The National Conference Committee on Citizenship, Immigration and Related matters, headed by His Royal Highness Dr. Mohammad Zaiyanu Abudullahi, Emir of Yari, said that his committee has recommended that section 25 (a) should be amended to allow Nigerian women enjoy the rights accrued to all Nigerians either at her place of origin or that of her husband.
The committee also recommended an amendment or delete section 6 (c) of the constitution, which bars her from access to the courts with respect to chapter 2 as a necessary step towards Nigerian citizenship.
Other recommendations are:”National institutions should be strengthened to prohibit and punish criminal conduct which target, kill or destroy lives and property on the basis of origin, belief, religious or circumstance.
On Immigration and internal security, the committee observed that the Nigerian Immigration Services (NIS) is under-staffed, underfunded and lack modern technology for adequate policing of the expansive Nigerian borders.
The committee therefore recommended that at least 10, 000 persons should be recruited yearly within the next five years.
It also added that there is need for community policing of the borders as well as a redirection of attitudes of members of the border communities.
“There should be the construction of border plazas which should be equipped with radars, sensors as well as cargo and document scanners.”
Discussing the report at the plenary, nearly all the delegates who spoke commended the committee for what was described as a job well done.