News

President Tinubu Flags Off New National Anthem ‘Nigeria We Hail Thee’, as NASS Celebrate 25 Years Of Uninterrupted Democracy

Published

7 months ago

May 29, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

…say 2024 appropriation bill to be submitted early

By Gloria Ikibah

President Bola Tinubu has signed into law the New National anthem “Nigeria We Hail Thee” in Wednesday morning.

The President who was at the Joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives on Wednesday, also flagged off the new anthem as it was official sung for the first time after the New National Anthem Bill was signed into law by President Tinubu on Wednesday morning.

Naijablitznews.com recalled that last week the Senate and House of Representatives passed the bill to revert to the old national anthem during plenary.

President Tinubu in his address congratulated Nigeria for 25 years of unbroken democracy and urged the lawmakers to work together to build Nigeria not only for us but for generations yet unborn.

“Out of respect I come to say thank you very much for building up to this stage. Building the institution, building the country, you are the first and foremost leaders that will speak for our people and you have been in the forefront of this struggle.

“This institution, the hallowed chambers represent our consciousness for freedom and sense of belonging.

“You rang out the latest national anthem ‘Nigeria We Hail Thee’. Since this our democracy representing all charaand how we have lived together to be brothers and sisters.

“Without this House probably I may not have found the path to the presidency.

“Continue to collaborate, work together, build our country, we have no other choice, it is our nation. No other institution or personality, we have to do it ourselves.

“We must build this nation so that the future of our children and grandchildren will be sure of prosperity”, PresidentTinubu said.

He also assured that he will bring the year 2024 appropriation bill to the National Assembly in a few month time.

Naijablitznews.com reports that the joint session was in commemoration of 25 year of uninterupted democratic and legislative practice in Nigeria.

Earlier, according to the tradition of the House, Leader of the House, Rep. Julius Ihonvbere, moved a motion for the admittance into the chamber non members of the House of Representatives and this motion was seconded by the House Minority Leader, Rep. Kingsley Chinda.

“That the House, pursuant to Order Six, Rule 4(1)(i),(ii), (iii), (iv), (viii) and (ix) of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives, do admit into the Chamber, the President, Commander–In–Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Vice President, Former Head of States, the President of the Senate, Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Former Senate President, Former Senators, Former Speaker, Former Members, Former Clerks to the National Assembly, Ministers, other Management Staff of the National Assembly, Government Officials and other Dignitaries to commemorates 25 years of Unbroken Democracy/Legislature”, the House Leader said.

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas were also ushered in. After which Senator he called the session to order and announced that the new national anthem ‘Nigeria We Hail Thee’ shall be sung upon the arrival of the president.

He also announced that the new national anthem has been duly accented to by the President and signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The President of the Senate commended President Tinubu for the decision to revert to the old national anthem “Nigeria We Hail Thee”.

He said: “It is important I explain the importance of this visit. That this is what we call in Nollywood ‘waka pass.’ You intend to celebrate democracy day which is June 12. But out of your respect for the National Assembly, you said you must pass through the National Assembly on your first anniversary in office.

“Of all the significant things you have done, I think one of the most important is to take us back to our genealogy. The genealogy of our birth. That though we may belong to different tribes, though we have different tongues, in brotherhood we must stand. Henceforth, we may not refer to ourselves as colleagues, we will refer to ourselves as brothers.

“Whether in the field of battle, in politics, we must hail Nigeria. The best place to start this revolution is the National Assembly where we have the elected representatives of the people”.

The Speaker of the House had explained that the President will be present only to flagoff the new national anthem and afterwards proceeds to attend other functions.

In his remarks he thanked the president for the partnership that existed with the national assembly.

“A big thank you to our dear leaders who has been very supportive of the national assembly over the last one year. A true democrat who has seen it all, a former Governor, Former Senators, a leader of the party and now the president.

“I want you to know your Excellency that we in the National Assembly are very very happy with your report card, with your performance so far.

“The national assembly is very thankful for your partnership that existed within the last one year. It has been a partnership that has been mutually beneficial to all of us.

“It is a win-win and that is how democracy is supposed to be played”, Speaker Abbas stated.

Naijablitznews.com recalled that both chambers of the national assembly on Thursday May 23nd , 2024, passed a bill to revert to the old national anthem ‘Nigeria, We Hail Thee’ and discard the present one, ‘Arise O’ Compatriots.

Sponsored by the House Leader, Hon. Julius Ihonvbere and Senate Majority Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele respectively, the bill speedily passed through second reading, considered and approved at the Committee of the Whole and passed for third reading at plenary

The legislation is titled, “Bill For An Act to Provide for the National Anthem of Nigeria, and for Matters Related Thereto.”

It stipulated that on the date of commencement of the Bill, the national anthem of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be “Nigeria, We Hail Thee,” which is prescribed in the Schedule to the proposed legislation.

According to the bill, the national anthem of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shal be a national symbol and sign of authority, and all persons, individuals or corporate entities, shall respect the national anthem and preserve the dignity of the national anthem.

The proposed legislation provided that the national anthem shall be performed and sung on occasions such as: opening and closing ceremonies of Federal Executive Council, and State Executives Council meetings, opening and closing of sittings of Legislative Houses in Nigeria and Constitutional oath-swearing ceremonies.

