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10th NASS To Provide Legislative Support For Crucial Sector – Speaker

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By Gloria Ikibah 
 
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen has reiterated the commitment of 10th National Assembly to provide legislative backing for sectors that are crucial to the sustainability and advancement of the nation’s economy.
 
Speaker Abbas who was represented by the Chairman House Committee on Public petition, Rep. Bitrus La’ori, gave the assurance at a public hearing on “A Bill for and Act to amend the the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau Act, No. 35, 2022 and for related matters organised by the Joint Committee of Special Duties and Aviation on Wednesday in Abuja. 
 
According to the Speaker, the public hearing was fundamental to the collective efforts in updating the legal framework that governs safety investigations across Nigeria’s transportation sectors and reflects the openness of the legislative process and underscores the vital role that public input plays in shaping the laws that serve the people.
 
He assured that the House stands fully prepared to provide the necessary legislative backing to sectors that are crucial to the sustainability and advancement of our national economy, and that aviation, alongside land and maritime transport, forms the backbone of any thriving modern society. 
 
Abbas further stated that these sectors not only facilitate commerce and communication, but “embody our national image and readiness to engage in regional and global partnerships
 
“The Bill under consideration today seeks to enhance the powers and operational reach of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau. The objective is to strengthen the Bureau’s capacity to address safety-related issues in a more holistic manner beyond aviation and to include land and marine sectors as well”, he said.
 
Speaker Abbas explained that the hearing was a deliberate legislative step to modernise the Bureau’s functions in line with Nigeria’s evolving transport architecture and safety obligations as it represents a strategic opportunity for all stakeholders, government institutions, industry professionals, operators, safety investigators, and members of the public to contribute their views on how to improve the legal instrument establishing the Bureau.
 
According to him, the goal is to produce a law that not only meets current demands but is also flexible enough to accommodate emerging safety challenges in the years ahead. It is important that the input from this forum is clear, constructive, and relevant, because it will ultimately shape how the House proceeds with legislative action on the Bill.
 
He said the proposed amendment to the NSIB Act is not just a conventional legislative exercise. It is a national response to the reality that safety systems must be proactive, not reactive.
 
“Incidents in transportation, whether minor or tragic should always trigger institutional learning and policy advancement. This is why the Bureau must be equipped with a broader mandate and stronger tools to carry out its role effectively. The ability to investigate incidents across multiple modes of transport will ensure greater coherence in safety management and better coordination in emergency response. 
 
“Beyond improving institutional effectiveness, the Bill also seeks to bring Nigeria’s safety investigation procedures closer to international best practices. As air, road, and marine travel continue to rise in volume and complexity, we must be confident that our investigative frameworks are not lagging behind global standards.
 
“A safe transport system is a sign of a responsible state. It reassures citizens, boosts investor confidence, and upholds our obligations under various international aviation and maritime agreements”, he said.
 
Earlier in his welcome address, Chairman House Committee on Special Duties, Rep. Fred Agbedi said the public hearing was more than a legislative obligation, but a vital opportunity for dialogue, partnership, and progress and the promise of strengthening the NSIB’s capacity to investigate, prevent, and respond more effectively to incidents across Aviation, Land transportation, Marine Sector and beyond.
 
He said “we are here today because we care about the safety of Nigerians – in the air, on land, at sea, and across our entire transport infrastructure. We are also here because we believe in inclusive governance and the value of public input in shaping laws that affect us all.
 
“Your voices – as experts, industry operators, civil society actors, and concerned citizens are crucial. The success of this process depends on your frank contributions and informed perspectives”.
 
Sponsor of the bill, Isiaq Abiodun Akinlade said the effectiveness of the NSIB has been hindered by its current placement under the Ministry of Aviation , adding that “limitation undermines the bureau’s ability to fulfil its mandate due to institutional bottlenecks, lack of independence, and fragmented inter-agency coordination across Nigeria’s transport regulatory ecosystem”.
 
He explained: “Globally, leading accident investigation bodies, such as the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in the United States, operate as autonomous agencies, directly reporting to the highest level of government. This structure ensures independence, credibility, and efficiency in accident investigation processes”.
 
He listed the challenges facing the agency as currently placed to include lack of independence which he said raises concerns about impartiality and operational autonomy, which are critical for conducting credible investigations, conflict of mandates with several agencies such as FRSC, NCAA, NIMASA, NIWA,  and NRC, operate under different ministries and attempt to perform accident investigation roles alongside their regulatory functions. This overlap leads to inefficiencies and conflicts with the NSIB’s mandate.
 
