Senator Victor Umeh and Abdul Ningi on Wednesday lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for earmarking the sum of $3billion for the revitalisation of the Eastern rail line project and supporting the Super Falcons to win their semi-final match in the ongoing Women’s African Cup of Nations encounter, respectively.
The $3billion for the revitalisation of the Eastern rail line is contained in the $21billion 2025 – 2026 external borrowing plan of the federal government approved by the Senate on Tuesday.
Umeh and Ningi spoke during plenary through a point of order.
Umeh said, “I recall that 36 Senators from the South East moved a motion concerning the urgent need to reconstruct the Eastern rail line. The day the budget was to be passed, during the close of session, I raised the same issue that the eastern rail line was not accommodated in the 2025 budget.
“You magnanimously approved that I should raise it when we reverted to plenary, that even though it was for the budget to be passed, which will not allow for any debate, they would like me to raise the same issue.
“I did during the plenary by magnanimity, and you promised that there was merit in that agitation or in that observation. You promised that you would take it up with Mr. President, along with the leadership, so that this eastern rail line will be addressed once and for all.
“I was just so happy, Mr. President, that when the request for $21 billion loan was submitted to the Senate, the eastern rail line was now accommodated and the sum of $3billion was provided for the reconstruction of the eastern rail line, and yesterday, the Senate, during the session, approved the request. It now paves the way for that eastern rail line to be reconstructed.
“I feel so happy about this because I’ve always conversed here that anything we should do in Nigeria, we should carry all parts of Nigeria along. This eastern rail line, which now has the prospect of being reconstructed, will be a very good development, particularly in line with the sentiments of the people of the southeast zone.
“So on this note, I want to thank Mr. President, who has promised that he will do this.
“During his visit to the southeast on January 4th, our stakeholders raised the same issue with him, and he promised that he would address it.
“So in keeping with this promise, this cry of the people of this zone, and indeed all the users of the eastern rail corridor, starting from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri, including Bauchi, everywhere, they are now happy that this is going to be done.
“So on this note, I thank Mr. President, and also thank you, Mr. Senate President, for joining me in leading this struggle on behalf of the people using this corridor.”
In his response, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said: Senator Umeh, you appreciated the efforts of Mr. President, and I thank you for thanking him. I’m particularly happy that this is coming from you, because sometimes when I look at television, I see some incoming members of the ADC (African Democratic Congress), and I know that I saw you attending the meeting once or twice.
“So if ADC is already appreciating the work of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, it shows that Nigeria has come of age where good works have no political boundaries.
“So, on behalf of the entire Senate, I appreciate you. I appreciate your members of the ADC who are appreciating the President. I’m very excited about the President, and of course, we in the APC we’re equally happy with the President and what he’s doing. So I’ll convey your message of thanks to him.”
Also citing order 42 on personal explanation, Senator Abdul Ningi commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for supporting the Nigerian female team to win against their South African counterparts in the semifinal of the Women’s African Cup of Nations yesterday.
Ningi said, “Mr. President, I discussed with you this morning about the superlative performance of Nigeria in yesterday’s semi-final match against the Bayana Bayana of South Africa.
“Mr. President, after doom and gloom over the deaths of three prominent Nigerians, beginning with the late General Muhammadu Buhari, the late Dantata, and the late Oba Adetona, this performance of these brilliant girls from Nigeria has spiced our lives, have sweetened our lives.
“They have brought almost all Nigerians on the same pedestal. Therefore, it is my duty as the Chairman of Sports to most profoundly thank the government of the day, the president of the country, for equipping the girls and giving them the wherewithal in terms of funding to be able to perform this feat.
“It is important at this juncture to ask for the prayers of Nigeria as these girls are gunning for the 10th title in Africa. They are the most indomitable team, and therefore, they have not had mates so far. We have tried since 2019 to recapture the African Championship, but we have failed in this fight for the last nine years.
“I think Saturday would be an opportunity for the girls to capture this 10th title in Africa, which is very unprecedented.
“Mr. President, I will use this opportunity to call for prayers for these girls because they have exhibited an uncommon attitude. They have exhibited an uncommon discipline, especially at this time. Nigeria needs that trophy to be able to bring us together as a country that we’re all proud of.”
Akpabio, in his response, said, “Let me join you, Senator Ningi, to congratulate our girls for the best, very stimulating performance that led to their qualifying for the finals of the African Women’s Championship in football.
“Indeed, it was one of the very rare moments that I watched football. I was very excited because you know how it is with international competitions. People don’t want to give Nigeria a chance.
“So when that golden goal came from outside the 18, and there was a lot of confusion, the goal just went on its own, guided by the angels. I was very excited. Indeed, both the Nigerian team and the South African team were confused.
“And this is happening under you as Chairman of Sports. You were determined, and you told me that you were, for many years, in charge of the Hockey Federation of Nigeria, and that your passion for sports would change the dynamics of sports in Nigeria. So this is already happening. So I must congratulate you. Thank you so much and congratulations to Nigerians.”
