The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Reps

  • Reps broker peace as FG, contractors agree on payments

    Reps broker peace as FG, contractors agree on payments

    The House of Representatives has resolved the standoff between the federal government and indigenous contractors, with payments set to commence on Monday, September 8.

    Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who led the House Committee on Budget Implementation to a meeting with the contractors, the Minister of Finance, and the Accountant-General of the Federation, announced that all parties agreed to a settlement in the interest of the economy.

    The development, contained in a statement by Kalu’s chief press secretary, Levinus Nwanughiogu, marks the end of protests by indigenous contractors in Abuja over delayed payments.

    The resolution followed an expanded meeting convened by Speaker Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, where over 80 contractors and their leaders engaged in open dialogue with lawmakers.

    Kalu expressed gratitude to the Speaker and his colleagues for entrusting him with the responsibility, noting that the agreement reached would be mutually beneficial to both government and contractors.

    He said, “First of all, I want to thank the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abass, PhD, GCON, for the leadership of the House for finding me worthy to be the Chairman of the Budget Implementation Committee. We met yesterday, cut down our holidays to be able to reconvene and look into these all-important matters.

    “We met on Wednesday with the Finance Minister, Minister of Budget and Planning, the Accountant-General of the Federation, Representatives that cut across all the caucuses of the House, including representation from the House Appropriation Committee and Finance.

    Read Also: Reps to host West African public accounts committees, General Assembly in Abuja

    “We saw the protest and asked them to come. Let’s have a conversation. I want to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for appointing these gentlemen to occupy the positions they occupy.

    “They have shown humility in service. They’ve shown diligence in the way this matter has been handled and the parliament. We are happy that all we discussed yesterday, they started implementing today, the ability to engage with the people.

    “We had over 4 hours of engagement, and they left here smiling. We got the strategy in place, and we’re going to come back on the 21st of this month to review what we’ve done so far, how we’ve ticked the boxes, what needs to be done, and the way forward.”

    Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, commended the Deputy Speaker and the House for the intervention, assuring that the payment will commence next week.

    “Under the leadership of the Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, we did hold a marathon meeting today where all the issues were discussed, and a timeline was put in place and a way forward was mapped out and all parties at the end of it left knowing that contractors would be paid for jobs done and we have an orderly and systematic way of dealing with the backlogs which had been approved over time.

    “Once again, we commend the leadership of the House of Representatives and the contractors for their willingness to sit down and dialogue. The Accountant-General of the Federation made some commitments which helped us to chart the way forward.

    “We had a peaceful solution. A timeline was put in place, and everyone accepted that there are steps that need to be taken, approvals, finalization, and an orderly procedure for payments. After Friday’s holiday, the Central Bank will open again on Monday and payments will commence immediately”, he said.

    The Accountant-General of the Federation, Ogunjimi, corroborated the position of the Minister, saying, “This process is ongoing. We’ve been paying contractors, and we will continue to pay. From Monday, payments will start dropping.”

    The leadership and membership of the Association of indigenous contractors of Nigeria expressed satisfaction with the resolutions reached, while commending the Deputy Speaker for his intervention, they also pledged to discontinue the protest.

  • Reps to host West African public accounts committees, General Assembly in Abuja

    Reps to host West African public accounts committees, General Assembly in Abuja

    The House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts will host the 11th Annual Conference and General Assembly of the West Africa Association of Public Accounts Committees (WAAPAC) from September 8 to 12, 2025, at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja.

    This was disclosed in an official press release issued by the WAAPAC Secretariat in Accra, Ghana and made available to The Nation in Abuja on 

    The West Africa Association of Public Accounts Committees (WAAPAC) came into being in February 2009, when participants at a seminar organized by the World Bank Institute (WBI), in partnership with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and the Parliamentary Centre (PC) for Public Accounts Committees (PACs), made a resolution to have a West African sub-regional association of PACs. 

    The legislatures of Cameroon, The Gambia, Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia, and Sierra Leone were represented at this seminar. WAAPAC was born out of the realisation that, with a common platform for knowledge exchange and peer learning, PACs would be able to build and enhance their capacities to effectively perform their oversight roles.

