National
Senate Moves To Ban CBN Governor, Deputies From Partisan Politics
The Senate has commenced a move to ban the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Deputies from participating in partisan politics.
This is coming just as the senate has passed two bills into second reading, seeking to bar the CBN governor and the Deputies from partisanship.
The bills were sponsored by the Senator representing Kogi West, Sunday Karimi and his counterpart from Abia Central, Darlington Nwaokocha.
During the debates on the bills, the lawmakers proposed that Section 9 of the CBN Act be amended to insulate the CBN Governor and the Deputies from participating in politics while in service.
The two legislators also proposed that the Auditor-General of the Federation, Chairmen of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Chartered Institute of Bankers in Nigeria (CIBN) be represented on the board of the CBN.
Presenting his lead debate, Nwaokocha said the Bill would ensure that the banking system was repositioned to play its primary role of financial intermediation for the benefit of investments and economic growth in Nigeria.
He said: “Mr. President. Distinguished Colleagues, permit me to lead the debate on the general principles for the amendment of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007. This Bill was read for the First Time in this Hallowed Chamber on Tuesday, 10th October, 2023.
“This Bill seeks to amend Sections 6(1), (2); 8(1) (2) (3) (4) (5), 12 (1) (2) (3),13 (1)(2) (3) (4) and paragraph 8 of the first schedule to the Act to strengthen the Bank and make provision for the appointment of a chairman of the board, provide for responsibility to quicken and deepen execution of the Bank’s mandate. This Bill seek to address all anomalies that has hindered the advancement of the apex bank to handle the ailing economy of our nation.
“Mr. President, Distinguished Colleagues, the thrust of this amendment is to create a people-centered central bank by delivery price and financial system stability and promoting sustainable economic development. As the nation grapples with economic issues, we need to reposition the CBN to grow the economy, regulate the exchange rate and unauthorized financial transactions and dollarizing the economy.
“This Bill seeks to provide for among other things: separate the head of Management from the head of the governing Board in line with national and international good corporate governance practices;
“Establish a proper governance architecture for the monetary authority for optimal policy and operational effectiveness; Enshrine real-time controls and effective accountability in the conduct of central banking in Nigeria
“Reposition the CBN towards pursuit and advancement of its core mandates given the Bank’s pivotal role in the economy; and 44) Position the CBN as an apolitical entity that will become a worthy example in national and international monetary policy, banking sector regulation, currency management, and supervision.
“Mr. President, Distinguished Colleagues, Specific ways of achieving the above objectives contained in the Amendments being sought is to: Establish the position of the Chairman of the Board of the CBN with cognate qualifications and experience suitable for achieving the renewed objectives of the Bank;
“Establish an effective and efficient Board for the CBN with enhanced independence and neutrality for comprehensive policy and operational Board oversight; Provide for an additional position of a Deputy Governor to achieve due balance in geo-political representation of all zones comprising Nigeria and robust engagements in the administration and policy of the CBN;
“Guarantee internal and parliamentary oversight besides credible accountability to the Nigerian people; and clearly emphasize the ubiquity of Financial Reporting and Corporate Governance as key responsibilities of the Board and Management of the CBN.”
However, in his contribution, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, opposed the second reading of the bill, arguing that the case of the immediate past Governor of the CBN, Godwin Emefiele, which was the case in reference was a consequence of the absence of governance and the will to enforce the extant laws.
The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, who presided the plenary, said: “It is important that we reposition our laws and the CBN Act to make sure that the apex bank is put in the best position to perform its function.
“An integral part of the arrangement of every country is making sure that every country has a Central bank that will be in control of its monetary policies, because if one is not able to get right there, then that will be something that will be described as catastrophic.
So, the two bills that are been brought to the Senate are commendable and the robust debates that took place showed the passion in the minds of every Senator here in making sure that all is done to put the apex bank in the best position to perform its function in a way that the country’s interest will be well protected.
Accordingly, Barau referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Banking, for further legislative input and to report back to the Chamber within two weeks.
The Northern Youth Congress of Nigeria (NYC) has honoured Dr. Ibrahim Aminu Trader, Executive Director of the Regional Sustainable Energy Centre of Excellence for Sub-Saharan Africa (RSECE), with its coveted Northern Elders Award of Excellence, “Garkuwan Marayun Arewa,” in recognition of his outstanding service to youth empowerment, national unity and social development.
The prestigious award, which translates to “Shield of Northern Orphans,” was conferred during a colourful ceremony at the RSECE headquarters in Abuja.
The event drew a cross-section of youth leaders, civil society groups, and stakeholders from the public and private sectors.
