News

Reps To Probe Ikwechegh For Assaulting E-hailing Cab Driver

Published

6 months ago

October 29, 2024

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the recent unprincipled conduct of one of its member, Rep. Mascott Ikwechegh, lawmaker representing Aba North and South Federal Constituency of Abia state, who assaulted a e-hailing cab driver on Sunday October 27, 2024, in Abuja.

This was sequel to the adoption of a prayer of the Leader of the House, Rep. Julius Ihonbvere, coming under privilege of the House rule on Tuesday at plenary.

The House Leader stated that the image of the House must be protected especially the fact that there has been a conscious efforts from previous assemblies to remove negative image when interacting with the outside world.

According to him, “It is the way you do your house, the role you have to manage your house, that outsiders will see, and give respect to the problems in your house”.

“In fact, Mr. Speaker, the tendency has been for people, particularly in certain sectors, to say how to respect the existence of the house of rules.

“In this house, we come from different professional backgrounds, and different cultures, and many of us have invested so heavily into improving the reputation before we came here. It is that reputation that we brought to the Representatives, that has a huge impact on education.

“We all have to meditate where we go, who we talk to, how we talk to them, how we relate to them. And sometimes you do not have to just allow this to happen. Sometimes you have to help the institution, and we have the responsibility to do this.

“To lead this institution to where it can go, where we can handle it, so that those that will come to the house, will have a place to be part of us. Our goal is to have together a value in that stands.

“I want to say that what has been in the news, and what we have learned about it, is that one of our members was involved with a citizen”.

But Rep. Ikwechegh coming under personal explanation, explained and apologised to the House for his unprincipled conduct and the use of derogatory words on the e-hailing cab driver and said that the matter was been resolved with the driver.

Rep. Babajimi Benson, lawmaker representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency of Lagos State, said Parliament is one of the most hated institutions in Nigeria and the reason members must be guided and know that Nigerians are authority over lawmakers.

He said: “Mr. Speaker, our elders have always said that the day we stop learning is the day we die. They also say that we learn from mistakes and not from successes. However, Parliament is one of the most hated institutions in Nigeria today.

“We are watched morning, afternoon and night, despite the fact that most of us have very noble intentions for the people of Nigeria. We should always be guided and also know that we are not an authority over Nigerians, Nigerians are an authority over us.

“They should be treated with dignity, with respect and with kindness at all times. So if we abideby this politically, Mr. Speaker, we will begin and continue to change that heavily battered image, the garment of which we all wear. So I call on you, Mr. Speaker, I raise my case on these three points”.

The presiding officer in person of the Deputy Speaker, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, said the House was guided by its rules and that if the integrity of the House was threatened then it calls for an investigative.

“The truth is that we cannot act according to our rules. We cannot act according to what anyone wants us to do. We are guided by our rules. And I also maintain that if at any point we feel that the integrity, the dignity of the parliament, has been threatened, has been scratched, we will investigate through our impartial structure in the eyes of principles of Nigerian justice, which is fair dialogue.

“That is what we put in our rules. It is not good for us to judge, you know, ahead of time and take the last decision. Therefore, in line with the prayers of the leader of the house, that this matter be referred to the committee of eighties and privilege for him to be heard”.

Whe put to vote the House unanimously adopted the motion and mandated its Commitee on Ethics and Privileges to investigate and report back within 2 weeks for further legislative action.

News

Benue LG chairman gives Fulanis 48hrs to leave all farmlands

Published

5 hours ago

April 27, 2025

ADMIN

The chairman of Agatu Local Government Area in Benue State, James Melvin Ejeh, has given Fulani herdsmen a 48-hour notice to leave all agricultural lands.

This announcement was made during a stakeholders’ meeting on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the council secretariat in Obagaji.

The meeting included traditional leaders, representatives from the Fulani community, youth leaders, and security personnel to discuss the increasing concerns regarding herders’ activities on farmland as the planting season nears.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Agatu LGA Chairman, Obochi Solomon, reported that Ejeh highlighted the importance of safeguarding agricultural activities in Agatu in light of the upcoming planting season.

He remarked that agriculture is essential to the local economy and that farmers should have unhindered access to their lands.

Ejeh also acknowledged the current peace in the region but reiterated that maintaining uninterrupted farming activities is of utmost importance.

“Our farmers must cultivate without disruption. We will do everything necessary to create a safe environment for them,” he said.

The statement further disclosed that during the meeting, the Ado of the Fulani requested a one-week extension to allow the herders to prepare for their relocation, a request that the council approved.

The CPS noted that the General Youth Chairman of Agatu LGA, Oloche Silas, committed on behalf of the Agatu youth to support the peaceful evacuation process and to avoid any acts of violence.