    The high-level regional gathering, themed “Strengthening Parliamentary Oversight of Public Debt: The Role of Finance and Public Accounts Committees,” is expected to draw over 300 participants, including lawmakers, auditors, and public finance professionals from across West Africa and other parts of the continent.

    The focus will be on building the institutional capacity of Public Accounts Committees (PACs) and Finance Committees to ensure effective oversight of public debt and borrowing.

    According to the release, “The West Africa Association of Public Accounts Committees (WAAPAC) is pleased to announce its 11th Annual Conference and General Assembly, scheduled to take place from September 8 to 12, 2025, at the National Assembly of Nigeria, Abuja.

    Read Also: Reps dismiss speculation of impending showdown in parliament

    This year’s conference, themed ‘Strengthening Parliamentary Oversight of Public Debt: The Role of Finance and Public Accounts Committees,’ will focus on enhancing the capacity of Public Accounts Committees (PACs) and Finance Committees to ensure transparency, legality, and value-for-money in public borrowing and debt management.

    Over the course of the five-day event, participants will examine pressing issues including debt trends and risks, parliamentary roles in debt governance, and strategies for achieving debt sustainability.

    The General Assembly will also deliberate on key matters related to WAAPAC’s organizational growth and governance.

    The conference is expected to conclude with country-specific action plans aimed at strengthening parliamentary oversight of public debt across the region.

    Delegates will include Members of Public Accounts and Finance Committees, Parliamentary Staff, and Auditors-General from West African nations, alongside representatives from eSwatini, Kenya, South Africa, and sister parliamentary networks such as AFROPAC and SADCOPAC. Esteemed experts in public finance, fiscal policy, and parliamentary oversight from within and beyond the region will also share insights during the event,” he concluded.

    Reacting to the official announcement at a press briefing on Wednesday following a high-level meeting with key stakeholders, Representative Bamidele Salam welcomed Nigeria’s selection as host for the upcoming West African Association of Public Accounts Committees (WAAPAC) Conference.

    He emphasised the importance of WAAPAC’s mission in advancing fiscal responsibility and transparency across the West African sub-region.

    According to Rep. Salam, the conference is expected to serve as a robust platform for interaction between Public Accounts Committees, national governments, and other principal stakeholders.

    “It will be an avenue for learning and engagement among committees, an opportunity to exchange knowledge and experiences,” he said.

    Speaking on the lineup of expected dignitaries, Salam confirmed that the Speaker of the Nigerian House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, is scheduled to officially declare the event open.

    Also expected are the Chairpersons of WAAPAC and the African Organization of Public Accounts Committees (AFROPAC), alongside a keynote address by Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Finance.

    In addition, goodwill messages will be delivered by the Country Director of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), representatives of global development partners, and sister parliamentary organisations.

    He urged the media to give the conference wide coverage, stating it was an opportunity to “put Nigeria on the map for hosting one of the best sub-regional conferences in the world.”

    The 11th WAAPAC Conference is expected to conclude with the adoption of country-specific action plans to enhance legislative oversight of public debt, contributing to more sustainable public finance practices across West Africa.

  • PDP Reps caucus adopts party’s resolution

    PDP Reps caucus adopts party’s resolution

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus in the House of Representatives has resolved to adopt all the decisions of the various committees and organs of the party, including the Zamfara and Lagos decisions, to stabilise the party.

    The caucus made its position after an emergency meeting in Abuja on Monday.

    Addressing journalists after the meeting, the caucus leader, Hon. Fred Agbedi, said the PDP Caucus of the 10th House of Representatives is in support of all efforts to forge a formidable front ahead of the 2027 general election.

    He said, “As representatives, to ensure that we support the position of the party, to create more stability, peace, and strengthen this party to ensure that we take victory in the presidential and other elections by 2027.

    “There are no lingering crises. We have no issue with lingering crises. What we have told you is that the caucus adopts all the decisions of the committees and organs of the party, and we are ready to work with them.”

    Hon. Agbedi says the lawmakers are determined to support efforts aimed at restoring lasting peace in the party

    He insisted that the caucus has resolved to synergise with the party’s leadership to ensure progress.