National President of the NYC, Ambassador Auwalu Mohammed Majiri, commended Dr. Trader’s enduring commitment to nation-building.
“This recognition is rooted in Dr. Trader’s consistent efforts to empower young people and his unwavering role as a bridge-builder in Nigeria’s journey toward unity and peace,” he said.
Dr. Trader, who has a storied career in public service and finance, expressed deep gratitude to the NYC.
He described the recognition as “humbling,” adding that his passion for uplifting the next generation remains central to his work.
“As someone who became the first Northerner to graduate at the age of 19, and having held top roles in the civil service and banking sector, I understand the power of opportunity,” he stated.
“Through RSECE, I continue to support youth initiatives and encourage entrepreneurship as a tool for nation-building.”
The award serves as a powerful endorsement of Dr. Trader’s leadership, humanitarian values and grassroots impact, particularly among marginalised communities.
His honour, according to observers, stands as a beacon of hope and a call to action for others committed to Nigeria’s collective progress.
National
Talata Mafara Resident Praises Tinubu, Matawalle For Eliminating Bandit Leaders Jijji, Kachallah Sagili
Residents of Talata Mafara Local Government Area in Zamfara State have expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, Minister of State for Defence Dr Bello Matawalle, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, and Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa for their roles in the elimination of two notorious bandit leaders
The operation, which targeted Jajji Ɗan Auta and Kachallah Sagili, has been hailed as a significant step towards restoring peace in the troubled region.
Yakubu Ibrahim Mafara, speaking on behalf of the Talata Mafara community, issued a statement on Friday commending the concerted efforts of the Nigerian government and security forces.
“We are very grateful to Matawalle, Tinubu, NSA, and others,” he said, reflecting the community’s relief and optimism following the operation.
The statement underscored the profound impact of the operation on the local population, which has long endured the terror inflicted by bandit groups in Zamfara State.
The operation took place on Thursday in Maikwanugga, a community within Talata Mafara Local Government Area, where security forces, alongside local vigilante groups, conducted targeted patrols along the Mafara axis.
According to the statement, reports indicate that Jijji Ɗan Auta and Kachallah Sagili, both feared bandit leaders responsible for numerous attacks, kidnappings, and extortion in the region, were neutralised during the operation.
” Their deaths have been described as a turning point for the community, which has suffered years of violence and insecurity.
“The killing of Jijji Ɗan Auta has brought relief and fresh air into our community,” Yakubu said, echoing the sentiments of residents who have lived under the shadow of banditry for years.
The operation is seen as a direct response to the escalating violence in Zamfara, where armed groups have terrorised rural communities, disrupted livelihoods, and displaced thousands.
The community’s gratitude reflects growing confidence in the government’s commitment to tackling insecurity in Nigeria’s northwest.
Meanwhile, the operation was a collaborative effort involving the Nigerian military and local vigilantes, who have increasingly played a critical role in intelligence-gathering and community defence.
The patrols in the Mafara axis were part of a broader strategy to dismantle bandit strongholds and restore normalcy to Zamfara, a state that has become a hotspot for banditry and kidnapping in recent years.
“The elimination of Jijji Ɗan Auta and Kachallah Sagili is expected to weaken the operational capacity of bandit groups in the region.”
The Nigerian military has called for stronger collaboration with relevant agencies to ensure proper documentation of individuals entering the country, citing the role of foreign herders in escalating violence in regions like Plateau and Benue States.
Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, Director of Defence Media Operations, made the appeal during a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday.
“There are agencies responsible for this, and we need to collaborate effectively,” Kangye said, emphasizing the importance of a joint framework to tackle insecurity.
“Those entering Nigeria must be properly documented and accounted for.”
He said recent attacks by armed herders in Plateau, Benue, and other parts of the country have left dozens dead and displaced thousands, particularly in farming communities.
Kangye revealed that investigations point to foreign herders as the primary perpetrators of these violent attacks, with their distinct speech patterns and physical features setting them apart from local herders.
“The Hausa language spoken in Nigeria differs significantly from that in Mali, the Central African Republic, or Ghana,” he explained.
“When we apprehend these herders and terrorists, their speech and appearance—sometimes even their hair—indicate they are not from Nigeria.”
He noted that the Shuwa Arabs in Borno are the only Nigerian community with some similarities to Sahel-region herders, but even they are distinguishable.
While acknowledging that some Nigerian herders contribute to conflicts by encroaching on farmlands, Kangye stressed that the majority of the violence is driven by foreigners crossing Nigeria’s porous borders.
“The ongoing killings reported in certain areas are primarily committed by individuals who have infiltrated our borders,” he said.