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Tag: Speaker

  • Honour for Deputy Speaker

    Honour for Deputy Speaker

    Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, has become the proverbial gold fish that has no hiding place. At home and abroad, he is being sought out for recognition and honour in acknowledgement of the good works he has been doing; especially in public office.

    The latest of such honours came from Kenya where he bagged the 2013 African Achievers’ Award in Leadership and Good Governance. It is instructive to note that past recipients of the award of this category include World-famous Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa and Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola.

    The African Achievers’ Award is geared towards recognising African individuals and organisations that have excelled and distinguished themselves in their contributions to the growth and development of Africa.

    On February 23, 2013 at the prestigious Hilton Hotel in the capital city of Nairobi Kenya, an elite multi-cultural audience gathered to witness the conferment of the award on the Deputy Speaker. Though there were other recipients of the award, it is significant to note that the applause that greeted the arrival and recognition of Hon. Ihedioha remained the major highlight of the ceremony. He was the cynosure of all eyes at the colourful event which featured a red carpet, traditional Kenyan dances and some entertaining renditions, among others.

    The organisers of the event said in a citation: “Emeka Ihedioha was nominated as a highly deserving recipient of this year’s award in recognition of his rare and unique people-centric leadership qualities, which he has displayed as Deputy Speaker of the House from June 6, 2011 till date. The people of Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency and, indeed, Imo State have witnessed unprecedented development and infrastructural renaissance since 2003 when he was elected to the House of Representatives.

    “By his dint of hard work, selfless service to humanity and uncommon commitment to his people, his constituency is currently the cynosure of all eyes within Imo State and beyond.

    “We therefore join the good people of Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency, Imo State and Nigeria in general to commend your exceptional strides as a way of encouraging you to do more for your people, the entire country Nigeria and Africa in general.”

    The award plaque was presented to the Deputy Speaker by Dr. Rilwan Lukman, former Nigeria’s Minister of Petroleum Resources and Secretary-General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

    He was assisted by hosts of the evening, Mr. Bob-Manuel Udokwu and Savahna Nightingale, a BBC Broadcaster and Columnist.

    The award confirms Hon. Ihedioha’s approach to the business of government which can be viewed from the point of people-centrism. The Deputy Speaker was accompanied to the event by Hon. Buba Umar Jibril, Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Information while other guests included Mrs. Yemisi Suswan, wife of the governor of Benue State (who also received an award) as well as Chief Celestine Omehia, former governor of Rivers State, among others.

    In his remark after receiving the award, Ihedioha described the honour “as a humbling experience” and dedicated it to lawmakers across Africa.

    While commending the organisers of the event for finding him worthy of the honour, he said: “I am dedicating this award to the legislators all over Africa especially in Nigeria for their commitment and diligence to the business of lawmaking.”

    He further said: “I urge all my colleague lawmakers to rise up and get their job done so that Africa can have a stronger democracy. This is because if we don’t defend and promote good governance, dictatorship will set in. Therefore, it is our responsibility to continue towards contributing very positively to the business of governance. We must therefore rise up and take responsibility to realise the Africa of our dream.”

    The Deputy Speaker has received several awards and recognitions in acknowledgement of his depth, humility, leadership skills and commitment to service. The country has bestowed on him the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), among several other awards by groups, corporate and social organisations, churches, among many others.

    Tagging with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, the duo have brought greater vibe and innovations in the 7th House that has redefined legislative democracy as it applies to separation of powers, rule of law and due process which has been the bane of the legislature in the past.

    Democracy and posterity will, indeed, remember very positively, the selfless efforts of Ihedioha towards making democracy more deepened and entrenched in Nigeria and Africa.

    •Onyeukwu is a media aide of the Deputy Speaker

    eputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, has become the proverbial gold fish that has no hiding place. At home and abroad, he is being sought out for recognition and honour in acknowledgement of the good works he has been doing; especially in public office.

    The latest of such honours came from Kenya where he bagged the 2013 African Achievers’ Award in Leadership and Good Governance. It is instructive to note that past recipients of the award of this category include World-famous Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa and Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola.

    The African Achievers’ Award is geared towards recognising African individuals and organisations that have excelled and distinguished themselves in their contributions to the growth and development of Africa.

