Nigeria has become laughing stock said David Mark

Senate President David Mark said, yesterday, that with the unabating wave of terrorism by an Islamic sect where scores of lives have been lost with property destroyed, Nigeria has now become a laughing stock among the comity of nations.
The Senate President who reiterated that the act is condemnable, uncalled for and clearly avoidable, stressed that no matter the level of anger or grievances in a man’s mind, taking the life of another cannot provide a solution, adding, “this is ungodly. It is inhuman and does not enjoy the support of any right-thinking member of the society.”

New constitution out in 2013 said Senate

Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, said yesterday, that a new amendment to the 1999 Constitution would be ready by July 2013. Ekweremadu, who chairs the Senate Committee on the Review of the Constitution, disclosed to newsmen in Abuja that the committee had started the process of further amendments to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He said: “Give and take, our estimation is that by July 2013, we will be able to conclude another set of constitution amendment. We even thought we can move faster than that but we are going to engage in other national assignments, we are going to engage the 2013 budget which I suppose will come in September and then ensure that the other legislations did not suffer. So when we put all these things together, we believe that July 2013 will be an appropriate time to deliver the next set of amendment.”
Ekweremadu also expressed the readiness of the Senate to work with the House of Representatives in the amendment of the constitution, bearing in mind that both chambers carried out separate amendments in the sixth National Assembly.
According to him, “it will be our pleasure to work with them and that has been the tradition. That will save Nigeria huge resources. It will save us time.
I have always believed that two heads are better than one. So we intend to approach the House and ask for all of us to work together.
If that happens, that will be nice and we will work together with them but if that doesn’t work, we will also continue to engage them. We brief them on what we are doing and also ask them what they are doing as well so that we will all be working towards one direction.”
He also added that the committee was open to receiving inputs from stakeholders that include the Governors’ Forum and the Justice Alfa Belgore’s Committee, while assuring that critical issues in the constitution will be looked into.
“We intend to meet again next week to possibly identify the areas that need amendment and we are going to do that based on the work we did in the last Senate. That will guide the present Senate. We will articulate what we consider to be the burning issues to make our democracy workable and of course put our country on the part of political progress. We are going to make allowance for inputs from executives, you are aware of the Belgore committee, we will take their inputs.
“Also believe that the Governors’ Forum will oblige us their own input. NUJ, bar association too, so that we will quickly articulate them. We are also going to allow inputs from the public.”

