The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Full list of female Senators-Elect, Reps-Elect for 10th NASS

    Full list of female Senators-Elect, Reps-Elect for 10th NASS

    The February 25 presidential and National Assembly polls saw the emergence of only three women senators-elect in the list released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 10th Senate. 

    An examination of the list of the female senators-elect showed that all of them are new members of the Red Chamber.

    The three senators-elect are Labour Party’s Kingibe Ireti Heebah, representing the Federal Capital Territory; Peoples Democratic Party’s Banigo Ipalibo Harry, representing Rivers West, and Adebule Idiat Oluranti of the All Progressives Congress representing Lagos West.

    In the past National Assembly terms, women have remained consistently underrepresented.

    The Ninth Assembly which was inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari was inaugurated on June 11, 2019, is already winding up its activities.

    Out of Parliament’s 469 seats, 109 Senators, and 360 members of the House of Representatives, women only occupy 21 seats; eight in the Senate and 13 in the House of Representatives in the Ninth Assembly.

    The transition to the 4th republic in May 29, 1999 ushered in democracy and with it a new constitution, under which the current National Gender policy was promulgated. 

    This policy recommends that women be represented by at least 35% in both elected and appointed public service positions. One of such key offices is the National Assembly.

    Read Also : APC kickstarts hunt for 10th NASS leadership

    The 13 females for 10th House of Representatives are as follow:

    1. Orogbu Obiageli – LP, Awkwa North/Awka South Federal Constituency

    2. Nnabuife Chinwe Clara – YPP, Orumba North/ Orumba South Federal Constituency

    3. Gwacham Mauren Chinwe – APGA, Oyi/Ayamelum Federal Constituency

    4. Ebikake Marie Enenimiete – PDP, Brass/Nembe Federal Constituency

    5. Akume Regina – APC, Gboko/Tarka Federal Constituency

    6. Onuh Onyeche Blessing – APC, Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency

    7. Zainab Gimba – APC, Bama/Ngala/Kala-Balge Federal Constituency

    8. Ibori-Suenu Erhiatake – PDP, Ethiope East/Ethiope West Federal Constituency

    9. Onuoha Miriam Odinaka – APC, Isiala Mbano, Okigwe, Onuimo Federal Constituency

    10. Beni Butmak Lar – PDP, Langtang North, Langtang South Federal Constituency

    11. Goodhead Boma – PDP, Akuku Toru, Asari Toru Federal Constituency

    12. Bukar Abba Ibrahim Khadijah Waziri – APC, Damaturu, Gujuba, Gulani, Tarmuwa Federal Constituency

    13. Fatima Talba – APC, Nangere Potiskum Federal Constituency

  • Obasanjo supporters are oppressors – Seun Kuti

    Obasanjo supporters are oppressors – Seun Kuti

    Afrobeat singer Seun Kuti has tagged supporters of former President Olusegun Obasanjo as oppressors, stating they must end up in hell.

    In one of his usual ‘rant’ videos, the youngest son of the iconic Fela Anikulapo Kuti, lamented the exploitation of the country’s natural resources for personal gains, alleging Obasanjo’s administration recorded the worst cases.

    He described the former Head of State as extremely wicked, condemning his lovers and supporters as candidates of hell, insisting they were beyond redemption.
    He said: “They sell our oil, things that belong to us. That if anybody sells them, they’ll become billionaires. And when they were going to do these things, selling the things, especially during Obasanjo’s regime… That man is so wicked. And any Nigerian that praises Obasanjo for any reason will go to hell.

    Read Also : Lagos belongs to Portuguese– Seun Kuti

    “You must go to hell because you have shown that you are beyond salvation. Whatever Obasanjo does in this country and you support it, you have shown that you are against Africa, you don’t respect Africa, that the atrocities of whatever forms that Africans have gone through have no bearing in your emotions as long as your own interests are served; you’re an oppressor.