Security personnel, including members of the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS), were reported to have praised the peaceful resolution of the issue and promised to offer necessary assistance during the relocation.

Additionally, representing the Och’Agatu, Chief John Agidani, spoke at the meeting, commending the leadership of the Council Chairman and urging all parties to adhere to the agreement.

News

Five suspected kidnappers eliminated by police in Delta

Published

5 hours ago

April 27, 2025

ADMIN

Five alleged kidnappers have reportedly died after a fierce gun battle with operatives of the CP-Special Assignment Team.

The suspects were confirmed dead in a hospital they were rushed to for medical attention.

Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe who confirmed the development in a statement, stated that the incident occurred on 21st April 2025.

The police image maker disclosed that operatives of the CP-Special Assignment team, acting on intelligence relating to kidnapping in Ubuluku, Isseluku, Issele-Asagba, and environs by one Bello Abubakar and his gang members, stormed one of their hideouts in Agu-Amawbia forest, Anambra State.

SP Edafe pointed out that during the raid of the suspects hideout in the forest, the operatives recovered one AK-47 rifle and one hundred and thirty-two rounds of live ammunition.

He further said the investigation was extended to another of their hideouts in a forest between Issele-Asagba and Utulu, where the said Bello Abubakar and his gang members were waiting in ambush.

According to the police image maker, the suspected kidnappers attacked the policemen in a fierce gun battle, but the team, who were aware of the battle ahead, reciprocated in like manner.

SP Edafe added that the manhunt for other injured fleeing suspects is ongoing.

News

Francophone Ambassadors, Nigeria Unite To Fight Against Climate Change

Published

10 hours ago

April 27, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The Ambassador of Bulgaria to Nigeria and President of the Francophone Ambassadors Group, Amb. Yanko Yordanov has reaffirmed the commitment of French-speaking countries to work closely with Nigeria in promoting environmental protection, democracy, and cultural exchange.

Speaking during the 2025 Francophonie celebration in Abuja, the Ambassador explained that although the International Day of La Francophonie is usually marked in March, they decided to hold the event in April to accommodate broader participation.

“This is a gathering that encompasses the meaning of La Francophonie. In French-speaking countries, the Francophone countries, we are uniting together to celebrate the diversity, our values, our mission, and, of course, to celebrate together with Nigeria. Because we are partners, we share the same values, and we have the same concerns,” he said.

Addressing the theme of the event, which includes environmental preservation and afforestation, the ambassador stressed that climate change is a shared challenge that must be tackled together.

“I think that it is a very important theme and La Francophonie has a lot to say and a lot to do in cooperation with countries, our partners like Nigeria, which are really equally affected by the climate change. So we want to raise the awareness of the importance of fighting the climate change in a way that benefits all nations, that mitigates really the climate change effect and that benefits the lives of all the citizens of all the worlds on the planet,” he said.

Reflecting on his experience leading the Francophone ambassadors in Nigeria, he said he was proud of the progress made in deepening ties between Nigeria and the Francophone community.

“I have been honoured to chair the informal group of the Francophone ambassadors in Nigeria for the past two years and I am proud of what we have achieved together in terms of making La Francophonie much more popular, much more understandable and much more visible in Nigeria,” he said.

He explained that the group, made up of over 25 ambassadors, has not only promoted Francophone culture in Nigeria but has also worked to showcase Nigeria’s rich heritage across Francophone countries Their joint efforts also span areas like trade, investment, political relations, and cultural exchanges.

“I think that the success of our group, which is very visible, is based on the cooperation with Nigeria, which is our partner, which shares our values and our mission, including in the area of the fight against climate change, which affects not only the Francophones, but also all the others, including Nigeria,” he added.

He emphasized that the partnership between Francophone nations and Nigeria is built on shared principles of humanity, democracy, and the rule of law.

“So we are very happy to cooperate with Nigeria in many directions, including the visibility of these problems and the visibility of the decisions and successes that we can achieve together in this area. I would like to say that the Francophones and Nigeria have the same mission. It is humanity. It is the promotion of democracy, of the rule of law. So we are very, very happy and proud to be able to cooperate with Nigeria,” the envoy stated.

Every year, the celebration of “La Francophonie” is an opportunity to highlight the richness of French-speaking cultures and linguistic diversity. It also pro ides an opportunity to promote the French language as a tool for solidarity and cooperation in tackling major challenges such as sustainable development.

This year, the celebrations planned as part of the Month of La Francophonie in Nigeria showcased how the French-speaking countries work together in the service of energy transition, the protection of fauna and flora and the development of new ecosystems.