News
Constitution Review: Work together to meet yearning of Nigerians, Kalu tells stakeholders, consultants
…hints of Senate, Reps Cttees engagement with Tinubu
By Gloria Ikibah
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu has called for synergy among the consultants and the secretariats of the Senate and House Committees on Constitution Review to set the pace for effective collaboration to drive the ongoing exercise to a successful conclusion.
Kalu who doubles as the Chairman House Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) made the call while delivering his remarks at the joint retreat of the secretariat and consultants to the Senate and House committees on the review of the constitution over the weekend.
He told the stakeholders that effective collaboration will drive the task to outcomes that would meet and satisfy the desires and yearning of Nigerians.
The Deputy Speaker further asked the stakeholders to review the previous amendment proposals which were either not passed by the National/State Assemblies or were not assented to by the President, and consider how those issues can be re-introduced with a view to providing methods of processing them or an action plan that will ensure that reservations which led to their rejection are addressed.
Kalu reminded them that the constitutional alteration is a continuous process and must involve all Nigerians so as to empower the legislature to evolve a constitution that will address contentious issues that has bedevilled the nation since independence such as State Police, Special Seats for Women amongst others.
Noting that the 10th Assembly is building upon the legacies of the previous Assemblies that did a comprehensive work, which resulted in the President’s assent to 18 Constitution amendment Bills in the 9th Assembly, the Deputy Speaker commended the stakeholders for the “national sacrifice” and patriotism.
Kalu assured that the committee members in both Senate and House of Representatives will engage President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on different issues.
He said “It is with profound joy that I welcome you all to the Joint Retreat of the Secretariat and Consultants to the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on the Review of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as Altered). The essence of this retreat is to build synergy among the consultants and the secretariats of the Senate and House Committees on Constitution Review to set the pace for effective collaboration that will drive the task before us towards such outcomes that would meet and satisfy the desires and yearning of Nigerians, especially at a time like this.
“This retreat will provide a platform for the secretariat and experts to review previous amendment proposals, especially those that were popular among Nigeria but were either not passed by the National/State Assemblies or were not assented to by the President. It would also consider how those issues can be re-introduced with a view to providing methods of processing them or an action plan that will ensure that reservations which led to their rejection are addressed.
“As you are all aware, constitutional alteration is a continuous process and must involve all Nigerians regardless of their ideological leanings or beliefs, hence, our call for Memoranda from all stakeholders and the general public. As experts in your various fields of endeavour, I trust your judgements and I trust that the outcome of this exercise will move Nigeria forward. This will no doubt empower the legislature to evolve a constitution that will address contentious issues that has bedevilled the nation since independence such as: State Police; Local Government Administrative Autonomy; Local Government Financial Autonomy; Special Seats for Women in the National and State Houses of Assembly, Expansion of the scope of citizenship by registration; Indigeneship rights.
“Affirmative action for women in political party administration; Affirmative action for women in Federal and State Executive Councils; and Electoral and Judicial Reforms, Furthermore, I have personally sponsored various Constitution (Alteration) Bills including that which is on State Police on which a National Dialogue was just concluded. We must evolve ingenious ways to protect and defend our citizens and cater for their welfare, in line with the sacred provisions of Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Altered).
“The Constitution amendment exercise, which is coming at a time when there appears to be agitations in the country, is expected to create a veritable platform for national engagement and conversations where relevant stakeholders and members of the public may make recommendations on the review process with the view to enacting laws that reflect the evolving moral, economic and political values of the Nigerian people.”
News
Rupture In PDP Governors’ Forum deepens
By Ojomah Austin.
The evolving fall-out, which comes barely days to the contentious National Executive Committee (NEC) of PDP, followed a back and forth between the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike and the Governors forum, who declared support for Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara to be made leader of the party in the state.
After a meeting with some members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) in Bauchi on Wednesday, Governor Mohammed, said “According to our party’s constitution, any leadership vacancy should be filled by someone from the region where it originated,” stressing that Damagum would be replaced soon considering that he hails from North East and not the North Central.
Same day, Makinde, during the groundbreaking of the upgrading of Ladoke Akintola Airport, Ibadan, to an international airport, which was attended by another set of NWC members, led by Damagum, said he would support whatever decision the Damagum-led NWC would take to reposition the party.
Damagum, who is considered a close ally of Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, was appointed acting national chairman after the removal of Iyorchia Ayu in June 2023.
Meanwhile, the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the PDP led by Senator Adolph Wabara, met with members of the National Assembly caucus in Abuja.
The close door meeting comes barely hours after the BoT met with Wike in Abuja.
While Wabara refused to comment on the essence of the meeting with the lawmakers, it was noticed that most of the lawmakers didn’t honour the invitation.
News
Tears As Man Takes Own Life Over Tinubu’s Govt Hardship
By Mario Deepromoter
Sad development in Marika village, Kiyawa Local Government, Jigawa, where a 40-year-old man, Jibrin Adamu, committed suicide by hanging himself.
According to eyewitnesses, Adamu’s lifeless body was discovered in a classroom at Miftahul Khairat Islamiyya and Primary School Gurdiba on Thursday.
Police spokesperson DSP Lawan Shiisu Adam confirmed the incident, stating that preliminary investigations revealed Adamu had struggled with mental health issues.
“Police received a report on Thursday that at about 1830hrs, a tragic incident was reported at the Command headquarters that one Jibrin Adamu ‘m’ age 40yrs of Jigawar Maroka village, Kiyawa LGA has committed suicide by hanging himself over the ceiling at Islamiyya school,” the Police spokesperson told Daily Post.
The Jigawa State Commissioner of Police, CP AT Abdullahi, has instructed officers to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.
News
Just in: Dangote Petrol Now Available at N765.99 Per Litre
By Mario Deepromoter
11plc, Total Energies, AA Rano, and other marketers have begun lifting Dangote Petrol through Nigerian National Company (NNPC) Trading Limited for N765.99 to retail outlets nationwide.
Findings showed some petroleum marketers who were able to complete their payment process on the NNPC trading payment portal commenced the lifting of petrol earlier this week under the existing agreement between marketers and the refinery.
Tunji Oyebanji, managing director, 11Plc confirmed to BusinessDay on Thursday evening that some marketers have started lifting the products at N765.99 from Dangote Refinery through NNPC who remain the sole off-taker of product.
“We were among the first marketers to complete the payment on the NNPC portal. We have no direct arrangement with the refinery,” Oyebanji said.
It was gathered that NNPC Retail, 11plc, Total Energies, A.A Rano are among the marketers that have picked up products from the refinery.
He added, “We don’t know the contractual financial arrangement between NNPC and the refinery but what I can confirm is we are buying at N765.99 from NNPC to lift Dangote petrol”.
Efforts to get the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) to confirm if its members have picked up products at the Dangote Refinery proved abortive at the time of writing this report.
See also Nigeria’s Petrol Landing Cost Revealed
Adedapo Segun, executive vice-president, downstream at NNPC said marketers cannot purchase petrol directly from the refinery because the product is still sold at a subsidised rate.
“That is the same thing happening with Dangote. I said earlier that Dangote is a company and it is going to sell at market price,” he told Journalists.
According to Segun, “The market value of PMS is still higher than what N766 or N765 or N799 that NNPC is selling.
“The situation has not changed there. So, NNPC’s off-taking is only because the others would not buy at the price Dangote will be willing to sell, which is reasonable.
“As soon as the price allows for it, you will see the marketers go to Dangote and buy.”
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