By Deborah Coker
Abuja, April 26, 2024 (NAN) Sen. Ned Nwoko (PDP-Delta) says he has proposed a Bill before the Senate for the establishment of a National Talent Rehabilitation and Integration Agency.
Nwoko who is representing Delta North Senatorial District disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday, in Abuja.
He said that the proposed bill was a fallout from the talents discovered from the illegal arms factory in Onicha-Olona, Delta.
NAN reports that though they were arrested by the Nigerian Army, they were, however, released through the intervention of the lawmaker.
He noted that individuals with specialised skills and talents in technology, particularly in areas such as manufacturing of weaponry, were often involved in illegal activities, posing a threat to national security and public safety.
He added that, it was also recognised that the talents and skills of such individuals, if harnessed and integrated into the formal economy, have the potential to contribute positively to society and boost local industries.
The lawmaker who is a member of the Senate Committee on Defence said that there was the need to establish a comprehensive framework for the rehabilitation and integration of offenders with specialised technological talents.
He said this was with a view to providing them with opportunities for growth, development and lawful employment.
He also said that it was the duty of the government to protect the welfare of its citizens, promote social justice and prevent the misuse of technology for illicit purposes.
“It is in accordance with these principles, that I proposed the Bill titled “A Bill For An Act To Establish The National Talent Rehabilitation and Integration Agency And For Related Matters” to be enacted by the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
According to him, the bill seeks to address the challenge of skilled individuals engaging in illegal activities.
“This is particularly in technology-related fields, by providing a structured framework for their rehabilitation and integration into lawful employment and entrepreneurship.
“Through the establishment of the National Talent Rehabilitation and Integration Agency, the talents of offenders with specialised skills will be harnessed, public safety promoted, recidivism rates reduced and they can contribute to the economic development of the nation
“For the purpose of this Act, offenders shall refer to individuals who have been convicted of illegal activities involving technology, including but not limited to the manufacturing of weaponry,” he said.
Nwoko explained that specialised skills and talents in technology would encompass a wide range of technical-abilities, including but not limited to software development, engineering, robotics and other fields relevant to the manufacturing and utilisation of technological products.
He said that offenders eligible for participation in the rehabilitation and integration programmes under the Act must meet certain criteria.
“The offenders must demonstrate specialied skills and talents in technology.
“They must possess demonstrable expertise and proficiency in technological fields relevant to the objectives of this Act,
such as software development, engineering, electronics or other specialised areas.
“They must have been convicted of illegal activities involving technology, including but not limited to the manufacturing, distribution or utilisation of weaponry or other technological products for unlawful purposes,” he said.
The lawmaker, however, said that offenders would be made to undergo a comprehensive assessment to evaluate their potential for rehabilitation and successful integration into the formal economy.
He said that the participants’ interest and willingness to participate in the programme and commitment to lawful behavior would be taken into accounts.
He added that offenders must agree to comply with the rules, regulations and requirements of the rehabilitation and integration programme.
This, he said would include participation in vocational training, mentorship and other activities aimed at facilitating their transition to lawful employment and productive citizenship.
He said that the programme would also encompass vocational training, mentorship and counseling, job placement and entrepreneurship support, social reintegration and community engagement.
He further said that the programme would be implemented in accordance with the legal principles of due process, equal protection under the law and adherence to relevant statutes and regulations governing the rehabilitation of offenders.
Nwoko also said that the board of the proposed Agency would be composed of representatives from various governmental entities and relevant stakeholders, including but not limited to the Ministry of Science and Technology, National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of State Services (DSS).
Others he said would include the Nigerian Police Force, Navy, Army, Air Force, other relevant stakeholders like the academia, industry associations, non-governmental organisations and community groups. (NAN)