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FG to support establishment of National Mine Action Centre
The Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle says the Federal Government will provide necessary technical support for the establishment of a National Mine Action Center in the North East.
He also assured that the government would continue to support the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) programmes in the region.
Matawalle gave the assurance during a meeting with the UNMAS delegation, led by the Director, Ileen Cohn, in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the since its deployment in July 2018 at the request of the Resident Humanitarian Coordinator, UNMAS Nigeria has provided critical life-saving assistance.
The main objectives are to develop the national capacities to protect the civilians from the threats of mines and explosives, and to mitigate immediate threats for the vulnerable population in the North-east.
The activities include coordination, risk reduction, victim assistance, nontechnical survey, and capacity development for the national and state authorities as well as a civil society organizations.
The minister said that the national mine action center would support efforts to not only resettle displaced persons, but also enable Internally Displaced Persons to access education.
Matawalle emphasised the government’s commitment to collaborating with UNMAS to facilitate the full reintegration of IDPs and farmers, and return of economic activities for improved livelihood.
He stressed that efforts were being intensified to realise this crucial initiative, adding “we are focused on developing action plans that will facilitate the return of IDPs and farmers to their lands”.
Earlier, Cohn commended the minister’s efforts in bringing the Government of Borno to support and facilitate the initiative by providing residential and office accommodation to the UNMAS.
She highlighted the ongoing progress in establishing the national mine action centre in Maiduguri and affirmed their commitment in supporting the rehabilitation efforts for IDPs and farmers in the North East.
Senate on Thursday, May 9, approved the death penalty for those convicted on the charge of drug trafficking in the country.
The punishment prescribed in the extant NDLEA Act is a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
The resolution of the Senate followed its consideration of a report of the Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters and Drugs and Narcotics, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
The Chairman of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights & Legal Matters presented the report during plenary, Senator Mohammed Monguno (APC-Borno North).
The bill, which passed its third reading, aims to update the list of dangerous drugs, strengthen the operations of the NDLEA, review penalties, and empower the establishment of laboratories.
Section 11 of the current act prescribes that “any person who, without lawful authority; imports, manufactures, produces, processes, plants or grows the drugs popularly known as cocaine, LSD, heroin or any other similar drugs shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to be sentenced to imprisonment for life” was amended to reflect a stiffer penalty of death.
Although the report did not recommend a death penalty for the offence, during consideration, Senator Ali Ndume moved that the life sentence should be upgraded to the death penalty.
During a clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session, put the amendment on the death penalty to a voice vote and ruled that the “ayes” had it.
But Senator Adams Oshiomhole objected to the ruling, saying that the “nays” had it.
He argued that matters of life and death should not be treated hurriedly, but Barau said it was too late, as he failed to call for division immediately after his ruling.
The bill was subsequently read for the third time and passed by the Senate.
Nollywood actress Shan George is happy to announce to you all that her N3.6million which was removed from her Zenith Bank account has successfully been recovered and returned back into her account by Zenith Bank.
She however thanks everyone, that “To all those who called, txted, and even sent me their token to enable me pursue d issue, God bless u abundantly and replenish ur pockets a billion folds.”
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