News

Hon. Dennis Agbo Honoured For Roles In 2023 New Nigeria Project.

Published

7 months ago

June 3, 2024

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Right Honourable Dennis Nnamdi Agbo was among the eminent Nigerians honoured at the weekend in Abuja for their various courageous roles to enthrone a new Nigeria and effect a positive change in the nation’s democracy.

Rt. Honourable Agbo who was elected into the current 10th House of Representatives under the platform of the Labour Party, (LP) to represent Igbo-Eze North/Udenu Federal Constituency of Enugu State, was very vocal and influential in the Presidential Campaign of the candidate of the party, Peter Obi in 2023 election.

Honourable Agbo, a businessman a philanthropist and great grassroots politician of immense influence and capacity deployed material resources as well as human contacts to help raise the profile of the Party in South East.

The Nigerian-American Coalition for Justice and Democracy (NACJD), organisers of the award called 2024 Courageous Citizens Award, described Agbo as one of the few Nigerians who against the run of play, and without consideration of personal safety, staked their lives during the 2023 elections to effect a positive change in the country.

The Chairman of the organization, Professor Eddie Oparaoji in his address at the occasion noted that Agbo was being awarded Courageous Citizen’s Medal of Valour, (CCMV) for being one of those who have proven that with resilience and determination a change could be effected.

“It is obvious that with the way the deck was stacked in the country then in 2023, and the reality of our lived experience in Nigeria at this time, a positive change is not only an imperative but imminent and ominous”.

Hon. Agbo described the award as an impetus for him to engage in more selfless battles to rescue Nigeria from the oppressors and the enemies of Nigeria adding, “l am heartened to know that our little efforts in 2023 journey did not go unnoticed”.

“The events that happened during the 2023 general elections were signs that a change to a new Nigeria is possible. I therefore urge those Nigerians and indeed the youths who desire this change not to despair because change does not come without a struggle. Indeed, according to John Philport Curran, the condition under which God has given liberty to man is eternal vigilance, which condition if he breaks, servitude is at once the consequence of his crime and the punishment of his guilt”.

Dennis Agbo is not your run of the mill politician. He brings Integrity, peace, humility, vigorous engagement, and candour, in a strong character, into the conduct of public service. This style of governance is beginning to catch up among his people, albeit after a season of inertia, resistance, suspicion, but persistent education, enlightenment and orientation.

He is not just a political activist but also a vibrant parliamentarian and compassionate representative who, within the first six months in the current Green Chamber, has churned out impactful motions and completed landmark projects reminiscent of his performance in the 8th Assembly.

He had within the short period completed one block of 5 Classrooms, one 500 students capacity Examination Hall, two rural electrification projects and several solar Street lights projects, in various communities around his Federal Constituency.

A brand new Technical College which he built at Igugu town within his Constituency was his flagship project in education during his first tenure in the 8th Assembly.

The school has admitted the 6th stream of students for technical education, and is now considered one of the best in the State. He has built and upgraded other School buildings in many towns within his Federal Constituency.

He has used his scholarship programme to encourage the study of Medicine and related courses, and provide access to education for indigent constituents.

News

Nigeria Congratulates Qatar on National Day

Published

1 hour 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

1 hour 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.”