The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Senate

  • JUST IN: Senate approves Tinubu’s request to deploy troops to Benin for peace mission

    JUST IN: Senate approves Tinubu’s request to deploy troops to Benin for peace mission

    The Senate on Tuesday approved President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s request to deploy Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin on a peace mission aimed at restoring democratic order and stability.

    The resolution followed the Senate’s consideration of the President’s request in the Committee of the Whole during plenary.

    Tinubu had, in a letter read on the floor by Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Tuesday, urged the Senate to approve the troop deployment to help restore governance following a recent coup attempt in Benin.

    The President had initially deployed members of the Nigerian Armed Forces on Sunday to assist in restoring democracy after a group of soldiers attempted a coup.

    In the letter titled, “Deployment of Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin for a peace mission”, Tinubu cited Section 5(5), Part 2 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and stated that, following consultation with the National Defence Council, he sought the Senate’s consent for the deployment.

    “This request is made further to a request received from the Government of Benin Republic for the exceptional and immediate provision of air support by the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “The Distinguished Senate may wish to note that the Government of the Republic of Benin is currently faced with an attempted unconstitutional seizure of power and disruption and destabilization of democratic institutions.

    “The situation as reported by the Government of Benin requires urgent external intervention.

    “The Distinguished Senate considers the close ties of brotherhood and friendship which exist between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin, as well as the principles of collective security upheld within ECOWAS.

    “It is our duty to provide the support as requested by the Government of the Republic of Benin.”

    After reading the letter, Akpabio committed the President’s request for consent to the Committee of the Whole for immediate action.

  • JUST IN: Tinubu seeks Senate’s consent to deploy troops to Benin Republic

    JUST IN: Tinubu seeks Senate’s consent to deploy troops to Benin Republic

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday requested the Senate’s approval to deploy Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin following a recent coup attempt in the country.

    On Sunday, the President had deployed members of the Nigerian Armed Forces to Benin to help restore democracy after a faction of soldiers attempted to overthrow the government.

    Tinubu’s request, contained in a letter titled “Deployment of Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin for a peace mission”, was read on the Senate floor by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

    In the letter, the President cited Section 5(5), Part 2 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and indicated that, in consultation with the National Defence Council, he seeks the Senate’s consent for the troop deployment.

    “This request is made further to a request received from the government of Benin Republic for the exceptional and immediate provision of air support by the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “The Distinguished Senate may wish to note that the Government of the Republic of Benin is currently faced with an attempted unconstitutional seizure of power and disruption and destabilization of democratic institutions.

    “The situation as reported by the Government of Benin requires urgent external intervention.

    “The Distinguished Senate considers the close ties of brotherhood and friendship which exist between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin, as well as the principles of collective security upheld within ECOWAS.

    “It is our duty to provide the support as requested by the Government of the Republic of Benin.”

    After reading the letter, Akpabio committed the President’s request for consent to the Committee of the Whole for immediate action.

  • Who succeeds Ibrahim in Senate?

    Who succeeds Ibrahim in Senate?

    The political temperature in Ondo South Senatorial District is rising following the nomination of Senator Jimoh Ibrahim as a non-career ambassador by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In this report, Correspondent, Tosin Tope examines the profiles of those itching to succeed him.

    A fierce political contest has begun in Ondo State as political heavyweight now intensify the moves to fill the soon-to-be vacant Ondo South Senatorial seat, following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s nomination of the incumbent Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, as a non-career ambassador.

    Ibrahim’s nomination was part of the 68 career and non-career ambassadors nominees announced earlier last week by President Tinubu and forwarded to the Senate arm of the National Assembly for screening.

    In line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria under Section 68(1)(d), Mr Ibrahim is expected to resign from the Senate before taking up the new job as as non-career ambassador.

    However, his name on the list has triggered a fresh scramble among power blocs within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition parties in the southern senatorial district of the state, as the senator’s imminent exit from the National Assembly for the diplomatic job opens a prized political window for “bye-election” to fill the seat.

    The battle for the seat is no longer speculative; it is unfolding, accelerating, and rapidly shaping alliances. What began as a presidential nomination has now opened a full spectrum of local ambitions, federal calculations, and regional identity politics.

    Senator Ibrahim, who currently chairs the Senate Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Affairs, is expected to vacate the Senate seat once his ambassadorial appointment is confirmed by his colleagues, who would apprehently use the traditional of “take a bow” as a ritual in the red chamber of the National Assembly.

    With the senator’s imminent departure, the resulting by-election creates a rare mid-term opportunity for political actors seeking relevance, visibility, or bargaining power ahead of the next general elections.

    Analysts have also predicted that the by-election, once announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), could become a major test of political strength within the fold of the ruling APC in Ondo state for the 2027 general elections.

    As INEC’s announcement looms, the political machinery across Ondo South is roaring to life, setting the stage for an election that may define the state’s political rhythm ahead of 2027.

    The Ondo South Senatorial District – spanning Okitipupa, Irele, Ese Odo, Odigbo, Ilaje, and Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo – had always remains one of the state’s most contested zones in history due to its significant voter populations and an oil-rich coastline whose development needs often become key political bargaining chips.

    Elected on the platform of the APC in 2023, Senator Ibrahim, who hails from Igbotako in Okitipupa Local Government Area of the state as a first timer had also contested in the governorship seat on three consecutive times.

    However, several aspirants – both former office holders and new entrants – have begun mobilising consultations across the district’s local government areas, signalling an intense battle for party control in the coming weeks.

    The Nation learnt that from sources that the incumbent Senator has accepted his nomination as a non-career ambassador and would turn in his resignation letter in a few days.

    While awaiting his official resignation, sources within the APC revealed that some leaders from Ondo South are already insisting that Senator Ibrahim’s replacement must come from within the existing party structure. Others argued that the contest should be thrown open to allow for broader participation.

    The development has also rekindled intra-party rivalries within the APC, particularly between the camps loyal to Senator Ibrahim, those aligned with Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, federal-level stakeholders and money bag politicians seeking to assert influence and support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in order to have a share of political positions ahead of the 2027 general election.

    Read Also: Tuggar blames structural weakness for unconstitutional changes of govt, others

    In the midst of the political bickering, the opposition parties, particularly the crisis-ridden Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), are reportedly weighing the option as they hope to capitalize on any cracks within the ruling APC for the Senate seat.

    The PDP, which once dominated Ondo South, is now smelling opportunity as the timing presents an opening. The party is yet to regain its old statewide strength, but political pundits insist that a fractured APC could give the opposition a fighting chance – especially in Odigbo and Okitipupa, where it still retains a few pockets of influence.

    As the district awaits formal timelines from INEC, political activities across the Ondo South are expected to intensify, with alignments, endorsements, and power negotiations likely to define the emergence as the unfolding race is already drawing battle lines among three dominant forces: the incumbent governor, the Abuja power blocs, and the Senator Ibrahim camp.

    According to insiders, the supporters of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa are already seeing the upcoming by-election as an opportunity to consolidate his influence within the district as he positions himself ahead of the 2027 cycle mostly in rallying support for President Tinubu’s re-lection bid.

    The governor, who is also rumoured to still have an eye in the governorship seat after completing his current tenure, is expected to back a candidate – for the Ondo Senate Senatorial District – capable of strengthening his reach, especially in the oil-producing belt where his political roots lie.

    Also, the Abuja power blocs are already tightening their belt with federal-level politicians, including a top minister from the state, political appointees, and APC national powerbrokers eyeing the contest for their loyalists to hold firm the zone.

    For them, the Ondo South seat is not just a legislative position but a strategic foothold that could shape negotiations within the national APC structure for future elections in the state.

    While the politicking is ongoing, Senator Ibrahim’s loyalists and supporters argued that the federal lawmaker or at least his political machinery should have considerable influence in choosing his replacement for the seat even as many of them insist that continuity is essential for ongoing constituency projects and political stability.

    Observers predicted that if the three blocs are not aligned, their competing interests may result in a messy internal struggle that could affect the chances of the APC in the contest.

    One of the political pundits in the state, Barrister Jenyo Orimisan, said that the upcoming bye-election would hot up with the capacity of various aspirants already showing interest in the seat.

    Orimisan explained, “It’s going to be a battle of the Titans if the leadership of the APC didn’t quickly intervene now, and the contest is thrown open. Don’t forget that the Ondo South seat – covering Okitipupa, Ilaje, Irele, Ese Odo, Odigbo, and Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo has historically been highly competitive.

    “The zone formally a strong hold of the opposition party has now been fragmented with ethnic interests, party loyalty, and the powerful voting blocs along the oil-rich coastal belt playing significant roles in determining outcomes and who becomes what.

    “So, it would be tough, and everyone wants to show support for President Bola Tinubu for 2027 election. Nobody would also want to rule out the influence of the incumbent governor. With the calibre of cabinet members in the Aiyedatiwa’s government from Ondo South, would anyone want to say he won’t influence who takes over from Jimoh Ibrahim. The answer is capital No.”

    Though, there are no major contenders who have publicly declared for the seat, but consultations and political permutations have begun with some of the aspirants making underground moves.

    The aspirants include former political heavyweights and office holders, former federal and state lawmakers angling for a return, technocrats seeking political entry, and grassroots mobilisers putting in heads and already positioning themselves for a potential contest.

    They include but no limited to Senator Nicholas Tofowomo, Barrister Morayo Lebi, former APC senatorial aspirant; Akinfolarin Mayowa, ex-House of Representatives member; and Mathew Oye Oyerinmade (MATO) and former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Princess Oladunni Odu.

    Others are: Former Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Jumoke Akindele, former Chief Press Secretary to the erstwhile Ondo governor, Eniola Akinsola, Boye Oyewumi, Diran Iyantan and Otunba Kayode Fakuyi among several others.

    Senator Tofowomo

    Tofowomo was the Senator representing Ondo South Senatorial District of Ondo State at the 9th National Assembly from 2019 to 2023. In a supplementary election, he was elected as senator, representing Ondo South after defeating the then Incumbent Senator Yele Omogunwa. He previously served as the commissioner for transport during the former administration of ex-governor Olusegun Mimiko.

    Barr. Lebi

    Lebi is a distinguished figure in the APC in Ondo state, who had established himself as a visionary leader with a career spanning over three decades, having introduced the party to the Southern part of the state. He contested for various offices, including the Ondo South Senatorial seat in 2015, although he lost the exercise. He also contested the 2024 governorship election exercise.

    Lebi’s commitment to the party’s ideals is evident in his philanthropic efforts, including an N5 million contribution to support the rebuilding of the APC’s state secretariat, which was destroyed during the ENDSARS protest.

    Hon. Akinfolarin

    Akinfolarin was a former legislator and member of the Ondo State House of Assembly from 2003 to 2011, where he rose to the position of a deputy speaker and was also a member of the Nigeria Federal House of Representatives from 2015 to 2023. He won the House of Representatives’ seats to represent the interest of Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo/Odigbo constituency.

    Akinfolarin further re-contested the seat and again won under the APC in 2019, becoming the only APC candidate that won the National Assembly election in Ondo South Senatorial District. Among other several positions, he held the position of the chairman House Committee on Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) of the 9th National Assembly.

    Mathew Oye Oyerinmade

    Oyerinmade, popularly known as MATO, is also a chieftain of the APC and renowned businessman. He contested the race for the Ondo South Senatorial Seat in 2023.

    Born in Oke-Igbo, an ancient town in Ileoluji/Oke-Igbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, on May 27, 1967, Oyerinmade is also known as a

    quiet philanthropist who has contributed consistently and immensely to poverty alleviation, empowerment, and community development in different parts of Ondo State.

    Princess Catherine Oladunni Odu

    Odu is an astute politician. She was born on December, 29 1952 in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State. She was appointed as Secretary to the State Government (SSG) by former governor late Rotimi Akeredolu. She was a Commissioner for Education in Ondo State (1995-1999), former Commissioner for Women Affairs,(January1999 to May 1999), Chairman, Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) from September 2003 – February, 2009.

    In 2013, Odu was appointed Director, Federal Medical Centre, Asaba; a position she held till 2015. She was also appointed the Federal Commissioner, Public Complaints Commission, Akure in 2015. She was again appointed the Chairman, Ondo State Universal Basic Education Board, by late Akeredolu in October 2017.

    Rt (Hon) Jumoke Akindele

    Akindele was the first female speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly. She is also a lawyer. She was born in Okitipupa LGA. In April 2007, Hon Jumoke contested the seat of the constituency, Okitipupa constituency II, but lost to the opposition party. She re-contested on 11 April 2011 and was elect a member of the Ondo State House of Assembly, where she served as Chairman of House Committee on Education before she was elected Speaker of the Assembly.

    On May 27, 2015, she was elected Speaker of the Assembly following the sudden demise of the former speaker Samuel Adesina. She relinquished the leadership position of the house in a resignation letter dated 20 March 2018.

    Eniola Akinsola

    Akinsola is the former Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the former governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko. He’s a journalist, writer, columnist, and season politician who hails from Ondo. He’s also progressive and once contested the Senate seat for the Ondo South Senatorial District.

    Boye Oyewumi

    Oyewumi is a businessman and season politician. He is a former governorship aspirant under the platform of the ruling APC. He is from Oke-Igbo in Ile-Oluji. Oyewumi carries with him a legacy of discipline, public service, and community loyalty. He is also jostling for the race to take over from Jimoh Ibrahim.

    Oyewumi’s political consciousness was awakened early. As a young activist in the 1990s, he joined the historic Hope ’93 presidential campaign of Chief M.K.O. Abiola, standing firmly on the side of democratic values. He later aligned with the NADECO movement, lending his voice to Nigeria’s struggle for the restoration of democracy.

    Diran Iyantan

    Iyantan is a former Federal Commissioner for National Population Commission (NPC), representing Ondo State and former governorship aspirant under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the November 16th, 2024 governorship election in Ondo State. He also served as a former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Ondo State.

    The Ikale-born APC chieftain has been involved in progressive politics in the state since the inception of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), which later evolved into the APC. He’s also eyeing the Senate seat.

    Ogbeni Fakuyi

    Fakuyi, who hails from Ilutitun Ward 2 in Okitipupa local government area, is also a big player in the ruling APC. He was coordinator for Buhari Vanguard in Ondo State in 2014/2015. He coordinated a group of young professionals for the Tinubu/Shettima campaign in the 2023 general election.

    He was a leading voice for the restoration of power supply to Ondo South Senatorial District when the distribution company disconnected the entire zone from the national grid. Mr Fakuyi holds Masters degree in Legislative Studies from the National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Abuja. He is a legislative consultant to many federal lawmakers and legislative institutions with primary focus on public policy, public procurement, and constitutional matters.

  • Senate’s push for death penalty against kidnappers

    Senate’s push for death penalty against kidnappers

    • By Babatola Akinsanmi

    In response to security challenges nationwide, the Senate has been working diverse measures to deepen internal peace, order and stability. The measures include the classification of kidnapping as an act of terrorism and prescription of death penalty for kidnappers, their financiers and informants.

    The last fortnight has been quite engaging in the Senate, even the National Assembly. The reasons for such high-spirited engagement are in two folds. First, it is associated with the spate of kidnapping, hostage-taking and other related heinous offences that took place in different parts of the federation.

    Second, the search for lasting antidotes to the security challenges further deepened the senate’s multi-pronged engagement. And the engagement was tied to restoring peace, order and stability across the federation. This is premised on the conviction that the National Assembly has the mandate to make or review laws to enable security agencies carry out their operations within the ambit of duly enacted laws.

    Specifically, the succession of kidnapping incidents in Maga, Kebbi State; Papiri, Niger State; and Eruku, Kwara State inspired the senate to take diverse initiatives to support the efforts of the President Bola Tinubu administration to nip insecurity in the bud. At least, these cases alone brought 313 persons, including about 250 schoolgirls, into the captivity of the kidnappers.  However, some of them have regained their freedom.

    Measures from the Senate

    In response to these challenges, the senate has been taking measures to strengthen the country’s counter-terrorism operations. One of such measures was the dissolution of the Senate Committees on Air Force as well as National Security and Intelligence, which Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele attributed to ineffectiveness in the exercise of their oversight powers. This initiative received unanimous support from all senators across all the political divides.

    Besides, the senate directed its Committees on Army, Navy, Defence, Interior and Police Affairs to submit reports of their activities to the plenary within two weeks. The essence of the reports, according to Bamidele, is to highlight the initiatives the committees have taken to reduce the waves of insecurity in the country and justify why they should not be dissolved and reconstituted.

    While President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio subjected this initiative to the decision of the plenary, it was a case of unanimity among the senators. This attested to what Bamidele ascribed to the resolve of the senate to first purge itself as it explored other measures that could further reinforce the country’s national security.

    The senate, also, treated with an unusual speed the request of the president for the screening of his Minister of Defence Nominee, General Christopher Musa. The request was subjected to consideration the day the senate president formally read it at the plenary, which according to him, could not be delayed due to the need to sustain the fight against the enemies of the country.

    Read Also: Ribadu in talks with U.S. fact-finding Congressional delegation

    Inside the Bill

    Apart from all these measures, the senate initiated “a Bill for an Act to amend the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.” The amendment bill was sponsored by the senate leader. But prior to its initiation, all senators subscribed to the national significance of the bill, which they all argued, would meaningfully contribute to countering extremist violence across the federation.

    At the core of the bill lies the collective will of all the lawmakers, indeed all Nigerians  to  address gaps in the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. As canvassed in his lead debate, the senate leader  pointed out three central objectives that inspired the senate to seek review of the Act, first enacted in 2011 to prosecute and punish any person found guilty of terror and other related acts.

    Bamidele first identified the compelling need to designate kidnapping, hostage-taking and other related offences as acts of terrorism. The classification, according to him, empowers our security agencies with broader operational authority, intelligence capabilities, and prosecutorial tools available under counter-terrorism law.

    He, also, cited the failure of the existing counter-terrorism legislation to prescribe maximum punitive measures for kidnappers and hostage-takers. Unlike the existing regime, the senate now agreed that the death penalty be recommended for all perpetrators of kidnapping, hostage taking and other related crimes.

    Bamidele further observed that the bill did “not only recommend the death penalty for kidnappers or hostage takers. It equally recommends it for  their logistics providers,  financiers, informants, harbourers, transporters and anyone who knowingly assists, facilitates, or supports kidnapping operations. And its essence is to serve the purpose of deterrence and empower law enforcement agencies to confront kidnapping at a scale it currently demands.”

    The senate leader highlighted the significance of the bill, when it becomes law, to become a veritable tool, which the  law enforcement agencies “will leverage to dismantle kidnapping networks by enabling stronger enforcement as well as placing kidnapping under the terrorism framework anywhere in the federation.

    “By placing kidnapping under the terrorism framework, agencies can pursue: asset tracing and forfeiture, intelligence-led operations, inter-agency coordination, swift pre-trial procedures under terrorism laws, disruption of funding and logistics chains. This will help weaken the infrastructure that sustains kidnapping syndicates,” he pointed out with a conviction to pursue counter-terrorism campaigns with more consequential regimes.

    The grounds for these proposals are pure and simple,, according to the leader of the senate. He ascribed the grounds to the manners kidnappers “have killed their victims; compelled them to pay ransom; subjected them to brutal torture, raped, mutilated and starved hostages; and used crime proceeds to procure more weapons and perpetrate more crimes.”

    Evident in its grievous consequences for the victims, their families and the economy at large, Bamidele argued that kidnapping “is no longer a mere crime. It is terrorism in its purest form,” which he argued, should not be fought with kid’s gloves. “If an offence repeatedly results in mass murder, mass fear, mass displacement, and systemic destabilization, then the strongest legal sanction becomes necessary.”

    No more deradicalisation

    At the height of the debate, some senators questioned the efficiency of the deradicalisation programme, which the federal government introduced to discourage violent extremists and terrorists from taking up arms against the state. Even though all senators supported amendments to the Terrorism Act, some argued against the programme, citing its failure to bring about desired outcomes.

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Interior, Senator Adams Oshiomhole first questioned the deradicalisation programme, which according to him, had not failed to prevent extremists, hostage takers, kidnappers and terrorists from returning to their crimes.

    He emphasised the danger of extending amnesty “to extremists and terrorists, a model that has not effectively countered extremist violence.” He, thus, faulted “a practice whereby an extremist or terrorist will be arrested and allowed to go without facing consequence of his crimes in the name of deradicalisation and reintegration. This has not produced any meaningful result given the rising acts of terrorism nationwide.”

    Based on evidence in the public domain, Oshiomhole pointed out two scenarios, which he said, justified the failure of the deradicalisation programme. In the first place, the failure of the programme manifested in a situation where some of the repentant terrorists went back “to take up arms against the state that granted them amnesty.”

    The failure, also, became more evident in another situation whereby the federal government spent “so much money on prosecuting terrorists, and the suspects will not be allowed to bear the brunt of his heinous crimes.” He classified such a practice as a case of double loss, which according to him, would continue to fester the wounds of injustice in the federation.

    Oshiomhole, therefore, pushed for the adoption of capital punishment for kidnappers, hostage takers and other related offences. He said such a measure “is rooted in the Bible and Quran. If the holy books prescribe that those who are killed have no right to be alive, we should not hesitate to do the same. This bill should outlaw any initiative or programme that seeks to deradicalise whether extremists or terrorists, kidnappers or hostage takers. If any individual is caught and convicted for such heinous acts, then the penalty should be death and nothing more.”

    Supporting Oshiomhole’s argument against the deradicalisation programme, Chairman, Senate Committee on South-East Development Commission, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu lamented untold agonies that kidnappers “have subjected their victims, whether in the North or in the South.

    “Consequently, it is a natural thing for all senators to unite against such acts and push for a system that will enforce maximum penalties. Likewise, informants, sponsors and everybody involved in such heinous acts must face the full consequences of their crimes.”

    Kalu concluded that Nigerians “have suffered so much in the hands of kidnappers. Young girls have been raped. Women have become widows for no reason. This must not continue again,” Kalu called attention of his colleagues to untold and grievous pains that Nigerians had suffered and the need for more consequential measures.

    Resolution of the Senate

    Minority Leader of the Senate, Senator Abba Moro summed up the perspectives to the bill, which according to him, perfectly reflected the spirit of unanimity among all senators. As a result, he called for its passage into second reading, citing the need “to complete the review on time and come up with a new regime that emphasises consequence rather than pardon.”

    After the exhaustive debates, the senate resolved in favour of the bill, passing it into second reading unanimously. It also adopted all the amendments to the bill  as proposed by the senate leader. It referred the bill to the relevant committees for the purpose of wider consultation,  public hearing and securing buy-in of the people.

    The senate further directed its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters chaired by Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire, SAN to midwife the process of the public hearing and report to the plenary within two weeks. It mandated the judiciary committee to work together on the bill with its Committee on Interior as well as Committee on National Security and Intelligence.

    • Akinsanmi, a peace and governance, specialist, wrote from Abuja

  • Senate directs NCDC to resolve lead poisoning in Lagos

    Senate directs NCDC to resolve lead poisoning in Lagos

    • No room for health hazard, says Abiru

    The Senate has directed the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) to deploy emergency medical teams for free toxicology screening and continuous treatment of children and adults in Ogijo, following an outbreak of lead poisoning.

    The directive followed the motion by Senate Tokunbo Abiru, who directed the attention of the Senate to the lead-poisoning crisis in Ogijo, a boundary town between Ogun and Lagos states, during plenary.

    Describing lead poisoning as a national public health emergency, the senator from Lagos East District said, “No community in our country should be exposed to hazardous industrial practices, and the situation in Ogijo demands urgent national attention.”

    Read Also: Wanted: legislative action on state/council joint account provision

    The Senate commended the Federal, Lagos and Ogun State governments for their active engagement and swift responses and collaborative actions.

    It mandated the NCDC to deploy emergency medical teams for free toxicology screening, and continuous treatment of children and adults in the affected town.

    The NCDC was also mandated to do a detailed environmental remediation and contamination mapping exercise.

    The Senate also directed NEMA to provide emergency relief and food support, clean water intervention to Ogijo residents.

  • Senate raises alarm over silent lead poisoning in Lagos, Ogun

    Senate raises alarm over silent lead poisoning in Lagos, Ogun

    • Lawmakers seek emergency clean-up to avoid public health catastrophe

    The Senate yesterday raised the alarm over what it described as a “widespread and scientifically verified lead-poisoning disaster” ravaging Ogijo, a densely populated community straddling the Ikorodu area of Lagos and the Ogun East Senatorial District.

    Senator said the situation, linked to multiple used lead-acid battery recycling factories, has evolved into a full-blown public health emergency, with children, women and factory workers facing life-altering health consequences after years of exposure to toxic emissions.

    In a Motion, Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru (APC – Lagos East) and Senator Gbenga Daniel (Ogun East), warned that Ogijo is now confronting “an environmental catastrophe of global significance,” with contamination levels reaching up to 186 times the internationally accepted safety limits.

    Abiru, who is sponsor of the motion, expressed shock over reports of persistent headaches, abdominal pain, seizures, memory loss and cognitive decline, symptoms strongly associated with long-term lead exposure, reported by residents for years without effective intervention.

    He also cited independent investigations by The Examination and The New York Times, which confirmed severe poisoning through blood tests and toxic soil sampling.

    Particularly troubling, Abiru noted, was evidence that processed lead from Ogijo had entered global supply chains feeding major automobile manufacturers, illustrating how contaminated Nigerian lead was exported while local communities inhaled toxic fumes.

    He said: “Children are dying slowly. Families have lived for years under poisonous smoke and dust,” Senator Abiru said, urging immediate federal intervention.

     The Senate, he said, has noted the recent action of the Federal Government through the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mrs. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, who shut down seven recycling factories and temporarily suspended the export of lead ingots from the industrial cluster.

    But, he insisted the action, though commendable, was only the first step, as several operators deny wrongdoing, regulatory enforcement remains weak, and exposure in the community continues to be “extreme and unacceptable.”

    Acknowledging early interventions by the Lagos and Ogun State Governments, Abiru stressed that the Constitution mandates the State to protect citizens’ health and ensure a safe environment.

    “This is not just an environmental issue, it is a constitutional duty,” Senator Abiru said. “The lives and futures of children in Ogijo must not be traded for toxic profits,” the senator said.

    He warned that rising global demand for recycled lead, combined with weak local enforcement, has transformed Nigerian communities into “sacrifice zones,” where toxic industries operate with impunity.

    With Ogijo now at the centre of international scrutiny, senators in their contributions supported the motion and said Nigeria must strengthen regulation, enforce accountability, and ensure that no community suffers the same fate.

    Read Also: Buhari names Adesina, Djeba, Seriki, 39 others as ambassadors-nominees

    “The tragedy of Ogijo must be a turning point,” the Senate resolved”, adding: “The nation cannot allow this slow, silent poisoning to continue.”

    The Senate in its resolutions ordered emergency medical response and environmental remediation to contain the crisis by approving sweeping measures, including:

    They resolved as follows:

    ·      Deployment of emergency medical teams by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) for free toxicology screening, blood-lead testing, chelation therapy and long-term treatment for victims.

    ·      A comprehensive environmental remediation by the Federal Ministry of Environment and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) to map soil, groundwater, air and household dust contamination.

    ·      Strict nationwide enforcement of battery recycling and lead-processing standards by the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.

    ·      Emergency relief and temporary relocation for severely affected families through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

    ·      A national briefing by the Ministers of Environment, Health, Solid Minerals, Labour and Employment, and the NESREA DG before the Senate Committee on Environment and Solid Minerals.

    ·      Creation of a National Lead Poisoning Response and Remediation office within NEMA to coordinate clean-up, medical treatment, monitoring, and global traceability of exported lead.”

    The Senate directed its Committee on Legislative Compliance to ensure full implementation of all resolutions within six weeks.

  • Senate to Fed Govt: include Ore-Okitipupa-Igbokoda Highway in ongoing repairs on Akure-Ore corridor

    Senate to Fed Govt: include Ore-Okitipupa-Igbokoda Highway in ongoing repairs on Akure-Ore corridor

    The Federal Ministry of Works got a request from the Senate yesterday – it should incorporate the Ore-Okitipupa-Igbokoda Federal Road in the ongoing Federal Government repair works on the Akure-Ore corridor under Project CNo, 6509.

    The request, made through a resolution, followed the Red Chamber’s consideration and adoption of a motion, titled: “Achieving fair and balanced infrastructure development expansion of Akure-Ore Road Repairs to  Ore-Okitipupa- lgbokoda Unity Road.”

    Senator Jimoh Ibrahim of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Ondo South sponsored the motion.

    According to the Senate, the expansion of Akure-Ore Road Repairs to Ore- Okitipupa- lgbokoda Unity Road, would bring about a fair and balanced infrastructure development against the backdrop that Ondo State is an oil-producing state contributing over seven per cent of Nigeria’s crude oil revenue, with the major oil-producing communities located in the Ondo South Senatorial District.

    In his lead debate, Senator Ibrahim said that the Senate: “notes that road construction, repairs, redesign, and reconsruction are vital to any nation’s economic development, particularly where traffic volume has increased significantly in support of commercial activities.

    “Nigeria classifies roads by national importance, designating major routes as federal, state, or local governinenmt roads to ensure clear responsibility for maintenance.

    “Also notes that the Akure-Ore Road repairs, officially designated as Project C/No. 6509 and coded

    ERGP12190717, are a Federal Government initiative supervised by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing with a total appropriation of N31,023,545.00, with the same amount allocated in the 2023 fiscal year.

    Read Also: Stakeholders differ on Senate’s bill on compulsory national exams

    “The project is ongoing and forms part of Nigeria’s commitment to the UN-supported Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which align with World Bank and IMF policies aimed at eradicating poverty by 2030

    “While the Federal Government’s ongoing interventions on major highways are commendable, it is critical to capture and address the concerns of key stakeholders affected by road conditions in oil-producing regions.

    “Ondo State is an oil-producing state contributing over seven per cent of Nigeria’s crude oil revenue, with the major oil-producing communities located in the Ondo South Senatorial District.

    “The primary access route to this region is the Ore-Okitipupa-Igbokoda Federal Road, which is directly linked to the ongoing Project C/No. 6509 and accounts for 95 per cent of the economic relevance of the corridor, yet remains largely unattended

    “Stakeholder engagement is vital in government decision-making, especially where the collective interests of communities coincide.

    “The Ore-0kitipupa-Igbokoda Road serves as a unity road, linking oil-producing communities across the district and enabling shared economic and social benefits.

    “Protecting and strengthening the unity of communities with common interests remains a national responsibility.

    “The Federal Ministry of Works and Housing can deepen public trust and support by ensuring equitable distribution of federal infrastructure projects, particularly in economically strategic regions.

    “Communities across the Ondo South Senatorial District have historically coexisted peacefully andare committed to preserving their shared heritage and collective identity.

    “Communal tensions may arise when government policies on infrastructure appear to favour some communities over others. It is the responsibility of the Senate to ensure fairness, equity, and national security.

    “Oil-producing communities must benefit from the resources derived from their lands, and exclusion could create feelings of marginalisation, especially where one community’s resources appear to be used to develop another.

    “Excluding the Ore-Okitipupa-Igbokoda Road from the ongoing federal repairs effectively overlooks the only federal highway serving an oil-producing zone in the state, thereby marginalising more than two million residents, including 1.5 million registered voters in Ondo South Senatorial District. In the interest of justice, equity, and national unity, it is imnperative that this corridor be included in the ongoing works.”

  • President nominates Ibas, Enang, others as ambassadors

    President nominates Ibas, Enang, others as ambassadors

    The Senate yesterday received requests for confirmation of 65 Ambassadorial nominees from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    The nominees were read from two different lists by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio during plenary.

    The nominees were in two categories of 34 Career Ambassadors and High Commissioners and 31 Non – Career Ambassadors and High Commissioners-designate.

    Notable on the list of Non Career Ambassadors and High Commissioners are Senator Solomon Ita Enang from Akwa Ibom State, Vice Admiral Ibas Ibok-Ete from Cross River State, Senator Grace Bent from Adamawa State, former Imo First Lady, Chioma Ohakim; and former Minister of Interior and ex–Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau.

    Notable names among the 34 Career Ambassadors and High Commissioners are Ambassador Sulu-Gambari Olatunji Ahmed from Kwara State, Ambassador Ahmed Mohammed Monguno from Borno State, Ambassador Maimuna Ibrahim Besto (Adamawa).

    Read Also: Ogijo lead poisoning: Senate raises alarm over silent public health crisis

    President Tinubu called on the Senate to expeditiously consider and confirm the nominees.

    Accordingly, the President of the Senate, forwarded the requests to the Senate committee on Foreign Affairs for screening and to report back within one week.

     President Tinubu had earlier forwarded to the Senate three ambassadorial nominees last week for appointment and  confirmation.

    They are: Kayode Are (Ogun State), Aminu Dalhatu (Jigawa) and Ayodele Oke (Oyo State).

    They were screened and cleared on Wednesday by the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs chaired by Senator Abubakar Sani Bello (APC – Niger North).

  • Senate hails CBN over falling inflation, forex stability

    Senate hails CBN over falling inflation, forex stability

    The Senate on Thursday commended the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for what it described as a remarkable turnaround in key macroeconomic indicators, including sustained disinflation, exchange rate stability, rising external reserves, and renewed investor confidence. 

    Lawmakers also welcomed the Bank’s positive projections for 2026, noting that Nigeria’s economic fundamentals have strengthened significantly under ongoing monetary and structural reforms.

    The commendation came during the second statutory engagement of the year between the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions and the apex bank, held in Abuja.

    Chairman of the committee, Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru (APC-Lagos East), in his opening remarks, before the meeting went into closed-door session, said recent economic data show that the CBN’s reforms are yielding tangible results, with inflation declining steadily from its peak and the naira maintaining stability across markets.

    Abiru praised the CBN for steering inflation down to about 16 per cent as of October 2025, a sharp drop from the pressures of the past two years.

    He said the stability in the foreign exchange market, convergence of rates, and improved liquidity have strengthened business planning and boosted investor confidence.

    He also highlighted the steady growth in external reserves, now above $46.7 billion, which he said provides “stronger buffers against external shocks and reinforces Nigeria’s creditworthiness.”

    The Senator further commended the apex bank for its role in securing improved sovereign ratings from global agencies Fitch and S&P.

    On monetary policy, Abiru noted the CBN’s decision to retain the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) at 27 per cent while adjusting the standing facility corridor, saying it reflects a delicate balance between anchoring inflation expectations and supporting credit expansion.

    But the Committee Chairman also raised issues requiring clarification, including the 2026 timeline for banking sector recapitalisation, the clearing of outstanding FX forwards, and lingering concerns about mutilated naira notes, excessive bank charges, cyber risks in the digital finance space, and the controversial Auditor-General’s report on unremitted operating surplus allegedly involving N1.44 trillion.

    Responding, CBN Governor Dr. Olayemi Cardoso delivered a detailed report on macroeconomic performance in the second half of 2025 and the outlook for 2026, affirming that Nigeria’s economic recovery is firm and broad-based.

    Cardoso said despite global headwinds, ranging from geopolitical tensions to fluctuations in oil prices, Nigeria has “consolidated macroeconomic stability, strengthened financial markets, and improved monetary policy effectiveness.”

    He stated that the Bank’s inflation-targeting transition, tighter monetary stance, and FX market reforms have restored credibility to monetary policy.

    According to him, real GDP grew by 3.98 per cent in the third quarter of 2025, driven by crop production, ICT, real estate, and financial services, while the Purchasing Managers’ Index reached 56.4 points in November, its highest level in five years, indicating stronger output growth.

    On inflation, Cardoso reported that headline inflation has fallen for seven consecutive months, down from 34.6 per cent in November 2024 to 16.05 per cent in October 2025, the lowest in three years.

    Food inflation, he said, has also dropped significantly to 13.12 per cent, easing pressure on household consumption and business operations.

    The Governor emphasised that the benefits of the CBN’s reforms are most evident in the foreign exchange market, where stability has returned, and arbitrage opportunities have largely disappeared.

    He said the gap between the official and parallel market rates has narrowed to under 2 per cent, compared to over 60 per cent a year ago.

    “As of November 26, the naira traded at N1,442.92/$ at the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market, an improvement from the first-half average.

    “Foreign reserves have surged to $46.7 billion, the highest in almost seven years, while diaspora remittances have risen by 66.7 per cent to about $600 million per month,” he said.

    Perhaps the most significant achievement, he noted, was the clearance of the $7 billion FX backlog, which has restored investor confidence and catalysed foreign capital inflows.

    Nigeria recorded $20.98 billion in capital inflows in the first 10 months of 2025—a 70 per cent increase over the entire 2024 figure and a 428 per cent jump from 2023.

    Cardoso also confirmed strong gains in the external sector, including an 85 per cent improvement in the current account balance and a dramatic narrowing of the balance of payments deficit by over 90 per cent in Q2 2025.

    On the financial system, he said the banking recapitalisation programme is “firmly on track,” with 27 banks raising capital and 16 already meeting or exceeding the new thresholds ahead of the March 31, 2026, deadline. The stock market, he added, has surged by 19 per cent between June and November due to renewed investor confidence.

    He also highlighted advances in digital finance, including the extension of the Payment System Vision Roadmap to 2028, the rollout of over 12 million contactless cards, the expansion of the regulatory sandbox to 40 fintechs, and progress in interoperability and cybersecurity.

    Looking ahead, Cardoso declared that “the outlook for 2026 is positive.”

    He projected further moderation in inflation, sustained exchange-rate stability, stronger banking-sector resilience, and continued reforms to bolster payment infrastructure, liquidity management, and prudential oversight.

    The CBN, he assured the Senate, will remain vigilant amid global uncertainties but is confident that Nigeria’s strengthened economic foundations will mitigate risks and sustain recovery.

    With both arms of government aligned on economic direction, the Senate expressed optimism that the reforms will deliver lasting stability, growth, and improved living standards for Nigerians.

  • Coalition urges Senate to fast-track child protection bill after House passage

    Coalition urges Senate to fast-track child protection bill after House passage

    The National Online Safety Coalition has urged the Senate to promptly take up, consider, and pass the Child Online Access Protection Bill to safeguard Nigerian children as the legislation heads for concurrence.

    The Coalition said the urgency of Senate action cannot be overstated, stressing that swift passage will enable timely transmission to President Bola Tinubu for assent.

    Welcoming the Bill’s passage at Third Reading in the House of Representatives, the Coalition, a multi-stakeholder network advancing digital safety, described the development as a milestone in Nigeria’s quest for a comprehensive child online protection framework.

    It noted that Nigeria currently faces severe threats online, with over 50 percent of children having encountered digital harm, while 80 percent of harmful content involving minors stays online for more than 48 hours before removal.

    The Coalition praised House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, the Bill’s sponsor, Hon. Olumide Osoba, the Chairman of the House Committee on Justice, and members of the House for demonstrating urgency at a time when online threats to children are rising at unprecedented speed.

    It said the Bill introduces the most far-reaching legal regime yet to reinforce platform responsibility, curb exploitation, and enforce accountability for Big Tech.

    The coalition noted that during Committee consideration, the report successfully integrated key recommendations from Gatefield, the Coalition’s technical lead, aligning with evidence from the recent State of Online Harms in Nigeria report.

    “This landmark legislation brings Nigeria closer to a digital ecosystem where platforms are held accountable, and the rights of children to safely explore the digital world are upheld.

    “The House has taken decisive action, and this momentum must now carry into the Senate,” Shirley Ewang, Advocacy Lead at Gatefield, said.

    Building on national momentum behind the cause, the Coalition recalled that Hon. Osoba had publicly affirmed his target to secure full House passage within three months at the Child Online Safety Forum convened in October, a pledge now fulfilled.

    Read Also: Ogijo lead poisoning: Senate raises alarm over silent public health crisis

    “The House of Representatives has taken a bold step to safeguard our children online. It is now the Senate’s turn to complete this essential work.

    “Protecting children in the digital age cannot be optional,” said Khadijah El-Usman, Senior Program Officer at Paradigm Initiative.

    According to the coalition, following the House passage, the harmonised legislation will be transmitted to the Senate for debate, and once both chambers approve a clean copy, it will move to the President for assent, bringing Nigeria closer than at any point in its history to a robust and enforceable standard for online child protection.

    The Coalition reaffirmed its commitment to sustained engagement with policymakers, civil society partners, and digital platforms to ensure that the final Act is effective, rights-based, and consistent with global best practices.

    It said its members remain united in advancing a safer and more accountable digital ecosystem for every Nigerian child.