Sen. Obinna Ogba appeals to Buhari to assent NSC, Federal Uni of Sports bill before exit

Sen. Obinna Ogba appeals to Buhari to assent NSC, Federal Uni of Sports bill before exit

Distinguished Senator Obinna Ogba has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to give assent to the National Sports, Commission (NSC) and Federal University of Sports bill passed by the two Chambers of the national assembly before his exit on Sunday.

Sen . Ogba who made the appeal on Wednesday in Abuja said the two bills if assented to will be an everlasting gift to Nigerian youths.

He also said that he has bill on the establishment of National Youth Development Commission (NYDC) which has been passed by the Senate, but worried if the House of Representatives can pass it and assented to by President Muhammad Buhari before his exit.

According to him, the NYDC will enhance the proper utilization of funds meant for the youths on like the present situation where funds meant for the development of youths is spread across most ministries, agencies and parastatals

He said, ” I have a bill on establishment of National Youth Development Commission which I thought If passed to law, will help in streamlining the funds meant for the youths, however, the Senate have passed it but the house of reps is yet to pass and if it is done you can now say Nigerian youths have a platform which they can always meet and discuss their problems. Because I fear the way it is today, if you go to almost all the ministries there are some monies meant for the youths but at the end of it all you can’t see where the money was use judiciously to catered for the youths.”

“If the bill scale through with the few days to the end of the administration, that will be a rally points for the youths because we don’t have any business sending Nigerian youths money to these ministries. Every money should go to the ministry of youth and sports that will be supervising the Commission.”

“As the chairman of Senate Committee on Sports and youths development I sponsored a bill on National Sports Commission (NSC), in the history of Nigeria there has never been any law backing it. The Senate has passed this bill since 2021, but thank God the House of Representatives has also passed it on Tuesday, so we are now contemplating whether they would have the time to send to the President for his assent.

“I have a bill also on the establishment of Federal University of Sports-it’s going to be a platform for Nigerian youths; both those who are academically sound and those who are not because every human beings has gotten one talent or the other, so if you can’t excell in the field of education you may excel in the field of one sports or the other.

“You will agree with me we don’t have such university in the entire Africa, but for Europe they have in almost all the states. The Senate have passed it since and just on Tuesday the house of representatives have also passed it.

“So, I want to use this medium to appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari to give assent to the bill because this bill is going to be one of the everlasting legacy for his administration as it concern Nigeria youths because if this NSC bill is assented to by Mr. President it’s going to
benefit not only Nigeria but West Africa and Africa as a whole, so I plead with Buhari to sign it before his exit,” he said.

10th Assembly ‘ Sen. Morro expresses surprise APC not considering North Central for key positions

10th Assembly ‘ Sen. Morro expresses surprise APC not considering North Central for key positions

Senator Abah Morro representing Benue South Senatorial District at the National Assembly who also a Senator -elect for the 10th Senate has expressed surprise that the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) are not considering the North Central in their National Assembly leadership positions’ allocations.

Sen. Morro made this known on Wednesday in Abuja while reacting on the quest of APC lawmakers for the party to zone certain positions to the zone.
The APC has zoned the position of the Senate President to the South South, Deputy Senate President to the North West, the Speaker of House of Representatives to North West and the Deputy Speaker to South East.

However, Sen Morro insisted that North Central is a very vital artery of Nigeria politics therefore, APC will only ignore it at its own peril.

He said, “If APC as a political party is allocating positions to zones; it is unfair, it is unjust to leave North Central out of the equation. It is not my business whether APC zoned Deputy Senate President or Speaker to North West but my business and concern is that North Central should be properly situated in the equation and that is what we are fighting for irrespective of the political parties. Whoever disregard the sensibility of the north central in Nigeria polirics will surely regret that “

When ask if he will like to be the next Minority Leader of the Senate, Senator Morro, said he will definitely show interest if it’s necessary and when the time comes, adding that a minority leader must be someone who understands the dynamic of politics in the Senate and who can play the game of the opposition parties at the red chambers.

