Day: January 19, 2022

The life and times of Olabisi Ajala, the traveller (1)

Emporium Reporters

Moshood Adisa Olabisi Ajala, popularly known as Ajala the traveller in his heydays, wanted to capture the world but was eventually consumed by his passion. He was born in 1934 in Ghana, into a Nigerian Polygamous home, of 30 Children and four wives. He was the 25th child of his father, who relocated back to Nigeria when Olabisi was an infant. He had his secondary education, at the Baptist Academy, Lagos and the Ibadan, Boys High School, Ibadan. AJALA TRAVELS TO U.S AT 18, GOES TO LA FROM CHICAGO ON…

Principled Political Choices are not Betrayal By Babafemi Ojudu

Emporium Reporters

I have seen a statement made by me, many years ago, to celebrate the 60th birthday anniversary of Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu making the rounds. Yes I did make that statement. And more of such will come in my autobiography. We, together, have seen good days and bad days. I and Bola Tinubu have come a long way and we have been there for each other. So let no one use my acknowledgment of his good deeds and my refusal not to support him in his bid for Nigeria presidency…

Nigeria needs Genuine Electoral Reforms By Abba Dukawa

Emporium Reporters

Since the returns of democracy in the country the issues of election process remain subject of discussions as always citizens hoping for a reforms which will overhaul the system. Only late Yar’adua had an courage in 2007 for accepting the elections that brought him were faulty, that only made him leader to make such confessional statements in the country but his commitment toward good electoral system in the country not being achieved. In recent years, politics and elections in the country have been seriously monetized. political class appears to hold the belief that votes…

Senate mourns Olubadan’s demise, observes one minute silence

Emporium Reporters

The Senate on Wednesday mourned the demise of Oba Saliu Adetunji, the late Olubadan of Ibadan land, who passed away on 2nd January, 2022. The chamber, accordingly, observed a minute silence in his honour, following a point of order raised by Senator Teslim Folarin (Oyo Central). Coming under the new Order 42 (Personal Explanation) of the Senate Standing Rules, Folarin drew the attention of the Senate to the demise of the deceased, who died at the age of 93. He stated that the late Oba Adetunji was born in Ibadan…

Buhari writes Senate, seeks passage of Proceeds of Crime, Whistle-Blower Bills, one other

Emporium Reporters

The Senate has received a request from President Muhammadu Buhari to consider and pass three critical bills needed to effectively fight corruption in the country.   The bills were: Proceeds of Crime Bill, Whistle-Blower Bill and Witness Protection Bill.   The President’s request was contained in a letter dated 14th January, 2022, and read by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, during plenary.   The letter by President Buhari reads: “I write to inform you that the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria participated in the 9th Session of the…

Senate approves direct, indirect or consensus for party primaries

Emporium Reporters

The Senate on Wednesday re-amended the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021, passed by the National Assembly on November 18, 2021.   Accordingly, the chamber in Clause 84(2) of the report approved direct, indirect primaries or consensus as procedure for the nomination of candidates by political parties for the various elective positions.   It also approved the recommended Clause 84(3) that “a political party that adopted the direct primaries procedure shall ensure that all aspirants are given equal opportunity of being voted for by members of the party and shall adopt…

Block escape routes of fleeing terrorists,Senate charges military

Emporium Reporters

The Senate has urged the military and security agencies in the country to closely monitor and block the escape routes used by bandits and fleeing terrorists to forestall their relocation to safe havens in other parts of Niger State and the country.   This was just as it urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide food and other livelihood support amenities to affected villages and those are internally displaced in Mariga, Mashegu, Kontagora and Borgu Local Government Areas in Niger North Senatorial District.   These formed part of…

Senate passes National Rice Development Council establishment bill

Emporium Reporters

The Senate has passed a bill seeking to establish the National Rice Development Council, a move that would see to Nigeria saving about $2 billion dollars on rice importation and improve the country’s foreign exchange earnings.   The passage of the bill followed the consideration of a report by the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development.   Chairman of the Committee, Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa West), in his presentation, said that the bill seek to establish a Council that would lead to a comprehensive development of the rice sector and the…

Senate passes Nigerian Airspace Management Agency Bill

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The Senate on Wednesday passed the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency Bill 2022.   The passage of the bill followed the consideration of a report by the Committee on Aviation.   Chairman of the Committee, Senator Smart Adeyemi (Kogi West), in his presentation, said the bill seek to repeal Nigerian Airspace Management Agency Act 2010 for the purposes of providing effective air navigation services in Nigeria.   He added that the NAMA bill is one of the six Aviation Executive Bills referred to the Committee by the Senate which are related…

NPF partners Akwa Ibom Govt, As IGP convenes Conference, Retreat for DIGs, AIGs, CPs

Emporium Reporters

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba,with the support of Akwa Ibom State Government,Udom Emmanuel, the Executive Governor will on 7th and 8th February, 2022, host a 2-day Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers comprising Deputy Inspectors General of Police (DIGs), Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs) and Commissioners of Police, and other Heads of Police Formations, in the beautiful city of Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State Capital. The Conference and Retreat, themed “The New Police Vision: A Roadmap for Stabilizing Internal Security in Nigeria”, is part…