News
10th HoR 1st year: So far, so good we’ll continue to strive through legislative intervention to accomplish our duty as Leader of Opposition parties business – Rep Chinda
… opposition has been interestingly rough but we’re forging ahead
…. amendment of the Local Content Act if successful will have a positive and spiral effect on job creation in all sectors of the economy.
…insists opposition still stands on a 90-day ultimatum given to FG to checkmate insecurity.
As the House of Representatives marks its first year in tenth House of Representatives, Opposition leader, Rep Kingsley Chinda has said so far, so good, the House would continue to strive through legislative intervention to accomplish purpose of government that encompasses all Nigerians.
The Rivers born lawmaker, who represents Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency made this assertion in commemoration of the HoR one year anniversary in the tenth National Assembly stating that:
“All we have been doing in the last year is to ensure that we make provock or influence legislations that could catapult Nigerians from abject poverty and improve security of life’s and properties of Nigerians. We ensure that where government falters, we quickly checkmate it.
” A very vivid example is the area of security which is everybody’s business and we told government that in three months, which will expire on July 16th, that if there is no improvement in the area of security, that we might be compelled to take steps to call on Nigerians to take steps to compel government to action.
“Also, all we have caused the House to compile all Resolutions passed by the House on insecurity for same to be forwarded to the Executive for appropriate and adequate compliance to help curtail insecurity in Nigeria.
“Now aside that, in area of protection of citizens’ welfare, most recently, we took a position on the cyber security levy and implementation of the Cyber Security Act. This proposed levy led to a lot of brouhaha in the society. We stood firmly with the people and shot down the levy.
“We intervened quickly to say no. The Central Bank circular, which intended to impose fees on Nigerians, was not correct, and it should be withdrawn. Fortunately, the President responded to it and withdrew that circular.
“So we think that these are some of the roles that we should be playing to check some of the excesses of government and draw attention of Nigerians to these issues and also call on government to take steps to correct them in the interest of Nigerians.
On the proposed amendment to the Local Content Act, Chinda said: “Well, like I said, that through legislative intervention, we should strive towards accomplishing the main purpose of government. Which security of lives and welfare of the people.
“The Local Content Act that we have today is limited to the oil and gas sector. And because of that Local Content Act, you can agree with me that more Nigerians are becoming big players in the oil and gas sector. Knowledge and skills is being developed locally in the sector.
“Yes, the general economy in the country is also hitting hard in that sector. And so that’s why you see some of these IOC’S, (International oil giants, Shell, Elf, Mobil, etc) talking about either downsizing or selling off their interest and all that.
“But who are those that are buying off those interests? Most of them are Nigerians. So this is the advantage of the Local Content Act in the oil and gas sector.
“And we felt that it would not be proper to limit it to that sector. It should also dovetail into all other aspects and facets of our economy, into construction, into medical, into ICT, and all that.
“So it will develop local capacity. It will give opportunity for our people to be big-time players in all these other fields. And then it will also give minimum requirements for local content in those areas. Most importantly creat more jobs for locals.
“Now, an example, again, is the issues of unemployment. What it means is that for every locality where you go to establish these firms or these operations, those from such locality must produce at least the lower cadre of the staff of such firms. And where there is an expatriate staff, there is provision of training of locals to take over the responsibility within a set time.
Companies are compelled by law to continue to do training for these persons and then also be prepared to hand over even the job of the expatriates to the locals within a particular number of years. Some of these provisions apply in other countries like UAE.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Enugu Governor Peter Mbah has expressed deep grief over the passing away of former Super Eagles skipper and coach, Christian Chukwu, describing him as a football icon, titan, and phenomenon.
Reacting to the development on Saturday Mbah said: “I received with a deep sense of loss the passing away of Chairman Christian Chukwu. It is a personal loss to us as Ndi Enugu, his home state, and indeed to Nigeria as a nation and Africa as a continent.
“Christian Chukwu was a national icon, a football titan, field marshal, and phenomenon. His exploits as a footballer united the country across ethnic divides and creed.
He was patriotism personified, serving the nation and Africa unreservedly both as a player and coach of the highly successful Rangers International Football Club of Enugu and Super Eagles of Nigeria, which he captained to victory as Green Eagles at the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON. He also coached the Harambee Stars, Kenya’s senior male national team, among others.
“Chairman, as he was fondly called, gave his all not only to the nation but to the rest of Africa. He wrote his name in gold in the annals of the history of Nigerian and African football.
Our dear legend has gone the way of all mortals, but the fond memories and the pride he gave Ndi Igbo and Nigeria as a whole will be cherished forever.
“My heart goes out to his family, Ndi Enugu, the Nigerian sports community and the entire nation over this irreplaceable loss. May the good Lord grant his soul eternal repose.”
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
No fewer than seven people lost their lives on Saturday following the detonation of an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State.
The deadly incident occurred along the Maiduguri-Damboa Road, a notorious route that cuts through the Sambisa Forest—an area long plagued by insurgent activities.
The victims were part of a convoy of vehicles being escorted by the military from Damboa to Maiduguri.
According to eyewitness accounts and local sources, the explosion struck as the convoy—organized to provide safe passage through the volatile region—was underway. Several other passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries and were rushed to a hospital in Maiduguri for urgent treatment.
The Maiduguri-Damboa Road serves as a vital link between the state capital and several local government areas in southern Borno, including Chibok and Gwoza.
For years, the route remained closed to civilian traffic due to persistent terrorist threats. However, under the administration of Governor Babagana Zulum, the road was reopened, with military escorts deployed to accompany travelers twice weekly after clearing the area for explosives.
Saturday’s attack raises fresh concerns about the safety of the corridor, despite consistent military presence. The blast also comes just days after Governor Zulum publicly raised alarm over renewed Boko Haram activity in the state, highlighting the persistent threat the group poses to peace and development in the region.
Authorities are yet to release an official statement on the incident, while investigations and security operations in the area continue.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has initiated a search following the theft of a black Toyota Hilux vehicle belonging to the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Nuhu Ribadu, which was stolen during Friday’s Juma’at prayers in Abuja.
It was gathered that the vehicle was parked around 1:05pm opposite the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) complex in Area 10, while the official attended prayers at a nearby mosque.
Security source, Zagazola Makama, disclosed the incident via his X (formerly Twitter) handle, revealing that the ONSA official returned from the mosque only to find the vehicle missing.
According to him, a sources said the theft was immediately reported to the Garki Police Division at approximately 2:00 p.m., leading to a swift response by law enforcement.
Meanwhile, the FCT Police Command promptly activated a stop-and-search operation at various checkpoints and across all entry and exit points in the capital city.
Police authorities confirmed that investigations are ongoing and all efforts are being made to apprehend the culprits and recover the vehicle.
The Command said it had intensified efforts to track down the fleeing suspects and recover the stolen Hilux.
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