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Despite Orosanye report, FG approves two new agencies
From February 26, 2024 to date, President Tinubu had two new commissions.
The President alongside the legislative arm of government have continued to push for establishment of a new ministry, agencies and commissions, months after the President called for the full implementation of the Stephen Oronsaye.
These two are the South East Development Commission and North West Development Commission.
On February 26, 2024, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga in a post on X (formerly Twitter) announced the decision of the President.
“Twelve years after the Steve Oronsaye panel submitted its report on restructuring and rationalising Federal Government parastatals and agencies and a white paper issued two years after, President Tinubu and the Federal Executive Council today decided to implement the report,” Onanuga wrote.
“Many agencies will be scrapped and many others will be merged, to pave the way to a leaner government,” he said.
The Presidency had since released a list of agencies to be scrapped and those to be merged.
In 2011, former President Goodluck Jonathan set up the presidential committee on the reformation of government agencies chaired by Steven Oronsaye, a former Head of Service of the Federation.
Its terms of reference included, among others, examining the enabling Acts and mandates of all the federal agencies, parastatals, and commissions to determine areas of overlap or duplication of functions.
The committee, in its report, recommended that of the 541 Statutory and Non-Statutory Federal Government Parastatals, Agencies and Commissions, 263 statutory agencies should be reduced to 161, 38 agencies should be abolished, 52 agencies should be merged, and 14 should revert to departments in ministries.
A white paper committee, headed by the then Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, reviewed the report and rejected most of the recommendations of the committee when it submitted its report in 2014.
However, even the accepted recommendations were not implemented until the Jonathan administration left office in 2015.
In 2021, the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated two committees to implement the report.
One of the committees headed by a former Head of Service, Bukar Aji, was mandated to review the Oronsaye Report and the government white paper.
The other committee chaired by Amal Pepple was mandated to review MDAs created between 2014 and 2021.
The then Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, in July 2022, set up another white paper committee, headed by Ebele Okeke, to review the report of the Pepple committee. However, the Buhari administration failed to implement the report.
While the discourse on the implementation of the report was ongoing, the National Assembly and successive governments have been creating agencies and institutions, therefore, increasing the cost of governance in the process.
The consequence of the bloated government has been the steady increase in the recurrent expenditure of the Federal Government.
On September 14, 2023, the National Livestock Reforms Committee recommended that Tinubu create a “Ministry of Livestock Resources” to, among other deliverables, reduce the decades-long gory conflict between farmers and nomadic cattle herders.
Former Kano State Governor and Chairman of the All Progressives Congress Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, disclosed this to State House Correspondents shortly after he led the committee in an audience with the President at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
It formed part of 21 recommendations captured in a document submitted to the President to enhance the Federal Government’s holistic response to the lingering cases of bloodshed.
The document spelt details of the proposed solutions where the committee advocated a reform agenda examining conflict mitigation and resource management.
On Thursday, February 29, 2024, Senate during its plenary passed for Second Reading the Bill to establish the National Assembly Budget and Research Office.
On March 12, lawmakers in the House of Representatives passed for second reading, a bill Sponsored by Uchenna Okonkwo, a lawmaker representing Idemili north and south federal constituency of Anambra state, the bill proposes to establish the bank to “provide financial support, promote investment and foster sustainable development” in the mining sector.
Similarly on the same day, the Senate pushed for first reading three new bills for the establishment of three different Federal Tertiary institutions.
The first was a bill sponsored by a Senator, Khalid Mustapha (Kaduna North) seeking for the establishment of Federal College of Education (Technical) to be situated in Saminaka in Kaduna state.
The second sponsored by Siyako Anthony (Gombe South) sought for the establishment of a Federal College of Medical Science and Laboratory Technology.
The third bill which was introduced by Akobundu Austin (Abia central) sought for the establishment of Federal College of Technology, Ikwuano in Abia state.
On March 13, 2024, a lawmaker in the House of Representatives, Clement Jimbo pushed for the establishment of a new Federal College of Medical Laboratory Science and Technology to be situated in Eka-Midim in Akwa-Ibom state.
