News

Tinubu’s govt will guarantee better future, says Akpabio

Published

2 days ago

October 21, 2024

Senate President Godswill Akpabio at the weekend acknowledged the current challenges in the country but assured Nigerians that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government will leave behind a lasting legacy that will guarantee a better future.

Akpabio, a law graduate of the University of Calabar, made the remarks at the UNICAL ’87 Law Class Re-Union 2024, according to a statement by his Media Aide, Jackson Udom in Abuja.

Addressing his audience which included his old classmates and Senators who accompanied him, UNICAL management staff and students, Akpabio said the current difficulties that Nigerians are going through were the results of past maladministration in the country.

The Senate President said: “The difficulties we are witnessing in our nation today were not caused by the present administration. These are as a result of years of maladministration.

“Any country that does not have backbone infrastructure, you don’t have something to develop, you don’t save for the raining day, when there is economic malaise such as we are witnessing in the world today, such country is bound to be affected.

“The good news is that under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we have hope today, that there is light at the end of the tunnel. The things that we are trying to do now, we are doing it for posterity. Not for ourselves. Be assured that this administration will leave behind lasting legacies that will guarantee a better future,” he said.

Earlier, Akpabio led his old classmates to pay separate courtesy visits to the Governor of Cross River State, Prince Bassey Otu and the Vice Chancellor of UNICAL, Professor Florence Obi who later narrated legion of challenges currently facing the institution particularly the the area of infrastructure.

Akpabio told the University management that the ’87 Law Class decided to congregate at the institution primarily to do an evaluation on the state of affairs of their alma mater and to see how best they could be of assistance to the institution that nurtured them.

Akpabio announced, on behalf of the ’87 Law Class, donation of two Coaster buses for the Faculty of Law and UNICAL Student Union Government(SUG).

Governor Otu, also a UNICAL graduate, assured the ’87 Law Class that visited him that the government of Cross River State would partner with them on whatever they planned to do for the institution.

“We want to look at what you will do and Cross River State will also partner with you and add to whatever you are going to do,” Governor Otu said.

Also speaking at the re-union, the Patron of the ’87 Law Class, Justice Okon Abang of the Court of Apeal, observed that the journey of his former classmates to the level they are now had not been without challenges.

“As I reflect on the accomplishment of this class, I am overwhelmed by how much we have collectively contributed to the legal profession and to the progress of our great nation and the entire commonwealth of nations,” Justice Abang said.

Other highlights of the three-day events included a Re-Union Lecture delivered by the Director General, Government Business, Akwa Ibom State, Ambassador Assam Assam (SAN); thanksgiving service at the UNICAL Chapel of Redemption, unveiling and presentation of law books to the UNICAL Faculty of law by the ’87 Law Class and presentation of plaques to the Senate President, UNICAL Vice Chancellor, Dean of Law Faculty and four other Distinguished members of the class.

In addition, the University management also made Akpabio’s bust statue and presented it to him by the Vice Chancellor in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the growth of his alma mater.

News

Reps Pass For Second Reading Bill To Create New Oyo State

Published

6 hours ago

October 22, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has passed for second reading “A bill seeking the alteration of the 1999 Constitution to create a New Oyo State” on Thursday at plenary.

The bill which is sponsored by Rep. Akeem Adeyemi, lawmaker representing Oyo Federal Constituency of Oyo State,

will have Oyo town as the capital city.

Leading the debate on the general principles of the bill, Rep. Adeyemi said the agitation for the creation of New Oyo State is not entirely new.

He said: “The 2014 national conference held in Abuja recommended in its final report for the creation of New Oyo State with Oyo town as its capital.”

“It’s noteworthy that the present Oyo State deserves to be split into two being the largest state in terms of landmass in the South-West geo-political zone with 33 local governments and a population of 5,580,894 people (2006 census). The New Oyo State when created, has all the factors to be economically and politically viable and sustainable.”

He highlighted the expansive agricultural and water potentials, mineral resources including gold, kaolin and limestone as well as tourism as some of the endowments that would give the proposed State a head start when created.

