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Reps Hold Public Hearing On A bill To Regulate Corporate Social Responsibility

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2 years ago

June 25, 2024

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…warn MTN, Airtel for failure to appear before commitee

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has held a public hearing on “A bill To Regulate Corporate Social Responsibility in Nigeria and for other related matters”.

This bill seeks to provide legal status and guidelines to corporate responsibility for better coordination and regulation.

The Chairman House Commitee on Corporate Social Responsibility, Rep. Obiageli Orogbu, also read the riot act as she gave MTN, Airtel last warning to honour it’s invitation or face the warrant of arrest by the Commitee, on Monday in Abuja.

According to Rep. Orogbu, some companies operating in the country have over time violated the law, hence the need for punishment to be melted at them.

She further frowned at National Communications Commission NCC ,MTN and Airtel insisting that they have on several occasions ignored the invitation of the Commitee, and so there is the need to evoke its powers by issuing warrant of arrest.

She said: “Section 89, 8 of the Constitution mandates individual companies as invited to make themselves available to parliament but they break the law and I want to tell you Sir , MTN Airtel they take so much from our nation and they feel too big to appear before the parliament we will not tolerate that.

“I want you as a regulatory body to organize those telecommunication companies were they will be meeting between this parliament and the telecommunication, we gave them the powers to operate in Nigeria so to refuse to honour the invitation of the parliament is a no, no, we take exception to it . The parliament is frowning at it and this is an opportunity to say clearly .

“If MTN is here and I have taken all friendly measure to make them understand the need to appear before the parliament but they have refuse. If you feel you are responsible then you should appear before the parliament ,we want you to be responsible and accountable they operate across the country and they have disrespected the same nation by not housing our invitation.

“We want the Commitee to be socially responsible. If you are providing any social responsibility let us know what you are doing, all we want to know is what you are doing . We are not here to which hunt any company . As a public affairs representative of NCC please reach out to these telecompanies and tell them to make themselves available, if they disrespect he parliament it doesn’t indicate in anywhere that they are responsible.

“Other companies show up, give account and we even go on oversight but NCC is one company that have given us problems insisting that they are in court that is not acceptable”.

While making presentation, Mr Wondi Ndanusa, representative of the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, said that the CBN is in support of the bill, he however raised concerns on on the proposed penalty of imprisonment to defaulting companies, he said rather than the penalty, it should be persuasive.

He also said that many companies are faced with a lot of financial burden and responsibilities; even as he proposed that the CSR should be domicil in Corporate Affairs Commission.

In her response, the Committee Chairman said, “We have a lot of petition on these companies causing problems for us in Nigeria, construction companies, oil companies telecompanies and over the years they have had their way, so I disagree that we make it persuasive.

“A lot of companies don’t understand that term, they keep defaulting there must be a fine to make them responsible”.

Speaking also at the hearing, representative of Oil Producers Trade Section, OPTS, Bala Wuoir, expressed concern that the Petroleum Industry Act already mandates oil companies operating in Nigeria to make financial contribution of three Percent of their profit to NDDC so mandating them do so more will be burdensome on them.

He however said oil companies should be exempted from the bill.

The chairman in response insisted that they cannot be exempted, adding that the Commitee requires them to bring what ever they are doing as a corporate social responsibility to the knowledge of the committee .

Speaking earlier the Speaker of the House, represented by the House Leader, Rep. Julius Ihonvbere emphasized that the success of the legislative process is dependent on public response and contribution to the public hearing.

He called on stakeholders to make meaningful contributions that will make the bill a reality.

“Public hearing is part of our legislative process to engage the citizens in lawmaking, especially because the proposed law has impacts to make on the people. Your robust ideas and expected contribution to the discourse will no doubt shape the outcome of this meeting”, he said.

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Gombe Rep Yaya Bauchi Tongo dies

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2 hours ago

June 13, 2026

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Yaya Bauchi Tongo, a member of House of Representatives representing Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency of Gombe State is dead.

Rep Tongo died in Abuja on Friday following a brief illness, the spokesperson for the House of Representatives, Akintude Rotimi said in a statement quoting the Gombe State Caucus of the House of Representatives.

