Presidency proposes national ethics, values bill

It is not clear when the bill would be sent to the National Assembly.

The Presidency is preparing an executive bill that would propose the adoption of national ethics and values for the country, Special Adviser to the President on Ethics and Values, Sarah Jibril, said on Sunday in Abuja.

According to the Presidential Adviser, the bill would, hopefully, positively change the attitude of Nigerians.

If the bill scales the scrutiny of the National Assembly and is passed into law, Mrs. Jibril said it could set the stage for the establishment of a Federal Ministry of National Ethics and Values to create a stronger foundation for the building of good ethics and sound moral values for the people.

She noted that the establishment of the ministry would also promote the country’s integrity towards positive transformation of the image of the country.

Mrs. Jibril added that the ministry would also enhance the standard of living of people in the communities and ensure that they got the best of social services.

“We are working with the National Assembly to see to the passage of the proposed Bill. We are working with the Presidency to bring it up as soon as possible, so that everybody knows the level to which you can even talk of immunity,” she said.

“Nobody is immune to go and hire thugs or raise killers. And even the legislators. I am glad that the Senate is taking the mature side of this issue of immunity.’’

Mrs. Jibril noted that by the time the laws are in place, it would be unlawful to raise thugs or assassins, adding that “whoever raises or encourages thugs or other criminals would be breaching the law and the social sanity of the country and such person should be made to face the law.’’

She said that there was need for state governors and chairmen of local government councils to replicate the office of Special Adviser on Ethics and Values as done at the federal level to promote social lives in communities, adding that parents should ensure that their children were well-trained in ethics and values to help convey the message on ethics faster in the country.

 

(NAN)