    On February 23, 2013 at the prestigious Hilton Hotel in the capital city of Nairobi Kenya, an elite multi-cultural audience gathered to witness the conferment of the award on the Deputy Speaker. Though there were other recipients of the award, it is significant to note that the applause that greeted the arrival and recognition of Hon. Ihedioha remained the major highlight of the ceremony. He was the cynosure of all eyes at the colourful event which featured a red carpet, traditional Kenyan dances and some entertaining renditions, among others.

    The organisers of the event said in a citation: “Emeka Ihedioha was nominated as a highly deserving recipient of this year’s award in recognition of his rare and unique people-centric leadership qualities, which he has displayed as Deputy Speaker of the House from June 6, 2011 till date. The people of Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency and, indeed, Imo State have witnessed unprecedented development and infrastructural renaissance since 2003 when he was elected to the House of Representatives.

    “By his dint of hard work, selfless service to humanity and uncommon commitment to his people, his constituency is currently the cynosure of all eyes within Imo State and beyond.

    “We therefore join the good people of Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency, Imo State and Nigeria in general to commend your exceptional strides as a way of encouraging you to do more for your people, the entire country Nigeria and Africa in general.”

    The award plaque was presented to the Deputy Speaker by Dr. Rilwan Lukman, former Nigeria’s Minister of Petroleum Resources and Secretary-General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

    He was assisted by hosts of the evening, Mr. Bob-Manuel Udokwu and Savahna Nightingale, a BBC Broadcaster and Columnist.

    The award confirms Hon. Ihedioha’s approach to the business of government which can be viewed from the point of people-centrism. The Deputy Speaker was accompanied to the event by Hon. Buba Umar Jibril, Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Information while other guests included Mrs. Yemisi Suswan, wife of the governor of Benue State (who also received an award) as well as Chief Celestine Omehia, former governor of Rivers State, among others.

    In his remark after receiving the award, Ihedioha described the honour “as a humbling experience” and dedicated it to lawmakers across Africa.

    While commending the organisers of the event for finding him worthy of the honour, he said: “I am dedicating this award to the legislators all over Africa especially in Nigeria for their commitment and diligence to the business of lawmaking.”

    He further said: “I urge all my colleague lawmakers to rise up and get their job done so that Africa can have a stronger democracy. This is because if we don’t defend and promote good governance, dictatorship will set in. Therefore, it is our responsibility to continue towards contributing very positively to the business of governance. We must therefore rise up and take responsibility to realise the Africa of our dream.”

    The Deputy Speaker has received several awards and recognitions in acknowledgement of his depth, humility, leadership skills and commitment to service. The country has bestowed on him the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), among several other awards by groups, corporate and social organisations, churches, among many others.

    Tagging with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, the duo have brought greater vibe and innovations in the 7th House that has redefined legislative democracy as it applies to separation of powers, rule of law and due process which has been the bane of the legislature in the past.

    Democracy and posterity will, indeed, remember very positively, the selfless efforts of Ihedioha towards making democracy more deepened and entrenched in Nigeria and Africa.

    •Onyeukwu is a media aide of the Deputy Speaker

  • Oyo Speaker inspires youths

    Oyo Speaker inspires youths

    Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Alhaja Monsurat Sunmonu, has identified ways to get the best out of youths in the state.

    One way is enlightenment; another is sport, both of which she has provided in full measure.

    The Speaker believes that productively engaging the youths is a veritable means of preventing violence.

    She stated that a great percentage of violence perpetuated by the youths in the country is the result of some communication gap, a disconnect between them and leaders at various levels which continues to widen over time and are often manipulated by opportunists who lure the youths with promises of better standards.

    Speaking at this year Speaker’s Cup Final Soccer Competition held at the Durbar Stadium in Oyo town, Hon. Sunmonu pointed out that “adequate enlightenment will create in the youths the awareness that the future belongs to them, that it must not be destroyed by them and that the future depend on the decision and choices they make.  It will register in them the contrast between the ignoble role of many contemporary youths and the noble and heroic contributions of the youths in the past to the development of Nigeria.

    “It will open their eyes to the need to embrace the rule of law and democratic ideals as well as the need to explore available channels in resolving issues relating to the neglect of the youths in the development process.”

