News

Reps Hold Valedictory Session In Honour Of 4th Assembly Speaker, Late Ghali Na’Abba

Published

5 months ago

February 22, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

Reps Hold Valedictory Session In Honour Of 4th Assembly Speaker, Late Ghali Na’Abba

…colleagues describe him as one who gave his life for the nation

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has held a Valedictory Session is held in honour of Speaker of the fourth Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ghali Umar Na’Abba, on Thursday at the National Assembly.

This is in accordance with the tradition of the House, when a former or sitting members passes on.

Naijablitznews.com reports that the former Speaker died on December 27, 2023, in Nigeria.

In accordance with the House rules, the Leader of the House, Rep. Julius Ihonbvere, moved the motion for the commencement of the Valedictory Session and it was seconded by the House Minority Leader, Rep. KingsleyChinda.

Naijablitznews.com recalled that on Wednesday at plenary the House moved a motion for the admission of non members into the Lower Legislative Chamber for today’s ValedictorySession.

Former members of the National Assembly from 1999 till 2023 were present and they include former Speakers Aminu Bello Masari, Femi Gbajabiamila, former Deputy Speakers Chibudum nwuche, Austin opara, Lasun Yusuf, Emeka ihedioha, former House leaders Bawa bwari, Ahmed Gamaliel among others.

Also present at the session was the family of the late Ghali Umar Na’Abba.

In his opening speech, Speakerof the House, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, described the deceased with his simplicity, modest and religious man who gave his life for the service of the nation.

He said: “While this is a moment of grief and national mourning it is a moment of celebration and sober reflection. As we reflect on his life we are reminded of our democracy”.

Former Speaker and current Chief of Staff to the President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, described Late Na’Abba as a talented politician, worthy public servant and ‘a true Nigerian whose death has brought us sorrow”.

“I appear in mixed emotions but I take solace that we are here not to mourn but to celebrate a giant.

“The evident abound that he lived a very good life. He was a follower of Mallam Aminu Kano and was concerned about the downtrodden in the country.

“He served the downtrodden and chose to be a servant of the people, his voice was to speak for the voiceless”, he stated.

According to Gbajabiamila, “Our democracy is young but after two decades we have become comfortable with the present situation. When we returned to democracy in 1999 the political rules that guided us today was not there but Rt. Hon. Ghali Umar Na’Abba understood what it took to lead the House.

“As a Speaker, I consulted with him on a regular basis and I thank him for that. He was a beloved father, brother a mentor and guardian”.

Former Speaker Aminu Bello Masari who spoke on behalf of the Body of Former Speakers said the history of the legislature cannot be written without the name of Late Ghali Umar Na’Abba.

According to Masari, Ghali has paid his dues and he prayed for God to grant him eternal rest.

He added: “For those of us who were with Ghali from 1999-2003, I remember when the House was constituted none of us had any experience of legislative duties. We had an executive who was a former military General with no experience of democracy. This was the situation that Ghali found himself at that particular situation.

“Ghali came from a radical political background and it gave him courage to face the situation.

“He was a distinguished Nigerian and parliamentarian, he had the courage to provide leadership under such difficult times. But he survived and completed his tenure despite all the challenges. The sad part of it in Nigeria is that you are taken care of when you are dead and not when you are alive”.

Masari therefore the lawmakers to provide leadership that will give the citizens hope.

Hon. Chibudum Nwuche spoke on behalf of the Body of Deputy Speakers, described the late Ghali Na’Abba as a “Leader Per Excellence” who led the House in the 4th Assembly without a compass.

Hon. Nwuche stated: “Between 1999-2003, I had the singular opportunity to serve under two Speakers, Hon. Salisu Buhari and Hon. Ghali Na’Abba. This House was full of members who had dreams for the country and were independent.

“Ghali ensured the NDDC Act was passed in the Assembly and Ghali ensured that he mobilized the House to override the President’s Veto. Ghali passed the Act without the President. They tried to remove us several times but with the support of members we stayed till full term”.

The former deputy speaker said the late Ghali was a leaders that should be mortalized. “Ghali was a good man”, he added.

On behalf of the Body of Principal Officers, Hon. Bawa Bwari, described today as a day of mixed feelings.

He said: “We had a special bond filled with mutual trust. He was a mentor. I recall the countless times we worked side by side in transparency. He was a pillar, strength and beacon of hope”.

Hon. Bwari said one of his qualities was fearlessness and he always worked for what he believed in.

“What I will always remember was his ability to unite a House of various divides. He impacted on me, the 1999 House and Nigerian.

“Na’Abba has left a void in the House of 1999”, he added.

Senator Binta Masi Garba, who spoke on behalf of female parliamentarians, described how the late Former Speaker gave all 12 female parliamentarians in the 4th House the same opportunity to assent “our contributions to nation building”.

