Keep EFCC acting chair, Magu, waiting till Dec 15

From Fred Itua, Abuja

Following the death of three members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), namely, Ifedolapo Amoke Oladepo who died in Kano NYSC Orientation Camp, Elechi Chiyerom who died in Bayelsa State Orientation Camp and Ukeme Asuquo who died in Zamfara State Orientation Camp, recently, Senators are caling for its overhaul.

Senators also declared orientation camps across the country unfit for human habitation, in a motion by its Chief Whip, Olusola Adeyeye.

Senate subsequently resolved and called on the Federal Government “to improve on medical facilities in all our NYSC orientation camps across Nigeria” and “to deploy to these medical centers, experienced medical personnel.”

Senate also mandated its Committee on Sports and Youth Development to conduct a thorough and comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of the three corps members in order to guide against future occurrence.

Meanwhile, Senate has deferred screening of acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu.

The acting chairman’s name was forwarded to the Senate, five months ago, by President Muhammadu Buhari. He was billed to appear before the Red Chamber, yesterday, forhis screening and possible confirmation.

Alhough the acting chairman and his team were on ground for the screening, it was not listed in the chamber’s Order Paper for Thursday, December 8.

Explaining the rationale behind the postponement after plenary, Deputy Senate Leader, Bala Ibn-Na’Allah, said appeals from lawmakers who are currently out of Abuja, necessitated its postponement.

Na’Allah told newsmen that the Senate leadership has agreed to commence the exercise on Thursday, December 15 and that a former letter has been sent to Magu and other members of the EFCC board to that effect.

“Senate is normally guided by a time-frame of work. We agreed that today (yesterday) would be the confirmation hearing of the EFCC acting chairman, Magu, but, we received a lot of calls from Senators who are away and who believe that they want to participate and that it was unfair for us to fix it when we knew they were not around.

“When we looked at the demands and the number, we felt it would be wrong for us to proceed. We said the screening should be done next Thursday.

“Again, we became too unsure as to whether the Federal Government would declare Monday or Tuesday public holiday, in respect of the impending Eid- Malud holiday.

“We have since written an official letter to the acting chairman giving him that Thursday will be the day for the confirmation hearing of his appointment.”

Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, had on Wednesday, disclosed that Magu’s confirmation hearing will commence yesterday. He made the disclosure at the end of plenary.

Mr. Magu was appointed by President Buhari on the 9th of November, 2015, following the sack of his predecessor, Ibrahim Lamorde. He has been acting since then.

Magu who is a serving police officer, was the head of Economic Governance Unit of the commission. Magu, if confirmed by the Senate, will be the fourth head of the anti-graft agency, after Nuhu Ribadu, Farida Waziri and Mr. Lamorde. Like others, all the heads of the EFCC are from the north.

There have been controversies over the delay of his confirmation by the Senate. When his letter was read by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki in July, it was not referred to the standing committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes. Senate questions relevance of NYSC, calls for overhaul

From FRED ITUA, Abuja

 

Senator Adeyeye in his motion, had argued: “ The death of corps members are becoming a recurrent decimal in almost all NYSC Camps across the country. Experienced Medical personnel’s are practically non-existent in all our Orientation Camps across the country as fresh doctors who have not garnered any experience are the ones administering treatments to the corps members.

“Medical facilities at most Orientation Camps leave a lot to be desired as one of the deceased, Ifedolapo called home five hours to her death and told her older sister, Mrs. Oyeyode Abimbola (a nurse) to start coming to her Kano Orientation Camp, alleging poor care at the NYSC camp.

“An Orientation Camp that houses over three thousand corps members cannot boast of modern facilities to cater for the needs of corps members while undergoing the mandatory Orientation Programme.

“NYSC officials are not up and doing in their official duties as they expose these corps members to all manner of dangers. I strongly believe that NYSC needs total overhauling particularly its healthcare system.”

In his contribution, Deputy Senate Minority Leader, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, noted: “This is a sad moment for us. What I have heard confirms what I thought was in the realm of speculations. It may not have been intentional, but I think it was an act of irresponsibility. How will not provide medical attention to a sick person? We look forward to the outcome of the investigation.

“An example should be set. To say the least, this is a barbaric act. That calls for a rethink about the NYSC Act. It it really worth it to go and die in an orientation camp? Politicians use these same corps members to rig elections and we do not value their lives.”

Adamawa-born Senator Binta Garba also supported the call: “It is time to look and overhaul the NYSC as an agency of government. We need to think if NYSC is still needed in this country. If someone says he or she is sick, why won’t they attend to the person? From what we have seen, we need to overhaul the NYSC. We need to look into the activities of NYSC.”

President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki, in his final remarks, said: “We need to address the issue of health services in orientation camps. This is an issue we should capture in the 2017 budget.”