  • Reps query NERC over non utilisation of N59b for mass metering

    Reps query NERC over non utilisation of N59b for mass metering

    The House of Representatives Joint Committee investigating the disbursement and utilisation of N59 billion Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) loan for the National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP) has queried the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) over alleged non utilisation of the fund. 

    The committee also frowned at the approval by NERC to Meristerm Wealth Management Ltd to receive 0.5% of annual collection of Disco up to 2030.

    The joint Committee is made up House Committees on Banking Regulations, Power, Rural Electrification, and Housing. 

    Chairman  of  the Joint Committee, Uchenna Harris Okonkwo said preliminary investigation by the committee showed the concept of  National Mass Metering Programme was initiated by the NERC to close metering gap, encourage  local meters manufacturers, stop collection losses and estimated billing.

    The programme, he said, was approved by the Federal Government in 2020 but failed to yield expected results.

    He said the committee has engaged Meristerm Wealth Management Ltd, NESI-SSL and Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission and other relevant bodies.on the disbursement of ₦55,424,975,546.96 out of the initial N59,280,988,305.00 earmarked  by the CBN.

    The lawmaker stated  that the  review of  the management of  the programme  has shown a lot of ambiguities, inconsistencies and contradictions which points to the fact that the programme  has not  been  successfully handled to achieve the  desired objectives

    The detail of the programme according to him, shows that NESI-Stabilization  Strategy Ltd  (NESI-SSL) was chosen  as special  purpose vehicle (SPV) by the CBN  while Meristerm Wealth Management Limited was  appointed as the fund manager/administrator.

    He said though the companies were not  forth coming with relevant submission, the committee has decided to carry out full investigation with the view to address several anomalies in the electricity distribution in the country.

    He however warned that the committee will not hesitate to invoke relevant constitutional provisions on anyone who is found to be frustrating the investigation.

    The committee expressed concerns despite documents from NERC showing that the electricity distribution Companies are owing  the CBN for disbursements made to them to install meters,  NERC has not verified the Installations of those metres 

    The lawmaker also noted that the committee is worried about the rationale behind  the clause which states that Meristerm Wealth Management Limited should receive 0.5% of annual collection of Disco up to 2030 for National Mass Metering Programme.

    The committee directed the management of Meristem Wealth Management Ltd, NERC, NESI-SSL and other relevant bodies to appear in their next sitting.

  • Reps committee commends Rivers Sole Administrator Ibas

    Reps committee commends Rivers Sole Administrator Ibas

    …pledges support for return of democratic rule

    The House of Representatives ad-hoc committee on the oversight of the administration of Rivers State has commended the sole administrator, Ibok-Eket Ibas, for what it described as remarkable progress in stabilising the state during emergency rule, pledging its support for the restoration of democratic governance in the state.

    The committee, led by House Leader and Chairman, Professor Julius Ihonvbere, was in Rivers State on a courtesy visit and inspection tour as part of its oversight mandate. 

    Speaking during the visit on Thursday, Ihonvbere said the National Assembly was encouraged by the sole administrator’s achievements so far and remained committed to ensuring the return of democratic rule.

    “We are hopeful about what the Administrator has done so far. The House of Representatives is committed to seeing a smooth transition back to full democratic governance in Rivers State,” Ihonvbere said. 

    The lawmakers inspected the Rivers State House of Assembly complex, where reconstruction works are ongoing to prepare the legislature for effective operations once the state returns to civilian leadership. Ihonvbere noted that the quality and scope of the work showed readiness for a functional assembly in the post-emergency period.

    Receiving the delegation, Ibas expressed appreciation for the National Assembly’s support and oversight role, which he said had bolstered his administration’s work. He stressed that restoring security had been a top priority and a significant success.

    The Administrator further disclosed that preparations for the conduct of local government council elections were in full swing. The polls, scheduled for 30 August 2025, are aimed at reinstating democratic governance at the grassroots. 

    He said the Rivers State Government had provided the necessary funding to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RVSIEC) to guarantee smooth, credible elections.