Others are: “Major celebrations, major award ceremonies, major commemorative ceremonies, national memorial ceremonies and the like, which are organised by MDAs, major diplomatic activities, major sporting events, other occasions as may from time to time, be determined by the minister responsible for education with the consent of the President.”

It stated that the performance and singing of the national anthem shall follow the lyrics prescribed by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The new law prescribed that when the national anthem is performed and sung “-(a) those present shall stand and deport respectfully, and (b) at flag-raising ceremonies, those present shall face the flag, and uniformed military personnel, Police and other Security personnel are to give a hand salute, and other persons are to look on in respect.

News

Nigeria Congratulates Qatar on National Day

Published

2 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The Federal Government of Nigeria has extended its heartfelt congratulations to the State of Qatar on the occasion of its National Day, celebrated on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.

In a statement signed by the Acting Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, Nigeria’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, conveyed fraternal greetings to Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.

The statement highlighted Qatar’s commitment to promoting global peace and its significant contributions to humanitarian services worldwide.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria commends the commitment and strategic efforts made by the State of Qatar in the promotion of global peace; and more so, the excellent contributions to humanitarian services in different parts of the world,” it read.

Ambassador Tuggar emphasised the strong and growing relations between Nigeria and Qatar, expressing satisfaction with the collaborative efforts to strengthen ties for the mutual benefit of their citizens.

He wished Qatar peace, prosperity, and progress, reaffirming Nigeria’s enduring friendship and support.

This underscores Nigeria’s recognition of its diplomatic relationship with Qatar and its shared commitment to global cooperation and development.

News

Reps Recommends Delisting NECO, UI, Labour Ministry, 21 Others From 2025 Budget

Published

2 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has called for the removal of the National Examination Council (NECO), University of Ibadan (UI), Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, and 21 other federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) from the 2025 budget.

This recommendation follows their repeated failure to account for previous allocations and internally generated revenue.

During an extraordinary session on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, the Committee resolved that these MDAs should be excluded from the budget until they comply with its directives.

Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Bamidele Salam, stressed: “The Financial Regulation empowers the National Assembly to exclude any Ministry, Department, or Agency (MDA) that fails to account for their previous appropriations. As such, the listed MDAs should be excluded from the 2025 budget until they appear before this constitutional committee.”

The decision was prompted by the consistent non-compliance of these MDAs despite multiple summons issued by the Committee to scrutinize their financial operations.

Prominent institutions among those recommended for delisting include hospitals, universities, and federal development agencies. Some of the affected MDAs are:

Federal Medical Centre, Bida
Federal Ministry of Labour & Employment
Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria
Nigeria Police Force: Department of Information and Communication Technology
Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba
Federal College of Education, Yola
Federal Polytechnic Ekowe, Bayelsa State
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi
Federal University of Technology, Minna
Cross River Basin Development Authority
Nigeria Office for Trade Negotiation
National Examination Council (NECO)
Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil
Presidential Amnesty Programme
Galaxy Backbone
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals

Others include the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority, National Space Research and Development Agency, Federal Cooperative College (Ibadan), Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority, University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, and Federal School of Survey, Oyo State.

The Committee unanimously recommended that the MDAs in question be delisted from the 2025 budget until they comply with the request for documentation and provide necessary financial clarifications.

News

Reps Call for Revival of NAPAC to Boost Transparency, Accountability

Published

2 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has called for the revitalization and strengthening of the National Association of Public Accounts Committees (NAPAC) to enhance transparency, accountability, and good governance across Nigeria.

Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts (PAC), Rep. Bamidele Salam, stated this at the joint sitting of Public Accounts Committees of Senate and House and inauguration of an Adhoc Committee for the reconvening of NAPAC at the National Assembly on Tuesday, emphasised the importance of collaboration among Public Accounts Committees at both federal and state levels.

Formed in 2014, NAPAC comprises 38 chapters nationwide, including the Public Accounts Committees of the Senate, House of Representatives, and all 36 State Houses of Assembly, Rep. Salam noted that the Association has been dormant in recent years, necessitating urgent action to restore its relevance.

He stated, “This Association is a pivotal platform for promoting transparency and accountability in governance. However, in recent times, the Association’s activities have been dormant, necessitating the need for a quick revitalization.

“It is in this context that we are inaugurating this Ad-hoc Committee, tasked with the vital responsibility of reconvening the meeting of NAPAC.”

Salam outlined committee’s objectives, including reviving NAPAC’s activities, adopting innovative strategies to combat corruption, and collaborating with anti-corruption agencies, civil society, and the media.

He also stressed the importance of leveraging partnerships with continental and regional associations such as AFROPAC, WAPAC, and SADCOPAC for capacity building and knowledge sharing.

“The task ahead is daunting, but with collective effort, unwavering commitment, and an unshakeable faith in our nation’s potential, I am confident that we shall succeed,” he added.

In an interaction with journalists, thr Committee chairman, stressed plans to engage with the Auditor General of the Federation and Accountant General of the Federation to address delays in submitting reports on Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

“Of course, Nigerians should expect that we’re going to have more productivity, especially in consideration of the report of the Auditor General,” he said.

He noted that only the 2021 Auditor General’s report is currently before the National Assembly, a situation he described as inconsistent with constitutional provisions. Salam expressed the committee’s determination to ensure Nigeria catches up with the 2022 and 2023 reports by next year.

He added, “We’ll also be able to bring more of these agencies of government in line to ensure that all monies appropriated by the National Assembly are spent judiciously, efficiently, and in a lawful manner.”