Reform - NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Ismail Abdulaziz
Jun, Sat, 2025

Association calls for security reform, coordinated action

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By Ebere Agozie

The United Nations Association of Nigeria (UNAN), Abuja Branch, has called for a comprehensive security reform and coordinated action to curb the escalating insecurity across the nation.

Dr Desmond Okocha, Coordinator of UNAN, Abuja Branch, who made the call on Saturday in Abuja, said the association was deeply worried by the escalating insecurity across the country.

“We urgently call on President Bola Tinubu to undertake a comprehensive overhaul and total rejig of Nigeria’s security architecture, to squarely address this crisis.

“We are greatly saddened by the recent massacre in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, where innocent Nigerians, including women, children and the elderly were brutally killed.

“Such inhumane acts represent not only a grave violation of human rights but also a direct assault on our shared humanity and national unity.”

Okocha condemned the heinous violence, terrorism and banditry plaguing the nation, while extending UNAN’s sincere condolences to the government and people of Benue.

“These recurring attacks erode public trust, weaken the rule of law, and endanger the socio-economic fabric of our society.

“We acknowledge and commend President Tinubu, for his condolence visit to Benue and for issuing firm orders to security agencies.

“However, we urge that these words be swiftly translated into measurable and sustained action. Haphazard responses are no longer sufficient,” Okocha said.

He, therefore, called on the governments of Benue, Plateau and Nasarawa states to establish a joint security task force and maintain consistent patrols around identified flashpoints.

“Most importantly, we urge the federal government to go beyond providing relief materials for the victims and ensure full compensation for their losses, making deliberate efforts to address the root causes of the crises.

“As an affiliate of the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA), UNA-Nigeria, Abuja Branch, stands committed to the principles of peace, justice and human dignity.

“We appeal to all tiers of government, civil society and the international community to prioritise the protection of civilians and work together to address the root causes of insecurity, poverty, marginalisation and impunity.

“Nigeria cannot thrive in an atmosphere of fear. It is time to act with urgency, resolve and compassion.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Emmanuel Afonne

Kalu advocates legal reforms to enhance timely, effective justice delivery

Rabi'u Sani Ali
Jun, Thu, 2025

Judiciary

Kalu advocates legal reforms to enhance timely, effective justice delivery

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By Uche Anunne

The Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has advanced reforms in the nation’s legal system to accommodate emerging technologies to enhance justice delivery in a timely and efficient manner.

He also charged Nigerian lawyers to innovate and venture into emerging spaces in the legal profession or lose global relevance.

Kalu said this on Wednesday in Abuja while delivering a keynote at the 2025 Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Week of the Abuja branch of the lawyers’ body.

“As members of NBA, embrace innovation, expanding your practice in emerging fields; reform outdated laws and rethink approach to legal education,’’ Kalu said.

The week-long programme has as its theme: `Unlocking Opportunities: New Frontiers.”

Kalu said it was unfortunate that while lawyers in advanced parts of the country were breaking new frontiers, most of their counterparts in Nigeria were still involved in civil and criminal litigations.

According to him, branching into unfamiliar terrains such as space law, Artificial Intelligence (AI), cryptocurrency and wealth management, among others will keep Nigerian lawyers abreast of global best practices.

He said it would also open windows of wealth and other opportunities available in those fields.

The lawmaker said it was important for the nation’s judicial system and legal practitioners to fully embrace emerging technologies such as AI.

He said by doing so, justice delivery would be more affordable and available in a timely manner.

Kalu observed that some of the factors responsible for failure of Nigerians to fully embrace the legal system were delayed justice and expensive nature of litigation.

“Justice system must ensure access to justice. Unfortunately, this is being hampered by high cost of prosecuting cases,’’ he said.

Kalu said technologies such as virtual court sitting and prosecution would not only help in reducing the cost of accessing justice but also ensure fairness and robust record keeping.

He argued that with virtual transmission of court sittings, presiding officers would be conscious of the fact that happenings in their courts could be easily recorded and accessed by both interested and non-interested parties.

The lawmaker said reforms in the legal system would address areas such as copyright and data protection in jurisprudence.

“The legal profession is not static but dynamic. You should invest in building expertise and global best practices,” he said.

Earlier, the chairman of the Abuja branch of NBA, Mr Steve Emelieze, said the event was expected to open lawyers in the area to emerging realities in the legal profession.

“Today in the global environment, the legal profession is confronted with unpredicted challenges and opportunities.