    Ibas also briefed the committee on several projects being pursued under his administration. These include the reconstruction of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex, which he described as essential for restoring legislative work; the completion of the Mother and Child Hospital in Port Harcourt, which will be handed over to the Rivers State Teaching Hospital to enhance healthcare delivery; and the long-delayed dualisation of the Port Harcourt Ring Road. On the latter, he revealed that ₦150 billion had already been paid for the project, yet no tangible work had commenced.

    Read Also: Reps committee chair: state secretariat worse than facilities in war-torn Gaza

    The committee expressed satisfaction with the Administrator’s efforts and acknowledged the challenges of governing under emergency conditions. 

    Members urged that all key projects, particularly those affecting infrastructure and public services, be completed on schedule to consolidate gains made during the emergency period.

    Ihonvbere assured Ibas that the House of Representatives would continue to monitor developments closely, provide legislative backing where needed, and work to ensure the transition back to democratic governance is smooth and timely.

    Both sides agreed on the need for sustained collaboration between State and Federal authorities to maintain peace, accelerate development, and guarantee the restoration of democratic rule in Rivers State.

    The visit ended with an inspection of key project sites, during which committee members expressed optimism that the state was on the right path to stability and progress.

  • Reps committee vows to name, shame states diverting palliative funds

    Reps committee vows to name, shame states diverting palliative funds

    The House of Representatives Committee on NG-Care has vowed to publicly name and shame states that allegedly diverted or embezzled funds meant for palliatives.

    Committee Chairman, Abubakar Yahaya Kusada, speaking to reporters after a committee meeting on Wednesday, said the Federal Government has invested about ₦1.06 trillion in the programme, yet Nigerians are not feeling its intended impact.

    He explained that NG-Care was designed as a social safety net to provide relief in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the removal of fuel subsidy, and the unification of exchange rates — all of which have contributed to inflation and economic hardship.

    Funded by the Federal Government with credit support from the World Bank, Kusada noted that the programme remains a key palliative measure under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to cushion the effects of economic reforms.

    He said, “There has been widespread and strident agitation by a large segment of Nigerians against alleged neglect of hardships occasioned by recent economic reforms being implemented by the government, including the removal of fuel subsidy and unification of forex rates.

    “So far, the government has kept faith with its commitment and responsibilities under the programme. The first 4-year phase of the programme will be rounded off shortly by December 2025, and the 4th and last tranche of payment has just been released to the states.

    “On the whole, a total of approximately $696 million, or N1.06 trillion in today’s terms, has so far been committed to NG-CARES 1. Government plans a new cycle of the programme, but in the meantime, Stock taking of implementation, outcome and impact of the first phase is underway.

    “There is a disconnect between cause and effect as contemplated in the design of the NG- CARES project. It is intended to fully address the critical needs and provide sufficient relief to the most vulnerable people in society”.

    According to him, the NG-CARES utilises existing delivery platforms in the states and the FCT, including CSDP, FADAMA, SOCU, YESSO, SEEFOR and GEEP, for implementation depending on the particular RA and DLI being implemented.

    He said, “Reasonable safeguards are built into the programme to ensure effective implementation. It provides for engagement of IVAs and TPMs and regular reviews of program implementation. So far, the Federal government has fulfilled their funding obligation and provided the guidelines and operational arrangements for the effective implementation of NG-CARES 1.

    As indicated above, a total of $696 million or N1.06 trillion has been released as social intervention, safety nets and palliatives to Nigerians in the 36 States and the FCT, through the various Delivery Platforms.

    “It is therefore most surprising that the effect of these palliatives is not being felt by the target vulnerable groups in Nigeria after the government has committed so many resources to this purpose through the states.

    “There is still a loud cry of government neglect of the plight of Nigerians enduring the brunt of economic reforms. As at now, the backlash on this matter is such that the people have reserved a day of reckoning for the government at the coming elections”.

    He disclosed that in the exercise of its power under sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution, the House Committee on NG-CARES has resolved to commence immediate and full investigation of the NG-CARES programme to unravel the disconnect and ascertain the propriety of expenditure of the huge sums provided by the government for the administration of social welfare.

