Belief in one country will put Nigeria on right path~ Says Tinubu.

Belief in one country will put Nigeria on right path~ Says Tinubu. 

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday, December 14, said that nationhood and belief in one country will put Nigeria on the right path.

Tinubu made this assertion in his speech at the lecture/Colloquium in Abuja to mark Senate president Godswill Akpabio’s 61st birthday.

The theme of the event was “Legislative Agenda for National Development.”

Tinubu described Akpabio as a man who is committed to the value of national development.

He said: “The opportunity you (Akpabio) offered us to listen to the lead speaker and his recommendations will be definitely looked into for a more deeper legislative activity and collaboration between all of us.

“We will work together. While we consider the affairs of this country, the nationhood and the belief in one country will put us on the right path.

“Having you as a partner and I think (Tajudeen) Abbas as a partner, as the Speaker, is good enough for me to succeed.

“Inshallah, we will succeed. I appreciate Godswill Akpabio, God will help you, God will guide you.

“I believe in the person of Godswill Akpabio; he is truly Godswill.

“I know him as as a governor, as a commissioner in Akwa-Ibom. We share the same vision even though he was a commissioner, he is extremely inquisitive.

“He transformed Akwa-Ibom tremendously. He built one of the most effective drainage systems in Akwa-Ibom. Today, up till now, no matter how heavy the rain is, you will never find casualties.

“All the other beautiful things you (Akpabio) did, the stadium, the hotel, that caring for the lives of the people of Akwa-Ibom, is exceptionally great.

“On this occasion of your birthday anniversary, I’m delighted to join your family, friends, colleagues and Nigerians from across the country wishing you long life, good health, peace, satisfaction and gratitude for abiding grace of God Almighty.”

On his part, Akpabio said that the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration “is real and this government is a corrective government.

“Our legislative agenda is going to be people-centred,” he said.

He also said that the National Assembly would consider the recommendations spelt out by the guest speaker.

“We have taken note that we should unbundle INEC; we have taken note that we should involve our traditional rulers.

“We have taken note that most of the colonial laws are still in existence by virtue of the constitutional law given to us. We will work on these things,” he said.

Similarly, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas said that Akpabio, throughout his distinguished career, showed valuable assistance, strategic thinking and innovative leadership.

The Chairman of the occasion and former Senate president, Anyim Pius Anyim noted that Akpabio has a date with destiny.

“You have emerged as President of the Senate at a time so much dexterity is required to redirect the course of our nation, reset our national agenda, and re- envision our future as a people.”

Anyim insisted on the need to align legislative agenda with the executive agenda.

He said that the agenda when properly aligned, would reset national priorities, bench mark national interest and redefine development.

Earlier, the Guest Speaker and former President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Dr Olisa Agbakoba SAN, said the country must to tackle insecurity, to restore peace and development.

Agbakoba said: “The first question is how can we find peace. Is it by armed force? It will be by executive and legislative processes.

“We can’t win, in my opinion, the war by armed force. So I will suggest to the National Assembly to consider the possibility of inviting the ethnic nationalities, the owners of Nigeria.

“The traditional rulers that are being ignored, I believe they have a hand in the constitutional process. If this is done we will achieve peace.

“Together with our traditional rulers who I think are being ignored in the process, we might be able to resolve these Boko Haram IPOB crisis.”

He also insisted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) “is doing far too much” and therefore must be unbundled.

According to him, “INEC is doing far too much. In the (Mohammed) Uwais report, we recommended creating the Electoral Offences Commission.

“I urge the 10th National Assembly to simply enact the recommendations. The Electoral Act makes a mockery of democracy, so we can correct that by passing all the recommendations of the Uwais Panel.”

The Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau who was also the Host of the event said that the colloquium was the culmination of events to mark the 61st birthday of Akpabio.

He described Akpabio as a leader par excellence who was always willing to give his quota to the development of the country.

“Hence the decision to organise this colloquium in order to contribute to the effort of the Senate and the entire Nigeria towards giving Nigerians the best.

“Leading to the transformation of our dear country in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of our President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“The 10th Senate feels that as we work with the President of this country to lay the foundation for the Renewed Hope Agenda of this administration, the time has come for us to draw attention to the critical mandate imposed on the Senate and the National Assembly by the Constitution.

“And to engender an inclusive process of executing the mandate by working with a broad section of our society to design a legislative agenda for national development.”

Barau further said that the National Assembly was in the process of reshaping the Constitution and legal frameworks that would make good governance a way of life and democratic consolidation the legitimate expectations of the people.

Dignitaries that graced the event include the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and traditional rulers and members of the diplomatic corps.

We will institutionalise youth leadership programme – Speaker Abbas.

We will institutionalise youth leadership programme – Speaker Abbas.

