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Reps Hold Valedictory Session In Honour Of 4th Assembly Speaker, Late Ghali Na’Abba

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Reps Hold Valedictory Session In Honour Of 4th Assembly Speaker, Late Ghali Na’Abba
…colleagues describe him as one who gave his life for the nation
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has held a Valedictory Session is held in honour of Speaker of the fourth Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ghali Umar Na’Abba, on Thursday at the National Assembly.
This is in accordance with the tradition of the House, when a former or sitting members passes on.
Naijablitznews.com reports that the former Speaker died on December 27, 2023, in Nigeria.
In accordance with the House rules, the Leader of the House, Rep. Julius Ihonbvere, moved the motion for the commencement of the Valedictory Session and it was seconded by the House Minority Leader, Rep. KingsleyChinda.
Naijablitznews.com recalled that on Wednesday at plenary the House moved a motion for the admission of non members into the Lower Legislative Chamber for today’s ValedictorySession.
Former members of the National Assembly from 1999 till 2023 were present and they include former Speakers Aminu Bello Masari, Femi Gbajabiamila, former Deputy Speakers Chibudum nwuche, Austin opara, Lasun Yusuf, Emeka ihedioha, former House leaders Bawa bwari, Ahmed Gamaliel among others.
Also present at the session was the family of the late Ghali Umar Na’Abba.
In his opening speech, Speakerof the House, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, described the deceased with his simplicity, modest and religious man who gave his life for the service of the nation.
He said: “While this is a moment of grief and national mourning it is a moment of celebration and sober reflection. As we reflect on his life we are reminded of our democracy”.
Former Speaker and current Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, described Late Na’Abba as a talented politician, worthy public servant and ‘a true Nigerian whose death has brought us sorrow”.
“I appear in mixed emotions but I take solace that we are here not to mourn but to celebrate a giant.
“The evident abound that he lived a very good life. He was a follower of Mallam Aminu Kano and was concerned about the downtrodden in the country.
“He served the downtrodden and chose to be a servant of the people, his voice was to speak for the voiceless”, he stated.
According to Gbajabiamila, “Our democracy is young but after two decades we have become comfortable with the present situation. When we returned to democracy in 1999 the political rules that guided us today was not there but Rt. Hon. Ghali Umar Na’Abba understood what it took to lead the House.
“As a Speaker, I consulted with him on a regular basis and I thank him for that. He was a beloved father, brother a mentor and guardian”.
Former Speaker Aminu Bello Masari who spoke on behalf of the Body of Former Speakers said the history of the legislature cannot be written without the name of Late Ghali Umar Na’Abba.
According to Masari, Ghali has paid his dues and he prayed for God to grant him eternal rest.
He added: “For those of us who were with Ghali from 1999-2003, I remember when the House was constituted none of us had any experience of legislative duties. We had an executive who was a former military General with no experience of democracy. This was the situation that Ghali found himself at that particular situation.
“Ghali came from a radical political background and it gave him courage to face the situation.
“He was a distinguished Nigerian and parliamentarian, he had the courage to provide leadership under such difficult times. But he survived and completed his tenure despite all the challenges. The sad part of it in Nigeria is that you are taken care of when you are dead and not when you are alive”.
Masari therefore the lawmakers to provide leadership that will give the citizens hope.
Hon. Chibudum Nwuche spoke on behalf of the Body of Deputy Speakers, described the late Ghali Na’Abba as a “Leader Per Excellence” who led the House in the 4th Assembly without a compass.
Hon. Nwuche stated: “Between 1999-2003, I had the singular opportunity to serve under two Speakers, Hon. Salisu Buhari and Hon. Ghali Na’Abba. This House was full of members who had dreams for the country and were independent.
“Ghali ensured the NDDC Act was passed in the Assembly and Ghali ensured that he mobilized the House to override the President’s Veto. Ghali passed the Act without the President. They tried to remove us several times but with the support of members we stayed till full term”.
The former deputy speaker said the late Ghali was a leaders that should be mortalized. “Ghali was a good man”, he added.
On behalf of the Body of Principal Officers, Hon. Bawa Bwari, described today as a day of mixed feelings.
He said: “We had a special bond filled with mutual trust. He was a mentor. I recall the countless times we worked side by side in transparency. He was a pillar, strength and beacon of hope”.
Hon. Bwari said one of his qualities was fearlessness and he always worked for what he believed in.
“What I will always remember was his ability to unite a House of various divides. He impacted on me, the 1999 House and Nigerian.
“Na’Abba has left a void in the House of 1999”, he added.
Senator Binta Masi Garba, who spoke on behalf of female parliamentarians, described how the late Former Speaker gave all 12 female parliamentarians in the 4th House the same opportunity to assent “our contributions to nation building”.
“He was a dogget fighter, detribalized Nigerin. What the National Assembly is doing today, he was the man that started and gave the independence of the parliament”, she asserted.
The House Minority Leader, Rep. Kingsley Chinda, described the late Ghali Na’Abba as a nationalist.
He narrated his experience with the late Former Speaker: “I schooled with one of his children when I did my Masters in Law. I bought handout and text book for one of his daughter and she went home and told the father who insisted on speaking with me. Her father had asked her how she got the books and she told him it was a serving Honourable member that bought it.
“I had the benefit of speaking with him and one of the things he told me was that the time had come for the counter to make a difference in the lives of the downtrodden.
“This spurred me and today we have presented three bills on constitutional amendment.
“Firstly there are several Ghali Na’Abba” living today, please let’s begin to locate them. Secondly, I want us to tap from what we are seeing today, that it is not “How Far”, “How Long” but “How Well”.
“Thirdly, from the life of Ghali everything made, created, were made to bring life to other. A little selfishness and more selflessness will bring joy to the minority”, Rep. Chinda narrated.
Naijablitznews.com reports that the foremost statesman who passed on at the age of 65, was a passionate and courageous public servant who spent his life in service to the country. He made remarkable contributions to the development of the legislature and has been described as one among a special breed of Nigerian lawmakers.
A Kano-born politician, Rt. Hon. Na’Abba served in the crucial office of Chairman, House Committee on Appropriations, before fate thrust on him the leadership of the House on July 29, 1999, as the 7th indigenous Speaker of the Nigeria House of Representatives.
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Kogi varsity expels two students over gay practice, rusticates four for fighting

