Nedu Echianu's Blog

…Says devolution of powers key to infrastructural development The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has expressed optimism that proposed amendments to the 1999 Constitution recently rejected by the National Assembly could still meet the constitutional threshold to become part of the Nigerian constitution when revisited. Ekweremadu, who commended his colleagues for approving about 95 per cent of the recommendations presented by his Committee, said that it was not the end of the road for the failed alteration bills since constitution amendment was a continuum, noting that further consultation as well as understanding of the issues was needed.

President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has pledged to contribute to the spinal cord corrective surgery for a six-year old boy, Ali Ahmadu, ran over by Boko Haram terrorists. Saraki, according to a statement by his Special Assistant on Public Affairs, Mohammed Isa, made the pledge when the victim was presented to him in Abuja by officials of the Global Initiative For Peace, Love and Care (GIPLC), an NGO spearheading the campaign for his medical care. 

President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Friday reiterated his commitment to freedom of speech and the use of social media. In a series of tweets on his personal account @BukolaSaraki, the President of the Senate, was responding to a story carried by some publications that a civil servant was being allegedly vilified for criticizing him.

Former Vice President and APC Chieftain, Atiku Abubakar, has described as shocking and saddening, the decision of the APC-led Senate to block the passage of Bill No. 3, which would have granted devolution of power to the states. In a statement released by his media office in Abuja, the Waziri of Adamawa decried the lost opportunity to honour one of the Party’s election promises to bring about change by shifting power closer to the people in the remotest regions of our country.

Following the intervention of the Minister of labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, the on-going industrial action by the Corporate Affairs Commission has been suspended for full conciliation. Hence, all the members of staff of the Commission are to report for work by Wednesday, July 26, 2017 by 8 o’clock in the morning.  

President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Tuesday reiterated that the 8th National Assembly remains committed to accountability and transparency in the discharge of its legislative and oversight functions.  Saraki who stated this during the opening session of the 16th Commonwealth Speakers and Presiding Officers Conference (CSPOC), in Abuja, added that the National Assembly recognizes that there is wide spread public distrust of public institutions. 

The Senate passed the Second Reading of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Agency Bill. The Bill was referred to the Committee on Anti-Corruption, which is Chaired by Senator Chukwuka Utazi (Enugu North). The Committee has been asked to present its report to the plenary on Wednesday, July 26th.

*Completes The Construction Of Mayo-Belwa 132/33KV Sub-Station in Adamawa State The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has said that it has successfully restored electricity supply to Birinin Gwari and Yauri in Kaduna, and Kebbi States respectively. Power supply was restored at about 5:10pm on Monday, 24th July, 2017, 11days after the collapse of tower No 183, on Monday, 24th July, 2017. In a statement signed by the General Manager (Public Affairs), Seun Olagunju, TCN said that its 132kV Transmission Tower No 183, between Tegina and Kontagora in Niger State, had collapsed at about 7am on Thursday, 13th July, 2017, due to severe flashflood caused by heavy rainfall, which eroded the base of the transmission tower, despite remedial works carried out to fortify its foundation.

The President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has described social media as a potent tool which put leaders on their toes and help to checkmate excesses in government. Saraki stated this in his goodwill message at the maiden public lecture titled: "Building Parameters for Trust to Achieve Political and National Growth," ‎organised by the Penpushing - a social media platform - held at the Marquee Events Centre, Olusegun Obasanjo Library, Abeokuta on Saturday. 

Igbo indigenes living in the 19 Northern States have commended Ohanaeze Youth Council, OYC, over its meeting with the Arewa youths with a view to resolving the October 1 deadline quit notice to the Igbo in the North. 

Former Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, who is being investigated for a series of multi-billion dollar fraud and money laundering offences in Nigeria, the United Kingdom and America has threatened to squeal on her associates, Kola Aluko and Jide Omokore. 

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has identified smuggling of goods into the country as the greatest threat to the realization of the economic policies of the present administration led by President Muhammadu Buhari. Saraki stated this on Monday while declaring open a public hearing on tackling smuggling in the country organized by the Senate Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariffs at the National Assembly, Abuja.  Saraki, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sanni Onogu, insisted that unless the monster of smuggling is tamed, efforts being made to diversify the economy from oil would not yield expected results. 