Senate to FG: Use military might to crush terrorism

The Senate, yesterday, urged the Federal Government to invoke its military might and all instruments of national power at its disposal to put an end to the high level of terrorism in the country following incessant attacks by members of the Boko Haram sect.
Condemning the activities of the Boko Haram in some parts of the north in recent times, the Senate also warned that the move had become imperative if disintegration of the country must be averted against the backdrop that the unity and sovereignty of Nigeria was being threatened.
It said the government must act fast, recognising the fact that terrorists had declared war on Nigeria.
These were some of the resolutions reached at the end of discussions on a motion entitled: ‘’Terrorist Attack on Kaduna on 8th April, 2012 by Senator Mohammed Sani Saleh, Kaduna Central and 10 other Senators. Others who moved the motion were Senators Abu Ibrahim, Adamu Gumba; Mohammed Magoro; Mohammed Bindo; Ahmed M. Makarfi; Ibrahim Musa; Mudashiru Hussain; Nenadi Esther Usman; Olugbenga Obadara and Yusuf Musa Nagogo.
While calling on its Committee on National Security, Intelligence, Defence and Army and Police Affairs to intensify their oversight functions over the security agencies with a view to improving their capabilities in handling the current security challenges facing the country, they, however, stressed the need for a supplementary budget by the executive to handle the security problem, adding that there was the need to engage the northern governors at least to know their own perspective, find out all the measures that are in place and how far they have worked.
The Senate also called on the Federal Government to pay adequate compensation to victims of Kaduna city bomb explosion and the bereaved as well as those who suffered same fate in other places.
The Senators observed a minute silence in honour of those who lost their lives in the Kaduna bomb explosion and other attacks across the country.
Ekweremadu averts a rowdy session
During debate on the motion, a rowdy session was averted by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, when tempers became high when there were reactions to a question by Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi, ACN, Ekiti North whether there was government in Nigeria, even as he was stopped through a point of order by Senator Smart Adeyemi, PDP, Kogi West, adding that it was wrong for Senator Adetunmbi to have asked such a question when a government is in place. Senator Ekweremadu saved the situation when it was almost degenerating into rancour.
In his remarks, Ekweremadu, who presided, however, expressed the need for a lasting solution to the issue of terrorism in the country, adding that since the issue borders on security of life and property, necessary actions must be taken to save the country from turning into anarchy.
According to him, “these are moments when we need to act as a Senate, act as patriotic citizens of this nation, and I am happy that we did that. The issue of security borders on the existence of this country and if this country did not exist, then there will be no Senate, House of Representatives and there will be no governor.
“This is a matter of top priority for every one of us. If we did not deal with this matter, we may be heading to anarchy and nobody wants that because nobody knows where it will end. We never believe when we had democracy in 1999 that we will get to a situation where roads will be blocked, there will be state of emergency in some places, and those who have opportunities to earn a living cannot even do that. I believe that democracy comes with freedom but if that freedom is being curtailed by the happenings of the day, then something is wrong and we need to do something about it.
Senators react
Prior to remarks by Ekweremadu, Senators raised their views on the issue of terrorism in the country. At the prolonged debate, while some Senators accused the Federal Government and security agents of not taking appropriate measures to address it, others believed efforts were being made to curtail the activities of the terrorists and the need to intensify efforts.
Making his contributions, Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi, who asked where the power of the Senate lies, said: ‘’Where is the power of the Senate to make things happen, to respond to the yearnings of Nigerians that these killings are too much and are coming too often. Nigerians are tired of the condemnation of the bombings, tired of one minute of silence; they don’t want these loved ones to be lost.
Also in his contributions, Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, PDP, Abia Central said: “We are at war and when at war, you do the needful. We are at war against those who want to break up this country. I don’t believe this security challenge will break up Nigeria; what will break up Nigeria is knowing what to do and refuse to do it. Security agents need to step up. They have the duty to protect themselves and then, the citizens.
For Senator Gbenga Ashafa, ACN, Lagos East: “This is a war waged against Nigeria and if we are not careful, can consume all of us. Solutions: National identification programme must be a top agenda of the Federal Government.”
In his contribution, Senator Mohammed Magoro, PDP, Kebbi said: “I will tell Nigerians that the security agents are doing their best. We must make provision for modern technology but I will say, so far, so good.
For Senator Chris Anyanwu, APGA, Imo, “the resultant effect is that children would lose value for life. In the light of extreme nature of this, I want to suggest that culprits should face extreme measures. Traditional rulers should be held responsible for conspiracy of silence. There should be national emergency law for such situation.”

