Opinion
NASC and NASS ; Synergizing to Improve Capacity Building, Law Making
BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF
The concept of capacity building and development rejigged by the National Assembly Service Commission NASC and National Assembly NASS was not restricted to only the lower, middle and high cadre alone , but geared towards updating the capacity and experiences of both the top management staff of the two agencies which included both Chairman and top management, National Assembly Service Commission NASC, Engr Ahmed Kadi Amshi FNSE and his commissioners along with top management of the National Assembly led by the Clerk to the National Assembly CNA, Alhaji Sani Magaji Tambawal.
The recently concluded four day capacity building and retreat for top management of the National Assembly Service Commission NASC and National Assembly NASS held at the Transcorp Hilton was a pointer to the determination of the current management to transform the entire scope of staff development and advancement along with promotion of digital era.
This was coming when the National Assembly leadership both in the lower and upper chamber went on their annual recess and preparation to resume plenary after the usual session.
The event crucial to the continuous development and complimentary roles been played by the NASC and NASS, no doubt will further improve the quality of lawmaking to ordinary Nigerians by the red and green chambers of the National Assembly.
The weeklong retreat for . management staff of NASC and NASS which commenced on Wednesday, September 12th ran through Sunday, September 15th to deliberate on critical issues that bordered on the development, promotion and advancement of the workings of the legislative arm of government in Nigeria.
The routine event became germane and recurring particularly in the current 10th National Assembly were both lawmakers at the green and red chambers are wholly new comers who needed much legislative and administrative workings of the commission and management of NASS to function properly.
With 80 percent population of members of the House of Representatives and the Senate coming for the first time , it is needful to engage all cadres of staffers through training, retraining, orientation, awareness and capacity building so as to input fresh knowledge which will translate to legislative achievements at the both chambers.
Hence the insistence of the management of the National Assembly under Sani Magaji Tambawal to indulged in continuous reorientation of ots staffers at all cadres which commenced in earnest from both the lower , middle, intermediate, senior end now management staff cannot overlooked.
Coming at a time when the Executive arm of government under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is also looking for synergy and good working relationship with the new federal lawmakers, the desire to continue to impact veritable and needed knowledge and experiences on the entire echelon of the National Assembly Service Commission NASC and National Assembly NASS cannot be over emphasized.
The four day retreat with the theme , “Promoting Inter-Institutional Synergy for Enhanced Legislative Performance,” underscores the critical importance of collaboration and cooperation between the National Assembly Service Commission and the National Assembly.”
In his opening and exhaustive remarks at the occasion, the organizers of the program under the leadership of Sani Magaji Tambawal, the Clerk to the National Assembly CNA stresses the need to continue to collaborate with its employers , the National Assembly Service Commission NASC to ensure a seamless program and activities of the National Assembly.
His address goes thus at the four day event with a Communique expected to be issued after the event .
“I am highly honoured to welcome you all to this 4-day retreat for the top management of the National Assembly Service Commission and the National Assembly. Indeed, I am particularly delighted to see everyone here today, ready to engage in insightful deliberations and collaborative brainstorming sessions that will shape the future of our institutions.”
“This retreat is not only timely, but crucial. As the engine room of the legislature, we bear the enormous responsibility of providing seamless administrative and legislative support to the National Assembly. This shared goal is what has brought us here to reinforce the synergy between our institutions to enhance the effectiveness of the nation’s legislative process.”
“The theme of this retreat, “Promoting Inter-Institutional Synergy for Enhanced Legislative Performance,” underscores the critical importance of collaboration and cooperation between the National Assembly Service Commission and the National Assembly. ”
“Even though, we each have different roles and responsibilities, our success is intertwined. A robust and efficient National Assembly requires a strong partnership between and among all departments and organs.”
“Over the last one year plus, we have tried to administer the National Assembly bureaucracy according to our reading of the enabling laws and rules within its bounds. However, not everyone may find our strategy and scorecard to be as impressive as we do. ”
“We might be oblivious of the numerous issues that have remained unresolved as a result of our actions and inactions. Therefore, over the next four days, we shall be focusing on interactive discussions aimed at unravelling the issues hindering our collective progress and chart the way forward. ”
“Consequently, this retreat provides a valuable opportunity for us to:
engage in deep introspection and critical assessment of our current level of inter-institutional collaboration, identifying strengths to build upon and bottlenecks impeding optimal synergy;
strategise on how to enhance our efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery;
strengthen the existing synergy between the NASC and NASS;
equip ourselves for the challenges ahead, bearing in mind the constantly evolving legislative landscape; and
empower us with the knowledge, skills and a shared vision necessary for navigating emerging challenges.”
“My distinguished colleagues and bosses here present, the task before us is weighty and enormous. But I am confident that with our dedication and commitment, we will emerge from this retreat with a renewed sense of purpose and a concrete roadmap for enhanced inter-institutional synergy for the success of the legislature. ”
“It is on these notes, I urge each and every one of us to actively participate in all sessions, share ideas and contribute meaningfully to the deliberations.
“Let us remember that the success of this retreat depends largely on our individual and collective commitment to the task ahead.”
