Hon Nnaji’s motion spurs House leadership to wade into Jet-A1 crisis

Hon Nnaji’s motion spurs House leadership to wade into Jet-A1 crisis

Abuja (Nigeria) – The House of Representatives leadership has waded into the prevailing aviation fuel crisis that is almost crippling air travel in the country.

At the plenary on Thursday, the House resolved to summon the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA), Captain Musa Nuhu the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, (NNPC) Mele Kyari, Oil marketers, and Airline Operators of Nigeria, (AON) for meeting withe the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Ahmed Idris Wase and the Chairmen of of Committees on Aviation, Petroleum Upstream and Downstream for a meeting on Thursday to to seek for solution to the crisis.

The development was sequel to a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Honourable Nnolim Nnaji, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Aviation.

The motion was tittled, “Urgent Need To Investigate / intervene on The Sudden Scarcity And High Cost Of Aviation Fuel Which Has Created An Existential Threat To Airline Operations And Requires Immediate Intervention By The Federal Government.”.

Presenting the motion before the House during the plennary on Wednesday, Honourable Nnaji observed that the current crisis in Eastern Europe has created so much global tension and has raised the cost of crude oil to over $125.

He further noted that the situation has been worsened by the fact that, “Nigeria imports Jet-A1, ( aviation fuel) used by airlines for their flight operations and it’s astronomical hike can impede on airlines’ services”.
Honourable Nnaji equally disclosed that the product which was sold for N190 a litre in 2021 had risen to above N600 a litre, adding , ” to make matter worse, the oil marketers are alleged to be demanding for upfront cash payments from the airlines”.

The Aviation Committee Chairman also note that if urgent steps were not immediately taken to ameliorate the situation, airlines and passengers would continue to suffer several consequential economic and travel crises that might lead to total shutdown of air transport services.

200 NGOs converge in Abuja, drum support for NYSC Trust Fund

Abuja (Nigeria) – Peionews witnessed that no fewer than 200 Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), on Wednesday, converge in Abuja, the nation’s capital, to drum support for the Bill for an Act to establish the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Trust Fund.

The Bill, which was subject to public hearing by the House of Representatives Committee on Youth and Sports, on Thursday, 24th February, 2022; is being sponsored by Rep. Mayowa Akinfolarin (APC, Ondo).

During the public hearing at the National Assembly, the Bill received a total of 450 memoranda, with the whole memos submitted and presented in support of the establishment of NYSC Trust Fund.

At a public symposium organized by Nigeria First, in Abuja on Wednesday, leadership of various NGOs across the country, appraised the submissions, presentations, debates and the consensus that was reached at the public hearing on the Bill.

The symposium was also used to commend Members of the House of Representatives, the NYSC and other stakeholders for the overwhelming support during the public and the progress made so far by the Lawmakers.

Participants also called on President Muhammad Buhari, to consider speedy assent to the Bill when passed, while urging the lawmakers to give their overwhelming votes during the third reading and final passage.

The NGOs also reiterated confidence in the track record of the NYSC over the years to effectively manage the Trust Fund without political interference.

Giving his keynote address, A University Don, Dr Okpe Okpe, said the urgent assent to the Bill would serve as a panacea for insecurity and national disintegration, adding that it will assist in curbing incessant cases of ritualism in the country.

Okpe said the fund when in place will address financial constraints in training, orientation camp development, provision of sundry welfare and also mitigate the problem of employment in the country through the provision of capital to the corps members to establish their businesses.

“Let me sieze this opportunity to commend the current director-general of the NYSC Maj. Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim for initiating the idea of the Trust Fund, the fund will provide a sustainable source of funds for the NYSC, skill acquisition training and provision of start-up capital to corps members, train and retrain the personnel of the NYSC, develop camps and the NYSC formations and provide facilities therein.

“NYSC Trust Fund when passed into law will also improve the general welfare of not only corps members but the general youth and unemployed Nigerians by extension, which will help in promoting national unity, integration, self-reliance and accelerated development of the national economy”, Okpe said.

Nigeria First Convener, Richard Augustine, in his welcome address, said the nation needs to build an economic model where business ideas will not be killed but nurtured into business empires; where men and women of skills shall realise their dreams and potentials.