“The call to make the capital of the proposed New Oyo State is justified considering the physical administrative and government facilities currently situated in Oyo town. Oyo metropolis is the repository and the citadel of the linguistic and cultural heritage of Yoruba land, the seat of the old Oyo Kingdom which encompassed the original provincial set-up of the colonial master from which Ibadan, Province was carved out in 1936.

“The Erelu Dam in Oyo metropolis supplies water to the four Local Government Areas in Oyo zones as the second largest water reservoir in the present Oyo state. The Government Reservation Area in the Oyo metropolis is one of the first and the largest GRAs to be established in the country and could serve as a temporary Government House for the proposed New Oyo State.

“There are 14 functional branches of Ministries, Parastatals and Agencies of present Oyo State Government in Oyo metropolis which could be effectively used as take-off officers for the proposed new Oyo State. Oyo town is the only provincial headquarters in the federation today that has not become a State Capital, hence the call for balancing of this national equation.

“In terms of security, the Nigeria Police Area Command in metropolitan Oyo which covers 14 of the 19 Local Governments in the proposed New Oyo State can serve effectively as the Police Headquarters of the State Command in the proposed State”, he added.

The lawmaker emphasised that the Federal Medium Security Prison was currently situated in Oyo town.

This piece of legislation is expected to be subjected to a public hearing ahead of third reading and concurrence by the Senate.

News

Constitution Review: Reps to Engage NGF, NGE, LG Chairmen, CSOs, Others

Published

6 hours ago

October 22, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

…as Kalu announces membership of sub-committees

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has it will engage the Nigerian Governors Forum, Nigeria Guild of Editors, Conference of Speakers of State Legislature, Chairmen of the 18 Political Parties, Civil Society Organisations, amongst others, as part of its activities for the ongoing constitutional review.

The Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the Committee on Constitution Review, Rep. Benjamin Kalu who disclosed this during the committee’s meeting in Abuja, said the House will be holding an international legislative dialogue on women on October 28 and zonal public hearings in January.

Kalu stated that the committee is on track to deliver to Nigerians, a new Constitution by December, 2025, even as he noted that the essence of the engagements was to get the input of various stakeholders and brief them on what the committee is doing.

He said that the Committee in carrying out most of its assignments, will be broken down into subcommittees, which will not be exhaustive as additional members will be included later on to ensure that everyone is carried along.

He said: “The Sub-committees members according to thematic areas include: Local Government Matters, Rt Hon. Julius Ihonvbere, Hon. Onwuzibe Ginger Obinna, Hon. Aliyu Wakili Boya , Hon. Jimbo Inemesiti Clement, Hon. Ibrahim Tukura Kabir, Hon. Abeji Leke Joseph, Hon. Olawuyi Olatunji Raheem, Hon. Ahmed Idris.

“Judiciary, Rt. Hon. Bello Kumo ii. Hon. Ogene Victor Afamefuna ii. Hon. Manu Zoro Mansur iv. Hon. Agbedi Fredrick Vv. Hon. Benson Babajimi Adegoke vi. Hon. Gbewfi Gaza Jonathan, Hon. Mamudu Abdulahi vili. Hon. Sada Soli.

“Electoral Matters: Rt. Hon. Ali Abdulahi Ibrahim ii. Hon. Tarkighir Dickson iii. Hon. Aliyu Muhktar Betara iv. Hon. Ofionu Goodwin Odey Ekpo v. Hon. Osoba Olumide Babatunde vi. Hon. Adegboyega Adefarati vil. Hon. Oke Olubusayo Oluwole vill. Hon. Abiodun James Faleke.”

“Security Architecture, Hon. Isa Ali JC li. Hon. Pondi Julius G. ii. Hon. Chinedu Nweke Ogah, Hon. Akpatason Peter, Hon. Olayide Adedeji Stanley, Hon. Ajang Alfred Iliya,cHon. Bob Solomon, Hon. Igariwey Iduma Enwo.

“Gender Issues – Rt. Hon. Onanuga Adewunmi Oriyomi li. Hon. Rotimi Akintunde Oluwaseun li. Hon. Mohammed Audu iv. Hon. Fatima Talba Vv. Hon. Zainab Gimba vi. Hon. Princess Miriam Odina vii. Hon. Akume Regina viii. Hon. Ogbara Adetola Kafilat.

