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…as House deputy leader, Halims showoff award of doctorate

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives on Wednesday witnessed a brief but tense moment during plenary following the announcement of an honorary doctorate awarded to a lawmaker from Kogi State.

The session, which was later presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, had been opened earlier by the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, with the formal presentation of petitions and the consideration of motions on matters of urgent public importance.

After the national anthem and opening prayers, the Speaker read a letter informing the House that the Deputy Majority Leader, Rep. Abdullahi Halims, had been honoured with an honorary doctorate by Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba.

Rep. Halims, who represents Ankpa/Olamaboro/Omala Federal Constituency of Kogi State and is a member of the All Progressives Congress, formally notified the House of the award through the letter addressed to the Speaker. As colleagues offered their congratulations, he stood up and briefly displayed the award to fellow lawmakers.

However, the gesture prompted an objection from a member also from the APC, Rep. Awaji-Inombek Abiante from Rivers State, who raised concerns about the public display and use of honorary academic titles.

He cautioned against actions that could blur the distinction between academic degrees earned through study and honorary awards conferred as recognition.

Abiante said, “There is a clear-cut distinction between Honorary Doctorate degrees and Doctor of Philosophy. They are two different things.

“That is why some of us, when we stand up, we do not introduce ourselves as Doctor this or Doctor That. I will not sacrifice my labour in the academic environment for someone who just got honoured. Let us have that distinction sir.”

Although the matter was not debated further on the floor, Abiante’s comments drew strong approval from lawmakers across party lines.

In his ruling, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu directed the House Committee on Rules and Business to review the concerns raised and propose clear guidelines on how the House should formally distinguish between honorary doctorates and academically earned degrees.

The exchange reflects a long-standing national debate over the social and professional use of honorary academic titles in Nigeria. Public and private universities regularly award honorary degrees to politicians, business leaders, entertainers and other prominent figures, usually in recognition of philanthropy, influence or public service.

Unlike a PhD, however, honorary doctorates do not involve academic coursework, original research or the defence of a thesis. International academic standards generally discourage recipients from using the “Dr” title in formal or professional contexts, except for ceremonial purposes.

In Nigeria, the issue has remained contentious, particularly within academic circles, where critics argue that widespread use of honorary titles weakens the value of rigorous scholarship and research. Concerns have also been raised about the increasing commercialisation of honorary degrees and their growing use as symbols of status by public office holders.

The matter has surfaced repeatedly within public institutions, professional associations and religious bodies, prompting calls for clearer rules on how honorary degrees should be referenced, especially by individuals in public service.

The incident at the House of Representatives on Wednesday signals that the debate has now reached the legislature, with lawmakers seeking a formal position that acknowledges honorary awards while safeguarding the integrity of earned academic qualifications.

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The House of Representatives has intervened in the ongoing boundary dispute over the oil-rich Eba Island–Atijere area, claimed by Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State and neighbouring Ogun State.

The intervention came during plenary on Wednesday, presided over by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, as lawmakers moved to calm rising tensions and prevent a possible breakdown of law and order in the affected communities.

To address the issue, the House mandated its Committee on Special Duties to work closely with the National Boundary Commission to urgently establish the official status of the disputed area. The committee has been tasked with engaging the commission to clarify boundaries, restore calm, and promote lasting peace in the oil-producing region.

The resolution was sequel to the adoption of a Matter of Urgent Public Importance sponsored by Rep. Ojogo Donald Kimikanboh, member representatives Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency of Ondo State.

Leading the debate, Rep. Kimikanboh drew the attention of the House to growing tension in the Eba Island–Atijere axis, warning that conflicting claims and misleading narratives could fuel unrest in the oil-producing communities if left unresolved.

He noted that what is presently known as Mahin Kingdom in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State existed long before the pre-colonial era and was originally referred to as Mahin Country, this is as he recalled that in 1885, the Paramount and Natural Ruler of the area, the Amapetu of Mahin, signed a treaty with British colonial authorities that incorporated the entire Mahin Country, including Atijere Island, into the Colony of Lagos, where it was administered until the 1914 Amalgamation.

He further noted that Atijere and adjoining communities—such as Irokun, Igboedun, Eba, Obinneyin, Araromi Seaside, Mahintedo and Itebu-Elero—have remained under the paramount authority of the Amapetu of Mahin, a First Class and Grade A traditional ruler in Ondo State, since that historic treaty.

He also recalled that Atijere served as the administrative headquarters of surrounding satellite communities, including Eba, and hosted a Native Court as far back as 1933. Vassal chiefs appointed over the years were said to have consistently been of Ilaje descent, reflecting the area’s historical ties to the former Ondo Province and present-day Ondo State.

The lawmaker explained that all major infrastructure in the area—roads, hospitals, schools and other social amenities have historically been provided by successive governments of Ondo Province and later Ondo State, he stressed that Eba Island falls squarely within Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, as confirmed by nationally and internationally recognised geographic mapping systems.

He maintained that the oil field located in Ago Balogun Community, popularly known as the Eba Oil Field, was said to be customarily, historically and traditionally governed under Atijere Kingdom, with the original inhabitants identified as Ilaje people.

The lawmaker noted that despite the absence of any legal instrument, court judgment, National Boundary Commission determination or constitutional provision designating Eba Island or the Eba Oil Field as part of Ogun State, some media reports have distorted historical facts by suggesting otherwise.

He added that such claims have heightened tension in the area and pose a threat to peace and security.

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The Katsina State Police Command has confirmed the killing of three police officers in an ambush by suspected bandits in Bakori Local Government Area of the state.

The command’s spokesperson, Aliyu Abubakar, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Katsina.

According to him, the incident occurred on Tuesday at about 12:44 p.m. when a team of police officers on routine anti-crime patrol along the Guga–Bakori axis was attacked by armed assailants.

He said the officers were ambushed by the suspects, who opened fire on them, but the policemen responded and repelled the attack.

Abubakar said three officers were fatally shot during the exchange of gunfire, while two others sustained injuries.

He added that the wounded officers were rushed to a nearby hospital, where they are currently receiving treatment.

The police spokesperson said investigations had commenced to track down and arrest the perpetrators of the attack.