    While lamenting that untapped youth energy finds expression in violence, the Speaker assured that the stadium would soon be given a facelift, while ultra-modern sporting equipment would be provided to prevent the youths from falling into the hands of unscrupulous politicians for election rigging purposes.

    She said: “The youths are the foundation of a society; their energies, inventiveness, character and orientation define the pace of development and security of a nation, and it is through their creative talents and labour power that a nation makes giant strides in economic development and socio political attainments.”

    Also speaking, one of the organisers of the competition, Mr. Mustapha Wasiu, commended the commitment of the Speaker in remoulding the youths for responsible leadership in the future, through active participation in sports, in order to check anti social behaviours associated with youthful exuberance.

    Sixteen matches were played, while eight teams participated in the competition which started in August.

    Net Breakers defeated Oyo ‘A’ Football Club with a lone goal to win the third-place match.

    In the final, Temidire Football Club defeated Bisi Ilaka Football Club also with a lone goal.

    Trophies and cash donations were presented to winners and participating teams by the Speaker.

     

  • EFCC activities in Imo political, says Speaker

    Imo State House of Assembly Speaker Benjamin Uwajumogu has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of bias in the arrest of the Commissioner for Finance and Accountant-General on an alleged N40 billion loan scam.

    The Speaker said the anti-graft agency was acting the script of mischievous politicians, who were bent on disrupting the peace and development of the state.

    He noted that instead of arresting those who allegedly embezzled the state’s funds, EFCC was witch-hunting other people.

    Addressing reporters in Owerri, the state capital, Uwajumogu said: “The EFCC’s claim of fraud is strange and unfounded, because every financial transaction of the state government was backed up by enabling legislation and hinged on due process.

    “If there is any administration to be probed in the state, it is the Ikedi Ohakim administration. It perpetrated the highest fraud in the history of the state: N70 billion was misappropriated and of the over N480 billion collected by the administration, it had only three projects to its credit.”

    The Speaker said the Rochas Okorocha administration has borrowed only N15 billion from the idle fund of local governments.

    Uwajumogu said the loan was supported by a resolution of the Assembly.

    He added: “The House, based on the findings of different panels which unravelled the huge fraud perpetrated by the previous administration, is in full support of the probe of the Ohakim administration. This will serve as a deterrent to others.”

     

  • Missing key stalls Lagos Speaker’s trial

    The inability of court officials to present the key to the exhibit safe yesterday stalled the trial of Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji and his aide, Mr. Oyebode Atoyebi.

    The proceedings progressed smoothly, with the prosecution witness, Mr. Adebayo Adeniyi, tendering three documents.

    Prosecution counsel Godwin Obla requested that some earlier tendered exhibits be produced, so that Adeniyi could read them.

    Parties were stunned when Justice Okechukwu Okeke said the key to the exhibit safe was not found.

    Justice Okeke said: “As it is, the key to where the exhibits are kept has been misplaced. We have to take another date.”

    The trial was adjourned till February 18.

    Ikuforiji and Atoyebi are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged money laundering.

    They are facing a 20-count charge in which they are accused of accepting about N501 million cash payment from the House without going through a financial institution, an act the EFCC argued violated the the Money Laundering Prohibition Act.

    Before the adjournment, Obla tendered three more documents through Adeniyi, in addition to the 19 he earlier tendered.

    They include a statement and two registers – the Chico Cash Register and Bulk Register.

    Adeniyi said the registers were obtained from the Assembly’s Accounts Department.

    He testified that the accused persons admitted, in their separate statements, that they received cash payments from the House.

    Led in evidence by Obla, Adeniyi told the court that some registers obtained from the Accounts Department also showed that the cash payments received by the accused persons were above “the threshold of law”.

    Adeniyi said the registers showed mode of payments, revealing whether such payment was made by cash or cheques.

    He said the registers also showed the recipients and their signatures.

    Adeniyi said: “From our investigation, we discovered that cash payments above the threshold of law were made to or given to the first accused (Ikuforiji) through the second accused (Atoyebi).”

     

  • Edo Speaker, lawmaker worried

    Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly Uyi Igbe has criticised the areas listed for amendment in the constitution.

    Igbe said he was sad that areas such as devolution of powers and true federalism were left out.

    He spoke to reporters after attending the Public Session on the Review of the 1999 Constitution at Oredo Federal Constituency.

