The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Speaker

  • ‘We will fight with our last drop of blood’

    The Impeached Deputy Speaker of Edo stae House of Assembly , Hon. Festus Ebea has  said his group of nine lawmakers will resist any attempt to deny them of their rights  with the last drop of their blood.

    Embattled Ebea also said he is ready to resume  to his position as deputy Speaker.

    Reacting to his impeachment aEbea said the  Speaker , Hon. Uyi Igbe was being influenced to move against him .

    “They have thrown Edo state into confusion because of selfish agenda.

    ” Edo state does not belong to the Comrade Governor, neither does it belong to the 24 of us; people voted us in there. We must not take the people for granted.

    “I have said it, if we say status ante, I am ready to go back to my deputy speakership position but when somebody begins to push Uyi Igbe to say that he must prescribe punishment to his colleagues, I would tell you that we will resist it with the last drop of our blood. “

    Asked if his alleged claim of the position of Speaker is on, the Impeached Deputy Speaker, said  ” Ooh, you are absolutely correct. “

     

  • Kaduna Assembly suspends former speaker

    The Kaduna State House of Assembly, on Wednesday suspended its former speaker, Alhaji Usman Gangara for three months after finding him guilty of hiding its mace.

    The decision followed the report submitted by the House Committee on Education, Ethics and Privileges that investigated the whereabout of the mace, which disappeared from the house on Sept. 24, 2013.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the mace was removed from the floor of the assembly during the leadership crises that rocked the assembly and which led to the removal of Gangara and other principal officers.

    Since then, the Assembly had to dust the mace used by the previous legislature to conduct its business.

    While presenting the report, the Chairman of the committee, Mr Philemon Gidan-Mana, said their investigations had revealed that the former speaker was responsible for the disappearance of the mace.

    Gidan-Mana said the committee recommended that Gangara be directed to return the mace to the Clerk of the house and proceed on a three months suspension.

    The sitting, which was presided by the Deputy Speaker Mr Peter Adamu, put the motion to vote, and those in support of Gangara’s suspension won.

    Adamu then announced that the Assembly had suspended the former speaker with immediate effect for three months. (NAN)

  • Association petitions Speaker over alleged N6m fraud

    •Lawyer: it’s not true

    Members of the banned Aba Tricycle Riders’ Integrated Welfare Association (ATRIWA) have petitioned the Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Ude Okochukwu, against an Aba-based lawyer, Moses Ogbonna for allegedly embezzling their N6m.

    In a petition endorsed by six members of the association, including its chairman, Anthony Egwim and secretary, Kingsley Ogbonnaya, a copy of which was made available to our correspondent, the group said it contracted the lawyer to register the association for them.

    They alleged that after the registration process, the lawyer refused to release neither the certificate of incorporation nor the seal of the association to them. Instead, he forced them to use his office for operation and issued his chamber’s receipt to intending members.

    They also alleged that when they persisted in their demand, the lawyer who they had paid  for the services he  rendered to them, he prepared a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) whereby the lawyer’s NGO (Easylife Initiative for Rural Youths) would have 60 per cent rights and ATRIWA 40 per cent for which they refused to sign.

    The defunct ATRIWA members said as a result of non-release of the certificate of incorporation to them, the association was unable to open an account with a bank, even as they said all the monies realised was paid into the lawyer’s personal account with a commercial bank on Eziukwu Road.

    In the petition, members of the association also accused Ogbonna of not only using distorted ATRIWA receipts to issue to members of his newly formed Tricycle Commuters Co-operative Union Limited (TRICOOP), but also forcefully occupied their office at No. 1, Industry Road, Aba.

    The petitioners therefore urged the Speaker to compel the lawyer to reimburse the said N6m to the association and to vacate their office without further delay.

    When contacted, Barrister Ogbonna accepted helping the association to process its incorporation, but he denied the allegation of fraud, challenging anyone who claims to have paid money into his account to provide evidence of such payment.

    According to Moses, the allegation does not have any substance as the petitioners cannot provide any tangible evidence to prove he defrauded them of N6 million as contained in the petition.

     

  • Taraba House Speaker under pressure

    Taraba House Speaker under pressure

    The Speaker of Taraba State House of Assembly, Josiah Sabo Kente, is under pressure over his alleged disregard for a court injunction restraining the House to screen commissioner nominees presented by the acting governor, Alhaji Garba Umar.