“Devolution of Powers & Other Special Matters: “Rt. Hon. Chinda Kingsley Ogundu ii. | Rt. Hon Madaki Aliyu Sanni iii. Hon. Obed Paul Shehu, Hon. Amadi Akarachi Etinose, Hon. Fulata Abubakar Hassan vi. Hon. Kabir Amadu vii. Hon. Mohammed Danjuma Hassan viii. Hon. Francis Waive.

“Members of the Committee on Human Rights include: Rt. Hon. Ozodinobi George Ibezimako, Hon. Magaji Amos Gwamina, Hon. Yusuf Rabiu, Hon. Mohammed Abubakar Ahmed v. Hon. Sunday Cyriacus Omehia, Hon. Ajiya Abdulrahaman and Hon. Dasuki Abdlsamad.”

The Deputy Speaker, thereafter assured that clear actionable recommendations from the women summit holding next week will be taken forward in the constitutional alteration exercise.

He added that the summit will help in building of political will and eliciting of commitments from political leaders and stakeholders.

News

Reps Examine Bill Seeking Military Involvement In Farming, Ranching

Published

6 hours ago

October 22, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

As a way to support the efforts of the Federal Government to tackle rising food crisis in the country, the House of Representatives is considering a bill which seeks direct involvement of the military in farming, ranching and other agricultural-related activities in Nigeria.

The bill titled, “A Bill for an Act to Establish the Armed Forces Farms and Ranches Scheme, Enhance Food Security, Promote Economic Diversification and for Other Related Matters,” was passsed first reading on the floor of the House last week, and is sponsored by Rep. Babajimi Benson, member representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency of Lagos State.

Naijablitznews.com recalled that in July 2024, the Federal Government, directed that the lands owned by the military be used for agricultural purposes, as part of efforts to mitigate the ongoing food crisis in the country.

In addition, Vice President Kashim Shettima last week received a delegation from the World Food Programme at the Aso Rock Villa, in, where he restated the commitment of the Tinubu-led administration to address the challenges of food insecurity.

This piece of legislation stipulates that the “Armed Forces Farms and Ranches Scheme shall be implemented by the Armed Forces of Nigeria under the supervision of the Minister of Defence in collaboration with relevant government agencies, private sector partners and international organisations.”

Section 3 of the bill listed the objective of the scheme to include “Enhancing national food security by increasing agricultural production; utilising military resources for large-scale farming projects and promoting economic diversification by fostering the development of agriculture as a viable alternative to the oil-dependent economy.”

Others are “To empower communities through the establishment of large-scale agricultural projects as well as providing agricultural training and opportunities for military personnel and civilians.”

Part III of the bill deals with the functions and powers of the scheme. “The scheme shall allocate military-controlled arable land for farming activities; provide training and capacity-building programmes for military personnel and local farmers and collaborate with other government agencies , private sector partners and international organisations for funding, technology and expertise,” sub-section 4 of Part III reads.

The Scheme shall have the power to “Acquire, hold and manage arable land for the purpose of agricultural production and implement integrated farming systems, including crop cultivation, livestock rearing and fish farming,” among others.

When passed into law, the scheme shall be managed by a board led by a chairperson to be appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Minister of Defence.

Other members of the management board shall include representatives from “All services of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Ministries of Agriculture and Finance, two representatives from the private sector with expertise in agriculture and/or agribusiness.”

Also included is “A representative from an international organisation with agricultural expertise or a recognized agricultural research institution.”

In Part VI (14),the bill provides for the funding of the scheme “Through annual budgetary allocation from the Federal Government.”

Other sources of funding shall include “Grants, donations and loans from local and international avenues and revenues generated from the sale of agricultural produce and value-added products.

14 (2) provides for the establishment of a dedicated fund known as “The Armed Forces Farms and Ranches Scheme Fund, for the management of financial resources.”

To promote accountability and transparency, the bill in Section 15 (2) makes provision for the yearly audit of the scheme’s finances.

“The accounts of the scheme shall be audited annually by the Office of the Auditor General For the Federation and a report shall be submitted to the National Assembly,” the sub-section reads.