“As custodians of the law, it is incumbent upon us to harness these opportunities to innovate and adapt, ensuring that justice and rule of law continue to thrive in our society.

“The legal profession must rise to the challenges of a rapidly changing world where technology, globalisation, economic pressure and social transformation are redrawing the boundaries of law and justice,’’ he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Remi Koleoso/Joseph Edeh

Lydia Beshel
Mar, Tue, 2025

Economy/Business

FG restates commitment to reform NIS

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Reforms

By Abiodun Azi

The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, says the Federal Government is committed to implementing various reforms in the ministry and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

Tunji-Ojo spoke to newsmen in Lagos on Tuesday after a meeting with the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA).

The minister described the gathering as a “family meeting,” emphasising NECA’s role as a strategic partner.

He acknowledged the critical contributions of the private sector to socio-economic development.

He said the meeting focused on reviewing strategies, enhancing government performance, promoting private sector growth, and making decisions that aligned with the interests of Nigerians and the economy.

“It is not just about CERPAC reforms alone, there were a lot of reforms because it is our responsibility to make life easier for Nigerians and expatriates.

“We need strategic partnership with NECA, affiliate organisations and other agencies; we need to cooperate to take decisions as a team.

” What’s important to us is what is important to them and what’s that? Interest of Nigerians, ” he said.

According to the minister, this is our country and we can actually do the unimaginable.

“We can achieve the seemingly unachievable when we are united in our approach and understanding,” saying, ” we have shared values.”

He reassured Nigerians that the ministry of interior in line with its citizenship business responsibilities was actively collaborating to realise its set objectives.

He hinted that there was an agreement for these meetings to occur at least twice a year, rather than being a one-off event, particularly to address their concerns, especially those affecting their businesses.

Tunji-Ojo said that reforms had to continue, noting that it was a work in progress.

According to him, a lot has been done with regard to CERPAC, expatriate quota, business permit and a lot of things, even work flow in terms of border control and how it affects NIS.

In his remarks, the Director-General of NECA, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, stated that while governance was often seen as complex and challenging, “when you have visionaries running the system, you realise it is one of the simplest things to do.”

Oyerinde noted that a key aspect of the discussions was the need for stakeholders to engage constructively.

He added that all stakeholders in the Nigerian project commended the government for opening channels of engagement.

He highlighted that the most significant outcome was the consensus to establish a committee that would collaborate to review several key issues.

He said that work on all the identified areas would commence within the next week.(NAN)

Editing by Kevin Okunzuwa

Interior Ministry targets holistic reform of correctional service

Lydia Beshel
Mar, Tue, 2025

Defence/Security

Interior Ministry targets holistic reform of correctional service

320 total views today

Reform

By Ibironke Ariyo

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr Magdalene Ajani, has reiterated the commitment of the ministry to achieving a holistic reform of the Nigerian Correctional Service.

Ajani stated this during the second public hearing of the independent Investigative panel to address the alleged corruption, abuse of power, torture, cruel, inhumane, degrading treatment against NCoS on Tuesday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Minister of Interior, Dr.Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, had in Sept. 2024 inaugurated the panel to probe allegations of corruption and gross abuse of office levelled against some personnel of the NCoS.

NAN reports that Tunji-Ojo who is also the Chairman of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), suspended several officers overseeing the Maximum and Minimum Custodial Centres in Kirikiri, Lagos State.

This followed allegations of misconduct involving the handling of cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky.

Ajani, who doubled as the Chairman of the investigative panel said that one of the ultimate goals of the committee was to ensure that the Nigerian Correctional Service Act 2019 was fully implemented.

She added that both custodial and non-custodial measures should be clearly implemented across the country.

“This is an investigative committee that has to deal with torture and what is going on in our correctional service.

“The committee’s objective is to identify the challenges facing the correctional service and to proffer solutions that will lead to a holistic reform of the service.

“We want to ensure that the correctional service is transformed into a modern, efficient, and humane institution that meets international standards.

“The committee has been listening to contributions from stakeholders, including the correctional service, and has identified challenges in implementing the act.

“This is particularly with regards to magistrates and judges who claim that some sections of the act are unknown to them,” she said.

Ajani expressed hope that by the end of the public hearing, the committee would have been able to discuss the observations and challenges raised by the correctional service and identify ways to address them.

In his presentation, the NCoS Controller General, Sylvester Nwakuche appealed to the judiciary to better understand the provisions of the NCoS Act 2019, which had been a challenge for the service in implementing correctional decisions.