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The Management of Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara, has expelled two students for alleged involvement in gay practice and rusticated four others for one academic session over a campus fight.

According to a statement issued on Friday by the university’s Information and Protocol Unit, the sanctions were ratified during the 31st Regular Meeting of the University Senate following recommendations from the Students’ Disciplinary Committee.

The statement read, “The Management of Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara, has approved the expulsion of two students for involvement in gay practice and the rustication of four others for one academic session over acts of fighting on campus.”

The affected students were notified in letters signed by the Deputy Registrar, Academics, Eli Gbadafu, copies of which were made available to the Information, Public Relations and Protocol Unit of the university.

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The statement further read, “The institution stated that the disciplinary actions were taken in accordance with the provisions of the Students’ Handbook, Second Edition, as amended in 2025.”

Onumoko Hamza of the Biology Education department and Abdulazeez Eneji of the Mining Engineering department were expelled over gay practice.

Four other students were rusticated for one academic session over fighting. They are Favor Akowe of the Microbiology department, Simbiat Babamuharuna of the Biology department, Zainab Omayoza of the Biochemistry department, and Sukura Bukola, also of the Biochemistry department.

The statement read, “The University Management reiterated its commitment to maintaining discipline, order and a conducive environment for teaching and learning.”

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It added, “Management warned that it would not hesitate to take decisive disciplinary action against any student found guilty of violating the rules and regulations of the University.”

The statement read further, “Students are therefore advised to familiarise themselves with the provisions of the Students’ Handbook and conduct themselves in accordance with the established rules and regulations of the University.”

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CAN faults FRSC amendment bill, seeks Tinubu’s intervention

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The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the South-West region has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to withhold assent to the proposed Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026.

The Senate had passed an amendment to the FRSC Act, proposing tougher penalties for a range of traffic offences as part of efforts to improve road safety and strengthen compliance with traffic regulations.

One of the major provisions of the amendment bill introduces a N100,000 fine for motorists who fail to obey traffic lights, road signs, road markings, or other traffic control devices.

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Bishop Dr. Barnabas Tunde Akinsanya, CAN said it supports the Federal government’s efforts to improve road safety and reduce accidents.