    He said the investigation will seek to provide answers to critical, nagging questions such as whether the funds were embezzled. Whether they were misappropriated or diverted to serve other purposes in the states, and whether the utilisation of the funds creates enough value for money (VFM). In other words, was there an undue inflation of contracts?

    The investigation, he said, will so find out whether the integrity and fairness of the procurement process followed procurement due process, whether the inbuilt safeguards, IVAs and TPMs, operate effectively, or did they become compromised and fail, whether the distribution of notional amounts was fairly done? Why did some states manage to get more than the attributable notional amounts?

    It will also find out why the operational mechanisms fail in a number of states, how the operational mechanisms and delivery platforms can be strengthened across the states, and training workshops can be organised for NG-CARES operatives in the states to strengthen the operational mechanisms and effectiveness of the delivery platforms.

    Kusada said. Further, several states have claimed billions of naira for social transfer (DLI 1.1). These beneficiaries are Nigerians who can be reached. If fake names have been used to claim social transfer, we will say so.

    “States have collected billions of naira for Agric Inputs and services (DLI 2.1), for Labour Intensive Agric Infrastructure (DLI 2.2), for procurement of Agric Assets (DLI 2.3), and for development and upgrading of wet markets and storage facilities (DLI 2.4).

    “If we verify these claims, we will also disclose the impact they have had on food supply, food prices and the plight of ordinary Nigerians. If we are unable to verify the claims, we will name and shame the affected states and insist that the right thing be done.

    “Similarly, we will verify the grants and other support purportedly given to MSMEs for recovery and economic stimulus. Billions of Naira have been collected by states for these interventions to small businesses, which should have facilitated their resilience and survival, contributing substantially to economic well-being and prosperity of ordinary Nigerians.

    “If the funds have been properly applied to provide social safety nets for vulnerable Nigerians, then Nigerians in search of safety nets and Palliatives can be told where to look to find them. 

    “If the funds have been diverted, the affected states should restore the funds and utilise them properly. If there has been a gross mismanagement of funds, the people will know that the funds for Palliatives have been misused, and who to hold responsible.

    Read Also: Reps Deputy Speaker Kalu seeks Igbo support for Tinubu’s administration

    “If the procurement process has been abused, then the BPP and anti-graft agencies have their work cut out for them. The full-scale investigation we carry out regarding the administration of palliative care through NG-CARES is not a witch-hunt, but intended to set the records straight, and hopefully address the plight of vulnerable Nigerians under the weight of hardships occasioned by economic reforms.

    “Let the right things be done and let the Nigerian people be better for it. We want to establish a nexus, a clear cause and effect, between the resources provided by the Federal Government as social safety nets, and the relief impact that the Nigerian people feel.

    “Has the Federal government abandoned the people without succour, or have they provided a palliative cushion to alleviate the difficulties of reform measures.

    “If this had been done, then let the people know and let the complaints cease. If this had not been done, let it be done by those who now hold the funds that have already been made available, period”.

  • Reps panel probes anti-corruption units in MDAs

    Reps panel probes anti-corruption units in MDAs

    The House of Representatives  Committee on Anti-Corruption has queried the effectiveness of Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units (ACTUs) in Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), raising concerns that they may be falling short of their core mandate to combat corruption from within the public service.

    At the opening of a public hearing to launch an investigation into the operations of the ACTUs in Abuja, the Chairman of the House, Hon. (Prince) Koyode Moshood Akiolu, questioned the current relevance and integrity of ACTUs, amid growing allegations that some may have strayed from their original purpose or become compromised.

    “While we recognize the challenges posed by the insidious nature of corruption, we must also confront the realities that not all actions taken in the name of anti-corruption have been entirely above board,” Akiolu said in a charged address. “It is paramount that we investigate and assess whether these units are truly fulfilling their mandates or if they have, regrettably, become enmeshed in the very practices they were created to eradicate.”

    ACTUs were established in over 400 MDAs by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) as part of a decentralised strategy to monitor, report, and prevent corruption at the grassroots of government bureaucracy. The initiative, introduced in 2001 with the approval of the Federal Government, aimed to address the ICPC’s limited manpower, then just over a hundred staff, by embedding internal watchdogs in public institutions.

