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Council autonomy: Constitution for rework, says Akpabio

A fundamental constitution review aimed at ensuring full autonomy for local government is underway.
Yesterday, the Senate unfolded plans to amend the 1999 Constitution to give effect to the Supreme Court verdict on local government funding.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio said tinkering with the constitution would facilitate the implementation of the apex court judgment on autonomy.
Following the Supreme Court judgment, the State/Local Govt Joint Account Committee ceases to exist and councils were entitled to receive their allocations directly from the Federation Account.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Offences Commission (ICPC) has vowed to enforce the court ruling.
Akpabio spoke on the proposed constitution review when he received members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State loyal to the erstwhile Interim National Secretary, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, in Uyo, the state capital.
Akpabio said in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, that the constitution review will halt the manipulation of the local council system.
He said: “I thank President Bola Tinubu for looking for a way to bring the all needed autonomy to the local governments through the intervention of the Supreme Court.
“The Senate, under my leadership, will tinker with the constitution to ensure that the judgment is fully implemented without any loopholes for manipulation by the practitioners.”
The former APC’s interim scribe had defected to the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), following a disagreement with the APC leadership.
Hailing the defectors for returning to the APC, Akpabio said: “The only thing that is permanent in life is change. Before my coming into the APC, the party never won even a councillorship seat in the state and I came into the party in 2018. Then leaders of the party saw me as an enemy.
“During the 2019 elections, the APC worked against the APC. We had the best chance to have won the governorship and other elections in the state, but the then leaders refused to see it from that angle.
“I joined the APC so that we would be linked to the center and I thank God today that the dream finally came to pass in 2023.
“I am today the President of the Senate, through the grace of God Almighty, the support of President Bola Tinubu and my distinguished colleagues who elected me.
“God knew that I meant well for our people, so he elevated me to the position of the President of the Senate. When you raise people, your hands remain up and when you bring people down, your hands will also be down. So, follow person wey know road.
“On behalf of the party leadership, I welcome you back. I am happy that you have all returned to the party where you belonged. Now that you are back, May God bless you and grant the progressive desires of your hearts.”
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Eteubong Alex Umoh, Obong Kufre Akpan and Mrs Roseline Eyang acknowledged Akpabio as leader.
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FG announces April deadline for completion of East-West Road

The Federal Government has directed the contractor handling the Eleme section of the East-West Road to expedite drainage work to meet the April deadline for completion.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, issued the directive during an inspection of the ongoing 15km road upgrade from Eleme Junction to Onne in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State.
While commending Reynolds Construction Company Nigeria Limited for the quality of work done, Umahi insisted that the drainage must be prioritised to ensure timely completion.
“RCC has done very well. The work completed in the past two months is more than what was done since the project started. However, the project slowed down significantly when the site manager went on leave. I’m happy to see him back and satisfied with the quality of work RCC is delivering,” Umahi stated.
He emphasised the need to test existing road shoulders before excavation, warning against unnecessary digging for financial gains.
“The existing shoulder has to be tested throughout. I don’t want them digging up areas filled with sharp sand and stone base just to increase costs. If they don’t test it and request approval for any section they dig, they won’t get paid,” he warned.
Umahi also observed that drainage construction had either stopped or slowed significantly, urging the contractor to redesign and precast drainage systems for quicker installation, even during the rainy season.
“I’m happy with the project’s progress, and I believe they will complete the carriageway by the end of April. However, if drainage work is not completed, the project remains unfinished. They must accelerate drainage work to ensure we clear this carriageway by April,” he stated.
The minister further directed that any section of the road that has remained untouched for 21 days after concrete casting should be opened to commuters to ease traffic congestion.
“Anywhere that has stayed 21 days since concrete was cast should be opened to road users, starting today. This concrete technology will ensure the road lasts between 50 and 100 years without maintenance or reconstruction. It is a signature project of President Bola Tinubu,” he added.
Umahi also inspected the rehabilitation of the Enugu-Port Harcourt dual carriageway, Section IV (Aba–Port Harcourt), which is being handled by the Chinese Construction Engineering Company.
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Reasons behind extreme heat conditions in FCT, Niger, Kogi – NiMet

