News
NASS partners NEPAD on accelerated development in Nigeria
The National Assembly Wednesday set machinery in motion towards making the New Partnership for Africa’s Development ( NEPAD) to serve as required catalyst for development generally in Nigeria and Africa through value added peer review among the various countries.
In achieving this, , the joint committees on NEPAD from both the Senate and the House of Representatives held a legislative roundtable discussions with key players of the partnership on the Second African Peer Review of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2020.
In his remarks at the round table discussions , the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Cooperation and Integration in Africa and NEPAD, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani (PDP Enugu East), said the interactive session was put in place for critical review of the peer review itself as regards development inputs .
“Peer review being coordinated by NEPAD now known as African Union Development Agency (AUDA) , is very necessary for the required exchange of development – driven ideas among the various African countries .
“Of most importance, is how such peer review process, will add value to Nigeria’s quest for genuine development across the four identified thematic areas, one of which is entrenching constitutional democracy and the rule of law “, he said.
In her key note address at the round table discussions, the National Co-ordinator and Chief Executive Officer ( CEO) of AUDA – NEPAD/APRM, Princess Gloria Akobundu, said the four primary objectives of the peer review mechanism are ÷ eradication of poverty in Nigeria and other African countries, promotion of sustainable growth and development , integration of Africa in the world economy and acceleration of empowerment of women and youths.
Accordimg to her, “the historic path to the reform of NEPAD to AUDA, is beaconed on AUDA as a vehicle for the realization of the regional integration and acceleration of priority programmes and projects for better execution and timely implementation of AU Agenda 2063 and SDG’s 2030 at the county level” .
She stated further that since its transformation from NEPAD to AUDA, the agency has been mandated to among others ( i) coordinate and implement priority Continental and regional projects towards promotion of regional integration that will accelerate realization of Agenda 2063.
(iii) Strengthen capacity of AU members States and regional bodies to design , plan and implement Africa’s priority development programmes within the framework of African Union’s Agenda 2063 etc ” .
The AUDA CEO, explained further that the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), is a voluntary assessment tool instituted by the African Heads of State in 2003 .
“In Nigeria, APRM is domiciled in AUDA – NEPAD, with the primary objective to foster the adoption of policies, standards and practices that lead to political stability , high economic growth , sustainable development and accelerated regional and Continental economic integration .
“The APRM review process entails periodic reviews of policies and practices of participating countries to ascertain progress made towards achieving the agreed goals and compliance with the APRM thematic areas .
“The APRM review process is not a score card as it is not meant to name , shame or punish any member state .
“It is to make the review process relevant to citizens needs, more cost effective and in tune to the Agenda 2063 “, she said .
The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared that it has been vindicated by recent revelations from the state’s former Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke.
The Rivers APC Chairman, Chief Tony Okocha, stated this in a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists on Wednesday.
The former Head of Service, who recently resigned had alleged that the suspended Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, was directly responsible for the political crisis in the state and the bombing of the State House of Assembly.
In response, the Rivers State APC asserted that Nwaeke’s testimony aligns with the party’s long-held position, as frequently stated by Chief Okocha, that the suspended governor was the architect of the state’s political crisis, including masterminding the October 29, 2023, bombing of the State House of Assembly.
Chief Okocha further emphasized that Nwaeke’s account, given his high-ranking position in the state, cannot be dismissed as mere speculation.
He said attempts to discredit the former Head of Service will not deter him from exposing the alleged corruption and misconduct that the APC has repeatedly highlighted.
“What is most interesting to the APC in Rivers State as a responsible political party is that Dr. George Nwaeke’s revelations and testimonies of how suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his squad bombed the Rivers State House of Assembly is an eye witness account.
“Again , it has clearly vindicated the APC in Rivers State as the only visible and viable opposition political party in the State, and has cemented the love for the party in the heart of well meaning Rivers people as the voice of the voiceless, and the hope for a better Rivers State.
