News
NASS Clerk tells staff to disregard sack rumours
Clerk to National Assembly (CNA), Mr. Mohammed Ataba Sani-Omolori, has called on the staff and the general public, to disregard the media report that he had been sacked by the National Assembly Service Commission.
The Commission had Wednesday afternoon, issued a statement, announcing the compulsory retirement of Mr. Sani-Omolori and 49 other Senior staff of the National Assembly, whom it claimed had passed age of retirement.
Chairman of the Commission, Ahmed Kadi Amshi, who signed the sack statement, claimed the affected persons had either reached 30 years in service or attained 60 years of age.
But in a swift.reaction, Sani-Omolori, said the actual retirement age of staff in National Assembly, as passed by the 8th Assembly, was 40 years of service or 65 years of age.
The Clerk, in a statement personally signed, faulted the Commission for attempting to alter the resolution of the 8th National Assembly.
He said, “the extant regulation as contained in our Revised Conditions of Service duly passed by both Chambers of the 8th National Assembly puts the retirement age of staff at 40 years of service and 65 years of age whichever comes first.
“The Resolution of the 8th National Assembly on the Conditions of Service of Staff has not been rescinded nor abdicated by the National Assembly, who under the authentic National Assembly Service Act 2014 as passed is empowered to review any proposed amendment to the Conditions of Service by the Commission.
“Therefore, the National Assembly Service Commission does NOT have the powers to set aside the Revised Conditions of Service as passed by the 8th National Assembly”, he added.
The CNA said the Management had maintained a studied silence in deference to the leadership of the 9th National Assembly who is looking into the position being canvassed by the Commission.
“It is therefore intriguing that the National Assembly Service Commission has unilaterally gone ahead to take a ‘decision’”, Sani-Omolori submitted.
He therefore urged all staff of the National Assembly, including those affected in the said report, to disregard the press release by the Commission and go about their lawful duties.
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has paid glowing tribute to Chief Patrick Adaba, the former Deputy Governor of Kogi State, and Dr Tom Adaba the pioneer Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), who both passed on few weeks ago.
During separate condolence visits to their families in Abuja, Governor Ododo acknowledged their outstanding legacy of public service and their significant contributions to the development of Kogi State and Nigeria at large.
At the residence of the late Chief Patrick Adaba, Governor Ododo acknowledged the late Chief Patrick Adaba for his selfless service to the government and people of Kogi State whom he served as Deputy Governor between 1999 and 2003.
Similarly, while visiting the home of the late Dr. Tom Adaba, Governor Ododo described him as a trailblazer whose pioneering role in Nigeria’s broadcasting industry has inspired generations of media practitioners within and outside Nigeria.
He praised the Adaba family for raising two exceptional children whose impact and service to the nation remain invaluable and indelible.
Governor Ododo emphasized that Kogi State and Nigeria will deeply miss the Adaba brothers, given their immense contributions to public service and national development.
Former Senator who represented Plateau North in the National Assembly Sen. Istifanus Gyang has felicitates with former Governor Dr. Jonah David Jang, who turned 81 years.
The senator Gyang in his birthday message racalled Jang’s remarkable life, legacy, and dedication to serving Nigeria and humanity.
Gyang describing Jang as a father and elder statesman and expressed gratitude to God for the former governor’s longevity, good health, and immense service.
He noted that Jang’s life is a testament to the power of living a purpose-driven life, and his legacy continues to inspire future generations.
Senator Gyang also noted Jang’s remarkable career, which has been marked by numerous opportunities to serve Plateau State and Nigeria.
He prayed for Jang to remain strong, healthy, and finish well, leaving an enduring legacy.
The Nigerian Senate in a bid to enhance the country’s electoral process passed the Early Voting Bill for second reading.
The Bill which was sponsored by Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yaradua, representing Katsina Central Senatorial District aims to address the continuous disenfranchisement of eligible voters who are unable to cast their ballots on Election Day due to their duties and others deemed eligible by the Commission to vote as early voters
The bill’s passage is a response to the alarming number of disenfranchised voters in the 2023 General Election, which includes:
– Over 1 million Ad-hoc staff
– 310,973 police personnel
– 93,495 Military and Department of State Service (DSS) Personnel
– 51,000 Personnel from the National Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC)
– 21,000 from the Federal Road Safety Corps
– 11,336 from the Nigeria Correctional Service
– 9,447 from the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency
– 350 Personnel from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
In addition, 144,800 Observers deployed by 196 national and domestic organisations were also unable to vote.
Key Provisions of the Bill:
– *Eligibility and Registration:* Eligible individuals, including security personnel, electoral officials, and those deemed eligible by the commission, must apply 30 days before the early voting date.
– *Implementation and Voting Procedure:* A designated early voting date will be set, not more than 7 days before the general election, and voting centers will be established by the Electoral Commission.
The bill’s passage is a significant step towards aligning Nigeria’s electoral system with international best practices and ensuring that all eligible adult citizens have the opportunity to perform their civic rights. Several African countries, including South Africa, Namibia, Ghana, and Senegal, have successfully implemented early voting, resulting in higher voter turnout rates.
By adopting early voting, Nigeria can establish a more inclusive, efficient, and secure electoral process that better serves the interests of all Nigerians.
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