Tinubu mourns Labour Party lawmaker 

President Bola Tinubu has commiserated with the National Assembly and the Kaduna State Government over the passing of Honourable Ekene Abubakar Adams, a lawmaker representing Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency of Kaduna State in the House of Representatives. The President also extended his condolences to the family and friends of the late lawmaker, urging them to find solace in the Almighty and in the legacy of the deceased. President Tinubu prayed for the repose of the soul of the departed lawmaker and strength to his family. Ekene died on Tuesday morning after battling an unknown illness. He was 39 years old.

Senate suspends legislative activities over Rep member Adams’ death

The Senate on Tuesday, July 16, suspended all legislative activities for the day to honour the late Hon. Ekene Abubakar Adams, a member of the House of Representatives. Hon Adams who represented Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency in Kaduna state, reportedly died on Tuesday morning after a brief illness. He was the chairman of the House Committee on Sports. Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the death of Adams during the commencement of plenary. The Senate observed a minute silence in honour of the late lawmaker and thereafter adjourned legislative activities for the day.

Makinde orders flag to fly half mast in honour of late lawmaker

  Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has described the demise of a House of Representatives member, Mr Olaide Akinremi, as shocking and a great loss to the state. The two-term All Progressives Congress, APC, lawmaker and Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Science Research Institutes, died in an Abuja hospital after a brief illness Makinde mourned Akinremi in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mr Dotun Oyelade. The governor, who prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased, ordered that flags be flown at half-mast across the state in honour of the late lawmaker.

Reps query minister over N45m spent on new year party, others

The House of Representatives has queried the Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, for spending unrelated expenditures, including N45m for a New Year party, N20m for sanitary pads, the News Agency of Nigeria reports on Wednesday. Others include N1.5m for vehicle fuel. NAN reports that Rep Kafilat Ogbara, Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs, led the interrogation of the minister, over the non-payment of N1.5bn to contractors despite the fund release in Abuja. She said that the investigative hearing was aimed at uncovering the truth and not witch-hunting the Minister and the officials of the ministry. The committee also investigated the alleged diversion of funds meant for contractor payments, following a petition from contractors. The committee also sought clarification on funds appropriated for the African First Lady’s mission and the whereabouts of the N1.5bn meant for contractor payments. The minister, however, denied the allegations of misappropriation, overspending, and non-payment to contractors. The procurement officer confirmed contractors’ claims, and the Director of Finance and Administration acknowledged only paying approved contracts. It would be recalled that the committee had at its last sitting summoned the minister to appear before it to explain the rationale behind the non-payment. The committee also ordered the stoppage of all 2024 contract processes by the Ministry of Women’s Affairs until the whereabouts of the money for the said contracts are determined.

Price Hike: Reps threaten arrest of Cement firm mgt over failure to appear

The House of Representatives Joint Committee on the arbitrary increase in the price of cement has threatened to arrest the management of Dangote Cement if it fails to appear at its next hearing. This followed the absence of officials of the cement company during a hearing to address the problem of cement increase in the country on Tuesday. The special panel while advocating for the downward review of cement prices, expressed worry over the increase in cement prices and the untold hardships it has brought upon many Nigerians. It directed the Cement Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and the Central Bank of Nigeria to make appearances before the committee in the next two weeks. This, it said, is to deliberate on measures necessary to address the situation for the benefit of the people. “They want to over-profit without any sense of empathy for the citizens that have given it this platform. I think it calls for a rethink of the position of the government. “On Dangote my ruling is simple. The laws have given us the necessary powers but we owe you a duty of care. We are going to give you one more chance. We are going to communicate a date. “Failure to comply with that date, a subpoena will be issued, a warrant of arrest will be given for you to cause appearance before the National Assembly, and no single individual is bigger than the parliament of his country. No single Nigerian is bigger than the National Assembly,” Jonathan said

BREAKING: Bill to create extra 74 seats for women in parliament passes second reading

The House of Representatives, on Tuesday, passed for second reading a bill seeking to amend the constitution to create extra legislative seats for women in the National and state assemblies. The bill, jointly sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Ben Kalu, and 12 others, was debated on the floor, with several members vehemently opposing it. It proposes to creat one senatorial seat and one House seat in each state and the FCT. It seeks to amend Sections 48 and 49 of the Constitution to provide one special seat reserved exclusively for women in the Senate and House of Representatives for each state of the federation and the FCT, effective after the term of the current National Assembly and subject to review every 16 years. Additionally, the bill seeks to amend Section 91 of the document to provide three special seats reserved exclusively for women in the Houses of Assembly of each state of the federation, which shall be spread across the three senatorial districts of each state.