The event attracted presentation of papers on various ways of collaboration with the NASC and NASS management by various facilitators and experts in the management of democratic norms and legislative workings and support.
With the renewed vigour under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by the management of the National Assembly under the leadership of Sani Magaji Tambawal and the National Assembly Service Commission NASC under the leadership of Engr Ahmed Kadi Amshi FNSE and his commissioners, no doubt the new wave of prioritizing capacity building and development at the National Assembly will go a long way into resolving the highly needed reforms and desire for capacity building and advancement at the National Assembly which will in turn affect positively the process of lawmaking at the National Assembly.
Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.
There is something common in politics and with Politicians in this clime, it stems from the arrogance of power, it stinks to high heavens, it is shit in its worst form; that a few men and women play God, they assume that their egocentric predilections represent the collective will, and they undermine the Law as well as the mindset of the electorate. They move to Party B with the mandate given to Party A by the People. And they Cross-carpet or decamp to another Party without deference to the provisions of the Law.
Just yesterday the entire Political Structure in my home State of Delta was led by the State Governor Mr. Sheriff Oborevwori from the Peoples Democratic Party PDP to the All Progressive Congress APC, that tsunami of sorts happened without firm reasons but the usual refrain that ‘they want to align with the centre for more democratic dividends to come to the State’. I wouldn’t have opted to do this piece had the All Progressive Congress APC made great feats of the States under its watch, alas President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (PBAT) and his followers are masters of deceit, subterfuge and perfidy. They spew soulless propaganda, having no soul they lack moral margins, they lie about everything and they destroy the moral fabrics of our nation. They are shameless, spineless and have no scruples.
Where is the Soul of the men of power who dumped the PDP just yesterday for the APC in Delta State? They have chosen to stand on a Blood Stained Mandate. They have elected a Hunger ridden mandate. They have chosen a corruption riddled mandate. They laud an insecurity enabling mandate. They salute a nepotistic mandate. And they dance to a frustration festering mandate. Had the PBAT led APC at the Centre made Nigeria better than it met her, I would applaud Governor Sheriff and his fellow travelers, but the truth is what consistently the APC, including Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his men have chosen to trample upon, nay the Truth is that under the PBAT led APC Government, Nigeria is today worse than it was yesterday.
What logic situates the movement of the Delta State Political Structures from the PDP to the APC at a time when Nigerians feel the most unsafe in their homeland? When the States of Plateau, Benue and Bornu have become theatres of human barbecues. Is it not stupidity to elect a blood stained and a blood soaked mandate over being in a Party in the opposition?
Is it not a show of shame to elect a mandate that has left the masses of the people in poverty, despondency and want over fueling the fervour of an opposition seeking a new deal and a new Republic of hope for the people? Which sincere and people oriented leader would dump the opposition for a Party that is absolutely rudderless and progressively multiplying poverty? Only the soulless and the shameless, surely.
The fulminating shenanigans that undermine the monstrous corruption of the APC Government, the unending Infrastructural decay, the unhinged failure of the energy and the power sector, the pervasive hunger, disease and pain in the land, and the murderous gangs killing and maiming citizens with reckless abandon defines the Olympic soullessness of the Delta State Political Merchants who have elected a Blood Stained Mandate over matching for the redemption of Nigeria.
I believe that it is manifest stupidity to desert the opposition at a time that our nation is in dire straits and badly craving vibrant opposition. I believe that it is a show of shame to decamp to a Party and a Government that has failed to protect lives and property.
And I hereby lampoon with unbridled vehemence all those who have chosen to stand on the blood stained and blood soaked mandate that PBAT epitomizes.
Hmmm, so suddenly my home State is now APC, interesting. A class of less than 300 people nay ‘leaders’ met at the Government House in Asaba, and in one fell swoop changed the political colour, temperature and identity of the State, interesting. My People, this One-Party State wey APC and PBAT dey push and pursue na to what end? PBAT and his Party the APC through this manifest antics of State capture have tied democracy to the stake, and are daily through acts of impunity, lawlessness, and braggadocio shooting violently at democracy, I pray they do not shoot this jingleover democracy to death. I pray that they understand that One Party State is the precursor to Authoritarian Rule and Dictatorship. And I pray that they are not oblivious of the politico-social tendencies of the Nigerian State, a State that cannot and has never been captured by any one tendency. In any case, before they completely murder democracy, it must be on record that someone warned against the Stupidity, against the Show of Shame and against the Shenanigans of our Political Operators.
Call me names, but let it be on record that when the elders and the hoard of egotistic political merchants that predominate our political kaleidoscope fiddled with the poisoned chalice of sycophancy and hypocrisy, I wasn’t quiet. Let it be on record that when they ate poisoned bread baked with blood stained and blood soaked mandate, and when they chose to dance on the tombs of the dead across our space who were unlived because government failed to protect them, that someone called out the discerning, and warned against the omnious times that they make certain.
The sequel to this patriotic effort shall most certainly tell more, reveal more and foretell the pitfalls that a most arrogant and self-seeking political class weave in the path of our ‘democracy’. We have got some difficult days and difficult times ahead.