He stressed that the youth have to be encouraged to strive collectively to end poverty, hunger and deprivation in the land using instruments such as the planned Youth Fund.

“NYSC Trust Fund, on its final stage of becoming an Act, it is actually meant to address inclusive growth in Nigeria and this fact was well canvassed during the public hearing on the Bill held on Thursday, February 24, 2022”, he added.

Allow eligible prison inmates to vote during elections – Senate urges INEC 

Allow eligible prison inmates to vote during elections – Senate urges INEC 

Abuja – The Senate has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to allow duly registered and eligible prison-electorates to exercise their franchise during all general elections in Nigeria.

This was even as it called on the Electoral body to determine the status of the inmates that are constitutionally and legally qualified to be registered as eligible voters and should vote at elections.

The chamber also urged the Commission and relevant agencies to carry out voter’s enlightenment in all prisons in Nigeria, to educate the inmates of their rights and necessity to exercise their franchise in general elections.

It further called on INEC and all relevant agencies to update register of voters to take into account the prison population for the purpose of elections. 

The Senate also urged the Commission (INEC) in collaboration with the Nigeria Correctional Service to locate Voting Centres at Custodial Centres across the country to be used for voting. 

These were resolutions reached by the Senate following a motion sponsored by Senator Patrick Abba Moro (Benue South). 

The motion was entitled, “The prerogative of Prison Inmates to vote in general elections in Nigeria: statutory, Inalienable and non-negotiable.”

Senator Abba Moro, in his presentation,  said, “The Senate Notes that certain human rights are inalienable and come naturally with the birth of the individual. One of such rights is that of citizenship. Incarceration though is one of the legal grounds of depriving a person or an offender in custody of certain rights, the right of citizenship cannot at any point be taken away;

“Notes further that Citizenship as encapsulated under the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) comes with many defined rights and civic responsibilities, one of which is the right to vote in general elections;

“Notes again that there are certain persons in prison custody awaiting trial, undergoing trial or awaiting conviction for one offence or the other whose right to vote and citizenship remain sacrosanct;

“Notes that being a Prison inmate is not impediment to the Prisoners’ registration and voting rights as enshrined under Section 24 of the Electoral Act, 2022 and denying prison inmates access to the electoral process constitutes an infringement of their rights as Citizens of Nigeria as provided under Section 25 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) which confirms the definition of who a Citizen is as well as Section 12(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022 (as amended) which spells out who qualifies to vote; and

“Considers that the number of inmates in various prisons nationwide which is put at over 68,000 and the Statistics of those awaiting trial who in the eyes of the law are presumed innocent until found guilty, it is forthright and just that such persons be allowed to exercise their franchise and any attempt by an individual or agency to deny inmates of their right to vote is unconstitutional, illegal, unlawful, null and void.”

Meanwhile, the Senate on Tuesday stepped down consideration of a report on the Proceeds of Crimes (Recovery and Management) Bill, 2022.

The report was by the Joint Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes; and Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters.

The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, while calling for the report to be stepped down, said doing so would allow for robust contributions by lawmakers who were absent during the sitting.  

He disclosed that the report would nevertheless be considered tomorrow (Wednesday) during plenary.

See what Lawan relied on to say Judicial ruling won’t stop amendment of Electoral Act

See what Lawan relied on to say Judicial ruling won’t stop amendment of Electoral Act

President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has given reasons why he thinks that the ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja, won’t stop the National Assembly from amending the Electoral Act.

Recall that the court in a ruling delivered on Monday by Inyang Ekwo, on an ex-parte application by the People’s Democratic Party, barred the President Muhammadu Buhari, the Attorney General of the Federation and the Senate President from tampering with the newly amended Electoral Act 2022.

The Court maintained that the Electoral Act having become a valid law could not be altered without following the due process of law.

President Buhari, in a letter dated 28th February, 2022, requested the National Assembly to amend the Electoral Act.

He drew the attention of chamber to the provisions of Section 84(12), which, according to him, constitutes a “defect” that is in conflict with extant Constitutional provisions.

