Category: Legislative

House of Reps postpones resumption of plenary to February 4

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The House of Representatives has postponed its resumption of plenary, originally slated for Tuesday, January 28, 2025. According to an official statement released on Friday, the new date for resumption is now set for Tuesday, February 4, 2025.   The decision was conveyed to Honourable Members through an internal memorandum issued by the Clerk of the House, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, on the directive of the House Leadership.   The postponement, as stated in the memorandum, is to provide Committees with adequate time to conclude ongoing budget engagements and defences with…

Senate moves to boost NIMC’s 2025 Budget, summons Ministers over inadequate allocation

Emporium Reporters

By James Isaac   The Senate Committee on National Identity Management and Population, chaired by Senator Abdul Ningi, has called for an upward review of the 2025 budgetary allocation to the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). This decision was reached during a budget defense session with NIMC officials on Tuesday, where the Committee expressed dissatisfaction with the insufficient funds allocated to the commission for 2024. Senator Ningi questioned the logic behind using an “envelope budget template” for a critical agency like NIMC, responsible for securing the data of over 200…

House Minority Caucus decries Niger Tanker Explosion, calls Investigation, Safety Reforms

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The House of Representatives Minority Caucus has expressed profound grief over the tragic tanker explosion that claimed approximately 90 lives at Dikko Junction along the Abuja-Kaduna highway in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State. The incident, which occurred last weekend, left many others injured and resulted in significant property damage. In a statement jointly signed by Minority Leader Rep. Kingsley Chinda, Minority Whip Rt. Hon. Dr. Ali Isa J.C., Deputy Minority Leader Rt. Hon. Aliyu Madaki, and Deputy Minority Whip Rt. Hon. George Ozodinobi, the Caucus lamented the loss…

Senate Committee Grills Minister Over Ajaokuta Steel Concessioning Process

Emporium Reporters

By James Isaac   The Joint Senate Committee on Steel Development has raised serious concerns over the concessioning process of Ajaokuta Steel Company, questioned the Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, during a budget defense session on Friday.   Co-chaired by Senator Patrick Ndubueze, the Committee demanded detailed explanations regarding the contractual agreements with NOVASTAL, a private firm, and the rationale for opting for a tripartite agreement instead of a government-to-government arrangement. The Committee expressed skepticism about the 4 billion naira allocated in the 2024 budget for the…

NEPAD Bill: National Coordinator urges Senate to Fast-Track Passage for Enhanced Operations

Emporium Reporters

By James Isaac   The National Coordinator of the African Union Development Agency – New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD), Hon. Jabiru Salisu Tsauri, has called for a collaborative effort between the legislature and the executive to ensure the timely passage of the NEPAD Bill. Tsauri emphasized that executive sponsorship of the bill would expedite its passage, enabling the agency to better deliver on its mandate. During the 2025 budget defense session before the Senate Committee on Cooperation and Integration in Africa, led by Senator Nasiru Sani Zangon Daura, Tsauri…

Umahi Decries Inadequate Budget for Works Ministry, Urges Support for Road Infrastructure Funding

Emporium Reporters

By James Isaac     Minister of Works, David Umahi, has expressed frustration over the inadequate budgetary allocation to the Ministry of Works, called on the Senate Committee on Works and Nigerians to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s plans to borrow funds for road infrastructure.   During the 2025 budget defence session at the National Assembly on Friday, Umahi highlighted the enormity of the task at hand, revealed that the Ministry inherited 2,064 projects valued at N13 trillion, which now require N18 trillion due to rising costs. He emphasized the…

IGP Egbetokun denies submitting Two Versions of 2025 Budget to National Assembly

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has refuted claims that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) submitted two different versions of its 2025 budget to the National Assembly.   The clarification contained in a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi.The controversy arose during the presentation of the NPF’s budget to the Joint Committees on Police Affairs and Police Institutions.   Egbetokun explained that the police provided two versions of the budget documents: a comprehensive copy and an abridged version. Both versions contained identical figures and information,…

NASS hails NiDCOM’s performance,pledges increased funding and Diaspora plaza

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Joint National Assembly Committee on Diaspora Affairs has praised the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) for its commendable performance amidst limited resources. The committee also pledged to advocate for increased funding and the establishment of a Diaspora Plaza to bolster the Commission’s operations. The commendation came during the 2024 Budget Performance Review and the presentation of the 2025 Budget Proposal by NiDCOM’s Chairman/CEO, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, in Abuja. Senator Victor Umeh, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Diaspora Affairs and NGOs, presided over the session, emphasizing the noticeable difference…

2025 Budget: IGP seeks enhanced funding, removal of Police from Envelope Budget System

Emporium Reporters

By James Isaac     In response to the growing security challenges facing Nigeria, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has called for the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to be removed from the restrictive envelope budgetary system. This appeal was made during his defence of the 2025 budget before the Joint Committees on Police Affairs and Police Institutions at the National Assembly Complex. IGP Egbetokun emphasized that the current budgetary system hampered the NPF’s ability to effectively address security concerns. He proposed a more flexible funding approach, which would…

Rowdy Session in National Assembly as IG Defends 2025 Budget Proposal

Emporium Reporters

A heated confrontation unfolded at the National Assembly on Thursday during the budget defence for the 2025 fiscal year, led by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun. The tension arose over the allocation of funds for constructing five zonal police headquarters, prompting sharp inquiries from House of Representatives member Mark Esset of Akwa Ibom, who pointed out discrepancies in the provided documentation. Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi, representing Ebonyi North Senatorial District, joined the fray, criticizing the lack of detailed documentation and called for greater transparency and accountability. Despite his concerns,…