Education
JUST IN: Reps Reject Bill Seeking To Bar Public Officers’ Children From Studying Abroad
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The House of reps has rejected a Bill Seeking to bar public officers’ children from studying abroad.
- The lawmakers argued that the bill breaches fundamental rights of Nigerians, especially with respect to freedom of movement.
EKO HOT BLOG reports that some of them insisted that it infringes on the fundamental human rights of Nigerians.
Others argued that some public officers do not control public funds and should not be prevented from giving their children the best education that they can afford.
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The bill, which was sponsored by representative Sergius Ogun, sought to ensure that only public officers who can show they can afford foreign education for their children without using public funds are allowed to do so.
Uzoma Abonta from Abia state said a similar bill had been discussed and stepped down on legal ground.
According to him, “it offends fundamental human rights. Although a well intended bill, it has lots of legal impediments.”
Femi Gbajabiamila from Lagos state also argued the bill is against the principles of democracy “especially as it relates to freedom of choice, freedom of movement, freedom of assembly, right to public and private life.”
“I think it is wrong for us to be curbing people’s right. The issue to address is the quality of public education, the question then remains; is banning people’s rights from wherever they choose to school going to cure the problem?” he asked.
“I don’t think that will do that. If someone should get scholarship abroad, a full paid scholarship, are we going to say because of law, we will prevent such person? Then there is the issue of discrimination.”
Yakubu Dogara, speaker of the house, thereafter suggested the bill should be referred to the committee on rules and business to look into it and address issues of human rights therein.
Lawmakers appealed to Mr Ogun to step down the bill but he refused, and when it was put to vote, a majority voted against the bill.
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