While paying tribute to the late lawmaker, Rotimi said his death marked the end of a distinguished life devoted to public service and the advancement of his constituents, Gombe State, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Rep. Tongo was a dedicated public servant, seasoned grassroots politician, and committed legislator whose life was marked by unwavering service to his people and the nation,” Rotimi said.

The deceased lawmaker served as Chairman of Funakaye Local Government Area, Special Adviser to the Government of Gombe State, and Member of the Gombe State House of Assembly before his election into House of Representatives.

He was Chairman of the Nigeria–United Arab Emirates Parliamentary Friendship Group in the House of Representatives.

“A respected voice within the Parliament and a passionate advocate for the welfare and development of his constituents, Hon. Tongo brought wisdom, experience, and a deep understanding of governance to legislative deliberations. His contributions to nation-building and democratic development will remain an enduring part of his legacy.

“On behalf of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, GCON, the leadership, and the entire membership of the House, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his immediate family, the people of Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye Federal Constituency, and the Government and people of Gombe State on this painful loss.

“As we mourn the passing of our dear colleague, we pray that Almighty Allah (SWT) forgives his shortcomings, accepts his good deeds, and grants him Aljannatul Firdaus. We also pray that Allah (SWT) grants his family, loved ones, constituents, and colleagues the strength and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” Rotimi said.

He added that further details regarding parliamentary tributes and funeral arrangements will be communicated in due course.

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My father’s detention shows Nigeria’s democracy far from complete – El-Rufai’s son

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2 hours ago

June 13, 2026

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A member of the House of Representatives from Kaduna North and Chairman, Committee on Banking Regulations, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, has disclosed that his father, Nasir El-Rufai’s continued detention shows that Nigeria’s democratic journey is far from complete.

Bello noted that democracy can only thrive in Nigeria when the country’s leadership is accountable.

El-Rufai has been in custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, since he was arrested at the Abuja airport earlier in the year.

The commission had arraigned him for corruption while he was governor of Kaduna State.

However, posting on X, Bello wrote: “Today, we celebrate the enduring strength of our democracy and the collective voice of the Nigerian people. Democracy thrives when leadership is accountable, citizens are empowered, and every voice is heard.

“As we commemorate this important day, we must also acknowledge that while our democracy continues to endure, the abuse of citizens’ rights remains a troubling reality.

“The true test of any democracy is not simply the conduct of elections, but its commitment to the rule of law, due process, and the protection of fundamental freedoms.

“The continued unlawful detention of my father, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, alongside the experiences of many other Nigerians who have faced similar violations, serves as a reminder that our democratic journey is far from complete.

“On this Democracy Day, let us recommit ourselves to building a nation where justice prevails, institutions are strengthened, and the rights of every citizen are respected and protected.”

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NDC: Dickson, Obi hold closed door meeting amid internal crises

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2 hours ago

June 13, 2026

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The National Leader of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, Senator Seriake Dickson, on Friday held a closed-door meeting with the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, amid recent crises in the party.

Dickson made this known in a statement on his official X handle, revealing that the meeting, which lasted nearly three hours, was attended by Obi and other senior party leaders.

“I just received my brother, colleague, and partner in the New Nigerian Project, His Excellency Mr Peter Gregory Obi, CON, our presidential candidate, who, together with some distinguished leaders of our party, held a closed-door meeting which lasted about three hours.

“In the course of that meeting, we reviewed the activities of our party and discussed a few recent issues that have been a source of concern to all sides, and we amicably resolved all the issues.

“We have always been on the same page on the bigger picture, i.e., winning the elections for all candidates of our party and rescuing Nigeria from the misgovernance of the APC-led government. However, a few issues have arisen, and we have agreed on how to handle them moving forward.

“I want to use this opportunity again to call on all members of our party to stop the bickering and name-calling and focus on the bigger picture.

“Both His Excellency Peter Obi and I, as well as other leaders and stakeholders of our party, will continue to consult and engage with one another to address and resolve concerns, strengthen the unity and cohesion of our party, and ensure that we remain focused on our shared mission of rescuing Nigeria and building a better future for all.”