The Senate President, while reacting to the ruling by the Federal High Court after the Electoral Act Amendment Bill scaled first reading during plenary, on Tuesday, said same violated the provisions of the 1999 Constitution )as amended) on Separation of Powers.

Lawan said, “I find it necessary to talk to this at this point, because our governance system is based on the Presidential system of government where there is clear cut separation and exercise of powers.

“The Judiciary, under no circumstance cannot stop the National Assembly from performing its legislative duties.

“We know what our due processes are, just like we wouldn’t venture into what the Judiciary does, it should also understand that we have our processes. 

“If the President writes to the National Assembly to request for an amendment, that is within his competence, and it is for the National Assembly to decide whether it agrees with the request of Mr. President or not.

“But to say that we cannot consider it, is to ask for what is not there to be given. I believe that Members of this National Assembly know their work and will do what is right. 

“This is due process, we are not doing anything outside of the law, whether it is Mr. President or any Nigerian who feels very strongly about an amendment, this National Assembly is ready to take in and consider. 

“It is within our exclusive right to consider whatever request we receive from Nigerians, whether through the Executive arm of government or through our colleagues – private members’ bill.”

Senator Gabriel Suswam, a PDP Senator, while rising under a point of order, faulted the ruling of the Federal Court. 

“I agree with what you have said, the court cannot stop us from making laws. The problem with the letter sent to us by the President was that there is a part of it that interpreted the law we made.

“I think that is the only part that the court can act on, because he (President Buhari) said that the law we (National Assembly) made is ultra vires the Constitution, which is not his responsibility, and, I think, to that extent, the court can comment on that and not on the fact that we are making laws”, he said. 

Senator Ike Ekweremadu, while citing Order 52(5) of the Senate Standing Order, called on the Senate to abide by the court ruling. 

He said, “When we were waiting for the President to assent to the Electoral Act, some of us made a suggestion we believed would help, namely that the President would sign and then we would commit ourselves to amending that section.

“Mr. President, I also offered to help in redrafting it, now we have a situation where they’ve told us there’s a Judicial restriction on us to do that.

“Mr. President, I agree with you entirely, but the principle as all the lawyers here know, is that if there is a court order, no matter how wrong it is, our responsibility as individuals and citizens is to respect it.

“The argument you have raised is what we are going to raise in response.”

The Senate President, while giving his ruling to the Order raised by Ekweremadu, said, “this has nothing to do what happens in the court.”

Ekweremadu, however, advised the National Assembly to discharge the court order.

“I think the argument you’ve raised is valid, but this point is what we have to present in court to discharge that order.

“We cannot sit and appeal on a matter that has already been given an order in court. I think we should exercise caution in siting a judgment over a matter that an order has been given.

“What we should do is to brief our lawyers to go and discharge the order, instead of sitting here and disobeying court order, is is not good for us and our system, that is calling for anarchy.”

Responding, Lawan said, “my opinion about anarchy is when either arm of government decides to go into the exclusive preserve of the other.

“If the Judiciary wants to come into the Legislature to decide when we sit and when we don’t, then that’s anarchy.

“If the Judiciary would simply say we are not to consider this and that, and we obey those kind of rulings, that is anarchy, because it is emasculating the legislature and that is not supposed to be .

“We will continue with what we are supposed to do because that is our calling. We are just advising that the Judiciary should please help us develop this democracy, because this arm of government is the least developed and if we are allow these kind of rulings, we may end up going back 23 years ago.

“I believe that what we are saying is the same, but we are emphasising that that judicial pronouncement will not stop us from doing what is right and our work here.” 

Senator Opeyemi chairs seven-man conference committee on sexual harassment bill

Senator Opeyemi chairs seven-man conference committee on sexual harassment bill

Abuja – Senator Micheal Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central), was named the Chairman of the seven-man conference committee on the Sexual Harassment of Students in Tertiary Institutions Prohibition bill.

President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, on Tuesday, announced the membership of the conference committee at the start of plenary proceedings.

Recall that the bill was passed by the red chamber on 7th July, 20 and was sponsored by the Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege representing Delta Central District. 