    Ripples gathered that by Friday, concerned political elders and several organisations in the state, including a group named Save Taraba from Anarchy (STA), have either taken the matter to Abuja or written the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Mohammed Bello Adoke, to intervene immediately.

    STA for example, in a letter to the AGF argued, among others that “since Governor Danbaba Danbaba Suntai is in court with the Speaker and the Assembly, the lawmakers who are defendants in the suit ought not to have screened any commissioner-nominee pending hearing and determination of the plaintiff’s motion on notice, as contained in the Orders of Interim Injunction (OII).”

    But sources close to the House said the speaker had no option than to ignore the court injunction, though he initially claimed not to have recieved it.

  • Alumni honour Speaker, 22 others

    The University of Nigeria Alunmni Association, Benue State branch, has given the Pillar of Excellence in Leadership award to the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Mr. Emmanuel Terhile Ayua.

    He was honoured during the association’s end-of-year party and award night in Makurdi, the state capital.

    The chairman of the occasion, Dr Daniel Agogo, an associate professor in the department of Education, Benue State University, Makurdi, said the awards given to personalities demonstrate the fact that they are recognised in their chosen fields. He urged them to continue to do more for the society.

    “Occasions like these offer the association the opportunity to assess the performance and achievements of all products of the university in their avowed role to contribute meaningfully towards the social, economic and political developments in the country in general and the state in particular,” he said.

    In his speech, the branch President of UNAA, Mr Nathaniel Afaor, noted with dismay that most governments are no longer able to provide for the developmental needs of their institutions of higher learning, hence the alumni bodies have to intervene.

    He appealed to the Benue State government to allocate a plot of land for the association’s planned secretariat complex, computer training institute and skills acquisition centre. With the facility, he said, the group can partner with the government to reduce unemployment by training and empowering youths with skills for self-sufficiency and employment.

    Other awardees at the event were Mrs. Maureen Rumun Kajo, Chris Afaor, Kenneth Iyo, Hon. Dorothy Mato, Dr. Tivlumun Nyitse, Emmanuel Jime, Felix Atume, Comrade Simon Anchaver and Dr. M. Y. Ortese.

     

  • Former Speaker urges Nigerians to assist orphans, fetes 1,000 needy

    Former Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly (OGHA), Basorun Muyiwa Oladipo, has urged wealthy Nigerians to emulate the giving spirit of an American donor, Bill Gate, and give towards the support of the needy members of the society.

    Oladipo who is a serving Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in the state, said when a needy and less-privileged Nigerian is lifted up from deprivation or lack, the society and the country are lifted up as well.

    According to him, the Government should not be left to bear the burden of helping the needy hence the propriety of individuals and corporate organisations lending a supportive hand.

    Speaking in Sagamu while launching Kokumo Oladipo Memorial Foundation in memory of his late father, he recalled that if a well meaning individual had not taken up the responsibility of catering for him when he was orphaned at a tender age, his life would have been sharply differently from the success story it is today.

    The Foundation, he said, was initiated in remembrance of his late father Papa Kokumo who died in a fatal motor accident four years after the death of his  mother, leaving him and four other of his siblings  as orphans at a very tender age when parental love and guidance were most needed.

    Oladipo said: ”Bill Gate did not empower but he believed he could put his money in some places that can reduce maternal – child mortality and also fight malaria. If you pull a life up, you have saved a generation.”

    At the event which also featured empowerment for adults as well as end of year party for 1,000 less-privileged children and school pupils, he also noted that the Foundation would provide “healthcare and welfare services” to the needy indigenes and residents of Ogun State.

    According to Oladipo, in spite of the demise of his parents, God stood and supported him through the benevolence of kind hearted family members throughout the tough time.

    He noted that there were lots of less privileged children and orphans who may be going through similar ordeal but urged them to have courage, trust in God and have the determination to succeed irrespective of their challenges.

  • Oyo Speaker empowers 700 constituents

    Oyo Speaker empowers 700 constituents

    The ancient city of Oyo stood still Wednesday, last week when a notable daughter of the town and Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Monsurat Sunmonu, attracted the crème of the society to an empowerment programme for her constituents.

