News
National Assembly Set to Become a Symbol of National Pride
By Gloria Ikibah
The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, has outlined a renewed vision for the National Assembly complex, describing ongoing efforts to transform it into a landmark that reflects the nation’s stature and democratic strength.
Speaking on Tuesday during the commissioning of a newly completed ultra-modern newsroom developed by the Directorate of Information and Research, Ogunlana said the project forms part of broader initiatives aimed at enhancing the image and functionality of the Assembly.
He explained that the upgrades are intended not only to modernise facilities but also to reinforce the institution’s standing as a centre of national importance. According to him, the improvements signal a commitment to ensuring that the National Assembly complex stands as a source of pride for citizens and a fitting representation of the country’s democratic values.
He said, “This newsroom is a strategic investment designed to strengthen information management, improve documentation of legislative activities, and enhance public engagement. In an era where communication defines credibility, this facility positions the National Assembly to project its work with professionalism and transparency.
“We are also intentional in positioning the National Assembly as a centre of pride and national significance. With facilities such as the chapel, mosque, library, hospital, printing press, and now this state-of-the-art newsroom, we are gradually transforming this complex into more than a legislative hub. We are shaping it into a symbol of institutional strength and a destination of interest, a place that reflects the dignity and importance of democratic governance.
“Under my administration, we have adopted a clear and deliberate agenda: to enhance service delivery and improve staff welfare. We recognize that our staff remain the backbone of this institution. When we provide a conducive working environment, modern tools, and supportive infrastructure, we empower our workforce to perform at its best. This studio is therefore not just an infrastructure project it is part of our broader commitment to building capacity and motivating excellence.
“In the past, public facilities have deteriorated due to neglect, misuse, theft, and vandalism. We must break that pattern. I call on all staff to imbibe a strong culture of maintenance. Let us take ownership of what we build. Let us secure this facility and protect it from vandalism. Let us ensure it remains functional and efficient for years to come. Maintenance is not the responsibility of management alone; it is a collective duty. If we preserve our assets, we preserve our progress”.
Secretary, Research and Information Directorate, Pharmacists Ali Umaru said the ultramodern newsroom is a major milestone in the ongoing institutional strengthening of the National Assembly.
According to him, it is not merely the unveiling of a physical structure but the unveiling of capacity and the establishment of a strategic communication hub designed to enhance transparency, accountability and public engagement in our democratic process.
“In every democratic system, the legislature occupies a central position as custodian of representation, lawmaking and oversight. However, the effectiveness of these constitutional responsibilities depends significantly on how well the work of Parliament is communicated to the citizens it serves. A modern parliament must not only work, it must be seen to work. It must communicate clearly, accurately and responsibly”, he said.
Umaru said, the News Room will serve four critical roles in advancing the communication mandate of the legislature saying that, “it will ensure real time monitoring of proceedings and strategic communication. By closely tracking debates, motions, resolutions and oversight engagements in both Chambers, the Directorate will promptly identify matters requiring official clarification and public communication. Timely press releases and accurate updates will ensure that citizens remain properly informed about legislative developments, with public interest always at the centre of our operations.
“Second, the News Room will play a decisive role in combating misinformation and strengthening public trust. In an era where rumours and misinterpretations spread rapidly, the provision of verified and authoritative information is essential. Through proactive communication, we will safeguard institutional credibility, reinforce transparency and deepen public confidence in the work of the National Assembly.
“Third, it will enhance the image of Parliament. Consistent, professional and accurate reporting of legislative activities will project the National Assembly as responsive, responsible and committed to democratic governance. By clearly communicating the impact of legislative work on national development, we strengthen the bond between the legislature and the Nigerian people.
“Fourth, the News Room will serve as a centre for archiving and documentation of legislative activities. Systematic recording and preservation of plenary proceedings, committee engagements, investigative hearings and official communications will strengthen institutional memory, facilitate research and ensure that our legislative history is properly preserved for future generations”.
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has approved an extension of its student loan application portal for institutions that formally requested additional time for the 2025/2026 academic session.
The Fund disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja, on Thursday by its Director of Strategic Communications, Mrs Oseyemi Oluwatuyi.
According to the fund, the extension applies strictly to institutions that submitted official requests to enable their eligible students to complete applications on the NELFUND student loan portal.
Oluwatuyi quoted the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NELFUND, Akintunde Sawyerr, to have said that the extension was part of the fund’s efforts to ensure wider access to the student loan scheme.
Sawyerr reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to ensuring that eligible students across participating institutions benefit from the programme.
“NELFUND remains committed to ensuring that eligible students across participating institutions have the opportunity to access the student loan programme,” he said.
He urged eligible students in the affected institutions to take advantage of the extension and complete their applications through the official portal.
Sawyerr also reiterated the Fund’s commitment to transparency, accountability and the provision of sustainable student financing solutions aimed at removing financial barriers to higher education in the country.