Call me the Wailer, that’s ok, for I Wail that Nigeria may become Great.
Prof Chris Mustapha Nwaokobia Jnr
Convener COUNTRYFIRST MOVT. A Good Governance Advocacy Group.
It was the famous American former President, Abraham Lincoln who noted that the people when rightly and fully trusted will return the trust.
Thus, when the trust level gets high enough, people exceed apparent limits, discovering new and awesome abilities of which they were formerly unaware.
When trust is placed on those who occupy public office, they need to work had to continue to justify the trust in the people they preside over.Appointment into office is premised on the facts that the appointee is capable and will be of immense values to the realization of the aspirations of the government in power.
Thus, with the coming of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu into office, series of strategic appointment of respected and credible niger9ians were made thereafter.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had the qualities of appointing the right people in the right position, having judged their qualification and capabilities. This is a unique ability which good leaders to possess in abundance.
It was this sense of judgement that made him to appoint Chief Adegboyega Isiaka Oyetola CON as the current minister of Marine and Blue Economy.He was the former chief of Staff to the former Governor of Osun State and later became the governor of the state.
Whereby he displayed integrity, self-awareness, courage, respect, compassion, and resilience. This role allowed him to exhibit his administrative shrewdness and dedication to the advancement of the state.
During this time, he played a critical role in implementing policies and initiatives aimed at improving education, healthcare, and infrastructure.He was later appointed minister of transportation by President Bola Tinubu on 16 August 2023, but redeployed four days later to the newly created Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Despite the newness of the ministry, his leadership abilities and acumen as well as his professional qualification eminently qualifies him for the arduous job, for he pursued his education with diligence, earning a degree in Applied Accounting from the prestigious University of Lagos.
With a passion for learning and a keen eye for effective management, he embarked on a career that would see him excel in various sectors.
According to the World Bank, the blue economy is the “sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystem.”
European Commission defines it as “All economic activities related to oceans, seas and coasts, the realization that Nigeria has vast ocean ecosystem justifies the creation of the ministry.
The ministry’s four action pillars for its first four years (2023–2027) are: promoting sustainable blue economy investments; transforming port operations; enhancing port infrastructure; and strengthening blue governance.
Under Oyetola’s leadership, the ministry targets attracting $2 billion in investments in offshore renewable energy by 2025; establishing at least five new fish processing plants by 2025 and at least two new coastal tourism sites by 2026; and creating three million marine and blue economy-related jobs by 2027.
The importance of this ministry lies in the fact that the life of the planet and correct functioning of ecosystem services are sustained by marine ecosystems.
The blue economy thus has the potential to achieve a sustainable development which does not compromise life on Earth tomorrow.
Thus, his appointment eminently justifies and in line with the aspiration s to make Nigeria a great nation.His achievements in office are attributed to maritime security and safety, port operational efficiency, infrastructure rehabilitation, connectivity and blue economy development.
The Minister, who unfolds the strategic plans of the Ministry and the Agencies which would focus on maritime security, safety, ship building & maintenance, maritime governance, port infrastructure rehabilitation, capacity building, among others.
Under his leadership, the Nigeria’s territorial waters became safer especially in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) in the past one year, with the maritime sector recorded zero incidence of piracy and maritime terrorism for more than one year.
Ports were upgraded and his ministry worked assiduously to actualize the implementation of the National Single Window at the nation’s ports to facilitate trade and competitiveness of country’s port system.
The value his outstanding leadership will also impact on the acceptability and reelection of the present administration in 2027.
We Commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the confidence reposed in and the subsequent Appointment of Chief Gboyega Oyetola as the Minister of the Marine and Blue Economy.
He is honest and transparent in his stronger determination to reposition the sector as the leading source of revenue to the country and will surely do more based on his past robust antecedents. We thus call on all Nigerians to support his vision and pragmatic leadership in the office, so as to enable impact the lives of many more citizens of the country.
Dr K.M.Tugga is an Abuja resident and public affairs commentator
By Rinret Jennifer Mwarap
The unrelenting massacre of citizens in Plateau State has reached an alarming level. While the government claims to be taking steps to restore order, the reality on the ground tells a different story one that feels like nothing meaningful is being done.
It is heartbreaking to see our loved ones butchered without cause. The questions torment us: What have we done wrong? Who have we offended? Where did we go astray? Must we continue to endure this suffering for no justifiable reason?
The killing of innocent people in Plateau must come to an end. The government and security forces cannot afford to look away. Their responsibility is clear they must act swiftly and decisively to bring the perpetrators to justice, for the sake of the innocent victims and the children left behind.
I call on the Governor of Plateau State to rise to this challenge. Take bold and immediate action against those who seek to destroy our land and shed innocent blood. Let them face the full weight of the law.
This feels like a nightmare—how did we get to the point where the same Plateau where I once slept peacefully with both eyes closed is now a place where even sleeping with one eye open feels unsafe?
Where is the peace in our “Home of Peace and Tourism”?
When will our tears dry? When will justice prevail?
If we truly seek peace, then justice must be non-negotiable.