Reps to investigate civil service promotion stagnation

Following a motion moved by Rep. Salman Idris, the Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Agric Colleges and Institutions in Abuja, the House of Representatives has resolved to investigate promotion stagnation in the Federal Civil Service from 2013 to 2023. According to Idris, promotion remained the progression of civil servants, as well as a motivational incentive for productivity, decrying the incessant stagnation in promotions across Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government. He said this had resulted in loss of service delivery, decline in highly specialized skills, low levels of productivity and performance, employee unrest, corruption and dampened morale. “The menace of promotion stagnation in the civil service calls for urgent attention and intervention of this hallowed chamber if the policies and programmes of government must be achieved,” he said. He said that the civil service remained the engine room of government, adding that it required a holistic reform that could promote global best practices. He added that the issues of promotions and recommendations as and when due was imperative and should not be overlooked. Idis said some civil servants who eventually got promoted after mandatory examination as required by civil service rules were promoted notionally but not financially. He added that MDAs often made provision for such recurrent expenditure in the yearly appropriation. He said that every promotion stagnation would have an effect on the career of the officer. He added that every civil servant was expected to rise to the pinnacle of their career within 35 years in active service or by the retirement age of 60 year. The house ruled that the committee on public sector and institutional reforms should investigate promotion stagnation in the Federal Civil Service from 2013 –2023.

Reps Introduces Bill to Create New State “Etiti” in South-East Nigeria

A bill to amend the 1999 Constitution with the aim to create an additional state in Nigeria’s South-East geopolitical zone has successfully passed its first reading in the House of Representatives. Titled “A Bill to alter the 1999 Constitution as amended to create additional state in the South-East geo-political zone called Etiti,” the bill was introduced by Rep. Amobi Ogah (LP-Abia) along with co-sponsors Rep. Miriam Onuoha (APC-Imo), Rep. Kama Nkemkama, Rep. Chinwe Nnabuife, and Rep. Anayo Onwuegbu. The proposed Etiti state state shall encompass communities currently part of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states. It is planned to comprise 11 Local Government Areas with its administrative headquarters located in Lokpanta. Key amendments sought in the bill include changes to three sections of the 1999 constitution. These amendments aim to replace the reference to “36 states” with “37 states” and to insert the state of Etiti immediately after Enugu in the list of states outlined in the Constitution. Furthermore, the bill proposes reassigning 11 local government areas currently belonging to Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states to the new state of Etiti. The local government areas affected by this proposal include Isuikwuato and Umu-Nneochi (Abia), Orumba North and Orumba South (Anambra), Ivo and Ohaozara (Ebonyi), Aninri, Agwu, and Oji River (Enugu), as well as Okigwe and Onuimo (Imo). The bill is expected to undergo further readings and deliberations in the House of Representatives before potentially being passed into law, pending broader legislative and public scrutiny.

Customs Officer Dies During Public Hearing

A senior officer from the Nigerian Customs Service has collapsed and died during a session with the Public Account Committee of the House of Representatives. The identity of the deceased, remains unknown as of the time of this report. According to a statement issued by Honourable Akin Rotimi, spokesman for the House of Representatives, the officer experienced sudden health complications while fielding questions from committee members around 1:00 pm. Efforts to stabilize him were made swiftly by first responders and medical staff at the National Assembly clinic, but unfortunately, they were unable to revive him. “It is with deep sadness and regret that we confirm the passing of an esteemed official of the Nigeria Customs Service who was at the National Assembly for an engagement with a House Committee,” the statement read. The House of Representatives expressed heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased, acknowledging his significant contributions to the Customs Service and the nation as a whole. “We are deeply saddened by the sudden loss of a dedicated public servant. Our hearts go out to his family during this difficult time,” Speaker Tajudeen Abbas remarked. The incident occurred during ongoing investigations into revenue-generating agencies and government parastatals. The House assured full cooperation with relevant authorities to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the officer’s death and to ensure all necessary protocols are followed. Further updates on the matter are expected as investigations continue, while the family of the deceased has been urged to be given privacy to mourn their loss.

Indefinite Strike: NASS Makes last Ditch Effort to Avert Strike

In a bid to forestall the impending nationwide indefinite strike by labour unions, the leadership of the National Assembly is by now meeting with organized labour in Abuja to avert the strike The meeting, attended by key government officials including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, Minister of National Planning Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Labour, and the Head of Civil Service, aims to address the deadlock between the Federal Government and labour unions over the issue of a new national minimum wage and the recent hike in electricity tariffs. Notable figures present at the meeting include President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio; Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin; Senate leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, among others. A statement jointly signed by the spokespersons of the Senate and the House of Representatives, Senator Yemi Adaramodu and Rep. Akin Rotimi, Jr., highlighted the urgency of the situation, acknowledging the announcement by organized labour, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), to commence an indefinite strike action from Monday, June 3, 2024. The National Assembly leadership, represented by President of the Senate, H.E. Senator Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, is taking proactive steps to mediate and avert the impending industrial action, recognizing the potential severe repercussions on the populace and economy.