“He was a dogget fighter, detribalized Nigerin. What the National Assembly is doing today, he was the man that started and gave the independence of the parliament”, she asserted.

The House Minority Leader, Rep. Kingsley Chinda, described the late Ghali Na’Abba as a nationalist.

He narrated his experience with the late Former Speaker: “I schooled with one of his children when I did my Masters in Law. I bought handout and text book for one of his daughter and she went home and told the father who insisted on speaking with me. Her father had asked her how she got the books and she told him it was a serving Honourable member that bought it.

“I had the benefit of speaking with him and one of the things he told me was that the time had come for the counter to make a difference in the lives of the downtrodden.

“This spurred me and today we have presented three bills on constitutional amendment.

“Firstly there are several Ghali Na’Abba” living today, please let’s begin to locate them. Secondly, I want us to tap from what we are seeing today, that it is not “How Far”, “How Long” but “How Well”.

“Thirdly, from the life of Ghali everything made, created, were made to bring life to other. A little selfishness and more selflessness will bring joy to the minority”, Rep. Chinda narrated.

Naijablitznews.com reports that the foremost statesman who passed on at the age of 65, was a passionate and courageous public servant who spent his life in service to the country. He made remarkable contributions to the development of the legislature and has been described as one among a special breed of Nigerian lawmakers.

A Kano-born politician, Rt. Hon. Na’Abba served in the crucial office of Chairman, House Committee on Appropriations, before fate thrust on him the leadership of the House on July 29, 1999, as the 7th indigenous Speaker of the Nigeria House of Representatives.

News

Finally, IGP approves hunger protests across Nigeria

Published

7 hours ago

July 26, 2024

Austin Ojomah

The Nigerian police has finally approved the planned nationwide protests and outlined conditions for participants.

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, revealed this on Friday while addressing journalists in Abuja.

He urged all groups planning to participate in the proposed nationwide protest to submit their details to the Commissioners of Police in their respective states.

The police boss said this was to ensure the protest was peaceful.

Egbetokun said, “We acknowledge the constitutional right of Nigerian citizens to peaceful assembly and protest.

“However, in the interest of public safety and order, we urge all groups planning to protest to provide necessary details to the Commissioner of Police in the state where the protest is intended to take place.

“To facilitate a successful and incident-free protest, they should please provide the following information: state the proposed protest routes and assembly points; expected duration of the protest; and names and contact details of protest leaders and organisers.”

The police boss said the information expected from the organisers also include measures to prevent hijacking by criminal elements, as well as key identifiers for possible isolation of potential troublemakers.

By providing the information, he said, the police will be able to deploy adequate personnel and resources to ensure public safety.

He said the police needed to know the specific routes and areas for the protest to avoid conflicts with other events or activities.

Mr Egbetokun said the police will “establish clear communication channels with protest leaders to address any concerns or issues that may arise; minimise the risk of violence, property damage, or other criminal activity.

“We encourage all protesters to cooperate with the police, obey the law, and adhere to global best practices for peaceful assembly to guarantee a safe and successful exercise of their rights.

News

Reps North-West Caucus Beg Youths, Citizens In The Region Not To Join Planned Protest

Published

9 hours ago

July 26, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

…commend President Tinubu’s development initiative

By Gloria Ikibah

The North-West caucus of the House of Representatives have appealed to youths, citizens in the region not to take part in the planned nationwide protest scheduled for August 1.

The caucus also appealed to the region’s citizens to give governments at federal and state levels more time to address their concerns, rather than joining the planned protest.

Chairman of the Caucus, Rep. Sada Soli, lawmaker representing Jibia/Kaita constituency, Katsina state, who stated this on Friday at a press conference in Abuja, emphasized that the region had suffered enough disruption and needed peace to restore its economy and social order

Rep. Soli explained that their stance to the recent signing of the North West Development Commission Bill into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which they believe will address the region’s development challenges.

He highlighted that the commission would guarantee the rebuilding of ruined infrastructure, from roads, schools, health facilities and markets, to homes and places of worship, business premises and other social amenities.

The lawmakers noted that the commission would tackle the multidimensional crisis caused by violence and terrorism in the region, which has affected agricultural activities, trade, and social amenities.

While acknowledging the region’s overwhelming support for President Tinubu in the last election, they expressed trust in his commitment to develop the region and further urged the President to intensify efforts in addressing the security challenges still prevalent in the region and called for a broader security sector reform.

The forum said: “The sporadic attacks have since escalated into a multidimensional crisis that has hampered agricultural activities and trade, and turned some of the most industrious and thriving communities in the North West geopolitical zone into ghost towns as people flee their homes and become refugees.