    “Anybody that can praise Obasanjo for anything is an oppressor! Is an oppressor!! You are an oppressor, nobody can tell me anything. It means you don’t respect Africans. You have no regard for all the atrocities we have gone through as African people. You are there to serve your selfish interest.”

  • Meeting Don Jazzy a dream come true – Spyro

    Meeting Don Jazzy a dream come true – Spyro

    ‘Who’s Your Guy’ hit maker Spyro has expressed excitement to meet Mavin boss, Don Jazzy.

    He termed their meeting a ‘dream come through’ for him, stating it offered him the time to learn quite a lot and catch some fun with the popular music executive.

    Spyro, who recently released visuals of his 2022 smash single, ‘Who’s Your Guy’ featuring Afrobeats queen, Tiwa Savage vibed to the song’s remix with Don Jazzy and comedian Craze Clown during his visit to label boss’ studio.

    While captioning the post, the Alternative/Indie artiste quoted a verse of the Bible, noting it was being fulfilled in his life.

    Read Also : Buchi blasts Don Jazzy on silence over elections – Solomon Buchi

    He wrote: “Seeth thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.… These are literal fulfillment of God’s word in my life.

    “Meeting @donjazzy today is def a dream come true, learnt so much and VIBED heavily to the Remix ft @tiwasavage with my GUY @crazeclown #WYG

    Reacting to the post stated: “As long as you keep giving GOD his glory he will keep blessing you. You are a great guy and deserve all the best. More blessings.”

  • Clerics pray for Sanwo-Olu’s second term

    Clerics pray for Sanwo-Olu’s second term

    The Lagos chapter of the Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC) has prayed for the re-election of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr. Olufemi Hamzat.

    They also prayed for the election of all members of the Lagos Assembly at polls slated for March 18.

    The one-day prayer summit which held online at Celestial Church of Christ, Lagos State Headquarters, Agidingbi; was organised by the political advisory committee of OAIC.

    Participants at the summit were drawn from members of the Lagos State Executives, the 57 Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas leaders, the Directorate of Women/Youth Affairs and notable Heads of Churches.

    Lagos OAIC chairman Special Apostle Julius Opasola emphasised the capacity, effectiveness and experience the Governor has demonstrated since 2019.

    Read Also : Tinubu, Sanwo Olu ‘to get huge’ votes

    According to him: “Lagos State is known for the culture of continuity of leadership, and that has helped the state a lot, especially in terms of good governance, security, and human capital development.”

    Opasola said Lagos State is a mini-country and it will be very difficult for first-timers to govern.

    He further advised all Christians in the State, especially the Aladura (white garment) Churches and other members of OAIC which include Celestial Church of Christ, The Eternal Sacred Order of The Cherubim & Seraphim (ESOCS) Church, Motailatu Church C&S Worldwide, C&S Movement Church, Christ Holy Church, Salem Church, Salvation of Life Evangelical Church (SOLEC), Gospel Baptist Church, Agbojesu C&S Church, Sacred C&S Church, among others to ensure their votes count for purposeful and dedicated leaders like Sanwo-Olu.

  • Senator Orji’s phone stolen at CoR presentation

    Senator Orji’s phone stolen at CoR presentation

    Abia North Senator-Elect Orji Uzor Kalu has announced his phone was stolen.

    The 62-year-old lawmaker said the phone was stolen when he went to collect his Certificate of Return at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

    He made the announcement on his verified Facebook handle on Thursday where he said his network service providers had been notified of the development.

    Read Also : BATTLE OF CALABAR: Keshi Picks Agbim, Egwueke, Uzoenyi

    The former Abia Governor said: “This is to notify the general public to beware of any illicit activity involving my cell phone and numbers.
    “During the collection of Certificate of Return at International Conference Centre Abuja, my cell phone with MTN and Glo lines were stolen by a yet-to-be-identified person(s).

    “My network providers have been duly informed. Please don’t hesitate to provide any useful information. #OUK”.

