Tag: Senate

Senate advances Bill for Federal University of Science, Deba, as Goje highlights national benefits

Lukman Laleye Babalola

By James Isaac, Abuja     The Nigerian Senate has passed for second reading a bill seeking the establishment of the Federal University of Science, Deba, in Gombe State. The bill, sponsored by Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje, a former Governor of Gombe State, was debated during plenary on Tuesday.   Leading the debate, Senator Goje underscored the university’s strategic importance to the socio-economic development of Gombe State, the North East region, and Nigeria at large.   “The proposed University of Science will provide the knowledge and expertise needed to drive…

Senate flags gaps in past constitution amendments, seeks broader consensus on governance reforms …as Lagos, traditional rulers, state assemblies back ongoing review process

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Senate has expressed concern that previous amendments to the 1999 Constitution failed to resolve several critical governance issues affecting the Nigerian federation, despite multiple efforts by the National Assembly.   This observation was made on Friday in Lagos during the South-West zonal public hearing on the review of the Constitution, held at Water Crest Hotel, Ikeja. Deputy President of the Senate and Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, represented by the Senate Leader and Committee Vice Chairman, Senator Opeyemi…

Senate to hold Regional Security Dialogues with Stakeholders, Victims of Violence … Says Infrastructure Development meaningless without Peace

Lukman Laleye Babalola

In a decisive move to address Nigeria’s growing insecurity, the Senate has announced plans to hold consultative meetings with key stakeholders and victims of armed violence across the country’s six geo-political zones.   The initiative, aimed at identifying the root causes of insecurity and recommending practical solutions, was disclosed by the Senate Leader and Chairman of the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on National Security Summit, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, during the committee’s inaugural meeting held Wednesday at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.   Bamidele stressed that meaningful development is unattainable without peace,…

Senate begins Nationwide Constitution Review Hearings July 4–5

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution is set to commence a two-day zonal public hearing across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones as part of ongoing efforts to amend the nation’s constitution. The hearings, scheduled for July 4 and 5, 2025, will hold simultaneously in Lagos (South West), Enugu (South East), Ikot Ekpene (South South), Jos (North Central), Maiduguri (North East), and Kano (North West). Chairman of the committee and Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, said the exercise is aimed at gathering the views…

Senate Screens Nwuche, Usoro Akpabio, Others for South South Development Commission Leadership

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Senate on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, screened key nominees for the leadership of the newly established South South Development Commission (SSDC), with Rt. Hon. Chibudom Nwuche (Rivers State) nominated as Chairman and Usoro Offiong Akpabio (Akwa Ibom State) as Managing Director.   Also screened were nominees for Executive Director positions: Marcus Nie Eji (Projects – Rivers State) Aganaba Preye Steven (Social & Human Capital Development – Bayelsa State) Dr. Timi Alari Ayibatonye (Corporate Services – Delta State) Joseph Ugheoke (Commercial & Environmental Development – Edo State) Amb. Sony Abang…

Rivers officials withholding financial records, Sole Administrator tells Senate …. Senate insists emergency rule not a substitute for democracy

Emporium Reporters

By James Isaac, Abuja   The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (rtd), has disclosed that some officials of the state government are concealing critical financial records, making it difficult to account fully for expenditures incurred in the first quarter of 2025. Ibas made the revelation on Thursday while defending the 2025 Rivers State Appropriation Bill before the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Oversight of Emergency Rule in Rivers State at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.   He admitted that the N1.4 trillion budget “may not be…

Senate passes bill to establish FMC Gembu, …. It’s a breakthrough for Healthcare in Taraba – Senator Manu

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerian Senate has passed the Federal Medical Centres Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025, paving the way for the establishment of a Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Gembu, Taraba State. The Bill, passed on Wednesday, was sponsored by Senator Haruna Manu, representing Taraba Central Senatorial District. It seeks to amend the Federal Medical Centres Act, 2022, to include the establishment of additional federal medical facilities, with Gembu being one of the proposed locations. Describing the passage as a legislative breakthrough, Senator Manu commended his colleagues for supporting a vision that would…

Senate threatens arrest of NNPCL External Auditors over failure to appear

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Nigerian Senate has threatened to issue arrest warrants against the external auditors of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) following their failure to appear before the Senate Public Accounts Committee to address concerns over the company’s financial statements from 2017 to 2023.   All four auditing firms SIAO, VWC, Muktali Dangana & Co., and Ahmed Zakaria & Co. failed to honour the committee’s summons. Instead, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) appeared on their behalf, claiming to have been delegated to represent them.   However, the committee rejected…

Senate passes key Tax Reform bills, repeals FIRS Act

Emporium Reporters

The Nigerian Senate has passed two of the four tax reform bills initiated by President Bola Tinubu, marking a significant step in the administration’s efforts to overhaul the country’s revenue system.   The approved bills are the Nigerian Revenue Service Establishment Bill and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill. Their passage followed the adoption of a report presented by the ad hoc committee on tax reforms, chaired by Senator Sani Musa (Niger East), which addressed public concerns and controversies surrounding the reforms.   The Nigerian Revenue Service Establishment Bill repeals…

Senate, NAHCON strengthen partnership for seamless 2025 Hajj Operations

Emporium Reporters

By James Isaac, Abuja   In preparation for the 2025 Hajj exercise, the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs has pledged close collaboration with the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) to ensure a smooth and hitch-free pilgrimage for Nigerian Muslims.   The commitment was made on Tuesday during a closed-door meeting held at the National Assembly complex in Abuja between members of the Committee and the leadership of NAHCON. The meeting, which lasted over three hours, was aimed at reviewing the Commission’s readiness and addressing all logistical and operational concerns…