    Majority Leader Phillip Shuaibu said the review of the constitution should have included decentralisation of powers .

    Shuaibu said items left with the Federal Government were too much for it to handle

     

  • Why Abia council poll can’t hold in January, by Deputy Speaker

    The Abia State House of Assembly has said it rejected the proposal that a local government election be held next January because the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is not ready for it.

    The Assembly noted that INEC needs to put many things in place before it can conduct a credible council poll.

    Such things, it said, include the delineation of wards, holding of party primaries and putting in place other logistics.

    Deputy Speaker Allwell Asiforo Okere, who spoke in Umuahia, the state capital, explained that after examining what is involved in the conduct of a council election, the Assembly discovered that it would not be possible to hold the election next January.

    Okere, who is also the Chairman, House Committee on Information, said after meeting with the state’s chairman of Independent Electoral Commission (ABSIEC) and other members, the Assembly noted that the commission has nothing on the ground to hold the election.

    He said: “ABSIEC does not even have the funds. It has not done the delineation of political wards and the party primaries, which take about three or more months, have not been done with other logistics associated with such election. We then came up with the idea that the election will not hold.”

    The Deputy Speaker explained that the Assembly was not against the conduct of the poll.

    He added: “But we want the proper things to be done so that our politicians will not waste their money on a venture that will not hold.”

    The lawmaker urged ABSIEC to educate the public on when the poll will hold since the January date is no longer visible.

    He noted that those who wish to participate in the poll would be better prepared.

     

  • Kogi Speaker, principal officers impeached

     •Ex-Speaker: my removal illegal

    •Lawal Jimoh is new Speaker

     

    THE Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Abdullai Bello, and other principal officers were yesterday impeached.

    Lawal Jimoh, who represents Okene II, was made the new Speaker.

    The impeached principal officers are Deputy Speaker Emmanuel Mebije; Majority Leader Yakubu Yunusa; Chief Whip Saidu Akawu Salihu and Minority Leader Adeyemi Abidemi.

    They were replaced by Atule Christopher Okoche (Deputy Speaker); Aliyu Akuh, (Majority Leader); Suleiman Babadoko, (Chief Whip) and Sunday Raishiwe Shigaba, (Minority Leader).

    Seventeen of the 25 members signed the impeachment notice.

    But Bello said the impeachment was illegal because only 12 members, which he said was below the majority, signed it, while 13 others were on his side.

    He denied receiving an impeachment notice prior to his removal yesterday.

    Bello said: “As far as I am concerned, I remain the Speaker of the Assembly, because the impeachment, which did not get the majority, cannot stand.

    “For your information, the symbol of authority is still in my custody and we will resume sitting on Thursday.”

    Moving the motion during an emergency meeting, Gowon Paul Haruna, who represents Dekina I, explained that most members had lost confidence in the principal officers.

    He said Bello did not respond positively to the recent killings in Okene and the floods, which submerged nine local government areas in the state.

    According to him, the impeached Speaker was not available when President Goodluck Jonathan and other eminent personalities visited the state.

    The lawmaker alleged that when Governor Idris Wada wanted to appoint some liaison officers, Bello attended a meeting on the matter.

    Haruna said the former Speaker agreed with the governor’s choices but later convened an “emergency sitting” of the Assembly, where he allegedly gave the impression that the Assembly was not aware of the governor’s choices.

    This, the lawmaker said, led to the rejection of two of the liaison officers.

    “The acts of misconduct and high-handedness, among others, against the Speaker and other principal officers, were brought to their notice to give them a fair hearing,” Haruna said.

    According to him, the impeached principal officers rebuffed the gesture “when it borders on the affairs of the people of Kogi State”.

    The impeachment motion was seconded by Shehu Idris (Lokoja II).

    Jimoh (Okene II) was elected new Speaker.

    The new House leadership visited Wada yesterday.

    Led by Jimoh, the new principal officers assured the governor of good leadership.

    He explained that the Assembly changed its leadership in the interest of the state.

    Bello and Wada were in January sworn in as governor in a political drama that was later resolved in favour of Wada.