Rt  Honorable Tajudeen Abbas 

The speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has announced that under his leadership, the 10th House intends to institutionalise the Legislative Mentorship Initiative (LMI) initiated by his predecessor as an institution for leadership training for young Nigerians.

The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, made this known in a statement on Thursday evening in Abuja.

According to the statement, Speaker Abbas, while addressing the second cohorts of the LMI at the National Assembly at an interactive session on Thursday, was optimistic that the mentorship scheme would turn the training into good leaders in the future.

At the session were the Deputy Chief Whip of the House, Hon. Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga; the Executive Secretary, National Assembly Library Trust Fund, Hon. Henry Nwawuba; Director, LMI, Chimdi Neliaku; and the Chief of Staff to the Speaker, Prof. Jake Dan-Azumi.

“I hope that the experience garnered from this mentorship programme will be a source of inspiration to you and spur you into a sojourn in the legislative field either as legislators, legislative aides, staff, or professionals providing experts’ advice to legislators and legislative committees,” Speaker Abbas said.

The speaker commended the initiator of the LMI, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for exposing the youth to the federal parliament.

Gbajabiamila initiated the LMI as Speaker in the 9th National Assembly.

Speaker Abbas said: “My deepest gratitude goes to my predecessor, who initiated this mentorship programme as a way of exposing younger ones into the legislative tradition of our nation.

“I pledge the resolve of the 10th House to sustain this laudable initiative and strengthen it even further. We will continue to identify with the initiative, expand it and provide all necessary support to institutionalise it even beyond the 10th House. As I look forward to witnessing your growth and contributions to our nation’s governance, I urge you to make the most use of this rare opportunity.” 

While congratulating the cohorts for being part of the mentorship programme, the Speaker said it was a demonstration of their passion to understand the intricacies of the legislature.

“As you embark on this journey as part of the second cohort of the Legislative Mentorship Initiative, I urge you to embrace this opportunity with open minds and receptive hearts. Your selection into this cohort is a clear recognition of your strong desire to learn and grow within the realm of legislative governance. I have no doubt that it will serve as a springboard for even greater contributions to the cause of national service.

“As you undertake this mentorship programme, I encourage you to approach each day with curiosity, humility, and a willingness to learn from those who have walked this path before you. The knowledge and insights you will gain during this experience will undoubtedly shape your understanding of our legislative processes and equip you with the necessary tools and skills for future callings. 

“I am confident that each of you possesses the potential to become future leaders who will uphold the values of integrity, empathy, and dedication to public service. As you engage with seasoned legislators and mentors, I urge you to seize every opportunity to glean wisdom from their experiences and perspectives,” Speaker Abbas said.

While noting that the House is made up of members elected from 360 federal constituencies across the country, Speaker Abbas said: “This is the most diversified so far in the history of the National Assembly in terms of party representation as it has members elected from eight political parties.”

He added: “The 10th House is the most youthful in the history of the National Assembly, with the majority of its members within the IPU benchmark for young parliamentarians at 25–45 years old. The 10th House has the highest turnover rate in the history of the House, with 277 first time members. The House has 10 leadership positions and identifies itself as the ‘People’s House.”

The Director of LMI, Neliaku, earlier in her opening remark, noted that the 45 “distinguished, young emerging leaders” were drawn from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, with a 60-40 gender ratio.

“These young leaders have been selected from the pool of over 5000 applications for this programme. So, before you, Your Excellency, are the best of the best that Nigeria has produced,” Neliaku noted.

Speaker, LMI Parliament, Bernice Abeku, in her vote of thanks after Speaker Abbas had answered a series of questions from the trainees and took a photograph with each of them, thanked the speaker for identifying with the youth.

Welch to become Premier League’s first female referee.

Welch to become Premier League’s first female referee.

In Pic: Rebecca Welch

 

Rebecca Welch will become the first female referee for a Premier League fixture when she officiates Fulham’s match against Burnley on 23 December.

Welch, 40, began refereeing in 2010, and in January became the first woman to referee a men’s Championship game.

Sam Allison will also take charge of a top-flight match in December, making him the Premier League’s first black referee for 15 years.

In Pic: Sam Allison

He will oversee Sheffield United’s match against Luton on 26 December.

Uriah Rennie – the league’s last black referee – retired from officiating in English football’s top four divisions in 2009. The EFL’s last non-white referee – Jarnail Singh – retired in 2010.

“These are pivotal moments for Rebecca and Sam, who are two officials of real quality,” referees’ chief Howard Webb told BBC Sport.

“They deserve their opportunity.”

In July, the Football Association laid out plans to recruit 50% more referees from “historically under-represented” backgrounds by 2026, targeting an increase of 1,000 women referees and 1,000 black or Asian referees at all levels of football in three years.

