an end to bias, prejudice and stereotypes that prevent women from achieving their potential and ascending to key decision-making structures.
“The recent decision of the National Assembly to reject the key Constitution amendment bill aimed at creating special seats for women in the National and State Houses of Assembly, re-enforces the need to continue to press on the government.
“This is for it to take significant actions towards full participation and equal leadership opportunities for women at all levels of decision making in Nigeria.’’
Nwankwo said that with continued women exclusion from these structures, a sustainable future cannot be guaranteed for Nigeria and the world indeed.
He said that it was worthy to note that Nigeria was part of 196 countries that signed the Paris Accord in 2015 to address climate change.
He added that women worldwide and especially in Nigeria, were struggling for inclusion in high level decision making and governance spaces.
“At PLAC, we believe a sustainable future requires gender balance today.
“We therefore remain committed to women inclusion and gender equality and stand firm in our commitment to advocate for policies and reforms that would break the bias against women in political leadership positions,’’he said
Nwankwo said that PLAC commended and congratulated Nigerian women who have been resilient in the struggle to break the constitutional, political, social, religious, and cultural biases against them.
He called on men, husbands, fathers, and sons to join the movement to #BreakTheBias by projecting women in their communities, workplaces, in politics, the legislature and indeed every sector.
According to him, the country desired would only be actualised when people worked together to #BreakTheBias.

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Reps Urge FG To Pay ASUU, NASU’s Withheld Salaries

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The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to pay the withheld salaries of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Non Academic Staff Union (NASU).
This followed the adoption of a Motion of Urgent Public Importance by Rep. Abubakar Fulata (APC-Jigawa) during plenary on Wednesday.
Presenting the motion, Fulata said that the government must accede to the unions’ demands because they were genuine.
Adopting the motion, the House urged the President to direct the relevant bodies to come up with modalities for negotiation with both ASUU and NASU.
The House said this would enable them to come up with workable, implementable and final agreement to be signed by both parties.
The House urged the president to direct the Ministry of Finance, to ensure full implementation.
The House mandated its Committees on University Education, Polytechnic Education, Federal Colleges of Education, Labour and Productivity, Finance, Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance.

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Bill To Prescribe Salaries, Allowances Of Judicial Officers Pass 2nd Reading

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The bill seeking to prescribe salaries, allowances, and fringe benefits of Judicial office holders in Nigeria has passed second reading at the Senate.
This followed the presentation of the general principles of the bill by the sponsor, Sen. Lola Ashiru (APC-Kwara) at plenary on Thursday.
Presenting the bill, Ashiru said the bill, an executive bill, was forwarded to the two Chambers of the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu, in accordance with provisions of Section 58(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended.
He said the bill, in a nutshell, seeks to prescribe salaries, allowances and fringe benefits for judicial officers in order to nip in the bud, the prolonged stagnation in their remuneration.
This, he said was to reflect the contemporary socio-economic realities of the time.
Ashiru said the bill intends to unify the salary structure, allowances and fringe benefits of judicial officers holders both in the Federal and at the State levels.
“This proposed legal framework, undoubtedly, will bring about significant improvement in the welfare, capacity and independence of the Judiciary, which have been contentious issues of public discourse over the years.”
He said that the intent of the bill was in conformity with the current administration’s resolve to strengthen the country’s Judiciary and the criminal justice system .
This, he said was to ensure its independence in the performance of its constitutional role, as the arbiter of the temple of justice.
He urged the senators to support the expeditious passage of the bill in view of its importance to the socio-economic and political development of this country.
Sen. Mohammed Monguno (APC-Borno), who seconded the motion said it was necessary to ensure adequate remuneration of Judicial officers was in line with the current economic reality.
He said that there was the need to provide an adequate remuneration that would prevent judicial officials from being tempted for corruption.
Sen. Orji Kalu (APC- Abia ) commended the executive for presenting the bill to prescribe a remuneration for the judicial arm of government, saying that no right thinking Nigerian would want to oppose it.
He urged the officials to ensure that justice is dispensed rightly to Nigerians.
He also urged the government to improve remuneration of other sectors given the economic reality.
Deputy President of Senate, Barau Jubrin (APC-Kano) said the President has done creditably well by presenting the bill for remuneration of the judicial officials.
He said the judicial officials had suffered in silence for as they were not disposed to speaking up on the issues, just like the labour unions.
He said it was cheery and commendable for President Tinubu to have brought the bill, which was designed to enhance the salary and welfare of the judicial officials.
President of Senate, Godswill Akpiabio said presentation of the bill was a right step in the right direction by President Tinubu.
Akpabio, referred the bill to the committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for further legislative inputs and to return back to plenary in four weeks, after the bill was read for the second time.

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Court To Hear Suit Against Ganduje’s Suspension, May 28

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Justice Abdullahi Muhammad Liman of the Federal High Court, Kano, has fixed May 28 for hearing in the substantive application filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje.
Dr Ganduje is challenging his suspension from the party by factional ward executives led by one Basiru Nuhu Isa.
He was first suspended by APC Ganduje Ward executives led by one Haladu Gwanjo on April 15. Another faction emerged and also announced suspension of Dr Ganduje on April 20.
The Tide source reports that the secretary of the party in Kano, Zakari Sarina, said the suspension by the faction was another case of impersonation.
Dr Ganduje is seeking a declaration that his suspension from the party without giving him opportunity to defend himself amounts to violation of his fundamental right to fair hearing.
He is also seeking a declaration that his suspension by the faction was unlawful, null and void.
Counsel for the embattled APC chairman, Hadiza Ahmad, applied for service on the respondents by substituted means which the court granted.
Justice Liman adjourned to May 28 for hearing in the matter.

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