Feeding Bottle Federalism: Ekweremadu’s assumptions

The debate on the appropriate makeup of the nation’s federalism is again brought to the fore. Senator Ike      Ekweremadu’s intervention was another yell in the increasingly vociferous debate on the country’s structural frame.
Delivering a lecture at the weekend, the deputy President of the Senate brought focus to what he described as the feeding bottle federalism that is presently obtainable in the country.
Senator Ekweremadu spoke while delivering the Sixth Annual Oputa Lecture at the Osgoode Hall Law School, York University in Toronto, Canada at the weekend.
His lecture titled “Nigerian Federalism: A Case for a Review” is undoubtedly bound to elicit interest among students of Nigeria’s federalism. It would also be of interest to power brokers who have thrived as the nation’s federal system foundered over time.
Before Ekweremadu’s intervention last week, some other frontline commentators including Mr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN had intervened with similar suggestions on redefining the nature of the country’s federalism.
In Agbakoba’s submission made last June just as the present National Assembly commenced deliberation, he suggested among others that the 36 states of the federation should be knocked down into their respective geopolitical zones which should be recognized as the basis of the nation’s federation. He claimed to have prepared a bill to actualize that purpose.
With power conceded to the six geopolitical zones the country in his dream could then have six super Governors administering the six geopolitical zones with the states maybe reduced to at best provinces or administrative units.
The submission elicited some reactions with the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP being the most vociferous in its commendation of the proposal.
Welcoming the Agbakoba bill on returning the country to true federalism, the body said in a statement last year,
“The CNPP supports the convergence of national consensus on the imperative to return Nigeria to a True Federal Republic as distinct from the Unitary System of government being practiced today; hence the clamour and urgency to amend the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the body said in a statement issued on its behalf by its spokesman, Osita Okechukwu.
“Public commentators have queried the inelegant manner in which a Constitution with the tag Federal Republic is structured and chartered along Unitary System of government.”
“It is our considered view that the inherent capacity for True Federalism to accommodate multi-ethnic nationalities and their diversities without undermining national unity; was what made our founding fathers to adopt Federalism in the London Constitutional Conference of 1953.
“We accordingly endorse the Bill submitted to the National Assembly by Mr Olisa Agbakoba, (SAN), the position of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum for review of the Revenue Allocation Formula and the agitation of many patriots for true federalism.”
It was as such remarkable that Senator Ekweremadu would amplify the debate, albeit in a subtle manner. Ekweremadu’s suggestion on the collapse of the states is, however, contrary to the aspiration of his immediate political associate, Senator David Mark who to the bemusement of many, is seemingly fixated with creating at least one more state. Mark is from the Idoma ethnic group in Benue State.
The Idoma people have never produced a Governor for the state and believe that their only way of having an Idoma Governor is through the creation of an Apa State compassing the Idoma nation. Mark has at almost all functions involving his people continued to reiterate that promise.
Ekweremadu’s lecture, however, skirted around the issue of the recklessness of creating more states. He, however, thrust sharply with his submission that the country’s federalism is deformed, a development he said had hindered economic and political growth.
The deputy Senate President was to liken the nation’s federalism as a master-servant relationship, a submission many of the nation’s state Governors would no doubt agree with.
He also recalled the period between 1954 and 1966 which he described as the golden era of the country’s federalism on account of the prosperity and viability recorded among the three regions of the country in that period.
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Airfare disparity: Revive dead Nigeria Airways now, Senate tells FG

THE Senate, yesterday, told the Federal Government to revive the dead Nigeria Airways before the end of this administration if the present indiscriminate hike in airfares by foreign airlines must be addressed.

It also called for a review of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement, BASA, between Nigeria and Britain.

This came as management of British Airways told the senators that rather than discuss the issue of fare disparity, Nigeria should open up the skies and let more airlines come in, explaining why it could not cut down fares.

According to the Senate, the aviation authority should restore the agreement which allows Nigeria and Britain equal slots and frequency of 21, which only the British airline enjoys the full privilege, while Nigeria’s Arik Air was left with only seven.

Speaking, yesterday, at the opening of a three-day public hearing on the violation of aviation laws and practice by foreign airlines in Nigeria and lapses in operation of the regulatory agencies by the Senate Committee on Aviation, Senate President, David Mark, said the return of the nation’s national carrier would create employment opportunities for Nigerians as well as restore the country’s image in the global aviation industry.

Mark, who was represented by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, challenged Nigeria to use the present scenario in the aviation sector to make its impact felt in Africa.

He said:  “It is important that we direct the Minister of Aviation before the end of this tenure that Nigeria Airways is brought back on stream. I do hope that they will accept the challenge.

“We feel very embarrassed each time we travel abroad and see other airlines carry the national flag of their countries and the names of their respective countries and Nigeria is missing. It is not only for the purpose of national pride, it’s important for the development of our tourism. It will also generate income and create employment for our people. This is the time for us to do something about it and restore Nigeria’s past glory in respect of aviation and air travels. ‘’

Ashiru blames lapses on FAAN, NCAA, others

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, told the committee that the lapses in the aviation industry should be blamed on the Federal Aviation Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, and other agencies, and warned against allowing what he  described as commercial dispute degenerate into diplomatic row.

He said: “It should be a commercial discussion and not dispute. What we have is a commercial dispute and what we see happening now is a failure of regulatory agencies to do their jobs. If the regulatory agencies had done their job very well, we would not have got to this stage. There is no justification for the rip off that Nigerians are going through.”

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