By Sani Idris

In the spirit of better Nigeria and upholding unity and sincerity of purpose coming 2023 presidential elections, a concerned Nigerian citizen, Mr Nabil Hassan Baba in a search for a better candidate, endorsed the former INEC chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega.

Nabil, who conducted an interview by getting opinion from youths in Nigeria on the best candidate for the 2023 presidency, said it was without doubt that Nigeria whom the legends and great nationalists of history were patriotic about is falling to the ground.

He noted that It was no longer news that lives are lost on the highways on daily basis and people are not safe in their homes and learning institutions are going through processes of academic bankruptcy, and moral vices eating the citizen like cancer.

According to him, the dilapidating situation of the country, made Nigerians especially the youths see Prof Attahiru Jega as a man with strong sense of ethics and morality, discipline, foresight and has the record of conducting the fairest election since democracy as the best candidate everyone should go for in the coming 2023 presidential elections.

"As a former Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University, a former chairman of the Academic staff union of universities (ASUU) and the former chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), among other public positions he held, making him has a vast knowledge in governance, is the best candidate we have so far seen worthy of leading Nigeria to the promise land.

"Jega is a person who has been making tireless efforts in seeing good governance in place in the country so that the citizenry will enjoy the dividends of democracy.

"Some of his contributions to the repositioning of democracy and good governance in the country which include democracy and democratisation in Nigeria: An Assessment of the Period 1999 to 2001, democracy, good governance and development in Nigeria, critical essays. (2007), among others, made him a perfect match for the presidential seat in 2023.

"As a father and a political leader who ought to speak the truth on behalf of the voiceless citizens, an individual of excellence and purity of intentions, a patriotic citizen and protector of vulnerable Nigerians right, a legend by the name Toyin Omoyeni Falola, a remarkable author acknowledged thus;

*'you have given unquantifiable magnitude of benefits to the country, and we cannot deny his ambience of productivity that he stands to give more. Because of his intellectual posture and productions, he has added to the excellent image of the country and thus demystified all manners of assumptions and conclusions'*

"From the way you conduct your self during the 2015 general election, our attention was drawn towards the leadership qualities in you and your efforts letting the authority to brest up to their responsibilities in making Nigeria safe.

"We want to draw your attention to recent happenings in the country where citizens are leaving the country at the slightest opportunity they get as a result of insecurity, most of us believe in Nigeria as such we want to stay here and salvage it together.

"We are appealing to you to come forward to offer your wealth of experience in order to make Nigeria work again, the state of this nation is in a mess, although somethings are working out in favors that the masses don’t really acknowledge due to the security and economic imbalance.

"My interview with alot of Nigerians have given me a very optimistic view on you from the older generation down to the youth, you are our beacon of hope sir, rise to this occasion and history will never forget you for salvaging Nigeria when there was no hope," he said

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Senators block gender and equal opportunity bill because Islam doesn't support it

SAMSON TOROMADE

December 15, 2021 3:10 PM

The bill was stepped down to be considered later when lawmakers have studied it more.

Nigerian senators [Tope Brown]

A bill for gender and equal opportunity was stepped down in the Senate on Wednesday, December 15, 2021 after numerous lawmakers opposed it based on religious reasons.

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Leading debate on the bill during plenary, Senator Biodun Olujimi (Ekiti South - PDP), said it would implement Section 42 of the constitution that provides for the elimination of discrimination against women.

The bill, the sponsor argued, would ensure the equality of opportunities for everyone, and guarantee them the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

"The bill, when enacted, will also encourage women to aspire and attain their full potentials considering the fact that there are real and nuanced forms of discrimination against women limiting their (career) entry and growth," she said.

Senator Stella Oduah (Anambra North - APC), supporting the bill, called on lawmakers in the chamber to pass the bill in consideration of all the women in their lives that would benefit.

Senators Gyang Istifanus Dung (Plateau North - PDP), Eyakenyi Akon Etim (Akwa Ibom South - PDP), Ovie Omo-Agege (Delta Central - APC),Ajibola Bashiru (Osun Central - APC), James Manager (Delta South - PDP), and Remi Tinubu (Lagos Central - APC) all supported the bill and asked that it be passed on to the relevant committee for further legislative action.

However, Senator Yusuf Abubakar Yusuf ( Taraba Central - APC) said the socio-cultural practice of the northern region, derived from the Islamic religion, is against men and women being considered as equals.

"I will not support the passage of this until the word 'equal' is removed. If we now have debate on the gender opportunities bill, fine. But when you bring equality into it, it infringes into the practice of Islamic religion," he said.

Senator Aliyu Wammako (Sokoto North - APC) supported Yusuf's position, saying equity was okay, but equality was not.

Their objections led to a debate that lasted nearly an hour with Senate President, Ahmad Lawan(Yobe North - APC), advising that the bill be amended to address the concerns.

Senator Olujimi, at some point, offered to rename the bill 'gender equity bill', instead of 'gender and equal opportunities bill' that's offensive to those against its passage.

She argued that the bill had already been tested with Islamic clerics who were happy with the terms stated in it.

Unsatisfied, Senator Yusuf asked that the bill be stepped down until a draft has been read by lawmakers so that they can make a more informed decision.

Senator Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa North - APC) also said it would be an injustice if the concerns of the lawmakers are not properly addressed before the bill is passed on to the next stage.

He said, "It will pay us greater dividend that we seek some advise. Let's have some little room for our neighbours. What's the hurry?"

Senators Bala Ibn N'Allah (Kebbi South - APC), and Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North - APC) also asked for wider consultations before the bill is considered for passage.

Senator Olujimi agreed to step down the bill due to the opposition to it, with plans to present it at a later date.

Lawan urged her to ensure the concerns raised are addressed in the amended draft to be forwarded to all senators to study.

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