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It explained that it is concerned about the provisions prescribing sanctions for preaching in commercial buses and prohibiting hawking in such vehicles.

The association further argued that the measures could also infringe on the constitutional rights to freedom of thought, conscience, religion and expression.

According to the association, although the government has a responsibility to protect lives and ensure public safety, it must also uphold the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution.

“We therefore respectfully appeal to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to withhold assent to the Bill in its present form and encourage further consultation with relevant stakeholders, including religious bodies, civil society organisations, legal experts, transport unions, and road safety professionals.

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“Such dialogue will help produce legislation that effectively promotes road safety while preserving the constitutional rights and dignity of every Nigerian,” the statement said.

The association also warned that an outright ban on hawking in commercial buses could worsen the economic hardship facing many Nigerians who rely on informal trading for their daily livelihood.

Rather than introducing measures that could further reduce people’s means of survival, CAN urged the government to focus on creating employment opportunities, reducing poverty, improving public transportation, strengthening security and enhancing citizens’ welfare.

The Christian body appealed to President Tinubu to decline assent to the bill in its current form and instead facilitate broader consultations involving religious organisations, civil society groups, legal experts, transport unions and road safety professionals.

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It maintained that such engagement would help produce legislation that enhances road safety without undermining the constitutional rights and dignity of Nigerians.

CAN stressed that Nigeria needs laws that promote national unity, safeguard lives without unnecessarily restricting fundamental freedoms, and strengthen public confidence in democratic governance.

The association, however, reaffirmed its commitment to constructive engagement with government to advance justice, peace, constitutional democracy and national development.

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Court Of Appeal Upholds Refusal To Restrain NCC, Dismisses COSON’s Appeal

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The Court of Appeal, Lagos Judicial Division, has dismissed an interlocutory appeal filed by the Copyright Society of Nigeria Ltd/Gte (COSON) against the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), affirming an earlier decision of the Federal High Court refusing to grant an injunction restraining the Commission.

In a unanimous judgment delivered on July 9, 2026, the appellate court also awarded ₦200,000 in costs against COSON.

According to a statement on Saturday, the three-member panel, led by Justice Polycarp Terna Kwahar, with Justice Folasade Ayodeji Ojo and Justice Muslim Sule Hassan concurring, held that there was no existing operating approval that could be preserved through an interlocutory injunction.

The appeal stemmed from COSON’s substantive suit challenging aspects of the Copyright (Collective Management Organisations) Regulations, 2007.

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Pending the determination of the case, COSON had sought an interlocutory injunction restraining the NCC from revoking its operating approval or interfering with its management, finances, bank accounts, audits and royalty collection activities.

However, the Federal High Court, in a ruling delivered on December 1, 2021, declined the application, holding that an interlocutory injunction cannot be granted to restrain an action that had already been completed.

The court noted that COSON’s operating approval had been suspended by the NCC in April 2018 and subsequently expired in May 2019, before the substantive suit and the application for injunction were filed.

In affirming the lower court’s decision, the Court of Appeal ruled that the legal status existing before the commencement of the suit was that COSON’s operating approval had already become inoperative.

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Justice Kwahar, in the lead judgment, stated: “Both the Appellant and the Respondent have demonstrated vide their affidavit evidence that the Appellant’s operation had prior to the commencement of the suit become inoperative by virtue of the suspension of the Appellant’s licence and expiration by effluxion of time. That is the status quo ante bellum before the commencement of the suit at the lower Court.”

The appellate court emphasized that the purpose of an interlocutory injunction is to preserve the status quo pending the determination of a substantive case, not to reverse actions that had already taken effect before litigation commenced.

It therefore held that granting the relief sought by COSON would have altered, rather than preserved, the existing legal position, and consequently dismissed the appeal for lacking merit.

Reacting to the judgment, the Nigerian Copyright Commission described the ruling as a reaffirmation of its position that there was no subsisting operating approval for the court to preserve through an injunction.

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The Commission further reiterated that COSON is currently not approved to operate as a Collective Management Organisation (CMO) in Nigeria.

The judgment is regarded as a significant legal victory for the NCC, reinforcing the Commission’s regulatory authority over collective management organisations and clarifying the legal limits of interlocutory injunctions in disputes involving expired or suspended regulatory approvals.

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