“The revelations made by the former Head of Service in Rivers State has further positioned her as a political party with high level of integrity, and the hope of Rivers people for a viable alternative to produce the Governor of Rivers State in 2027.
“The verbal attacks staged against the resigned Head of Service will not deter him from exposing the corruption within Sim Fubara’s administration, which we have consistently highlighted as the opposition party. On this matter, the APC shall function as watchdogs”, the party stated.
Chief Tony Okocha expressed confidence that security agencies would thoroughly investigate the matter.
“The APC in Rivers State strongly believes that the relevant security agencies will be professional enough to get to the root of the matter and make their findings public”, he said.
A coalition of civil rights organizations, the Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness (CCLCA), has called for an immediate and thorough investigation into the allegations leveled against suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, by Dr. George Nwaeke, the former Head of Service of the state.
During a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, Dr. Gabriel Nwambu, Director General of the CCLCA, urged the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), Department of State Services (DSS), and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to take swift action in probing the allegations. He emphasized that if proven true, these claims pose serious risks to governance and democracy.
The coalition, comprising 30 civil society organizations, stands in solidarity with Dr. Nwaeke, who has expressed willingness to provide evidence of alleged corruption and constitutional breaches involving Governor Fubara and his Chief of Staff, Mr. Edison.
“We collectively urge the relevant authorities to act swiftly and transparently. Addressing these allegations is critical to restoring public confidence in governance at both the state and national levels,” Dr. Nwambu stated.
He commended President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for his intervention in Rivers State, which led to the declaration of a state of emergency, a move he described as crucial for stabilizing the region.
Dr. Nwaeke’s accusations against Governor Fubara include:
Arson and Sabotage: Allegedly instructing his Chief of Staff to burn down the Rivers State House of Assembly to prevent impeachment proceedings, a violation of Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution.
Corruption and Financial Misconduct: Claims of large sums of money being used for personal and illegal activities, contravening Section 15(5) of the Constitution.
Threats to Public Safety: Alleged plans to sabotage state infrastructure, potentially inciting public disorder, which falls under Section 1 of the Terrorism Prevention Act (2011).
Collusion with Militant Groups: Alleged meetings between the governor, his Chief of Staff, and militant leaders, posing a threat to national security and violating Section 43 of the Constitution.
Suppression of Labour Rights: Alleged attempts to bribe labour leaders to silence dissent, contravening Section 40 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of assembly.
The coalition has urged law enforcement agencies to ensure a thorough, transparent, and expedited investigation into these allegations.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu has appointed Sam Ifeanyi Hart, Esq. as his new Chief of Staff (CoS).
Hart replaces Hon. Toby Okechukwu who was recently appointed Executive Director, Projects of the newly established South East Development Commission (SEDC).
Prior to his appointment, Hart served as Special Adviser to the Deputy Speaker on Public Affairs and has an extensive background in training and consultancy.
Hart also previously served as Director-General, Abia State Marketing and Quality Management Agency from 2019 to 2023 after occupying other appointive positions.
He was also a member of National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS), Kuru where he attended the Senior Executive Course 45, serving as Course Secretary-General.
He has also served on the Boards of several corporate and non-governmental entities.
Hart brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his new role, with a distinguished career spanning law, leadership, and public service.
A lifelong learner, he holds multiple academic qualifications, including a Master’s Degree in Environmental Law (LLM) and a Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LLB) from Abia State University.
The new Chief of Staff is also currently pursuing a Doctorate Degree in Law.
A seasoned professional, Hart has attended prestigious institutions, including the GOTNI Leadership Centre, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS), and the School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG).
He is also a member of several professional bodies, including the Chartered Institute of Directors of Nigeria (M.IoD), Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (ACIArb), and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
As Chief of Staff, Hart will provide strategic guidance and support to the Deputy Speaker legislative activities, leveraging his expertise to drive policy initiatives and promote good governance.
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