    According to Akiolu, this model was built on the premise that employees within MDAs are best positioned to detect corrupt practices in their environments. He described the strategy as “brilliant” and said the ACTUs “were relevant in 2001; twenty-four years later, they are no less relevant.”

    But despite their longevity and widespread presence, concerns have emerged regarding their operational efficiency and independence.

    Akiolu cited reports and public complaints alleging that some ACTUs have either become toothless or, worse, compromised by the very corruption they were designed to police.

    This hearing, he said, is not just a legislative formality, but a crucial step in evaluating whether these embedded units still serve public interest or require structural reforms.

    “As representatives of the Nigerian people, it is our foremost duty to ensure that public resources are managed with the utmost care and that the trust bestowed upon us is not compromised,” Akiolu declared. “We must restore faith in our institutions and demonstrate, unequivocally, that there is no tolerance for corruption, whether from within or outside.”

    Read Also: Reps deputy speaker urges support for reserved seats bill to boost women’s representation

    The hearing is expected to gather testimonies and data from civil society organisations, anti-corruption advocates, government representatives, and whistleblowers, with a view to understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the ACTU framework.

    Key areas of focus include institutional independence, reporting mechanisms, enforcement capacity, and the credibility of their operations within MDAs.

    Akiolu emphasised that the Committee would not shy away from exposing weaknesses or recommending bold reforms, stressing that the ultimate goal is to create a public service that operates transparently and is driven by integrity.

    “This public hearing is not just a responsibility we owe to ourselves as legislators; it is an obligation we owe to every Nigerian citizen who yearns for a government that is accountable and transparent,” he said. “Let us together explore the gaps that exist, identify potential solutions, and lay down actionable recommendations that can fortify our commitment to anti-corruption.”

    In a presentation before the Committee by its Chairman, Dr. Musa Ali, the ICPC stated that only 84 MDAs currently have functional Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units (ACTUs) while 92 are yet to establish the units.

    Represented by an official of the Commission, Mr. Olusegun Adigun, the ICPC Chairman further revealed that at the end of 2024, 127 MDAs had weak or ineffective ACTUs, while five others had units in name only, which is hampering government anti-corruption efforts within those establishments.

    Dr Ali noted that Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units of MDAs are not working properly due to a lack of funds, direct reporting to Chief Executive Officers of agencies, interferences, a lack of political will and support, and resistance to change, amongst others.

    Declaring the public hearing open, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, represented by Hon. Umar Ajilo, said the session was not a witch-hunt, but a proactive effort to assess the performance of ACTUs and strengthen institutional integrity.

    “We gather not merely as legislators but as custodians of democracy and champions of integrity. Corruption continues to erode our institutions, diminish public trust, and stall our national progress. This hearing is an opportunity to reaffirm our resolve and take decisive action”. Abbas said.

    He added that the ACTUs were originally established to monitor, report, and prevent corrupt practices, while also promoting a culture of transparency and ethical conduct in public service. However, the Speaker noted, their effectiveness hinges on political will and institutional support.

    “This hearing allows us to assess the functionality of ACTUs, hear from stakeholders, and explore legislative solutions to strengthen their operations. We must dismantle the structures that allow corruption to thrive and institutionalise transparency and accountability,” he said.

  • Reps deputy speaker urges support for reserved seats bill to boost women’s representation

    Reps deputy speaker urges support for reserved seats bill to boost women’s representation

    Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has called on Nigerians and fellow lawmakers to support the passage of the Reserved Seats Bill, aimed at increasing women’s representation in governance.

    Speaking at a reception and film screening hosted by the Australian High Commission in Abuja to mark NAIDOC 2025, Kalu highlighted the urgent need to address the country’s low female political participation, currently below 4%.

    He said the bill, which he sponsored, seeks to reserve one legislative seat for a woman in each state across the Senate, House of Representatives, and State Houses of Assembly, with the goal of raising female representation to at least 10%.

    “This bill is not designed to displace male legislators but to open the space for women to contribute their unique value to governance,” Kalu explained. He urged his colleagues to vote in favour of the bill and called on Nigerians to support the initiative as a step toward inclusive democracy.

