Category: Legislative

FUDMA matriculates 1,000 beneficiaries of Senator Barau’s scholarship programme

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Federal University Dutsin-Ma (FUDMA), Katsina State, on Monday matriculated 1,000 undergraduate beneficiaries of the scholarship programme initiated by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, CFR, FCNA.   The colourful ceremony, held at the university campus in Dutsin-Ma, attracted dignitaries including the Managing Director of the North West Development Commission (NWDC), Professor Abdullahi Shehu Maaji; Chief of Staff to the Deputy Senate President, Professor Muhammad Ibn Abdallah; and Special Adviser on Women Affairs, Hajiya Yardada Maikano Bichi, among others.   The initiative, driven through the Barau…

Senator Barau awards Scholarships to 1,000 Undergraduates in Kano

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin,has awarded scholarships to 1,000 undergraduates from Kano State to pursue various courses at the Federal University Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State. According to a statement issued in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, the award letters will be distributed to the beneficiaries in Kano on Saturday, September 20, 2025. Mudashir explained that the initiative is being executed through the Barau I. Jibrin Foundation (BIJF), a scheme designed to promote academic excellence and expand educational opportunities for youths…

Clerk of National Assembly clarifies role in Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, resumption bid

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Office of the Clerk to the National Assembly has distanced itself from media reports suggesting that it played a role in preventing Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from resuming legislative duties following the expiration of her six-month suspension.   In a statement issued on Monday, the Clerk’s Office stressed that it function strictly as an administrative arm of the legislature and does not have the authority to review, reverse, or interpret resolutions of the Senate.   The Senate had, on March 6, 2025, suspended Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months. Although the…

House Committee on Pensions applauds PTAD’s reforms, reviews budget performance

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The House of Representatives Committee on Pensions has commended the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) for its progress in pension administration during an oversight visit to the Directorate’s Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.   Led by Chairman, Hon. Jallo Hussaini Mohammed, the Committee reviewed PTAD’s operations, including its 2024 budget performance and implementation for the first half of 2025.   PTAD Executive Secretary, Mrs. Tolulope Odunaiya, outlined key milestones such as the implementation of the 20/28 percent pension increment effective January 2024, its integration into the September…

Tinubu pursuing responsible borrowing to tackle public debt – Speaker Abbas

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is working assiduously to address Nigeria’s public debt through prudent borrowing and a non-oil revenue drive.   Speaker Abbas stated this on Monday in Abuja while delivering a keynote address at the opening of the 11th Annual Conference and General Assembly of the West Africa Association of Public Accounts Committees (WAAPAC). He was represented by the Leader of the House, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere.   He noted that public debt, if responsibly managed, could…

Akpabio felicitates muslims on Eid el Maulud, prays for Peace and Prosperity

Lukman Laleye Babalola

President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, GCON, has extended warm felicitations to Muslims in Nigeria and across the world on the celebration of Eid el Maulud, which marks the birth of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). In a message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh, Akpabio urged Muslims to emulate the virtues of peace, love, harmony, and selfless service to humanity exemplified by the Holy Prophet. “On behalf of the Senate, my family, and constituents, I extend warm felicitations to our Muslim brothers and sisters…

The Life and Times of Rt. Hon. Agunwa Anaekwe: Former Speaker of House of Representatives Remembered

Emporium Reporters

By James Isaac, Abuja     The National Committee for the internment of the late Rt. Hon. Agunwa Anaekwe, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, has been unveiled, with Senator Osita Izunaso named as Chairman. Speaking during the unveiling held on Thursday, 4th September 2025, Senator Izunaso described Anaekwe as a man whose name is etched in Nigeria’s political and democratic history, noting that the programme is meant to honour his remarkable legacy. Born 69 years ago in Adazi, Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, Anaekwe made history…

Reps’ Deputy Speaker Kalu, Finance Minister Edun broker truce as FG, Indigenous Contractors resolve payment dispute

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The lingering standoff between the Federal Government and indigenous contractors has been resolved following the intervention of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu. Contractors, who had staged a protest in Abuja over non-payment for months, agreed to suspend further demonstrations after a marathon meeting on Thursday.   The dialogue was convened by Kalu in his capacity as Chairman of the House Special Committee on Budget Implementation, a role he was recently assigned by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen. The expanded meeting, which…

Reps Deputy Spokesperson hails Abbas, Kalu for swift resolution of FG–Contractors dispute

Lukman Laleye Babalola

Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese, has commended the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, and his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, for their prompt intervention in resolving the lingering face-off between the Federal Government and indigenous contractors.   Earlier in the week, Speaker Abbas, through his Chief of Staff, Prof. Jakes Dan Azumi, inaugurated two special ad-hoc committees, one led by Deputy Speaker Kalu to address complaints of non-funding of constituency projects by the executive, and another chaired by former Deputy Speaker Idris…

Eid-ul-Maulud: Senator Barau calls for Reflection, Unity, and Legislative reforms

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, has urged Muslims to use the occasion of Eid-ul-Maulud to reflect on the life and virtues of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) and emulate his teachings of compassion, peace, and unity.   The Federal Government has declared Friday, September 5, 2025, a public holiday to commemorate the birth of the Holy Prophet.   In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, Senator Barau described the Prophet as a model for humanity and stressed…