NASS lauds Minister of Interior,Tunji-Ojo over exceptional 2024 Budget Performance

The Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Interior have praised Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior, for the outstanding performance of the Ministry’s 2024 budget. The commendation came during a session in the National Assembly on Wednesday, where the Minister defended the Ministry’s proposed 2025 budget.   Dr. Tunji-Ojo revealed that the Ministry exceeded its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) target for 2024. While the approved target was N1.2 billion for business expatriates’ quotas and naturalization, the Ministry generated N4.5 billion, surpassing its target by over 300%. He attributed the…

House of Reps mourns Deputy Chief Whip, Adewunmi Onanuga

The House of Representatives has announced the passing of Hon. Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga, the Deputy Chief Whip, who represented the Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency of Ogun State. She passed away earlier today after a brief illness.   Rep. Onanuga, born on December 2, 1965, was first elected to the House in 2019 under the All Progressives Congress (APC). During her initial term, she served as Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, where she championed initiatives for women empowerment and social welfare.   In 2023, she…

Senate urges increased budget for Water Ministry amid concerns over N40 Billion loan deductions

By James Isaac   The Senate has called for an increased budget allocation to the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation for 2025, raising concerns over N40 billion in multilateral and bilateral loan deductions that could significantly impact the ministry’s operations. During a budget defence session, the Senate Committee on Water Resources, led by Senator Kenneth Chukwuemeka Eze, expressed dissatisfaction with the deductions, warning that they could leave the ministry with inadequate funds to execute crucial projects.   Senator Eze emphasized the need for more resources to address the devastating…

Senate confirms Mark Okoye, Dr. Nworgu,Other Key Nominees for SEDC and NWDC Boards

The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, confirmed the appointments of Hon. Mark Okoye as the Managing Director and Dr. Emeka Nworgu as the Chairman of the Board for the South East Development Commission (SEDC). In addition to these key appointments, the Senate also confirmed a full slate of nominees for the SEDC’s 18-member governing board.   Other confirmed nominees for the SEDC included Barr. Ugochukwu H. Agballah, Hon. Okey Ezenwa, Chief Hyacinth Ikpor, Chidi Echeazu, Barr. Ifeanyi Agwu Ph.D, Nasiru Usman, Hamma Adama Ali Kumo Edward David Onoja,…

NHRC seeks N’Assembly approval of ₦19.55 Billion for 2025 Budget, highlights achievements, challenges

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has appealed to the National Assembly for an increase in its 2025 budgetary allocation to ₦19.55 billion, citing the need to address the growing demands for its services. This request was made by the Executive Secretary, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, during a joint session with the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Human Rights.   Dr. Ojukwu highlighted the NHRC’s achievements in 2024, noted a remarkable 100% implementation of its ₦5 billion budget. Among these accomplishments was the establishment of eight new state offices,…

National Assembly queries JAMB over N1.95 Billion expenditure on Meals and Fumigation

The National Assembly has expressed serious concerns over the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s (JAMB) expenditure of N1.95 billion on meals, refreshments, security, cleaning, and fumigation in 2024. The queries were raised during a joint committee session on revenue projections for 2025, led by Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger East).   JAMB’s Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, presented the board’s financial report, revealing that while JAMB remitted N4 billion to the Consolidated Revenue Fund, it also received N6 billion from the Federal Government in the same year. This raised questions from…

NASC Chairman decorates Newly Promoted Ifeanyi Nwoye in charge of National Assembly Service Commission.

BY Abubakar Yusuf.   The Chairman, National Assembly Service Commission NASC, Engr Ahmed Kadi Amshi has decorated the newly promoted Police Officer in charge of the National Assembly Service Commission NASC, Mr Ifeanyi Nwoye, Officer in Charge (OIC), who was recently promoted by the Police Service Commission (PSC) to the rank of Superintendent of Police (SP).   The event which took place on Tuesday at the Headquarters of the commission at Utako , Abuja .   The newly promoted Superintendent of Police SP was decorated by the Chairman along with…

Reps Minority Caucus seeks Unity and Good Governance in New Year Message

In a heartfelt New Year message, the Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives has called on Nigerians to reflect on the nation’s challenges and work collectively towards achieving meaningful progress in 2025.   The message, signed by Minority Leader Rep. O.K. 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, expressed optimism for the new year while acknowledging the hardships faced in 2024.   “It is necessary to reiterate that just as Nigeria has…

House of Reps seeks unity, support for Leaders in New Year Message

The House of Representatives has extended its New Year greetings to Nigerians, emphasized the need for unity, support for leadership, and a collective commitment to overcoming national challenges.   In a press statement issued on Tuesday, the House, under the leadership of Speaker Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, reflected on the resilience displayed by Nigerians in 2024 and expressed optimism for a brighter 2025.   The Speaker’s message highlighted the importance of solidarity and collaboration as the nation moves forward. He also commended the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for…

DSP Barau sends off Scholarship Beneficiaries, as 70 Kano students depart for India

Seventy students from Kano State have embarked on a journey to India to pursue postgraduate studies in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and related fields under the foreign scholarship program of the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin. The beneficiaries, selected through the Barau I Jibrin Foundation (BIJF), represented the first cohort of this ambitious initiative aimed at expanding access to quality education for young Nigerians. The scholars, drawn from Kano’s three senatorial districts, departed from Malam Aminu Kano International Airport on Sunday. Senator Barau was present at the…