    Hon. Sunmonu, who is representing Oyo East and Oyo West State Constituency in the House, attracted Governor Abiola Ajimobi and his wife, Florence, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, the Aare Musulumi of Yoruba land Alhaji Abdul-Azeez Arisekola-Alao, the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Lai Mohammed and State Chairman, Chief Akin Oke, among others.

    Also at the rally-like event were members of the House of Assembly, local government chairmen and party leaders in the two local government’s areas of her constituency.

    Sunmonu had gathered 700 beneficiaries at the town’s stadium, Dubar, where they were ready to receive various work tools such as freezers, generators, vulcanising machines, tricycles, motorcycles, cooking stoves and cutlasses.

    Others are auto mechanic tools, hairdressing and barbing equipment, carpentry tools, grinding machines, insecticide sprayer, cooking pots, wheel chairs, kerosene tank, bricklaying equipment and sewing machines.

    A new 18-seater Toyota bus was donated to the Alaafin’s Council of Chiefs for transportation to events.

    She put the cost of the items at N26 million.

    The beneficiaries were joined by their families, politicians decamping from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Accord to the APC. The masses also thronged the stadium, with security agents having tough time controlling the huge crowd.

    The items were as many as the crowd. They were an appropriate response to the harrowing effects of poverty among the people of the constituency.

    The beneficiaries include artisans, traders, farmers and transporters in the ancient town.

    In her welcome address, Sunmonu said there was need for the people to be empowered to earn a decent living through work, hence her resolve to distribute work tools that could assist them.

    Besides, the lawmaker said the effort was in fulfillment of her campaign promises.

    “The grip of poverty and lack on a young life may seem relentless to them but just one act of kindness can stop it in its tracks. That is why I am empowering Oyo indigenes to be the best that they can be. That is why we are not just about dishing out money, as it will not solve the problem.”

    Giving account of her achievements in the constituency in the last two years, the Speaker said: ”I have economically empowered 150 women in business, sponsored over 40 students to sit for UTME exams, distributed scholarship forms to over 50 students, completed over 15 boreholes and 22 deep wells, constructed six mini-parks for okada riders and four public toilets, all within the Oyo East/West constituency.”

    She credited all her achievements to the tactical and wise advice from the Alaafin whom she said has stood by her wholeheartedly.

    Giving his royal blessing, Oba Adeyemi commended the lawmaker for her initiative. He described her as a God-fearing, submissive, humble and caring female politician.

    “Monsurat is one of my daughters and I am very proud of her achievements so far. She deserves to be praised and I want to implore all Nigerians, especially the Yorubas, to always praise our leaders that have performed in office. We should not wait till after death before praising them,” the monarch said.

    Arisekola described Hon. Sunmonu as very religious, humble and kind, adding that she has maintained her integrity since she knew her about 40 years ago. He said he was overwhelmed by the quality and quantity of the tools, stressing that it shows her love for the masses.

    In his own comment, the interim chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Chief Akin Oke, said the masses were already benefiting from the dividends of democracy, he assured the constituents that the party would do more to reduce poverty in the state.

    Speaking on behalf of other fellow state lawmakers, the Majority Leader in the House, Hon. Oyeniyi Akande lauded Sunmonu for her astute leadership. He said the House has been witnessing peace since she assumed the position of the Speaker in 2011 in spite of the fact that members belong to three different political parties.

    Ajimobi also lauded Hon. Sunmonu. He said the tools would go a long way to ease the suffering of the masses.

    The governor, who expressed his joy for the gesture of the Speaker to her people, said he was enthralled by the volume of the materials and tools of the empowerment which cut across various vocations.

    He urged the constituents to continue to support her so that she can bring more dividends to the various communities in the town.

    One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Monsurat Bello, who was given a freezer, thanked the lawmaker for her kind gesture.

    For her, it was a dream fulfilled because, according to her, she had saved severally for the item but was unable to buy it.

    About 50 politicians from other political parties decamped into the APC at the event.

  • New speaker to emerge tomorrow

    THE remains of the Taraba State House of Assembly Speaker, Haruna Tsokwa, will be buried on November 28, his family said yesterday.

    Tsokwa, who was 47, died on Monday of “heart-related ailment”.

    The deceased’s elder brother, Yakubu, who announced the date to the Deputy Governor, Garba Umar, yesterday said the body would leave the Specialist Hospital, Jalingo for the deceased’s home in Takum Local Government Area on November 27.

