News

Speaker Abbas Unveils Newly Digitalized Hearing Room, Of Public Account Committee

Published

2 years ago

July 15, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

ADVERTISEMENT

…say House to amend rules to receive e-pettitions

…vow to uphold legislative excellence, responsiveness to needs of Nigerians

By Gloria Ikibah

As part of keeping to its legislative agenda, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, has unveiled the newly digitalised hearing room of the House Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and a quarterly news magazine of the Committee.

Speaker Abbas in his speech disclosed that the 10th House will commence the process of amending its Standing Orders to accommodate e-petitions and facilitate the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in receiving and processing public petitions.

According to him, this transformative step will be first of its kind in Nigeria and will enable more efficient, transparent, and accessible petition procedures, allowing citizens to engage with the legislative process more effectively.

Speaker Abbas explained that by integrating ICT, the House aims to ensure that every voice can be heard and considered promptly, thereby reinforcing dedication to a responsive and accountable governance system that truly serves the interests of the Nigerian people.

He expressed commitment to legislative excellence and responsiveness to the needs of the Nigerian people by investing in state-of-the-art digital infrastructure and continuously updating technological capabilities.

The Speaker urged the Committee to continue their exemplary work in the pursuit of transparency and accountability.

“Let us continue to leverage technology and innovation to enhance our work.

“Rest assured, you have our continued support and resources to ensure the success and sustainability of these projects.

“Together, we will work to expand these initiatives to achieve even greater impact,” he said.

The speaker added that these initiatives are also integral to the Legislative Agenda, which prioritizes good governance by leveraging technology and digital media to ensure that legislative processes are inclusive, participatory, and responsive to the needs of all Nigerians.

“I commend the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Hon. Bamidele Salam and his Members for their relentless dedication to delivering on the mandate of the Committee as constitutionally provided.

“To further improve the effectiveness of PAC, you have gone a step further to introduce additional legislative tools and mechanisms that strengthen good governance and improve openness and accountability.

“According to our recently unveiled one-year scorecard, the Public Accounts Committee alone accounted for 96 of the total committee meetings, representing 19% of the 502 meetings held by our committees in the first session of the House.

“Your oversight activities on issues arising from House resolutions, such as the Alleged Mismanagement of COVID-19 Intervention Funds by MDAs, the investigation of revenue leakages through the Remita platform, and other referred petitions, highlight the seriousness to attach to your oversight functions.

“Incorporating Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into the work of Public Accounts Committees (PACs) of parliaments is essential for enhancing transparency, efficiency, and accountability in the oversight of public funds.

“Advanced digital tools and platforms streamline data analysis, facilitate real-time monitoring, and ensure comprehensive documentation of proceedings, thereby making the oversight process more effective and accessible.

“The Nigerian House of Representatives is deeply committed to this goal, recognizing that leveraging technology is crucial for fostering good governance and inclusive participation.

“By investing in state-of-the-art digital infrastructure and continuously updating our technological capabilities, we aim to set a benchmark in legislative excellence and responsiveness to the needs of the Nigerian people.

“The digitalized hearing room is now equipped with advanced technologies and resources, including comprehensive legal references such as the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (1960-2024), Financial Regulations (2009), and the Procurement Act, among other relevant laws.

“This room features a large smart screen multimedia and other technical devices to facilitate e-hearings, thereby increasing efficiency, ensuring speedy consideration of cases, and promoting the effective delivery of our constitutional mandates,” he said.

He said the PAC News Magazine will foster a sustained relationship with the media, civil society, and stakeholders, ensuring that the work of the House and PAC is accessible and understandable to a broader audience.

He said it will provide a platform for sharing knowledge, best practices, and lessons learned, as well as preserving the digital footprints of the Committee’s oversight activities to guide future endeavours.

He described them as milestones which symbolize their continuous commitment to enhancing accountability and transparency in Nigeria.

News

Court Directs INEC to Recognise NDC’s Two-Finger Logo

Published

46 minutes ago

September 22, 2026

EMMANUEL AGAJI

ADVERTISEMENT

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) says its Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) will soon be inaugurated as the party intensifies preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The party disclosed this in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director Esq., on September 21, 2026.

According to the statement, the NDC is currently consulting with relevant stakeholders to develop and inaugurate what it described as a robust Presidential Campaign Council.

The party said its Presidential Candidate, Mr Peter Obi, and Vice-Presidential Candidate, Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, had held several meetings with the National Leader and leadership of the party as part of the process.

The NDC said Obi and Kwankwaso had been given the opportunity to nominate key officials of the campaign council in consultation with the party.