He insisted that he has the qualities to becomes the next minority leader of the Senate, saying that anyway, it’s the sole responsibility of the NASS leadership of various political parties (the Nass caucus) to nominate a candidate to the position of minority leader among others.
He also noted that, though they are 50 Senator-elect in opposition parties which cut across; PDP, NNPP, LP, APGA, among others, ao whoever is nominated would be representing the various political parties that have Senators at the Senate, therefore, he said he would be very ready to work with whoever if giving the opportunity to serve in that capacity.

On the adoption of Senator Sani Musa by the north central lawmakers on any available position, Sen. Morro said he has no objection to that because he (Sen. Musa is a ranking and qualified individual for any of the positions in the Senate.
According to him, “APC is a majority party in the Senate and if they are considering people or zone for positions, what we are saying is that North Central should also be consider and if considered and Sani Musa is giving the position I am at home with it “

On insecurity in Benue State, the former Minister of Interior stated that security has been a very big problem in his state in the last eight years of President Muhammad Buhari, saying that, herdsmen are killing his people on a daily basis . He said, he has cried and called for the federal government help but to no avail.
He said several communities in his Senatorial District have been displaced. “I can tell you that many communities in my area have flee their ancestral homes because of the consistent invasion and killings by Fulani herdsmen, it is very bad.
“Recently a community in Otukpo Local Government Area was attack, and the son of a sitting council chairman was killed among 34 others that were killed, that is how the situation has become that bad, yet no Fulani herdsman has been arrested.
“When our people are equiped with den guns to secure themselves they will say they are carrying weapons but Fulanis are carrying about AK 47 raffles without anyone asking them any question. So the communities are in traumatic situation, they are helpless and hopeless at the same time,” he said

10th NASS: South-East Technocrats Back Orji Kalu For Senate President

10th NASS: South-East Technocrats Back Orji Kalu For Senate President

A group of respected South-East professionals and technocrats under the aegis of South East Progressive Minds (SEPM), has backed the current Chief Whip of the Senate, Orji Uzor Kalu for President of the 10th Senate.

The group in a letter of comfort, felicitation and support signed by Chief Comrade Iruke J. D. M (Convener) and Sir David Nwokocha ( Co-Convener) on Wednesday in Abuja, expressed confidence in Kalu’s leadership qualities, dexterity and experience to pilot the affairs of the Senate leadership.

The group applauded Kalu for being a detribalised Nigerian with the requisite experience, exposure, and trait needed to steer the ship of the 10th Senate.

The statement said: “Most respectfully, Your Esteemed Distinguished Excellency; the Senate Chief Whip and Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, MON; we wish to join millions of Nigerians and those in the Diaspora; to commiserate with you first and foremost on the demise of your cherished wife and pray for God’s comfort on you and your entire family.

“The South East Progressives Minds is a support group made up of seasoned technocrats and administrators totally out for the success of your bid to become the 10th President of the Nigeria Senate. The group strongly believe in your leadership qualities as a detribalized Nigeria with the requisite experience, exposure and trait needed to steer the ship of the 10th Senate at this time that the unity of the Nigerian State looks up to a unifier, which you represent.

“As part of our effort towards your enthronement as the next Senate President; we have sent out Press Statements through known media (Radio Announcement, Newspaper and Social Media) detailing our support why you deserve to be the 10th Senate President of the National Assembly (find attached copies).

“As a progressive minded group with a foresight of thinking ahead, may we also use this opportunity to bring to your attention the need for you Sir, to reorganize, reconstitute and reinvigorate the All Progressives Congress (APC Party in Abia State as its undeniable leader. We are available to bring back together your loyal men, who worked and dedicated themselves to your ideals and ideas of progressive leadership, in building a formidable home front for your future aspirations.

“Even as we celebrate and congratulate you for turning 63 years old recently, we want to wish your Excellency an assured advance double congratulations on your elevation as the 10* President of the Nigeria Senate and Leader of the APC in the South East geopolitical zone.

“While we await an opportune time to visit and interact with your Excellency on the way forward; do accept our sincere best wishes and utmost assurances and prayer of good success towards the achievement of your present goal.”