Other members of the committee include: Senators Betty Apiafi, Stella Oduah, Abubakar Kyari, Suleiman Umar, Suleiman Abdu Kwari, and Kola Balogun. 

Members of the conference committee are expected to meet with their counterparts in the House of Representatives to harmonise the two versions of the bill passed by both chambers.

Lawan hails Osinbajo on his 65th birthday

Lawan hails Osinbajo on his 65th birthday

Abuja (Nigeria) – President of the 9th Senate, Ahmed Lawan has Felicitates with the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on the ocassion of his 65th birthday, describing him as a dedicated public servant who has proved his mettle in his chosen careers – the legal profession, as well as in politics and governance.

Lawan’s good will message was contained in a statement signed by his Special Adviser (Media), made available to Peionews in Abuja, FCT.

The statement reads in full:

The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, joins compatriots across the country in offering best wishes to the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, on the auspicious occasion of his 65th birthday on Tuesday.

Lawan congratulates Osinbajo on marking the day in good health of body and mind, and in position of invaluable service to his beloved country, Nigeria.
“I rejoice with His Excellency, the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo on this day.

“Professor Osinbajo has proved his mettle in his chosen career, the legal profession, as well as in politics and governance.
“He has brought into public service integrity, humility, loyalty and a cerebral approach to solving public challenges.

“He has consistently exhibited these attributes since he stepped into his first high public office over two decades ago.
“Ever since, Professor Osinbajo has been a dedicated public servant, which has enabled him to become a significant part of the success story of Buhari government.

“I wish him many happy returns of the day and more years of good health and continued service to his father land,” Lawan says.
Signed:
Ola Awoniyi Special Adviser (Media) to President of the Senate.

Director At Biotechnology Agency Dismisses Allegation Of Age Falsification, Says It’s targeted at diminishing her reputation

Abuja (Nigeria) – The Director, Human Resources and Management, Magdalene Isegohime of National Biotechnology Development Agency has dismisses allegation of age falsification published against her in an online media.

The Director who described the alleged sponsored publication as callous, libelous and campaign of calumny, described it as handiwork of mischief makers who are hell-bent to rubbish her name.

The Statement which she personally signed and made available to newsmen reads in part:

My attention has been drawn to a callous, libelous and unfounded allegation of age falsification and campaign of calumny against my person published online by Sahara Reporters on Wednesday, 23rd February, 2022.

Ordinarily, I should not have dignified the malicious publication with a response but for record purposes and to put the fact straight, especially knowing that the aim of the vindictive and mischievous sponsors of the circulated and damaging publication was to smear my hard earned reputation and to devalue my worth and social standing in the eyes of the public.

According to the statement, worthy of note is the fact that the Publication that did not emanate from the ICPC website.

“However, in the said Publication, Sahara Reporters alleged that I falsified my age in some documents to extend my stay in the Public Service.

“The documents that were presented by the petitioners predates their employments in the Agency and so their authenticity needs to be questioned, as the dates in question were superimposed in the purported documents, which were also ‘certified’ by the petitioners themselves.

“I will state categorically that I have never presented to the Agency or any other authority for that matter, two different age declarations certificates but only one.

“The petitioners and the ICPC are yet to substantiate their claims by providing a different certificate that I may have presented in the past.

“I hereby call on the general public to disregard the publication as the figment of imagination of my detractors in their desperate attempts to tarnish my image and smear my hard earned reputation.”

2023 Election: Ortom Consults Kinsmen, gets nod to contest senate seat (Photos)

2023 Election: Ortom Consults Kinsmen, gets nod to contest senate seat (Photos)

Markurdi – Governor Samuel Ortom has cleared speculations to his rumoured senatorial ambition as he formally sought the blessings of his kindmen to contest the Benue North West senatorial seat.

The Governor at a meeting with his Nzorov kinsmen comprising traditional rulers and other leaders on Saturday, March 5th, 2022 told them that he is now convinced to contest the Zone B Senate seat on the platform of the People’sDemocratic Party, (PDP).

ThIs was contained in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Nathaniel Ikyur made available to Peionews political correspondent in Abuja on Saturday.

