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Rep kicks against inclusion of Ajaokuta in bill to create new state from Kogi
Sanni Egidi, a member of the house of representatives, has opposed the inclusion of Ajaokuta federal constituency in the proposal to create a new state from Kogi.
During plenary on Thursday, Ibrahim Halims, lawmaker representing Ankpa/Omala/Olamaboro federal constituency of Kogi, moved a motion for the second reading of a bill to create Okura state from Kogi — with Egume as the proposed capital.
Halims, who is the deputy majority leader of the house and sponsor of the bill, said the creation of the state would be justifiable as it would bring government closer to the people and rapidly develop the Igala nation.
“Our demand for the creation of Okura state derives justification from our historical antecedent,” he said.
“It dates back to 1964 when Igala native authority was ranked second to Kano native authority in revenue generation and capacity and was in the process of being made the 14th province in northern region through the northern house of assembly — before the military coup of 1966.
“Having lost the bid to be carved out as a province, it became part of Kwara state in 1967.”
The lawmaker said Okura satisfies all the requirements for the creation of a state.
“It is worthy of note that the 13 provinces in the then northern Nigeria have all been split into states, with the exception of Kabba province where the proposed Okura state belongs,” Halims added.
“In view of this historical and structural antecedent, the creation of Okura state at this point in time will ensure lasting peace and progress in the region.
“This will create equity, fairness and general sense of belonging as people of one united country.
“The proposed state lies to the east of the Niger and is inhabited by the Igalas — ninth largest ethnic group.”
Halims said if the state is created, it will bring government closer to the “long neglected people of Igala” and would ensure the equitable distribution of the nation’s resources to the people.
Debating the bill, Egidi said his constituency of Ajaokuta cannot be part of the proposed new state.
The lawmaker said the map of the proposed new state should be redesigned to extricate Ajaokuta.
“For about two days, I have seen a map circulating in the social media where my constituency, Ajaokuta, is part of the proposed new state,” Egidi said.
“I want to put it to the house that I believe it is an error. I believe that it is not correct. Ajaokuta federal constituency is currently in Kogi state central senatorial district. It is not part of east senatorial district.
“I want the map to be redesigned.
“In as much as I agree with the creation of the new state, my constituency cannot be part of Okura state based on the following reasons: There is a natural boundary already, and I am not sure anybody from my constituency was consulted. My constituency should be out of it.”
Responding, Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house, said the lawmaker’s demand would be considered by the constitutional amendment committee when further proposals are received from stakeholders.
The bill was unanimously voted for when Abbas put it to a voice vote.
President Bola Tinubu has received a call from President Joe Biden of the United States of America.
The phone discussion which took place at about 4pm, Nigerian time, on Tuesday, lasted for about 30 minutes.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, while briefing state House Correspondents about the development.
The discussion centered about the recent release of the Head of Finance Crime compliance at Binance, Tigran Gambaryan.
Tuggar said, “The call was about the collaboration between the two countries with regards to law enforcement and law enforcement agencies as well as the release of one of the suspects of the crypto currency exchange company that you are all aware of.
“Mr President also thanked the US for the partnership and collaboration in numerous areas with regards to security in Africa and West Africa as as whole. President Biden assured President Tinubu that this is a partnership because the future of the world reside in Africa and as such, the partnership is important.
“The leaders also discussed the issue of permanent seat in the United Nations security Council and Biden assured the the united States is committed to seeing Africa having a permanent seat and does not see why one of those seats should belong to Nigeria.”
Deputy Director in the Organization Department of the All Progressives Congress (APC), National Secretariat, Isaiah Edegbo, is dead.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, confirmed the demise of the senior staff member at its National Secretariat in a statement on Tuesday,
Morka stated that Edegbo, who hails from Kogi State, passed away at age 48 on Monday, October 28, in Abuja.
The APC chieftain said the deceased will be greatly missed.
The statement added, “He attended Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, where he earned a Diploma in Civil Law (1997), an LL.B (Hons) in 2003, an LL.M in Public Law in 2016, and was in the process of completing his PhD in Commercial Law.
“Despite being a trained lawyer, Isaiah Edegbo was known for his brilliance, thoroughness, and reliability, contributing significantly to the Party’s successful congresses, conventions, and election activities”.
The Senate has approved a request by President Bola Tinubu to refund a total of N24bn to Kebbi and Nasarawa states for executing airport projects on behalf of the federal government.
The approval was sequel to the presentation of a report by the Chairman on local and foreign debts, Senator Manu Haruna.
Tinubu had asked the Red Chamber to approve N15bn for Kebbi and N9bn for Nasarawa in May 2024.
At the time, the president said aviation, including airports, safety of aircraft and carriage of passengers and goods by air are managed by the federal government in line with the second schedule of the constitution.
There was no objection to the president’s request.
Supporting the committee chairman, Senator Aminu Abbas, said the request should be approved because of how important the infrastructure is to development and insecurity.
“Airport is very important when it comes to development and insecurity,” he said.
Also speaking, Isah Jibrin (APC, Kogi East), said his state recently got approval from the federal government to construct an airport.
“As soon as the project the completed, we will come here for a refund through promissory notes,” Jibrin said.
The request was approved after it was put to a voice vote by the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin who presided over the plenary.
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