On Tuesday, March 19,2024, another lawmaker in the lower House, Abubakar Fulata pushed for the establishment of the Nigeria Digital Literacy Management Office.
Similarly, the Senate pushed for first reading on the same day, a bill for the establishment of the Police Pension Board as sponsored by Yaroe Dauda (Adamawa North).
The Bill for the establishment of the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute was introduced for first reading in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, March 20,2024 by lawmaker Bello Ambarura.
Also on same date, the Senate pushed for first reading, a bill for the establishment of Federal College of Agriculture, Ocheja in Kogi state which was sponsored by Senator representing Kogi East, Jibrin Isah.
On the same date, a bill to establish National Institute for Education planning and administration and other matters connected therewith sponsored by Suleiman Sadiq( Kwara North) also passed second reading.
Other bills include a bill seeking to establish a national tax crimes and oversight commission has passed the second reading at the House of Representatives which was proposed on March 6, 2024.
…say 2nd anniversary of 10th House will celebrate progress, showcase institutional reforms, reinforce people connection
By Gloria Ikibah
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, has called for renewed dedication to legislative excellence and national service.
Speaker Abbas who stated this while delivering his welcome address after the Sallah and Easter recess, reflected on recent legislative achievements and outlined key priorities for the coming months.
He said: “It is my distinct pleasure to welcome you all back from the Sallah and Easter recess.
“I trust the break affordqed you the opportunity to reconnect with your families, engage with your constituents, and reflect deeply on the moral and spiritual lessons these sacred seasons inspire”.
He highlighted improvements to digital infrastructure within the chamber, which he said would “greatly facilitate legislative activities”.
Abbas reviewed the accomplishments of the House before the break, and noted that the passage of tax reform bills was designed to boost revenue generation, simplify compliance, and attract investment.
“This achievement reflects our enduring commitment to responsible economic governance and national development,” he stated.
On national security, he addressed the political crisis in Rivers State, where the House endorsed a state of emergency following a presidential proclamation.
“We inaugurated a 21-member Ad-Hoc Committee, led by the Leader of the House, to exercise oversight of the caretaker administration and safeguard democratic accountability in the state.
“That Committee has since commenced its engagement with stakeholders on the ground”, he said.
He announced plans to form a joint reconciliation committee with the Senate to promote peace and restore democratic order in Rivers and other crisis-prone regions.
Turning to citizen engagement, Speaker Abbas celebrated the launch of the Speaker’s New Media Exchange, an initiative aimed at strengthening Parliament’s connection with the public through digital platforms.
“We acknowledge the changing public discourse and aim to enhance Parliament’s connection with citizens, particularly engaging youth through modern platforms like digital influencers and online leaders,” he said.
He also referenced his opening address at the Legislative Conference on Renewable Energy in Lagos, which brought together African lawmakers, sub-national leaders, and energy experts.
“I emphasized Nigeria’s urgent need to shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy,” he said, adding that both federal and legislative actions are being aligned to support this transition.
However, he acknowledged grim developments during the recess, including renewed violence and terrorist attacks.
“Our recess was marked by distressing events, including unjustified killings in Borno, Plateau, Benue, and Kwara States.
“The resurgence of terrorist attacks in the North-East, particularly a deadly bombing near Gamboru, has claimed many civilian lives.
“The House unequivocally condemns these attacks on innocent citizens. On behalf of the House, I extend heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and urge our security agencies to not only bring the perpetrators to justice but also to redouble efforts to prevent further violence”, he stated.
On the economic front, Speaker Abbas referred to the recent Article IV consultation by the International Monetary Fund, noting the Fund’s recognition of Nigeria’s fiscal discipline under current reforms.
“However, it also called for sustained efforts to curb inflation and bolster external reserves.
“As a legislative body, we shall ensure our appropriation and oversight processes reinforce these macroeconomic objectives”, he added.
With meteorological agencies predicting severe flooding across over thirty states, Speaker Abbas called for legislative vigilance and collaboration.
He reaffirmed the House’s commitment to constitutional review and critical reforms.
“I call on all relevant committees of the House to work with the Executive branch to review the country’s emergency preparedness, propose mitigation strategies, and provide oversight over legislative frameworks on disaster risk management and climate resilience.