Currently, 8% of officials are of black or Asian ethnicity, but only 3% in professional football. No black or Asian referee has taken charge of a Premier League game since Rennie’s final match in 2008.

Former firefighter Allison, who has previously spoken about encouraging more officials from under-represented backgrounds, was promoted to the Football League in 2020 and was moved up to the Championship earlier this year.

Welch has also refereed in the Championship this year, as well as taking charge of Women’s Super League and Women’s Champions League matches and refereeing at the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in the summer.

She was the first woman to take charge of an FA Cup third-round tie in 2022 after being added to the EFL’s national list for men’s football, which oversees both League One and League Two fixtures.

Welch made history in November when she became the first woman to be involved in the Premier League in a refereeing capacity, taking up the role of fourth official when Manchester United beat Fulham 1-0 at Craven Cottage.

“Rebecca has been exposed to some big games and I am really confident she will deliver a game in the Premier League and be a really good model for women and girls to think refereeing is for them,” said Webb.

“Sam deserves his chance as well. Maybe that will serve as a role model for other young people who maybe previously thought refereeing might not be for them.

“Hopefully they can show that refereeing can be for anybody – if you have the love of the game and the qualities required, you can make it to the very top.”

We Are Transforming Nigeria With The Support Of National Assembly ~ Says Tinubu.

We Are Transforming Nigeria With The Support Of National Assembly ~ Says Tinubu.

President Bola Tinubu says the efforts of his administration to transform Nigeria’s economy are yielding results with the support of the National Assembly led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas. 

Speaking at a colloquium to mark the 61st birthday of the Senate President, on Thursday in Abuja, President Tinubu said the challenges facing the country will be jointly assessed by the executive and legislature with a view to evolving implementable solutions for the good of Nigerians.

“Having Senate President Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Right Honourable Abbas, on my side is enough for me to succeed, and we will succeed," he said.

Extolling the leadership credentials of the Senate President, President Tinubu said the Chairman of the National Assembly has always shown commitment to national development, starting out as a commissioner in Akwa Ibom State, where he understudied Lagos; drew up a blueprint and implemented it as a two-term Executive Governor. 

“I believe in the person of Sen. Godswill Akpabio. He is truly in God’s will for his life. I was governor in Lagos State from 1999 to 2007, and he was a commissioner. 

“As a commissioner, he was extremely inquisitive about what was going on in Lagos. I didn’t know then that he wanted to be a governor. As governor, he transformed Akwa Ibom tremendously,’’ the President stated. 

President Tinubu recalled how some of the economic and social programmes initiated by Senator Akpabio, when he was governor, developed the state, noting that the drainage system Senator Akpabio constructed had saved many lives and livelihoods.

In his remarks, the Senate President commended President Tinubu for his visionary leadership, most recently demonstrated in the quality of decisions taken so far to ensure improved security and a revamped economy. 

“You are the first President who openly stepped out and said you believed that someone like me would make a difference as Senate President.

“It is not that the National Assembly is an appendage of the executive. President Tinubu is the first to get it right. Mr. President, there’s no country that you have been to that investors did not rush to meet with you,’’ Senator Akpabio said. 

The Senate President assured the President that the National Assembly would work with him to transform the country, adding that, “we did not come for a boxing bout. We came to transform Nigeria."

The Speaker of the House of Representatives thanked the President for articulating his economic vision clearly for the National Assembly, departing from what he described as "impulsive programmes.""

The keynote speaker, Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), appreciated the President for his courage and diligence in leading the nation on the path of growth and recovery with innovative ideas and for appointing competent hands to run the affairs of the country.

Oyebanji lifts 48 indigent citizens with N20m.

 Oyebanji lifts 48 indigent citizens with N20m.

In his drive to reduce poverty among indigenes of the state, Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has empowered another set of 48 indigent citizens of the state with cash and material support to the tune of N20 million. 

Disbursing the fund on behalf of the Governor on Wednesday at the Conference Hall of the Governor’s office, Ado-Ekiti, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor, Governor’s Office, Mrs Sola Abe, said the intervention was in line with the fulfillment of Governor Oyebanji’s campaign promises of shared prosperity and reduction of poverty among the populace.

Mrs Abe who explained that the intervention ranged from payment of school fees, medical bills, expansion of businesses with necessary equipment among others, is a way of providing succour to vulnerable indigenes of the state who are in serious need of financial assistance to improve their livelihood.

She noted that Governor Oyebanji is passionate about helping the less privileged even before he became Governor, and hence, he had earmarked certain amount from his personal purse every month for this cause. 

This, according to her, is a way of reaching out and rendering a helping hand to the needy indigenes that are not employed but have some vocational skills.

The Governor’s aide charged all the beneficiaries to spend the money and utilize the equipment judiciously, adding that what they all requested for were given to them without any reduction.

