Exclusive:

FEDERAL CHARACTER COMMISSION (ESTABLISHMENT, ETC) ACT AMENDMENT BILL SPONSORED BY REP IDEM PASSES SECOND READING.

The House of Representatives has read the second time and passed a bill for an act to amend the Federal Character Commission (establishment, etc) Act F7, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to make provisions for the appointment of the Chairman and Secretary from different regions of the country to reflect the principles of federal character.

Leading debate on the Bill, the Sponsor, Rep Unyime Idem said the importance of the bill to our national existence cannot be overstressed. He noted that the Act makes distinct provisions for the Presidential appointment of the Chairman of the Commission in Section 2 (2) of the Act and another crucial appointment by the President for the position of the Secretary in Section 9 (1) (b) of the Act. The Bill seeks to amend the provision of the Act to reinstate the position that the two critical positions to be appointed by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria be expressly and mandatorily from each region of the Country for the effective running and administration of the objectives of setting up of the Commission.

“Mr. Speaker and my distinguished Colleagues, Nigeria is a vast and diverse nation to which there should be equal representation of all the regions. The Commission shoulders a huge responsibility of handling high volume of representation that requires the trust and confidence of the whole country. Having a regional representation would make the Commission equitable and efficient, thereby having a ripple effect on the developmental system of the country”

“The Rt. Hon. Speaker, my respected Colleagues, the need to amend the Federal Character Commission Act to put in place a Legal framework for the appointment of the two crucial positions of Chairman and Secretary of the Commission to be from the two regions of the Country, is a patriotic move which I believe should be supported by this Honorable House.”

The Bill was read for the second time and referred to the Committee on Federal Character for further character for further legislative action.