Professional bodies task Buhari, National Assembly on regulatory councils, bills

Decry Killings, Kidnap Of Dapchi Girls
The Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Assembly to engage its members in order to render seamless services on bills that border on professionalism.

APBN’s National President, Omede Idris, said at a press conference at the end of a two-day Presidential Retreat in Akure yesterday that this was important to save time, resources and healthy relationship among the professions.

He added that professionalism and collaboration were fundamental to the success of businesses, governance, convergence of knowledge and broad-based professional development built on partnerships, competence and skills in various areas.

At the event with the theme: Repositioning The APBN: Strategies For Collaboration Of Professional Bodies, he expressed concern over insecurity in the country, stressing that the smooth kidnap and return of the Dapchi school girls by Boko Haram terrorists was suspicious.

The APBN, however, commended the Federal Government for the recent constitution of boards, councils and commissions, but lamented non-constitution of professional regulatory bodies and refusal to sign bills that have been passed.

“We need get the attention of the government to the non-reconstitution of regulatory council of some professions, particularly in the health sector.

“These include the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria (PCN) and Medical Laboratory Council of Nigeria (MLCN), among others.

“This is not good for the sector in delivering on statutory function and its mandate. In like manner, we call on the executive arm of government and President Muhammadu Buhari to sign bills that have been passed by the National Assembly.

“This will engender healthy working relationship between the executive and the legislative arms of government,” he said.

He expressed concern over the security challenges in the country, and urged the government to address the security breaches

He, however, expressed satisfaction over the return of the 101 abducted Dapchi schoolgirls, urging government and security agencies to unravel the fact behind the development.

“We are worried over the massive loss of lives and property in about 10 states between January 2018 and now by suspected Fulani herdsmen. The most recent being in Dekina and Omala council areas of Kogi State, as well as the killing of a traditional ruler, his wife, and nine others without any arrests so far,” he added.

“For Nigeria to be experiencing continued attacks on helpless and peace loving citizens without bringing the perpetrators to justice, smacks of complacency by the security agencies and government,” he added.