“This has manifestly impacted on the famous cross-border trade and flourishing agrobusiness between the geopolitical zone and neighboring countries. Most of our border constituencies, which were historically vibrant commercial centres, with massive large-scale farmers exporting produce to various parts of Africa, including Niger Republic, Mali, and Benin Republic, have since been abandoned by farmers, importers and exporters, due to this wanton violence. As a result, Internally Generated Revenues in these states have been negatively affected.

“Politically, in voting so overwhelmingly for President Tinubu in the last election, the North West geopolitical zone had hoped that the famous Asiwaju, who had shown himself to be a patriot of the first order and a man who believed in fairness and equity, would make policy decisions that will bring development to our states by rescuing them from the evils of banditry and cross border terrorism.

“This Commission is, therefore, a tremendous boost to the valiant efforts of the governors of the North West geopolitical zone and it has further justified our trust in President Tinubu’s commitment to help revamp this geopolitical zone and place it on a sound pedestal.

We must, however, appeal to the President to intensify efforts in addressing the security challenges still prevalent in the geopolitical zone particularly, and other parts of the country at large. A broader security sector reform will enable our people to return to their normal lives, leading to positive changes in economic development and social order.

“That is why members of the National Assembly, particularly members of the North West Caucus – and indeed other political, traditional and religious leaders in the North West geopolitical zone, do not support the scheduled nationwide protest planned by some elements to further disrupt the very delicate balance of the country right now.

“We appeal to the peaceful and law-abiding people of the North West geopolitical zone, who have suffered enough disruption of their peace, not to join in this potentially destructive exercise, but rather to give governments at both the Federal and State levels more chance to look at the issues concerned”, he added.

News

Reps Applaud FCT Minister, Wike On AICL Improved Revenue, Infrastructure

Published

9 hours ago

July 26, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives’ Committee on Federal Capital Territory, Chaired by Rep. Aliyu Muktar Betara has commended the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike on the ongoing infrastructural development projects across the nation’s capital, Abuja.

The lawmakers during an interactive session with the Group Managing Director of Abuja Investment Company Limited (AICL), Dr. Moreen Tamuno praised her ingenuity towards improved revenue generation since assumption of office.

The GMD who presented her scorecard and strategy adopted to the committee, in the turnaround of AICL said that the company only manage the District markets not the entire markets across the territory.

According to her, Wuse markets is owned 90 percent by the individuals who bought the shops while AICL owns 10 percent.

She stated: “For example, Wuse market is owned 90 percent by the owners, we own 10 percent. What Abuja Management does for Wuse market is to manage the facility there through the toll taking which they do collect on our behalf and then they manage the facilities, they manage the refuse collections and they also work with the market association.”

Tamuno also disclosed that AICL cannot increase prices like other privately owned markets across the territory, noting that the prices adopted by AICL are controlled by the government.

She added that the Company is also managing part of the leakages envisaged such as monitoring these system of fares collection which was initially collected manually.

This, according to her, will help to tackle the menace of revenue leakages and help to pay dividends to FCTA coffers.

Responding to question on Abuja Properties, she noted that AICL is saddled with the responsibility of owning properties on behalf of the government.

“Before I got here, apart from two regimes of el-Rufai and Moddibo, the rest regimes, Abuja Property was dealing directly with the Minister. So, we did not have a control over what Abuja Property does suffice me to say. But with the incoming of the new Minister he has streamline the system that all of these people will have direct reporting line.

“So, what they do or what they are meant to do is to manage estates, different cadres of estates for the Middle Class, for the High Class and and different kind of people and also declare profits and pay dividends also which has never been done. But in the last discussion last month, because of the new process that has been set up, they are committed to making sure that they will do this year, to declare dividend to AICL.”

On Abuja Transport scheme, she noted that “the Abuja AMMCO has been a little epileptic really. Because as we speak I think they have only about 84 buses and then most of the buses are not working. Before I came, I heard they are meant to sell but on our finding, we found out that the calibre of buses we have ASHOK were very strong bus and there was no need to sell, we would see how we could use some of them to repair others and have them running.

“So, they’ve not been able to break even, there are some epileptic problems that we are looking at to see how we can help them.”

On the Abuja Films Village, she said: “we heard the story of Abuja Film Village, even before I became the Group Managing Director, but suffice me to say that for 24 years nobody went to see where is this place. But when I assumed office all I was hearing is don’t go there they kidnap and all of that. But we were able to weather the storm to get to the point in Guzaki. We have about 3,000 hectares of land there, which is being encumbered already, we have mining is taking place there. We are working with FCT fortunately I did a memo to the Minister which he has approved graciously and set up an Inter-Ministerial Committee to know where our boundaries are. I saw miners on the plot he was really a tough place to go to.”