  • How we rescued Osun Speaker’s wife, by Ogun CP

    How we rescued Osun Speaker’s wife, by Ogun CP

    Ogun State Commissioner of Police Ikemefuna Okoye yesterday narrated how Mrs. Muibat Salaam, wife of Osun State House of Assembly Speaker Najeem Salaam, was rescued from her abductors.

    Mrs. Salaam was abducted last Tuesday in Ejigbo, Osun State, by gunmen.

    She was rescued on Saturday in Ogunmakin, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State.

    Speaking with reporters while parading the suspected kidnappers in Eleweran, the Command Headquarters, Okoye said members of the Vigilance Services of Ogun (VSO) noticed the suspicious movement of the kidnappers and their victim and alerted the police.

    He said the Fidiwo Police Division deployed men of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and plain-clothed policemen in the area, where the suspects were hiding in the bush.

    Okoye said: “My men moved into the bush and engaged the suspects in a gun duel, killing one of them. Four were apprehended and the others ran away with bullet wounds.

    “It was after we rescued the victim that she told us who she was. Let the record be set straight that the police carried out the rescue operation.”

    The suspects are Chukwuma Usifo (28), Chukwudi Okereke (25), Ogbole Elijah and Okonkwo Lucky (27).

    Items recovered from the suspects include two AK 47 rifles and four magazines with 87 rounds of ammunition.

    Okoye praised members of the VSO for providing information that led to the arrest of the suspects and the rescue of Mrs. Salaam, who has been reunited with her family.

    He urged the public to be security-conscious and always alert security agencies when they notice suspicious movements.

     

  • Lagos Speaker, SSG, others for Africa award

    Lagos Speaker, SSG, others for Africa award

    THE Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, Deputy Chairman of Action Congress (ACN) in the state, Cardinal (Dr) James Odunmbaku, and Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs. Oluranti Adebule, have been nominated for the COPA Africa Award for Leadership excellence.

    They are to join 25 other top flight personalities that cut across the academia, public service, politics, and the private sector to receive their awards at a ceremony slated for the African Regent Hotel, Accra, the Ghanaian capital next Saturday.

    The organisers, Visionfort Media Ltd and Benjas Productions Ltd, an Accra-based media productions outfit yesterday, said the award is a reward for the sterling contributions of the awardees to the promotion of peace and improved conditions of living of the people.

    Benjas Promotions Chief Executive Officer Mr. Anthony Iwa-Eni said the awardees were picked from votes collated through SMS from targeted members of the public and residents over a period of time.

    He said: “A number of these awardees were picked because of the way they have affected people and residents of their various communities. While some are still serving, others have continued to empower hundreds of people, including youths and women through various programmes like youth development, empowerment and poverty alleviation and education support.”

    The awardees Iwa Eni said include: Vice-Chancellor IBB University, Niger State, Prof. Kola Ibrahim, and Chief Executive Officer of Skye Bank Trustees Mrs. Funmi Ekundayo, Deputy Speaker Lagos State House of Assembly Hon. Kolawole Taiwo, and a federal lawmaker Hon. Isiaka Oluwatoyin Suarau (Ojo Federal Constituency).

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Kidnapped wife of Osun Speaker rescued in Ogun

    Kidnapped wife of Osun Speaker rescued in Ogun

    The wife of the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Alhaja Muibat Salaam, who was kidnapped last Tuesday in Ejigbo, Osun State, was yesterday rescued from her captors in Ilaro, Ogun State.

    She was set free by a vigilance group while her kidnappers were making effort apparently to take her across the border to the neighbouring Benin Republic.

    It was gathered that the vigilance group became suspicious of the presence of the lone woman in the midst of nine tough men.

    They soon engaged the kidnappers in an argument and then a gun duel ensued.

    One of the suspects was killed, three were apprehended while the rest escaped.

    The woman was said to have given the vigilance men her husband’s cell phone number to speak with him.

    It was gathered that after the discussion between the Speaker and his wife, he called the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Mrs. Kalafite Adeyemi, who in turn alerted her counterparts in Oyo and Ogun States.

    The Osun State police boss was said to have gone to Ogun State with some of her men to bring back the Speaker’s wife to reunite with her family in the state.

    Meanwhile, on receiving the information, the immediate family of the Speaker as well as the people across the state went into jubilation.

    Alhaja Salaam was abducted after closing from her shop in Ejigbo, Osun State where she sells foodstuff.