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has identified double standard and lack of tenacity in holding governments and leaders accountable as major reasons for poor governance in the country. Ekweremadu spoke at the 30 th  Priesthood Ordination anniversary of the Bishop of Nike Diocese, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Rt. Revd. Evans Ibeagha, in Enugu at the weekend.

The Abia State House of Assembly Speaker,  Chikwendu Kalu, on Saturday, allegedly ordered some policemen in the state to shoot officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps on patrol. Eyewitnesses said the speaker gave the order when the FRSC officers stopped the Sport Utility Vehicle his wife was travelling in along the Umuikaa/Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway.

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki on Wednesday, urged all stakeholders in the education sector to remain calm on the new 9-year Basic Education Curriculum to enable the National Assembly look into the various issues involved. Saraki, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Public Affairs, Mohammed Isa, made the call while receiving a delegation of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), who paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has assured that the National Assembly of Nigeria would continue to work with all arms of government to address issues causing agitations and disunity in the country. He gave the assurances while hosting pupils of the Brickhall School, Abuja, who were on a Peace and Unity Advocacy visit to his Office in Abuja on Thursday.

 …Calls for immediate reconciliation The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, says the Supreme Court judgment on the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, leadership crisis, ushers in a new dawn of peace, reconciliation, and recovery for the party. Reacting to the apex court’s verdict on Wednesday, Ekweremadu said it was a no victor and no vanquished situation for individual party members, but rather a collective victory for the entire party faithful and the nation’s democracy.

The recent field visit of the Ag. President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo to the site of the collapsed bridge at Tatabu on the Mokwa- Jebba Road is a vindication of the position of the National Assembly on the need for a balanced budget that cater for all sections of Nigeria.

On Tuesday, the Senate passed the Compulsory Treatment and Care of Victims of Gunshots Bill. The Bill, which was sent to the Senate for Concurrence, seeks to establish a law that ensures that victims of gunshot wounds receive necessary treatment from medical workers and assistance from security agencies.

The supreme court has ruled that Ahmed Makarfi is the authentic chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Makarfi and Ali-Modu Sheriff had been involved in a tussle for the leadership position of the opposition party.

Awesome!!!

The National Assembly and the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), have signed a $1.1million project grant agreement for the National Institute of Legislative Studies (NILS) to enhance the legislative capacity of lawmakers in the West African Sub-region and their staff. The President of the Senate and Chairman of the NILS Governing Council, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, who signed on behalf of the National Assembly, stated that the NILS-CAP II which targets capacity development in ECOWAS countries and the ECOWAS Parliament, would effectively facilitate the implementation of intra-regional trade among ECOWAS member states and effective financial oversight in the sub-region. 

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has congratulated the winner of the Osun West Senatorial District bye-election, Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on his victory, describing the poll as "a glimmer of hope for the nation’s electoral system".

As part of its commitment to fight corruption, the Senate has mandated its Committee on Marine Transport to investigate a N3billion fraud allegation against the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).  The allegations were raised on Wednesday in a Point of Order moved by Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, the lawmaker representing Delta Central Senatorial District.

4 th  July, 2017 His Excellency Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje Executive Governor, Kano State. Letter of Condolence   It is with a profound sense of loss and yet gratitude to God whose will in our lives we cannot question, that I, on behalf of the Nigeria Labour Congress, write to condole the Government and people of Kano State  on the death of our elder statesman and Danmasanin Kano, Alhaji Maitama Sule.

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has received with deep shock the news of the death of elder statesman, the Dan Masanin Kano, Alhaji (Dr.) Yusuf Maitama Sule, and said that with his death, Nigeria has lost a great nationalist. Saraki, in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, described the late Sule as a detribalized Nigerian who spoke truth to power at all times during his lifetime. 

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has expressed deep grief over the passing on of Nigeria’s former Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) and Minister of National Guidance, Alhaji Maitama Sule. Ekweremadu, who paid glowing tribute to the late politician, described the death as a heavy blow, not only to the Government and good people of Kano State, but also the entire nation.