She explained that the Committee is expected to come up with the report to secure the parameters around the land and see what AICL could achieve there.

While noting that the entertainment industry is a thriving Sector, she explained that AICL has met some Stakeholders including Actors Guild who are already partnering with the company, with a view to stimulate the economy and create employment.

She noted that the company which was established over 30 years ago has metamorphosed to become an Holding Company is an investment arm of FCT and a Limited Liability Company, hence not in the Federal Government budget.

According to her, the two administrations ago set up other subsidiaries that suppose to work under AICL namely Power Launch which is a Leasing Company and Abuja Urban Mass Transit Company, Abuja Property Development and Abuna Market.

She added that AICL also has other subsidiaries namely Aso Savings, Abuja Tech Village where AICL owns 20 percent equity, and 6 percent with Abuja Intercontinental Hotel formerly known as Sheraton Hotel. She however noted that during the meeting held with the Hotel’s management, that the Hotel has recapitalized and gone PLC, thereby AICL share has reduced to 3 percent.

While noting that AICL is still in talk with Abuja Intercontinental Hotel since 3 percent is not sufficient to be on the board of the Hotel because it’s a nominal shareholder and could only go to General Meeting, efforts are ongoing to improve the system with a view to regularize the percentages of investment.

She noted that efforts are also being made to ensure that the company’s staff are well motivated by embarking on a lot of capacity building and to drive them to ensuring that we return dividends to owners which is FCT.

Dr. Tamuno who assured that the present AICL under her watch cannot afford to “leave FCT the way it was,” disclosed that her team has developed a “revolution in AICL. If you’ve ever been to the office before my resumption and you come now, from the gate you would know that there’s a change.

“We definitely are building bridges, we definitely are looking at how to reposition AICL and making progress. We’ve not had it good, thank God for the responsive Minister who listens and who’s ready to work to recapitalize. We have the muscle to weather what we are faced with.”

While thanking the lawmakers for the support and trust reposed in her team, Dr. Tamuno said: “Thank you Mr. Chairman for this opportunity to be able to tell you what Abuja Investment is all about but I want to reassure you that as your Junior Colleague, you can be sure that coupled with the fact that women want to do what we have to do, so we can sleep well. I will be able to do the needful and make cintei to FCT and of course to the renewed hope agenda of Mr. President, that I will do.”

Speaking after the AICL Group Managing Director’s presentation, Hon. Betara said: “As discussed with the Committee, you see a lot of members not you, before coming into Abuja Investment, but for us with the discussion we did to your previous team I told you, I was disappointed. Now I realize why the Minister of FCT is bringing in new hands into FCT.

“We know you, with the little time you came in, revenue has come up and we hope you’re not coming down.

“And I will advise you anybody that you’re not ready to work with, remove the person so that you can work well. The Committee is ready to support you and support FCT in general.”

On his part, Hon. Timilehin Adelegbe (APC-Ondo) who showered encomium on the new AICL management team led by Mrs. Tamuno said: “I met her when she was an Ambassador to Jamaica. I think in the whole Pacific she transformed Jamaica she’s very aggressive.

“So, when she was reeling out her achievements I think we have just seen little. What we need as a House is to encourage her and also urge her to do a holistic audit of staff who may be dragging you back which is very very important.”

On his part, Hon. Kanice More (APC-Imo), who applauded President Bola Tinubu for being gender sensitive in the appointment of women into critical sector of the economy, underscored the need to encourage the AICL Group Managing Director to achieve more fears.

He said: “I thank His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu for demonstration of gender sensitivity, inclusivity and friendliness in appointing a Lady, a Woman ans she has demonstrated capacity. I took time to study her, and I’ve listened to her, she started newly we should equally encourage her and I strongly believe that with more encouragement she will do more; and of course, to whom more is given, more is expected.”

Also speaking, Hon. Regina Akume (APC-Benue) said: “Madam, I want to thank you, before I’m seeing a spirit of its not my problem and it’s not my business, it’s government’s business, it’s not my business, that’s the spirit I’m seeing in here.

“And I want advise you all, that as long as you do not take property seriously, you cannot even make your own business because what a man sows he reaps.

“So, please government is for all of us. If you’re put there to do something, I know women are good managers, yes we women are good managers. So put all the broken pieces out them together and make us proud. That’s what I’m asking of you because there’s so much there that you can do. There’s so much laxity and it’s not right. The Chairman has said it, he net with you all, he will support them. But you must make him proud.”

While applauding the achievements recorded so far under the leadership of the FCT Minister, Hon. Betara said: “You have a Minister that’s a Lawyer, maybe that’s why you guys have improved.

“You guys need to improve. He doesn’t tolerate and if it is with law, he knows everything. So, for the Committee, if there’s anything we will require from you before we start the oversight, we are going to write you.”