“Our goal remains clear. We aim to commence and complete the constitutional amendment process in good time, with broad consensus and outcomes that reflect the will of the Nigerian people.”
He stressed the urgency of passing key legislation, including the anticipated electoral reform bill, and other laws addressing unemployment, poverty, healthcare, education, and national security.
Looking ahead to the second anniversary of the 10th House of Representatives, Abbas outlined a packed calendar of public engagement.
“The coming weeks will be exceptionally busy with a series of carefully curated engagements aimed at celebrating our progress, showcasing institutional reforms, and reinforcing the connection between the Legislature and the Nigerian people.”
He announced events including a Public Policy Dialogue on 12 May in Abuja, a Citizens’ Engagement and Media Roundtable in June, and zonal media engagements in Kaduna and Lagos. A House Open Week is scheduled for July 1 to 4, along with a live media chat to mark the anniversary.
“These activities… reflect our values as the People’s House and offer critical platforms for evaluating our work, refining our agenda, and projecting our collective vision,” he said.
He urged full participation and collaboration among members and committees to ensure the success of the anniversary programmes.
“In conclusion, honourable colleagues, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for your steadfast loyalty and support.
“As we prepare to mark our second anniversary, I encourage you to continue as we have begun and recommit ourselves to national service and legislative excellence.”
“Thank you, and may the Almighty continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, he emphasised.
A judge on Monday ordered President Donald Trump’s administration to admit around 12,000 refugees into the United States, a blow to the government’s efforts to reshape America’s immigration policy.
The order clarifies the limits imposed by an appeals court ruling, which allowed the Trump administration to suspend the refugee admissions system, but said it must admit people already granted refugee status with travel plans to the United States.
The Trump administration argued at a hearing last week that it should only have to admit 160 refugees who were scheduled to travel within two weeks of an executive order in January halting the system.
But US District Judge Jamal Whitehead overruled the claim on Monday, saying “the government’s interpretation is, to put it mildly, ‘interpretive jiggerypokery’ of the highest order.
“It requires not just reading between the lines” of the appeal decision “but hallucinating new text that simply is not there,” Whitehead wrote in his order.
Whitehead had originally blocked Trump’s executive order halting refugee admissions, ruling in February that it likely violated the 1980 Refugee Act.
But his decision was overruled by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals a month later.
“Had the Ninth Circuit intended to impose a two-week limitation — one that would reduce the protected population from about 12,000 to 160 individuals — it would have done so explicitly,” Whitehead wrote.
“This Court will not entertain the government’s result-oriented rewriting of a judicial order that clearly says what it says,” he added.
The lawsuit had been brought by Jewish refugee non-profit HIAS, Christian group Church World Service, Lutheran Community Services Northwest, and a number of individuals.
Those nonprofits said in their February lawsuit that several people who had been about to travel, having sold all their belongings in their own country, were abruptly left in limbo by Trump’s order.
Refugee resettlement had been one of the few legal routes to eventual US citizenship and had been embraced by former president Joe Biden, who expanded eligibility for the program to include people affected by climate change.
Trump’s White House campaign was marked by vitriol about immigrants.
He has also pushed a vigorous program of deportations, with highly publicised military flights taking handcuffed people to countries in Latin America.
AFP
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) may free social media influencer Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan on Tuesday.
it was gathered that there are plans to formally charge him to court on Thursday.
A senior official within the anti-graft agency, who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed the development on Monday, noting that while Otse remains in custody, he has not yet been formally arraigned.
His legal representative, Deji Adeyanju, who confirmed Otse’s arrest on X, said a team of policemen arrested VDM along with his friend, C Park.
Scores of youths on Monday took to the streets of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, to protest the arrest of the activist.
The protesters, who marched from the headquarters of EFCC to the premises of a commercial bank where he was reportedly arrested, held placards with inscriptions such as “Release Very Dark Man,” and “Seyi Tinubu, Are You Involved?,” among others.
They described VDM’s arrest and detention as illegal and demanded transparency from the authorities as they vowed to take their grievance to the Nigerian Human Rights Commission, in the Maitama district of the nation’s capital.
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