According to the statement, the district head of Nzorov, Chief Gwatse Akaahena who spoke on behalf of traditional and political leaders gave their nod and affirmed their support for the governor to go ahead and run for the senate seat.

The traditional ruler said they were in full support of their son to not only contest and win the senate seat but also conquer higher offices.

Governor Ortom had in a short address to his kinsmen, informed them that he had finally being convinced that God has confirmed to him to contest for the election and requested if they were in agreement with the vision.

The Governor thereafter, spoke with the Nzorov Council Ward Executive Council of the PDP where he also got their blessings to contest for the Zone B Senate in 2023.

The Nzorov Council Ward Chairman of the PDP, Hon Ezekiel Adikpe JP, spoke on behalf of the party from the Governor’s council ward.

The Governor is billed to also extend his consultations to the PDP EXCO in Guma as well as party stakeholders in Masev, Ihyarev and Nongov Development Association, MINDA as part of consultations for his Senate ambition.

After this, leaders from the MINDA political axis will meet with Jemgbagh leaders to seek for their blessings and support for the governor ahead of the senatorial election.

Council Chairman decries Menace of drug abuse, vows to take Isi Uzo youths off drugs and alcoholism

Council Chairman decries Menace of drug abuse, vows to take Isi Uzo youths off drugs and alcoholism

Enugu – The newly sworn in Executive Chairman of Isi Local Government Area in Enugu State, Barrister Obiorah Obeagu has promised that his immediate priority would be to rehabilitate the teeming youths of the various communities who have taken to drugs due to the frustration of unemployment.

He disclosed that he would also seek partnerships with the state and Federal Government as well as national and international intervention agencies to actualise the initiative of taking Isi Uzo youths off drugs and alcoholism.

Barrister Obeagu who unfolded his agenda while addressing the indigenes, traditional rulers and the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) members from the various communities in the local government said he would do that by engaging the unemployed graduates into skills acquisition programmes so that upon graduation they would be encouraged to go into small scale enterprises rather than idling away waiting for employment that were never available.

“I am not happy that majority of our youths with great potentials are wasting away. Many of our educated youths are roaming about unemployed and are being ravaged by poverty.

“We are losing our youths to drugs and crimes and this is no longer acceptable ” he stressed adding, ” in absence of white collar jobs, our youths can be self reliant and responsible entrepreneurs making millions through small and medium scale enterprises”.

The new chairman further stated that his administration was poised to build partnerships and implemented programmes aimed at building capacities among the youths of the local government to help them take hold of their future.
Barrister Obeagu equally declared that his regime will deliberately give serious attention to education because according to him education remained critical tool for laying good foundation for the future of any society.

He regretted that many indigent and intelligent pupils in the local government were out of school due the inability of their parents to provide learning materials for them and promised that his administration would ensure that every child got enrolled in school no matter the challenges confronting them.

Ortom salutes Obasanjo @ 85, says he remains Nigeria’s most accomplished statesman

Ortom salutes Obasanjo @ 85, says he remains Nigeria’s most accomplished statesman

Makurdi (Nigeria) – Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has congratulated the former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo on his 85th birthday.

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Nathaniel Ikyur made available to Peionewd, the Governor said he joined millions around the world to celebrate the former Nigerian leader who he said has “remained an epitome of greatness, an accomplished and foremost political leader here in Nigeria and globally for all seasons.”

Governor Ortom thanked Obasanjo “for continually making strong impacts and interventions in numerous political issues in our dear country and elsewhere. This has no doubt built confidence among fellow countrymen and nations.”

He recalled that former President Obasanjo’s “historic accomplishments as Nigeria’s President on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP are legendary. Under your Presidency, you stabilised Nigeria’s democracy, depoliticised the military, restored Nigeria’s global reputation and leadership.

“You also reformed the banking sector, cleared of our debts, revolutionised the telecommunication industry just as you successfully privatetised moribund public enterprises and institutionalised the fight against corruption. To keep the country in peace, you safeguarded the lives and properties of this great African nation. Above all, you strengthened the bond of Nigeria’s unity.”

Ortom said till date, Obasanjo has remained Nigeria’s most accomplished statesman” who has verified track records of achievements both nationally and internationally.