She also stated that a monitoring team would visit them regularly to know how they are faring and see that they are using the money and the equipment for the purpose for which they were given.

Among the beneficiaries of the largesse were tailors, drycleaners, traders and hairdresser who were given full equipment to start or boost their businesses. 

On modalities for disbursement, Mrs Abe said, “We receive request from indigenes asking for assistance and it varies from tuition, medicals or expansion of businesses, so we do our investigation, market survey, verify claims and disburse. 

“We have 48 beneficiaries today and the mode of selecting them is that they write letter to the Governor and he charges them to our office, we then call the applicants, ask questions and confirm if they actually learn the trades. We also ask if they are already in the business or they want to start afresh before we eventually verify their claims.

“March next year will make it a year that we have started the programme, so, we will assess how the programme has fared in one year by going out to monitor activities of beneficiaries to be sure that its actually meeting the needs and plugging all holes in homes. The only criteria we ask for is that you must be from Ekiti. No political colouration.

“This is more of the Governor’s personal project, this is what he is doing himself to ensure he reach out to people in his own way. In fact, he has been doing this before he became Governor. And I think people now know about it, so the volume of requests that come to him has become enormous. he understands the impact this is having on the people, he understands the hardship going on with the people. This is own way of helping the people from his own personal purse.” She added. 

Some of the beneficiaries including Mr Abiodun Olatoye, Mrs Yemi Adefemi and Miss Odunayo Obafemi spoke glowingly about the love Governor Oyebanji has for the less-privileged in the state and prayed that God would continue to bless him.

Mr Abiodun Olatoye, a Barber said he just wrote for assistance from the Governor and was surprised to receive a call to come to Governor’s office to receive equipment he needed for his business and money to rent a shop.

He expressed appreciation to the Governor for making life easy for him as he did not have any helper who could assist him get a shop and purchase equipment for him.

Wike partners Somalian ambassador on development of FCT.

Wike partners Somalian ambassador on development of FCT.

The minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has assured the Somalian Ambassador to Nigeria that he is ready to approve land in Nigeria’s federal capital for their Chancery building.

Wike gave this assurance on Thursday, December 14, when the Somalian Ambassador to Nigeria, Jamal Mohamed Barrow visited him in his office in Abuja.

He assured the Ambassador that he would “Immediately call for the file so you can have your land and start building your Chancery.”

Wike said: “Nigeria and Somalia have many things in common, unfortunately, a sad one like the civil war, when a country is facing war and it retards development.

“Security is very key for us, where we are now is not where we want to be, and there is still room for improvement. We want our guests to be comfortable, don’t hesitate to come to us where you have observations.”

Speaking earlier, the Somalian Ambassador to Nigeria, Jamal Mohamed Barrow told Wike that he hoped that Nigeria and his country could interface as Nigeria can be an example, especially Abuja the capital city, and Mogadishu, the Somali capital.

He said: “We want to ask for assistance, there is a long history of relationship between Nigeria and Somalia. We want to see how Abuja is working and how you are doing it so we can in Mogadishu. We want to make Nigeria our second home.

“We’ve been in war, we’ve got our challenges, we operate a federal system, do we hope that Nigeria is the best model to copy? Since been have the same experiences, we can work together.”

He regretted that their land application was on the verge of being approved.

Barrow said: “Unfortunately election campaign and the minister became too busy, I want Nigeria to become our second home.”

Team Ekiti Records Success at National Para Games.

Team Ekiti Records Success at National Para Games.

In a remarkable display of resilience and skill, Team Ekiti has secured its place on the podium at the second edition of the National Para Games in Abuja. The contingent brought home a total of three medals, consisting of two silvers and one bronze, across powerlifting, javelin, and discus events.

The impressive performance began with powerlifter Adetolu Christiana, who claimed a silver medal in the 45kg class by lifting an impressive 90kg. Following suit, Ajayi David added to the medal tally with a silver in the F44 class of javelin, showcasing a powerful throw of 39m. David continued to shine, securing a bronze medal in discus with a throw covering 28m.

Expressing his delight, Team Ekiti's leader, Mr. Peter Ojo, commended the athletes for their hard work and preparation leading up to the competition. He extended gratitude to the state government and the sports ministry for their unwavering support.

The National Para Games, which spanned from last Friday to today, served as a platform to unearth new talents destined to represent Nigeria in international para sports. Senator John Enoh, the Minister of Sports Development, emphasized that the games also aimed to promote inclusion and empower individuals with disabilities in society.

Approximately 3000 athletes and officials from all 36 states of the Federation, along with the FCT, participated in this competitive and inclusive sporting event. The success of Team Ekiti adds another chapter to the state's growing achievements in para sports on the national stage.