The House of Representatives has commended the National Examinations Council for complying with its resolution on shelving its planned nationwide promotion exercise for its staff.
The commendation was contained in a statement by the spokesman of the House, Akin Rotimi, on Saturday.
Rotimi, who is the Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, said: “The House of Representatives welcomes the postponement of a planned promotion examination by the Management of the National Examination Council for its staff members drawn from across the country in swift compliance with a resolution of parliament.
“This follows a resolution by the Green Chamber upon its adoption of a Motion of Urgent National Importance on Wednesday, mandating its Committees on Basic Education and Basic Education Examination Boards to interact with NECO towards shelving its planned 2024 Promotion Examination for Staff Members scheduled to hold at the Federal University of Technology, Minna.
“The motion titled ‘Need to Review the Planned Promotion Exams by NECO for about 1,500 Staff Members to converge at Minna, Niger State on 14th and 15th February 2024 in view of the Security Situation and Economic Hardship in the Country’ was sponsored by Rep. Akeem Adeyemi (APC, Oyo) and debated during plenary.
“The House notes that the Exam Council in an internal circular with Ref: NECO/AD/46/X/1091 dated 9th February 2024 and signed by its Director of Human Resource Management announced an indefinite postponement of the exercise in compliance with a directive by the House Committee on Basic Education Examination Bodies referenced NASS/HR/10/CT.20/64.
“The Green Chamber commends the swift response of NECO to the directive by parliament as the reflection of a noteworthy understanding of an overarching need to put public interest above some administrative actions no matter how well intentioned.
“As Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen PhD put it in his recent World Press Conference on the State of the Nation: ‘Change, especially of the magnitude we are aiming for, does not happen overnight. It requires time, effort, and, most importantly, the support of every Nigerian.’
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“We further urge other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government to take a cue from the Exam Council in the discharge of their responsibilities as mandated by law and in their relationship with the legislative arm.
“In line with the vision of the ‘People’s House Legislative Agenda, the Green Chamber will continue to put both proactive and responsive legislative measures in place including through the use of oversight to achieve its constitutional mandate of security and welfare for all Nigerians.”
