News

Justice Kekere-Ekun appears before Senate for screening

Published

6 hours ago

September 25, 2024

Naijablitznews

*** Vows to tackle corruption

By Francesca Hangeior

The Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Honourable Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has vowed to enforce a zero-tolerance policy on corruption in the judiciary.

She emphasised that integrity and strictness are central to her judicial approach.

Kekere-Ekun, who appeared before the Senate for screening, assured lawmakers that, once confirmed, she would prioritise the speedy handling of petitions before the courts.

Responding to questions from the senators, the Acting CJN promised to ensure that the judiciary remains insulated from external influence. Additionally, she committed to advocating for better welfare and infrastructure for the judiciary.

Justice Kekere-Ekun also highlighted the need for strengthening national institutions and ensuring better behavior from the populace, especially during elections. She stressed that such improvements would help reduce the tendency to contest election results in court.

Meanwhile, the Senate has commenced the screening of Honourable Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun for the position of Chief Justice of Nigeria.

Before the screening began on Wednesday, Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) moved a motion to reorder the legislative agenda, allowing the screening of Kekere-Ekun to be the first item on the day’s business. The motion was seconded by Deputy Minority Leader Senator Oyewumi Olalere (PDP, Osun West).

Kekere-Ekun, accompanied by other Supreme Court and Court of Appeal justices, arrived at the Senate Chamber at 12:30 PM.

Senator Bamidele invoked Order 12 of the Senate’s Standing Orders to permit her and her entourage to enter, which was seconded by Senator Olalere.

The Acting CJN was led into the Chamber by Senator Basheer Lado, Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters.

On Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu wrote to the Senate, seeking the confirmation of Honourable Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the Chief Justice of Nigeria.

The President’s letter, read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, was submitted upon the Senate’s return from its annual recess, which began in July.

News

Reps Panel Approves N288bn FCTA Supplementary Budget

Published

43 mins ago

September 25, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives’ Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has approved a N288 billion supplementary budget for the FCT Administration (FCTA).

Naijablitznews.com reports that in a letter transmitted from President Bola Tinubu to Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, the budget includes N8 billion from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and N280 billion from miscellaneous revenues. This supplementary budget aims to cover additional funds needed for FCTA projects.

During the budget defense meeting, Chairman House Committee on FCT, Rep. Aliyu Muktar Betara, explained that the urgency of passing the budget was to support critical development projects in the FCT.

Betara further stated that the FCT Minister had confirmed that most of the budget’s requests for additional funds were already part of the 2024 statutory budget passed by the National Assembly. He also clarified that there are no new projects, except for two new line items.

The Committee agreed to present the report during Thursday’s plenary, as the projects need to begin immediately due to time constraints.

In President Tinubu’s letter to Speaker Abbas, he highlighted the progress made on ongoing projects in the FCT:

“Indeed, residents of the Federal Capital Territory are in high spirits and excited by the scale of ongoing projects within the City Centre and across the six Area Councils. The socio-economic impact is gratifying and shows that the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda is being fulfilled quickly”, the statement reads in part.

The President also emphasized the importance of capital projects in the 2024 budget of the FCT, which will significantly impact infrastructure and manpower development.

He stressed that some critical projects were left out of the 2024 budget and must be included to meet the 30 per cent procurement requirement under the law.

News

El-Rufai relishes Sanusi’s reinstatement, says “it’s among most important events of my life”

Published

2 hours ago

September 25, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Former Kaduna of State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has said that reinstatement of Muhamamdu Sanusi ll as the Emir of Kano is one of the most important events in his life.

El-Rufai stated this at the Arewa Tech Fest, held in Kano on Wednesday.

The event drew politicians and technocrats to discuss advancements in Northern Nigeria

The festival was attended by key figures, including the governors of Kano, Katsina, and Zamfara states.

El-Rufai said, “The reinstatement of his highness is one of the most important events in my life and I want to congratulate you once again.”

News

Lagos Rep. Appointed Chairman, UNN Alumni Organising Committee

Published

3 hours ago

September 25, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

Member representing Oshodi-Isolo Federal Constituency of Lagos State, in the House of Representatives, Jesse Okey-Joe Onuakalusi, has been appointed Chairman of the National Organising Committee of the University of Nigeria Alumni Association.

This appointment was made during the inauguration of the committee for the Founder’s Day celebration at the University of Nigeria Liaison Office in Abuja on Friday, September 24, 2024.

In his acceptance speech, Rep. Onuakalusi emphasized the significance of the Founder’s Day, which is to honour the institution’s founding fathers who established the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).

He noted that UNN, which was modeled after the University of Michigan in the USA, is Nigeria’s first indigenous university, designed as a beacon of educational excellence and a symbol of restoring the dignity of the black race.

The lawmaker highlighted that the committee’s main objective is to spearhead the construction of a Grand Research Institute, a 5,000-seat amphitheater, an Alumni Secretariat, and a Conference Arena as part of the Founder’s Tower project.

“This year marks the 64th Founder’s Day, and our primary goal is to build the Founders Tower, which will include a Hall of Fame to celebrate the university’s distinguished alumni. To achieve this, we aim to raise N5 billion and complete the project within 48 months,” Onuakalusi stated.

The National Organising Committee will have several sub-committees tasked with different aspects of the project:

1. Infrastructure and Works – ESV Ben Okoronkwo

2. Finance – ESV Mike Ezechukwu

3. Media and Publicity – Prof Charles Nwekeaku

4. Legal – Mr Monday Ubani (SAN)

5. Administration – Barr Juliet Ukoha

6. Welfare and Logistics – Barr Chioma Okeke

7. Contact and Mobilization – Chief Osita Chidoka

8. Security – ESV (AIG) Ben Igweh

9. Vice Chairman – Dr Ben Onwudinjo and Lady Stella Maduka

Rep. Onuakalusi also mentioned that the Alumni Association will collaborate with the university to establish an Endowment Fund that will support research and aid lecturers in curbing brain drain in the educational sector.

Key figures, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Minister of Education, are expected to support the initiative during the celebration scheduled for December 4, 2024.

The UNN motto, “To Restore the Dignity of Man,” which was derived from the famous oration “De Dignitate Hominis” by 15th-century philosopher Count Giovanni Pico della Mirandola, underscores the university’s foundational ideals.