    He said, “We have the reserved seats bill in our nation at the moment. That bill is for the government to have more inclusiveness, so that we can celebrate the power of women, beyond sports, beyond family management, but in the governance space.

    “If we believe and trust women to do what they do, we can also trust women to handle affairs of the governance of our country beyond what it is at the moment.

    “So, I urge you to urge your friends, the development partners, all non-governmental organisations to throw in more support in the advocacy of what is before us now as a parliament.

    “We are soon going to be voting about how to include more women through these reserved seats. And to break it down, that bill says, let’s have one seat reserved for a woman in a state. It’s not too much, but it will help us shore up our percentage from what it is now, which is less than 4% but at least 10%. It won’t stop us as Nigerians.

    “So, we need you as our allies, friends, the honourable members who are in this room. It is not a threat to us. The details of that bill state that they are not coming to contest with the men to reduce their positions.

    Read Also: Reps panel urges DSS, Army to grant access to terrorism suspect Danladi

    “We are saying let there be a separate seat for the women in the Senate, House of Representatives and the Houses of Assembly and together, we begin to show that women are there to add value, not to threaten our position. We can do it. We can give women a chance.”

    Kalu also called for unity amongst Nigerians irrespective of their tribe and religion, while encouraging the people to take a cue from Australians who have embraced unity in their diversity.

    “That is one of the things and lessons we will take, the ability to accommodate one another, to believe that though we are different, we are the same. That in our diversity is our beauty. It’s not a disadvantage. It’s a strength because everyone has something to bring to the table.

    “In Australia, all religions are tolerated, all languages are tolerated. All cultures are tolerated. It’s a lesson we must take back to our places, to our different states, to our various religions, to our various cultures. Let us begin to accommodate one another more than we are doing at the moment, knowing truly that the beauty of our nation is in our diversity”, Kalu said. 

  • Reps committee probes abandonment of Nigerians in CAR

    Reps committee probes abandonment of Nigerians in CAR

    The House Committee on China-Nigeria parliamentary relations has revealed that an investigation into issues of the report of abandonment of Nigerian miners in the Central African Republic (CAR) is currently ongoing.

    A viral video had shown some Nigerian miners lamenting alleged abandonment by a Nigerian businessman working for a Chinese company.

    They have since been evacuated by officials of the Nigerian Embassy and CAR security who accompanied them from their location to the capital.

    The House Committee, in a statement, said a thorough investigation is currently ongoing to unravel the circumstances that led to their ordeal.

    The committee regretted the unfortunate situation and assured that a comprehensive investigation is currently ongoing to unravel the circumstances that led to their ordeal.

    The statement which was signed Hon. Jaafaru Yakubu l, chairman of the committee reads in parts, “It is also important to state that Abdulrauf Ademola, the businessman who allegedly abandoned the Nigerians in CAR had issued a statement refuting the allegations made by the workers who accused him of passport seizure, unpaid salaries, and abandonment in the widely circulated video.

    Read Also: Reps to provide legislative backing to critical economic sectors – Abbas

    “The committee wishes to inform the general public that Abdulrauf Ademola is not affiliated with the Chinese Embassy or the China General Chamber of Commerce, and his actions or inactions should not be linked to the embassy or Chinese enterprises doing their legitimate businesses in Nigeria.

    “China-Nigeria relations have flourished over time, yielding significant results across key sectors such as trade, investment, infrastructure, technology, human capital development, and people-to-people partnerships.

    “We therefore call on the media and the general public to always report China-Nigeria relations in a fair, balanced and truthful manner to reflect the solidarity and mutual relationship that exists between our two countries.”

  • Reps to provide legislative backing to critical economic sectors – Abbas

    Reps to provide legislative backing to critical economic sectors – Abbas

    Speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas Tajudeen said the 10th National Assembly will provide legislative backing for sectors that are crucial to the sustainability and advancement of the national economy.

    Represented by the Chairman of the House Committee on Public Petitions, Bitrus La’ori, at a public hearing on the amendment to the Nigeria Safety and Investigation Bureau establishment bill, the Speaker said sectors like aviation, along with land and maritime transport, form the backbone of any thriving modern society.

    Abbas said the public hearing was fundamental to the collective efforts in updating the legal framework that governs safety investigations across Nigeria’s transportation sectors and reflects the openness of the legislative process and underscores the vital role that public input plays in shaping the laws that serve the people.

    He said the House stands fully prepared to provide the necessary legislative backing to sectors that are crucial to the sustainability and advancement of our national economy, adding that aviation, along with land and maritime transport, forms the backbone of any thriving modern society.

    He said these sectors not only facilitate commerce and communication, but also embody our national image and readiness to engage in regional and global partnerships, saying, “The Bill under consideration today seeks to enhance the powers and operational reach of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau. The objective is to strengthen the Bureau’s capacity to address safety-related issues in a more holistic manner beyond aviation and to include land and marine sectors as well.

    Speaker Abbas described the hearing as a deliberate legislative step to modernize the Bureau’s functions in line with Nigeria’s evolving transport architecture and safety obligations as it represents a strategic opportunity for all stakeholders, government institutions, industry professionals, operators, safety investigators, and members of the public to contribute their views on how to improve the legal instrument establishing the Bureau.

    According to him, the goal is to produce a law that not only meets current demands but is also flexible enough to accommodate emerging safety challenges in the years ahead. It is important that the input from this forum is clear, constructive, and relevant, because it will ultimately shape how the House proceeds with legislative action on the Bill.

    He said the proposed amendment to the NSIB Act is not just a conventional legislative exercise. It is a national response to the reality that safety systems must be proactive, not reactive.

    He said, “Incidents in transportation, whether minor or tragic, should always trigger institutional learning and policy advancement. This is why the Bureau must be equipped with a broader mandate and stronger tools to carry out its role effectively. The ability to investigate incidents across multiple modes of transport will ensure greater coherence in safety management and better coordination in emergency response.

    “Beyond improving institutional effectiveness, the Bill also seeks to bring Nigeria’s safety investigation procedures closer to international best practices. As air, road, and marine travel continue to rise in volume and complexity, we must be confident that our investigative frameworks are not lagging behind global standards.

    “A safe transport system is a sign of a responsible state. It reassures citizens, boosts investor confidence, and upholds our obligations under various international aviation and maritime agreements”.

    Chairman of the House Committee on Special Duties, Fred Agbedi, said the public hearing was more than a legislative obligation, but a vital opportunity for dialogue, partnership, and progress and the promise of strengthening the NSIB’s capacity to investigate, prevent, and respond more effectively to incidents across Aviation, Land transportation, Marine Sector and beyond.

    He said, “We are here today because we care about the safety of Nigerians – in the air, on land, at sea, and across our entire transport infrastructure. We are also here because we believe in inclusive governance and the value of public input in shaping laws that affect us all.

    “Your voices – as experts, industry operators, civil society actors, and concerned citizens are crucial. The success of this process depends on your frank contributions and informed perspectives”.

    Sponsor of the bill, Isiaq Abiodun Akinlade, said the effectiveness of the NSIB has been hindered by its current placement under the Ministry of Aviation, adding that “limitation undermines the bureau’s ability to fulfill its mandate due to institutional bottlenecks, lack of independence, and fragmented inter-agency coordination across Nigeria’s transport regulatory ecosystem”.

    Read Also: Abbas, Deputy applaud Super Falcons’ well-deserved WAFCON victory

    He explained that “globally, leading accident investigation bodies, such as the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in the United States, operate as autonomous agencies, directly reporting to the highest level of government. This structure ensures independence, credibility, and efficiency in accident investigation processes”.

    He listed the challenges facing the agency as currently placed to include lack of independence which he said raises concerns about impartiality and operational autonomy, which are critical for conducting credible investigations, conflict of mandates with several agencies such as FRSC, NCAA, NIMASA, NIWA, and NRC, operate under different ministries and attempt to perform accident investigation roles alongside their regulatory functions. This overlap leads to inefficiencies and conflicts with the NSIB’s mandate.

    He said further that the agency is also suffering from limited access to decision-making required to swiftly resolve interagency conflict and implement safety recommendations, adding that international bodies prefer independent investigative agencies.