  • Alleged racism: Court restrains Seplat boss from CEO role

    Alleged racism: Court restrains Seplat boss from CEO role

    The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has granted an interim order restraining Mr. Roger Brown from parading himself as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Seplat Energy Plc.

    Justice Chukwuejekwu Aneke ruled that the order stands pending the determination of a suit instituted against him and others by aggrieved stakeholders of the company.

    The applicants, in the motion paper seen by The Nation, alleged racism, favouring of expatriate workers, discrimination against Nigerians, and breach of good governance.

    The court also restrained the firm’s Chairman, Board of Directors, Mr. Basil Omiyi, and all the Non-Executive Directors under him from “continuing to run the affairs of Seplat in an illegal, unfair, prejudicial, and oppressive manner pending the hearing and determination of the Petitioner’s Motion on Notice for an interlocutory injunction”.

    Justice Aneke made orders on Wednesday while ruling on a motion ex parte brought by some aggrieved Seplat Energy Plcs stakeholders.

    Read Also : Govt revokes Seplat CEO’s Work Permit, Visa, others

    The applicants/petitioners in the suit are; Moses Igbrude, Sarat Kudaisi, Kenneth Nnabike, Ajani Abidoye, and Robert Ibekwe.

    Seplat Energy PLC, Mr. Roger Thompson Brown, and Mr. Basil Omiyi, were listed as respondents in a suit marked FHC/L/402/2023.

    Also, sequel to a separate ex parte application, Justice Aneke granted the petitioners/applicants leave to serve the petition, any order of the court and all other processes to be issued subsequently in the matter on Brown and Omiyi by pasting on the premises of Seplat Energy located at Ikoyi, Lagos.

    The court adjourned till March 23, for a hearing of the pending application.

    The applicants filed their motion on notice through their lawyer, Jeph Njikonye (SAN).

  • Forum of APC former Govs congratulates Tinubu

    Forum of APC former Govs congratulates Tinubu

    The Forum of All Progressives Congress (APC) former Governors has congratulated the President-elect Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for winning the February 25 presidential election.

    In a statement, the former APC Governors said the process and the outcome validated the fundamental principles of democracy: the right to choose and associate with the rigorous journey that led to the victorious destination.

    The former Governors urged Nigerians to embrace the olive branch extended by the President-elect and pursue a path of peace, progress and tranquility.

    The statement by APC chairman of the forum, Bukar Ibrahim, said: “Former Governors heartily congratulate Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu on his success at the presidential election. The process and the outcome validate the fundamental principles of democracy: the right to choose, and we associate it with the rigorous journey that led to the victorious destination. In achieving victory, it is not only the supporters of APC whose heart is gladdened but millions of lovers of democracy.

    Read Also : Tinubu ‘ll make Nigeria citadel of hope – Asogwa

    “We equally call on all Nigerians to accept the olive branch held forward by Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu and pursue a path of peace, progress and tranquility, as being propagated by the President-elect.

    “As we go through the transition period, we of the Forum of APC former governors will continue to support Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu and we call on Nigerians to eschew bitterness, avoid divisive tendencies and choose the path of reconciliation and unity for the greater good of Nigerians.”

  • Ondo PDP leaders defect to APC

    Ondo PDP leaders defect to APC

    Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in five local government areas of Ondo State have led hundreds of their supporters to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC).

    The leaders said they left the PDP because ‘the party has lost focus’.

    Among those that defected were a two-time local government chairman of Akure North Local Government Hon Dele Fagoriola; a former Secretary to Odigbo Local Government, Femi Akinwehinmi; a former Chairman of Ondo East local government, Charles Adeduro and a former lawmaker, Adeyinka Banso amongst others.

    Read Also : Appeal Court reserves judgment in PDP’s case against Tinubu, Shettima, APC

    The PDP defectors were received by Ondo Chairman of the APC, Engr. Ade Adetimehin at the State Secretariat of the party in Akure.

    Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Hon Banso said they left the PDP immediately the party picked Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate.

    Hon Banso said they joined the APC to ensure that directionlessness gave way to progressivism.

  • Nigerian carriers to comply with new EU air shipment rules

    Nigerian carriers to comply with new EU air shipment rules

    Airlines operating cargo flights between Nigeria and European Union countries have been mandated to provide a complete set of Entry Summary Declaration Data on air shipments prior to their arrival at the regional bloc’s external borders.

    Nigeria’s Allied Air, CargoLux Airlines and other carriers operate cargo flights into European Union countries.

    The regulation is the second phase of EU’s Import Control System 2 (ICS2), the new advanced cargo information and risk management platform intended to protect against security and safety threats from goods entering the regional economic bloc.

    The regulation, according to experts familiar with the development, requires air carriers, freight forwarders, express couriers and postal operators involved in the transportation of goods by air to or through the EU to ensure compliance.

    Read Also : United Airlines unveils $100m sustainable flight fund

    The regulation experts say require airlines and other operators to implement the directive.

    The EU said air carriers filing advance cargo information into the Import Control System (ICS) will be fully phased out from that system as soon as they start filing this data into ICS2.

    The second phase of ICS2 introduces new data requirements and processes to be complied with, prior to transporting the goods from a third country and before their arrival at the European Union’s external border.

    Failure by affected economic operators to obtain the necessary data from their clients and to provide it to ICS2, the EU said will lead to actions by customs authorities to enforce compliance prior to and on arrival at the external border.

  • Experts proffer solution to Nigeria’s energy crisis

    Experts proffer solution to Nigeria’s energy crisis


    Stakeholders in the energy sector have proffered decentralisation and advocacy for renewable solutions as a progressive step toward ending energy poverty in Nigeria.

    This was the consensus at the Clean Energy Session #CES2023 hosted by Black Voice Media in collaboration with Africa Nxt Conference.

    Guided by the theme: “Bridging the energy gap in Unserved and Under-served communities in Nigeria,’’ the session featured conversations on clean energy as crucial in the drive to provide alternative energy.

    Moderated by Collins Teke, Broadcast media veteran and Founder of Black Voice Media, it also initiated more awareness about clean energy solutions while tackling energy poverty and climate change.

    CEO Energy Investment company -All On Caroline Eboumbou stated the current energy supply gap in Nigeria is at least 180,000 MW with the country barely generating 5000MW.

    She said due to this supply gap, 49 percent of Nigerians have no access to power supply, creating hindrances to opportunities from renewable energy.

    She called for more collaboration among stakeholders to improve energy distribution.

    Addressing the misconceptions about Solar energy, Damilola Asaleye, Vice President, Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN) and co-founder Ashdam Solar, stated that Renewable energy should be embraced more because it is cheaper compared to other energy sources thereby providing more chances for an efficient energy supply.

    Read Also : Case for investments in renewable energy

    Founder, D’SUON Energy Chukwuebuka Obimma stated that energy poverty cannot be solved without addressing the needs of rural communities because they remain a vital component of industrialisation while Charles Ubong Akpan, COO of Salpha Energy noted that convincing Nigerians to switch to solar Energy has been a major challenge for energy solutions companies calling for more sensitisation.

    Panelists agreed on the need for more decentralisation of renewable energy solutions and advocacy at the grassroots to aid the drive to end energy poverty in Nigeria.

    Commenting on the potential outcome of the session, Founder of Black Voice Media Collins Teke said: ‘‘The discourse is meant to enhance a shift in vulnerable communities and improve livelihood. The transition of energy renewables has the potential to improve Africa’s growth hence the need for individuals and institutions to stay committed to achieving the Social Development Goal of providing access to affordable and sustainable energy.

    ‘’With efficiency between the public and private sector, alternative energy will become more accessible creating a means for job creation, clean fuel reducing poverty while being a potential for national development ’’.