Nwakuche, who was represented by Ibrahim Idris, an Assistant Controller General (ACG), said that the NCoS had been facing difficulties in implementing the Act due to a lack of understanding from the judiciary.

According to him, the NCoS had been working diligently to implement the provisions of the Act, but the lack of understanding from the judiciary has been a major challenge.

“We are appealing to the judiciary to help us understand the spirit of the law.

“It is extremely difficult for correctional officers to disobey court orders, but sometimes the courts don’t understand the provisions of the Act,”he said.

“We are not asking for too much. We just want the judiciary to understand the provisions of the Act and work with us to implement correctional decisions,” he said.(NAN)
Edited by Yakubu Uba

Tosin Kolade
Feb, Sat, 2025

Agriculture

FG backs agricultural research reform

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By Olasunkanmi Onifade

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its dedication to strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural research system through the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF).

The fund plays an important role in addressing challenges within the sector and driving innovation for sustainable development.

This was stated in a release signed by the Communications Lead of the fund, Nike Babalola, during the opening of a two-day stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja.

The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Sabi Abdullahi, commended NADF for conducting a comprehensive Baseline Survey and Needs Assessment Study of 16 Agricultural Research Institutes and 17 Federal Colleges of Agriculture across the country.

He emphasised that any country that fails to reform its research system is wasting its time.

The minister stressed the need to prioritise continuous improvement in the nation’s agricultural research capabilities.

He noted that the last comprehensive review of Nigeria’s agricultural research system was conducted during the tenure of President Shehu Shagari.

The minister also commended President Bola Tinubu for supporting the assessment, describing it as a step towards achieving world-class standards in agricultural research.

The Executive Secretary of NADF, Muhammed Ibrahim, reaffirmed the fund’s mandate to address agricultural finance challenges and enhance Nigeria’s agricultural potential.

“No nation has ever achieved greatness without investing in knowledge, discovery, and innovation.

“The baseline survey provided critical insights into the state of Nigeria’s agricultural research and training institutions.

“NADF was established to address agricultural finance challenges and enhance the potential of Nigeria’s agriculture and food systems, with the goal of promoting sustainable development and food security,” he stated.

Ibrahim described the validation exercise as a defining moment for Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

“This is not just another meeting; it is an opportunity to lay the foundation for a stronger, more innovative agricultural sector.

“We believe in the power of research and education to transform our agricultural landscape.

“This is a call to action to ignite change and create a future where Nigerian agriculture stands tall on the pillars of knowledge, technology, and innovation,” he said.

The Executive Secretary of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN), Prof. Garba Sharubutu, reaffirmed NADF’s commitment to revitalising Nigeria’s agricultural research system.

“Today, we have a father and a mother who have come to deliver us from the shackles of inadequate facilities, infrastructure, and resources,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting brought together key stakeholders in the agricultural sector, including government officials, researchers, and representatives from agricultural institutions.

The validation exercise marked a step in addressing the challenges facing Nigeria’s agricultural research system and aligning it with national and global priorities.

The survey, conducted by NADF in collaboration with the ARCN aimed to identify strengths, gaps, opportunities, and constraints within the country’s agricultural research and training ecosystem.

The key findings reveal urgent areas for improvement, including infrastructure, funding, curriculum enhancement, research support, technological integration, and industry linkages. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Tosin Kolade

NEC recommends withdrawal of tax reforms bill

Rabi'u Sani Ali
Nov, Fri, 2024

General News

NEC recommends withdrawal of tax reforms bill

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By Salisu Sani-Idris

The National Economic Council (NEC) has advised that the Tax Reforms Bill, currently before the National Assembly, be withdrawn.

This recommendation was made on Thursday, following the council’s 145th meeting in Abuja.

Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo, explained that the NEC noted the need for sufficient alignment among stakeholders regarding the proposed tax reforms.

He cited the prevalence of miscommunication and misinformation surrounding the bill, emphasising the need for wider consultation and consensus building.

Makinde said the council acknowledged the country’s underperformance in major revenue sources.

He said the council also considered the Presidential Committee on Physical Policy and Tax Reforms presentation of a report focusing on fair taxation, responsible borrowing, and sustainable spending.

Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno, also affirmed the council’s advice to withdraw the bill to allow for consensus building.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Tax Reforms Bill, endorsed by President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Executive Council, seeks to enhance Nigeria’s tax administration efficiency and eliminate redundancies.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru