The Nation Newspaper

Tag: SENATOR

  • Senator provides transformers, boreholes for Kogi constituents

    The Senator representing Kogi Central, Ahmed Ogembe has donated 25 boreholes and six transformers to the five local government areas in the district.

    The boreholes are spread across the five council areas of Adavi, Okene, Okehi, Ogorimagongo and Ajaokuta.

    He disclosed that work has reached advanced stages at the Okene multipurpose civic centre.

    Represented by his media aide, Mr. Yemi Duke, during the presentation, he described his achievements in one year as evident that he is determined to give priority to the welfare of the people in his district.

    He said, “It is evident that we have a representative at the senate who is ready to give priority to the welfare of his people.”

    Speaking on the civic centre in Okene, Duke said it was the initiative of the senator, as local government chairman, but which he could not complete before the end of his tenure.

    “The senator initiated the idea of the civic centre to serve as a rallying point for the people of the council area, but could not complete it then, as he won the election to the senate.

    “He therefore decided to complete the project to achieve his dream of bringing the people together under one roof,” he said.

    He listed other his other priority areas to include empowerment with direct impact on the people in view of the current economy recession.

    He thanked the people for their mandate, adding that he is determined to do his best at good representation in the Senate.

  • Okpai monarch, others reject title on senator

    The traditional ruler of the oil-rich Okpai Kingdom in Delta State, Igwe Goldring Ugbome II, has dissociated himself from the proposed conferment of the highest chieftaincy title of Ochiagha of Ndokwa Nation on Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, who represents Delta North.

    Igwe Ugbome II, an octogenarian and king of Okpai for 53 years, cited “the controversy generated by the chieftaincy and need to ensure peace and unity in Ndokwa Land” as his reason for withdrawing from the event slated for tomorrow.

    The Igwe of Okpai, who is also the Chairman of the council of traditional rulers in Ndokwa Nation, comprising Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West and Ukwuani,  said in his letter to the Directorate of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Asaba that the proposed title had become too controversial and unacceptable to major stake holders of Ndokwa extraction.

    Two apex bodies in Ndokwa Nation, the Ndosimili Development Union and Ukwuani Foundation Union, had earlier rejected the conferment of the Ochiagha title on the senator, by the Oduosa of Utagba-Ogbe, HRM Isaac Obi.

    The groups argued that the title of Ochiagha, meaning the “General Officer Commanding (GOC)” is reserved exclusively for illustrious sons of Ndokwa.

    The proposed event equally drew the flaks of notable Ndokwa indigenes, including retired and serving military generals  because it was done without due consultations with political leaders and other traditional institutions in the area.

    Of the 14 traditional rulers in Ndokwa East, only one gave full consent to the deal while two of the four traditional rulers in Ndokwa West and Ukwuani endorsed the project.

    The highest socio-cultural body in Ndokwa Nation, the Ndokwa Neku Union (NNU), suggested more consultations with major stakeholders and any other title, aside the controversial Ochiagha.

     

  • Ex-governor cautions Fani-Kayode, senator against inflammatory statements

    Elder statesman and first Civilian Governor of old Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, has cautioned former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, and others, against making inflammatory statements that could aggravate the Southern Kaduna crisis.

    The former governor, who described Fani-Kayode as a trouble maker, warned that inciting the people against others would be destructive.

    He cautioned against self defence, as Senator Danjuma La’ah and others called for, saying it would rather lead to more crises.

    He called on the people, irrespective of religion and ethnicity, to unite to end the killings which, according to him, started in 1986.

    Musa urged Governor Nasir El-Rufai to revive Kachia Ginger and other companies in the south, which he said would address the poverty and backwardness in the zone.

    His words: “The people of Southern Kaduna must resist incitements from people misadvising them to carry arms. Instead, they should join hands with some of the honest people they identify in Kaduna North and Central to end the crisis.”

     

  • Rowdy session over defection of PDP senator to APC

    The defection of the senator representing Akwa Ibom South, Senator Nelson Effiong, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to All Progressives Congress (APC) threw the Senate into a rowdy session on Thursday.
     
    Senator Effiong who announced his defection from the PDP to the ruling APC blamed what he called the intractable crisis in the PDP as the reason for his action.
     
    The Akwa Ibom lawmaker noted that no reasonable politician worth his onions should remain in the PDP.
     
    He added that APC as a party has brought stability to Nigeria and also restored peace to some troubled parts of the country.
     
    He said, “I have decided that no reasonable politician who is worth his onions would remain in PDP and allow his people to be drifting about without a direction. So I have decided today (yesterday), the 19th day of January, 2017, to resign from the PDP and move to the party that is bringing peace and direction to this country.”
     
    Hardly had the defector sat down than the Deputy Minority Leader of the Senate, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, took him on about his choice of words.
     
    Bwacha said that he had no issue if Effiong decided to jump ship ‘but it is insulting for him to describe those in the PDP as unreasonable.”
     
    He added that those who elected to follow the weather in their political career were free to do so.
     
    Such politicians, he said, should not turn round to insult others.
     
    The Taraba South lawmaker warned Effiong about the consequences of his action.
     
    Bwacha said: “I hope that my colleague is aware of the implications of what he has just done. The PDP as a party is one and is intact. I fear for his seat and the consequences that may follow as a result of this action. I want to say that what he has said appears to be an insult to those of us who are in the PDP that ‘a politician that is worth his onions will not remain in PDP’.
     
    “That is an insult. If you want to do the usual business in the Nigerian politics of following the weather, he should say it clearly. This business of moving here and there following the weather should be stated clearly and let him not deviate from the original intentions he has. We are going to meet in court.”
     
    The Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio who walked into the chamber after the defection, told the Senate that the PDP in Akwa Ibom State will challenge the defection in court and reclaim its mandate.
     
    Akpabio noted as an individual, Senator Effiong has the right to jump ship, but not to the detriment of the party under whose platform he rode to get to the Senate.
     
    Akpabio said: “I understand maybe due to political intoxication or otherwise, the Senator has  jumped ship and moved from this side to the other side. I need to let the Senate and the president know that in terms of the court decisions up to the Supreme Court, that it is not an individual that contests an election.
     
    “It is a political party and therefore the moment somebody takes the mandate of a political party, it behooves on that political party to immediately take steps. We heard that this action is going to take place and we engaged the Senator in various discussions and we showed him the implication. 
     
    “I want it to be noted in this Senate that the PDP in Akwa Ibom State is already on its way to court and we   would want to reclaim its mandate. We must reclaim the mandate given to us and we do not mind the Senator joining the APC, but he will not go with the mandate given to us in Akwa Ibom State. The reason why I am standing is that today, it is the PDP, tomorrow it might be APC.”
     
    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, fearing escalation of the issue, did not allow further debate of the defection.
     
    Some Senators were seen arguing on top of their voices against and for the defection.
     
    The way and manner the defection of Senator Yele Omogunwa representing Ondo South from PDP to APC was handled forced PDP senators to walk out of the chamber last month.
     
    It was apparent that Saraki did not want the walk of the opposition senators to reoccur.

  • Kwara South students hail senator

    Students, under the aegis of Federation of Kwara South Students Union (FEKSSU), have hailed the Senator representing Kwara South senatorial district at the National Assembly, Rafiu Ibrahim, for active representation.

    National President, FEKSSU, Ibrahim Oriola, also praised Ibr\ahim for assisting youths in his constituency.

    He said: “We are pleased to express our satisfaction with the current level of representation we are getting at the upper chamber in the last two years.

    “Based on this, we use this opportunity to urge the Senate President Bukola Saraki, who is also the political leader of the state,  to give us Senator Ibrahim for one more term because he has achieved over 50 percent of his campaign promises with less than two years in office.”

    Oriola revealed that the union had “set machinery in motion to help the indigent students by giving out free JAMB scratch cards to over 100 students across the senatorial district.

    ‘’We are also planning to establish 10 chapters across four northern states. We shall remain focused on the primary aims and objectives of the union.’’

    He said that FEKSSU recently concluded its Unity week with special church services, Christmas carol programme, a talk show and inter campus games. Others were visitation to traditional rulers, awareness rally, leadership and entreprenurship summit.

  • Senator hails Ambode on development

    Senator hails Ambode on development

    The senator representing Lagos West, Solomon Adeola, has praised Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for many developmental projects.
    Speaking at his annual end of year senatorial constituency party at Egbeda in Alimosho Local Government Area, the senator said in less than two years, the Ambode administration has done what looked impossible.
    He said such projects such as “Light Up Lagos”, roads, job creation and the Employment Trust Fund are needed for a state of a mega city status.
    Adeola said Nigerians should remain prayerful to get out of recession, adding that with the work on and passage of the 2017 Budget, Nigeria is set to get out of the wood economically.
    He promised to always carry along his constituents, adding that he has presented over 15 bills mostly on constitutional amendments.

  • Kaduna killings: APC warns senator

    Kaduna killings: APC warns senator

    ALL Progressives Congress (APC) in Southern Kaduna has warned Senator Danjuma La’ah to desist from sabotaging government’s effort and complicating the killings for political gains.
    At a news conference yesterday, Southern Kaduna Zonal Chairman Luka Shemang, and State Director of Media and Publicity, Manasseh Istifanus, accused La’ah and other opposition members of planting hatred in the people’s heart to score cheap points.
    He said although the attacks were inherited from the past administration, Governor Nasir El-Rufai took steps to address the situation.
    Shemang called on the opposition to stop the unpatriotic act and support El-Rufai to end terrorism.
    He said: “We are not here to join issues with them; rather we want to set the records straight as they affect the peace-loving people of Southern Kaduna and our party.
    “Recall that in 2011, the government initiated a peace and reconciliatory committee, with a view to bringing peace to the region, and some level of success were recorded.
    “But in 2012, a new government, under Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, was formed and the attacks continued as no peace initiative was initiated nor was any concrete security arrangement made to safeguard life and property. The attacks continued until 2015 when Nasir El-Rufai came to power.
    “In an effort to bring lasting peace to the region, the government constituted a committee, chaired by Gen. Martin Luther Agwai (rtd), whose function among others, was to review the 2011 peace report and make recommendations to the government.
    “Several peace meetings were organised and snubbed by some perceived groups and individuals bent on poisoning the minds of our people in a bid to discredit government’s efforts.
    “This act cannot be tolerated and we urge them to desist and accord us the respect we deserve, especially the governor, deputy governor and any other person serving in this government.
    “We want to state here that in as much as we encourage constructive criticism from the opposition, we want to relay our disappointment about certain individuals who have been talking recently, who don’t even have the moral standing to talk.
    “We, as a party from Southern Kaduna, will continue to ensure that our government takes steps and actions to protect lives and properties and stop the bloodletting.”

  • Senator seeks partnership with Finland in agriculture, technology

    •Finland marks 99th Independence

    How to boost bilateral trade and relationship between Finland and Nigeria was the topic of discussion at an event marking the Finland’s 99th Independence anniversary. The low-key function, organised by members of Nigerian-Finnish Association, was held at the Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel on Victoria Island, Lagos.

    Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Intergovernmental Affair, Senator Babajide Omoworare wanted agriculture and technology transfer to be the focus of partnership between both countries.

    This, he said, would create value chain that would be of benefit to both counties.

    The lawmaker urged Finland to tap into the nation’s abundant human resources and use its advanced technology to create a market for Nigeria’s agricultural products.

    He said: “Agriculture and technology transfer are two key areas the two countries can build cooperation. These are the key sectors that would create value chain for both countries. We have abundant human resources in both sectors; this must be explored for our mutual benefit.”

    The Republic of Finland Ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs Pirjo Suomela-Chowdhury, said the event was a demonstration of commitment of Nigerian businessmen to the improvement in trade between both countries, noting that business was at the heart of Finland’s partnership with Nigeria.

    Finland, she said, was the first country to identify with Nigeria after its independence from Britain in 1960, but said both countries needed to explore bilateral relationship for their mutual benefit.

    Mrs Suomela-Chowdhury said Nigeria-Finnish relations span several sectors of the economy, saying she was confident there would be more opportunities than the challenges in the improved cooperation between both countries. The envoy said the establishment of the Nigerian-Finish Association in 2002 led to improved partnership between both countries.

    She said: “Business is at the heart of partnership between Finland and Nigeria. There is much more opportunities and potential the both countries can explore for mutual benefit. I am confident the opportunities of our cooperation will far outweigh the challenges. Nigeria is too important for the Finnish companies to ignore in terms of investment. That is why we have seen many Finnish companies showing interest for the Nigerian market.”

    The diplomat said the Finland embassy remained committed to improving the trade relations between both countries, pledging continued partnership with the association with the aim to facilitate more business relationships among Nigerian and Finnish companies.

    She congratulated former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel for his election as president of Nigerian-Finnish Association.

    Daniel, in his keynote speech, said the business cooperation between Nigeria and Finland had grown in geometric proportion since the association was founded. He called on Finland to increase its education assistance to Nigeria, saying scholarship would boost trade agreement between both countries.

    Honorary Consul-General to Nigerian-Finnish Association, Dr Kola Akinroye, said more Nigerians had benefitted from the trade deal between both countries, noting that there has been increased export of Nigerian products to Finland.

    The anniversary featured art exhibition, which featured the photography and paintings of The Nation’s reporter and cartoonist, Evelyn Osagie and Muyiwa Adetula.

    The works were selected by Finland Embassy and exhibited at the country’s special day.

  • Senator washes hands of NCC board nominee’s travail

    Senator washes hands of NCC board nominee’s travail

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, Senator John Owan Enoh, yesterday distanced himself from the rejection of the confirmation of Mr. Okoi Ofem Obono-Obla by the Senate.

     Senator Enoh who represents Cross River Central Senatorial District said he had no reason to work against the confirmation of Obla.

     He noted that the clarification became necessary following misinformation that he worked against his confirmation.

     President Muhammadu Buhari nominated Obono-Obla as a Non-Executive Commissioner to represent the South-South in the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC).

     The Senate turned down Obono-Obla’s confirmation.

     Obla claimed that Senate President Bukola Saraki unilaterally overturned his confirmation.

     The Senate said Obla was never confirmed by the upper chamber

     Obla also blamed two senators from his Cross River State, Senators John Enoh (Cross River Central) and Gershom Bassey (Cross River South).

    Senator Enoh  noted that he did not even know that the report of the Senate Committee on Communications that screened the nominee would be considered the day the Senate did.

     He also said that he was not in the chamber when the committee’s report was considered.

    A competent source in the committee that screened the nominee said “to the best of my knowledge, nobody from Cross River State was against Obla.”

     The source said that apart from his nomination for the NCC job, Obla is also a Special Assistant to the President on Prosecution attached to the Federal Ministry of Justice.

    He said the committee consistently requested Obla to submit his letter of resignation as Special Assistant to the President on Prosecution which he failed to do.

    The committee, he said, “did not want Obla to keep two jobs.”

    The popular thinking is that Obla’s travail may have started on July 30th, 2016 when he represented the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami at the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters over Malami’s filing of a case against Saraki and his Deputy Ike Ekweremadu on allegation of forgery of the Senate Standing Rule Book.”

     The session ended with the committee headed by Senator David Umaru walking out Obla when he (Obla insisted that the Senate had no right to summon Malami.

    Obla was said to have stormed out of the committee room to “say unprintable things against the Senate.”

  • Senator commends conduct of election

    Senator commends conduct of election

    The Senator representing Ondo Central in the Senate, Tayo Alasoadura has commended the orderliness and smooth conduct of the election so far, saying it is a sign that Nigeria’s democracy has evolved.

    He said the way voters are conducting themselves without rancour is gratifying.
    On why INEC officials are sitting idle about 12.45 pm, when there are long queues of voters in other nearby villages, Alasoadura said  it could be due to the number of people that registered.
    Unlike the villages before it, there appears to voter apathy in most of the polling units in Iju, Akure North, the constituency of Senator Alasoadura.

    Polling officials were observed sitting idle in most of the polling units there.