(NAN)
Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has rejected the claims of high taxation in the state, describing them as ‘a pathetic misconception promoted by the opposition and beneficiaries of the old order, who manipulated revenue collection to fatten their private pockets.’
Mbah insisted that his administration has grown the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), by widening the tax net to bring in more taxable persons, blocked revenue leakages, and tackled sharp practices that drained public revenues by introducing Consolidated Demand Notice, e-ticketing, recovery, optimisation, and monetisation of the state’s assets.
He stressed that the Enugu State Government doesn’t have the power to increase or reduce taxes under the 1999 Constitution, as it is the exclusive preserve of the federal government.
The governor provided the clarifications in an interview aired by Afia Television this week.
“First, as a state, we are not able to legislate on taxation. It is in the exclusive legislative list, which can only be legislated on by the National Assembly. Whether it is your Personal Income Tax, your Company Income Tax, your Value Added Tax or your Withholding Tax, those taxes can only be legislated on by the National Assembly,” he clarified.
Mbah said that those framing the false narratives could not come to terms that his administration could scale up the state’s IGR from N26.8bn the state recorded in 2022 to N37.4bn by the end of 2023, N180.5bn in 2024, and N406.7bn in 2025.
“I think for those framing this false narrative, it is beyond their imagination that we could optimise our dormant assets and grow our revenue exponentially.
“They fail or refuse to take note of the fact that in 2025, for instance, tax revenue accounted for only N51.5bn or 12.6 per cent of the N406.7bn IGR, while non-tax revenue was N355.2bn or 87.4 per cent,” the governor added.
As for the areas within the states’ competence, such as rates and levies, Mbah explained that his administration has already taken steps to crash the payable amounts for certain services provided by Enugu State Government.
“For those rates and fees, we constituted a committee that also included market leaders, organised labour, Chamber of Commerce and Industry, among others, which went around to get what the other states within the South East were charging. It turned out that Enugu is the lowest in the South East. But that notwithstanding, we crashed that rates even further by 70 per cent especiallyin land sectors,” he stated.
He, however, acknowledged the activities of illegal revenue collectors, saying the recently passed Enugu State Harmornised Taxes and Levies (Approved List for Collection) Law, 2026, would finally eliminate road blocks and unauthorised collections that have burdened residents of the State. He added that the government will up enforcement and public enlightenment to checkmate the activities of extortionists.
“Under our laws, we have consolidated all these services and you only just have one payment that you make and you are done with all the services that the government provides.
“Some people still go about extorting money from helpless citizens because this is a practice that has gone on over the years. But we have constituted a standing task force to track and bring them to book. We also want the citizens to report them. We now have several toll-free lines where citizens can call freely. They do not have to have airtime to place such calls,” he concluded.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has disclosed that six domestic airlines may face sanctions over alleged arbitrary increases in airfares during the Christmas travel period.
Executive Vice Chairman of the commission, Tunji Bello, made the disclosure during the “Meet the Press” briefing organised by the Presidential Communications Team at the State House in Abuja.
Bello said investigations by the commission found indications of coordinated fare increases during the festive period and that the affected airlines could be required to refund excess charges to passengers once the final report is released.
According to him, ticket prices that previously ranged between ₦145,000 and ₦150,000 reportedly rose sharply to between ₦450,000 and ₦670,000 during the period under review.
“We have completed investigations into complaints that airlines fixed prices during the Christmas period. The final report will detail the penalties, and we are considering requiring refunds to affected passengers,” he said.
The FCCPC boss also revealed that the commission has recovered more than ₦10 billion for consumers through complaints resolved between March and August 2025.
He noted that over 9,000 consumer complaints were handled within the period and urged Nigerians to make use of the commission’s formal complaint channels rather than expressing dissatisfaction informally.
“Our work is evidence-based. Consumers must lodge complaints so we can investigate and ensure justice,” Bello said, adding that the commission’s digital platform allows consumers to submit complaints and track their progress.
He also disclosed that the commission is monitoring commodity prices nationwide amid tensions in the Middle East to ensure businesses do not exploit global developments to justify arbitrary price increases.
According to him, the FCCPC has activated a monitoring mechanism across critical sectors of the economy to track pricing trends and discourage anti-competitive practices.
Bello said the commission is working with agencies including the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission to monitor developments in the petroleum sector.
On rising cement prices, the FCCPC boss confirmed that the Federal Government has set up an investigative committee to examine the situation following public concerns.
He explained that while the commission does not directly control prices, it is empowered under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018 to investigate and prosecute anti-competitive practices such as price fixing.
Bello added that the commission has already prosecuted more than 55 cases under the law, with additional cases currently pending.
NELFUND extends loan application portal for some institutions
Gov Mbah rejects claims of high taxation in Enugu
FG to sanction six airlines over alleged airfare hikes, FCCPC says
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