Those positions include the Director-General of the Campaign, Deputy Director-General (North), Campaign Spokesman, Deputy Spokesman, Head of New Media, Finance Director, Deputy Finance Director and other positions.

The party said the arrangement was designed to promote inclusiveness and cohesion within the campaign structure.

It added that a full organogram of the campaign structure had been developed since August and made available to Obi and Kwankwaso for their input, while nominations had also been received from other stakeholders across the country.

The NDC said it would announce and inaugurate the PCC after receiving the inputs of the presidential and vice-presidential candidates.

It also disclosed that a campaign timetable had been proposed since August, with arrangements for campaign funding and fundraising still being concluded.

According to the party, funds raised for the presidential campaign would be paid into the presidential campaign account and managed by officers nominated by the presidential candidate and his running mate alongside the party’s National Treasurer.

The party said the PCC inauguration, initially scheduled for the first week of September, was postponed because of the travel schedule of the presidential candidate.

Meanwhile, the NDC has directed its state and Local Government Area (LGA) chairmen to commence the compilation and harmonisation of party agents ahead of the 2027 elections.

The directive, according to the party, is in line with the Electoral Act, 2026, and requires state and LGA chairmen to meet with candidates and relevant stakeholders to produce comprehensive lists of agents.

The agents will be divided into two categories: those for National Assembly elections and those for governorship and State Assembly elections.

The party said the lists would be scrutinised and ratified by its leadership, including the presidential candidate and his running mate, before training commences.

The exercise is expected to be completed and the final lists submitted within two weeks of the directive.

The committee responsible for the appointment of party agents is chaired by the NDC Deputy National Chairman (South), Comrade Babatunde Alli. Vin Martin Ilo serves as secretary, while Dr Yunusa Tanko, Nafiu Dankura and the National Vice Chairmen of the six geopolitical zones are members.

The party also appealed to its candidates at all levels to discourage supporters and support groups from engaging in internal battles, urging them instead to concentrate on winning the elections.

“There are no battles to fight within the NDC,” the party stated, identifying the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as its common opponent.

The NDC said it remained committed to supporting its candidates and urged them to focus on winning elections, stressing that its candidates were contesting under the party and not as independent candidates.

The party expressed its desire for all its candidates to win their respective elections and called on members and supporters to remain focused on the 2027 electoral contest.

News

Wike Hails First Lady Oluremi Tinubu At 66, Says “She’s a pillar of support for Nigerians”

Published

2 hours ago

September 22, 2026

Austin Ojomah

ADVERTISEMENT

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has described the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, as a major pillar of support for President Bola Tinubu in particular and Nigerians, especially the vulnerable ones in general.

The FCT Minister, in a goodwill message to the First Lady on her 66th birthday, commended her for the transformation of the Abuja City Gate, saying “the roles the First Lady played in transforming the Abuja City Gate into how it is today, is a manifestation of her commitment to the success of her husband’s administration.”

In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the Minister also hailed the First Lady’s Renewed Hope Initiative, noting that it has brought succor to several vulnerable Nigerians in the last three years.

Wike said; “At 66, the simple way of life of the First Lady, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, CON, has remained an inspiration to women in the country, and it is my prayer that God will continue to uphold her.

“Most importantly, this new age is a confirmation of God’s love for her, and I pray that the good Lord will continue to grant her good health.

“I celebrate and rejoice with our ever caring and development oriented First Lady on the attainment of this significant age in her life and wish her many more years of service to our country, Nigeria.”

News

JAMB sacks staff member over extortion of candidates

Published

9 hours ago

September 22, 2026

Admin

ADVERTISEMENT

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has sacked one of its staff members for allegedly extorting unsuspecting candidates.

The Board made this known on Monday in its bulletin, stating that the action was part of its renewed efforts to eliminate fraudulent practices within the admission and examination system.

According to JAMB, the sanction against the unnamed staff member showed that its fight against exploitation was not limited to external fraudsters but also applied to employees found abusing their positions.

“The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, has terminated the appointment of one of its staff members for extorting unsuspecting candidates, in further demonstration of its renewed commitment to flushing out bad eggs from the system,” the board stated.

It further cautioned its employees against engaging in activities capable of undermining its credibility or exploiting candidates and members of the public.

The Board stressed that any staff members found guilty of misconduct would face severe consequences in line with established regulations.

“The Board noted that the action sends a clear and unequivocal message that its zero-tolerance policy on corruption and misconduct applies to everyone, irrespective of status or position,” it added.

The tertiary examination body reiterated that it would not shield any employee who abuses the trust placed in them by candidates or members of the public.