He said further that the agency is also suffering from limited access to decision making required to swiftly resolve interagency conflict and implementing safety recommendations, adding that international bodies prefer independent investigative agencies. 
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Army Nabs Wanted Soldier Accused Of Supplying Uniforms To Terrorists While Escaping to Cameroon

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Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have nabbed a soldier declared wanted by the Nigerian Army over his alleged involvement in supplying military wares to terrorist groups operating in the North-East.

The suspect, identified as 23NA/84/1939 Private Mohammed Yusuf of the Nigerian Army Ordnance Training Facility (NAOTF), Lagos, was apprehended at about 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 25, 2026 by troops of 7 Provost Group led by the Acting Commander.

Preliminary investigations revealed that before he was declared wanted by the Army, the soldier absconded from his unit and travelled to Maiduguri on July 7, where he allegedly went into hiding.

Investigators further established that he was allegedly sheltered at Gomari Costain in Jere Local Government Area of Borno State by 25NA/89/12687 Private Baba Kamal Sale of the Corps of Intelligence, Dikwa.

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Acting on credible intelligence, troops of the 7 Provost Group placed the suspect under 24-hour surveillance before intercepting and arresting him at Jidari Bus Stop while he was allegedly attempting to flee to Cameroon.

The suspect is currently in the custody of the 7 Provost Group, where he is undergoing further investigation into the alleged supply of military accoutrements to terrorist elements and the possible involvement of other collaborators.Government

Military sources described the arrest as a significant breakthrough in ongoing efforts to dismantle insider networks aiding terrorist groups, adding that investigations are continuing to establish the full extent of the suspect’s activities and identify any accomplice.

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AEDC Promotes 547 Employees, Raises Pay For 579 Others

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Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc (AEDC) has promoted 547 employees and approved salary step increments for 579 others as part of a broad workforce development programme designed to reward outstanding performance, strengthen staff motivation and drive organisational excellence.

The exercise, which benefitted 1,126 employees, followed the successful completion of the company’s 2025 Performance Appraisal Exercise and underscores AEDC’s commitment to building a high-performing, customer-focused workforce.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of AEDC, Chijioke Okwuokenye, said the initiative reflects the company’s resolve to place employees at the heart of its transformation agenda, stressing that investment in human capital remains critical to achieving sustainable growth.

He described the promotions and salary adjustments as a recognition of diligence, professionalism and commitment, noting that the company would continue to reward excellence while creating opportunities for career advancement.

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According to him, AEDC is intentionally fostering a work environment where merit, innovation, continuous learning and teamwork determine career progression, adding that employee welfare remains a key pillar of the company’s long-term strategy.

“Our people remain our greatest asset and the foundation upon which AEDC’s future will be built. This is more than a reward for performance; it is a reaffirmation of our belief that excellence should always be recognised, talent should be nurtured and hard work should create opportunities for growth,” Okwuokenye said.

He explained that the organisation is committed to providing employees with fulfilling career opportunities that enable them to maximise their potential while contributing to AEDC’s ambition of becoming one of Africa’s leading electricity distribution companies.

The AEDC chief also urged employees who were not promoted in the current appraisal cycle to remain committed, assuring them that the company’s performance management system is structured to support continuous improvement, skills development and future career progression.

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AEDC said the promotion and salary increment exercise forms part of its broader strategy to cultivate a performance-driven culture, encourage professionalism and recognise employees who contribute significantly to the company’s growth.

The company added that as it continues to modernise operations, improve electricity service delivery and enhance customer experience, it will sustain investments in staff development to strengthen productivity and reinforce its position as one of Nigeria’s preferred employers in the power sector.

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Suspected Hoodlums Cart Away PVCs At Distribution Centre In Osun

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Some hoodlums suspected to be political thugs on Sunday stormed a permanent voter’s card (PVC) distribution centre in Okuku, the headquarters of the Odo-Otin Local Government Area of the state, and carted away two packs of PVCs.

The INEC officials were busy distributing the cards at the Oyinlola DC Primary School, Ward 2, when the thugs suddenly arrived and started shooting sporadically into the air, scaring residents and officials, and took two packs of cards and left the venue before police could arrive at the scene.

The spokesperson of the Osun State Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, said that about ten armed hoodlums invaded the centre, fired sporadically into the air and carted away three packs of PVCs before fleeing the scene.

Ojelabi disclosed that the State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, has condemned the attack and directed a comprehensive investigation to identify and prosecute those responsible.

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Reacting to the development, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of INEC in the state, Oluwatoyin Babalola, condemned the attack. She said she was to get the detailed report on the attack, adding that she is yet to know the exact number of PVCs carted away by the hoodlums.

The REC, however, assured the people of the state that the governorship election would be free, fair, credible, inclusive and transparent.

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