    Umar, who was in the Speaker’s home in Jalingo, announced that the government would give the late Speaker a state burial.

    The deputy governor said the widow would be employed by the government and his children would be sponsored from primary school to university level.

    Umar, in his tribute, said: “There was no time that the executive and the legislature disagreed during Tsokwa’s tenure.”

    Deputy Speaker Tamko Adamu Maikarfi announced two days of mourning–beginning from yesterday.

    He declared today a holiday for lawmakers.

    The Assembly also opened a condolence register for sympathisers.

    The late Tsokwa’s residence in Jalingo was thronging with sympathisers.

    A new Speaker will emerge tomorrow, The Nation learnt. The lawmakers are to hold plenary next week.

    The lobby to succeed Tsokwa began soon after his death.

    Maikarfi, representing Gassol I Constituency, from Taraba Central and the Deputy Majority Leader Josiah Sabo Kente representing Wukari I from Taraba South are “vigorously contesting” for the seat.

    But Maikarfi is a disadvantaged candidate, coming from Taraba Central where the governor hails from.

    If the political status quo is to be maintained, the new Speaker would come from Taraba South, where the deceased Speaker hailed from.

    Iratsi Daki (Ussa), Daniel Ishaya Gani (Wukari II), Mark Useni (Takum II), Charles Ishaku Audu (Kurmi) and Abdulkarim Mohammed (Ibi) are also from Taraba South.

    Analysts say the new speaker may come from the group of 16 lawmakers (now 15) who opposed Governor Danbaba Suntai and transferred power to the deputy governor.

    In that case, Kente, Daki and Mohammed are likely candidates. However, Mohammed was elected on the platform of an opposition party.

    Also, the ambition of Kente’s elder brother, David, to contest the governorship seat in 2015 may spoil the show for the younger Kente, according to pundits.

  • Jang intervenes as Assembly moves to impeach Speaker

    An attempt by members of the Plateau State House of Assembly to impeach their Speaker, John Clark Dabwan, has been put on hold following the intervention of Governor David Jonah Jang.

    The lawmakers had split into two factions over the choice of a replacement for the embattled Speaker. Majority of the lawmakers preferred Istifanus Caleb Muansat of Pankshin South Constituency as the new Speaker. But others, backed by the government, allegedly rooted for Titus Alarm, from Bokkos Constituency.

    Twenty-one of the 24 members of the Assembly had appended their signatures for the removal of Dabwan as Speaker, but their plans failed when they could not find an acceptable replacement for Jang.

    A member of the Assembly, who spoke in confidence, said: “Majority of the members had agreed to impeach the Speaker, but the problem now is an attempt by the executive to impose its candidate on us. We have to resist the government’s influence on the House.

    “We are impeaching the Speaker because he is too loyal to the executive. So, we will not allow the government to choose the new Speaker for us.

    “We agreed last week for the House to resume sitting on Tuesday (yesterday) to change and install Caleb Munasat as our new Speaker, but the intervention of the government is holding us back.

    “We are going to resist any candidate of the government. This time round, we are ready to install a popular candidate of the House. We will give no room for any Speaker selected by the government.”

    It was learnt that Jang did not oppose the move by the lawmakers to remove their Speaker. But the governor was said to be uncomfortable with the names the lawmakers suggested as replacement.

    The position of the Speaker was zoned to Plateau Central, comprising Mangu North, Mangu South, Bokkos, Pankshin North, Pankhin south, Kanatana, Dengi and Kanke constituencies.

     

  • Lagos Assembly bids farewell to first speaker

    LAGOS State House of Assembly on Friday held a special parliamentary session in honour of the first Speaker of the House, Olumuyiwa Oshinowo, who died last month.

    In his remarks, the Speaker, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, described Oshinowo as the trailblazer of the first assembly, adding, “Rt. Hon. Olumuyiwa Oshinowo was a pacesetter and a legislator par excellence. He was a legislative pioneer, a sagaciously intelligent lawmaker, a man who staked his claim even when democracy was not our culture and the youngest and first speaker ever produced by this assembly.

    Dignitaries present at the special session included a former governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, and his wife, Abimbola; former Speaker of the House, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora; interim Publicity Secretary of APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; former Lagos Chief Judge of Lagos, Justice Inumidun Akande, and members of the state executive council.