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has given reasons for the high temperatures residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Niger, Kogi and few other states are currently experiencing.
The current maximum temperature in the listed states is 40°C and the minimum is 23°C.
The Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) released last month by the agency shows that most of the northern and central states would record day-time temperatures ranging between 37°C and 40°C, while parts of Kano, Kaduna, Bauchi, and Plateau states in the North as well as Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ekiti, Edo, Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi, Imo, Abia, part of Cross River and Delta states in the South are expected to record temperatures ranging between 34°C and 37°C this month.
The agency attributed the high temperatures to climate change and advised Nigerians to embrace a lifestyle switch.
Residents of the states experiencing high temperatures are advised to avoid exposure to direct sunlight between noon and 3 p.m.
There are also indications that this year may be hotter than last year, which was described as the hottest year.
NiMet’s Director of Weather Services, Prof. Vincent Weli, announced this while speaking on phone with The Nation yesterday. He said: “Everything is embedded in the climate change theory. Every experience we are having now is a result of climate change. The hotness, in general, is because of climate change.
“Abuja, Lokoja, and Minna are located within the same ecological zone and these towns share the same weather pattern. Whatever happens to Lokoja will affect Minna and Abuja because they are in the same route of the flow of wind and also lie within the same climatic zone. Also, these towns have the same vegetation pattern.
“So, since they are within the same climatic belt, everything that affects Minna and the FCT will affect Lokoja accordingly. The heat is affecting everywhere, not just these towns mentioned. We said last year was the hottest in the history of the earth but this year already is trying to beat it to become the hottest.
“So, as the year increases, it’s obvious that we are going to have higher temperatures. I don’t know where we are headed with this trend, but something needs to be done to reverse the trend.”
To make the best of the situation, Prof. Weli said: “What can reverse the trend is for us to encourage every activity of man that will reduce the emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, such as the use of electric cars, solar power and planting of trees.
“These will be other sources of energy other than the use of diesel and petrol and other hydrocarbon compounds that we use as sources of power. Also, we should plant more trees to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The more we plant trees, the more we reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and the more we increase the oxygen.”
The NiMet director urged residents of the affected states with high temperatures to take necessary action to overcome the hot weather.
He said: “In order not to experience what we call heat stroke, people should drink more water often, keep themselves off the direct impact of sunlight between 12 p.m (noon) and 3 p.m. If people do not expose their bodies to the direct impact of sunlight, it will reduce water loss from the system.
“So, people should drink more water than necessary. Otherwise, their systems will be dehydrated, and that will cause secondary health issues.”
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JAMB begins sales of 2025 direct entry forms March 12

Registration for this year’s Direct Entry (DE) form will begin tomorrow, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has said.
The board said the registration process is crucial for those who possess degrees, diplomas, or A-Level certificates and wish to advance their education at their preferred universities.
JAMB’s Public Communications Advisor, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, announced this in a statement yesterday in Abuja.
The statement said the announcement for the commencement of the DE sales followed the successful conclusion of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) application sales, which ended on Saturday, March 8.
“During this period, JAMB recorded a total of 2,030,627 registrations for the 2025 UTME, along with 200,115 for the Mock-UTME and 630 applications for the trial mock,” the statement said.
It added: “JAMB has emphasised the importance of adhering to all entry requirements, warning that serious penalties will be imposed on applications containing false declarations. A special committee will verify all submitted Advanced A-Level Qualifications, and any fraudulent results will lead to prosecution. Additionally, institutions are encouraged to directly verify certificates before considering admissions.
“Registration can only be done at JAMB Professional Registration Centres (PRC).”
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