Month: September 2020

Reps to commence second reading on Diaspora Voting Bill after recess – Rep Akande-Sadipe

Emporium Reporters

The House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora has revealed that the 9th Assembly would commence second reading on Diaspora Voting Bill for the enfranchisement of Nigerians living in the Diaspora.   Chairman, House Committee on Diaspora Affairs, Hon. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe stated this today in a statement signed by her Special Assistant on Media, Olamilekan Olusada.   Olusada said Hon. Akande-Sadipe made the revelation during a meeting with Nigerians living in the United States, saying this was part of the 9th Assembly’s commitment to the Diaspora community.   Akande-Sadipe opined that…

Reps Spokesman, Kalu hails FG, as FEC approves construction of Umuahia-Bende-Ohafia road after 44 years

Emporium Reporters

Spokesman for the Nigerian House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, has described as biggest intervention, the approval for the construction of Umuahia-Bende-Ohafia road (LOT 2) in Abia state by the Federal Executive Council (FEC). At its weekly sitting on Wednesday, the FEC gave approval for the construction of the road which had been abandoned for 44 years. The approval, it was gathered, came after months of intense lobbying and frequent advocacy visits to the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, by Rep. Kalu, who is currently…

House of Reps to engage CSO,others on MDAs performance assessment

Emporium Reporters

The House of Representatives has announced its intention to commence a monthly sectoral engagement. This, according to its Spokesperson, Rep. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, was in line with one of the general principles of the legislative agenda of the 9th House of Representatives under the leadership of the Honourable Speaker,Femi Gbajabiamila, which is to foster engagement and collaboration with civic groups and constituents with the strategic goal of enhancing citizen participation in the legislative process as well as a firm commitment to transparency, accountability and participatory democracy. While addressing reporters at…

NIDCOM appoints Makinde’s Aide, Bolanle Sarumi, as Adhoc Committee Member

Emporium Reporters

Senior Special Assistant to Governor Makinde on Diaspora Matters, Hon. Bolanle Sarumi Aliyu was on Tuesday appointed member of an ADHOC committee to design the mode of engagement of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisations.   According to a letter signed by NIDCOM boss, Abike Dabiri Erewa: “As you are aware of, the Federal Government of Nigeria has established the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) by an act of parliament.” “The commission has taken-off and its major mandate is to harness the resources, skills and talents of Nigerians in the diaspora for…

Elrufa’i and the Next Emir of Zazzau

Emporium Reporters

The last colonial Governor of Northern Nigeria, Sir Bryan Sharwood Smith, was the District Officer (D.O.) of Zaria when the Emir of Zazzau, Ibrahim Kwasau, died in 1936. Sharwood Smith, not the Resident, contrived the emergence of Jafaru as the new Emir. To understand how he did it and what may be going on in the mind of the present Kaduna State Governor regarding who will emerge as the next Emir of Zazzau, we need to understand the personality of Sharwood Smith, for Malam Nasiru El-rufaí is, as it were,…

Suspect On FBI List For $6m Internet Scam Turns Self In

Emporium Reporters

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has commenced investigation into the involvement of one Felix Osilama Okpoh, an alleged fraudster on the Federal Bureau of Investigations list in a $6m Internet scam. Okpoh alongside Richard Izuchukwu Uzuh, Alex Afolabi Ogunshakin, Abiola Ayorinde Kayode and Nnamdi Orson Benson were declared wanted by the FBI in 2019 for their alleged involvement in a Business Email Compromise scheme that defrauded over 70 businesses in the United States of over $6m. The suspect allegedly provided over 40 bank accounts to his conspirators, which were…

No going back on planned strike action over Petrol, Electricity Tariff Hike – NLC

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The Nigerian Labour Congress has said that it was not going back on its plan to embark on a strike action on September 28 over the government’s refusal to reverse the increase in the prices of petrol and electricity tariff.   National Executive Council of the organisation reached the conclusion at the end of a meeting in Abuja on Tuesday afternoon. According to NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, the decision to proceed with the planned industrial action was unanimously taken by leaders of the union across the 36 states and FCT in…

Gov Sani-Bello mourns veteran Journalist, Akin Alofetekun

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Niger state Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello has commiserated with the State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) over the demise of Veteran Journalist, Elder Akin Alofetekun. In a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mary Noel-Berje, Governor Sani Bello expressed his heartfelt condolences to the entire members of the Correspondent Chapel in particular and the NUJ in general over the loss. The Governor described the deceased as a seasoned and professional Journalist who has made his mark in Journalism. “He was a professional to the core, an…

Gov Sani-Bello felicitates with Rochas Okorocha At 58

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Niger State Governor and Chairman North Central Governors Forum Abubakar Sani Bello has felicitated with the former Governor of Imo State and serving Senator representing Imo West Senatorial district Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha as he clocked 58 years. Governor Sani Bello who eulogized the celebrant, described him as a detribalized, politician and philanthropist whose concern for the downtrodden is second to none. The Chairman North Central Governors Forum said the creation of Rochas Foundation across Nigeria and some West African Countries by the celebrant, was a testament of his love…

African Free Trade Agreement must be backed by adequate policies, robust implementation – Lawan

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President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has said for the African Continental Free Trade Agreement to yield expected results, same must be backed by requisite legal frameworks, right policies, and robust implementation. Lawan made this known when he received a visiting delegation from the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat, led by its newly elected Secretary General, Wamkele Keabetswe Mene, on Tuesday in Abuja. The Senate President who was represented by the Deputy Senate Leader, Ajayi Boroffice, said the intent behind Nigeria’s decision to sign the agreement on July 7th,…