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Underage marriage in the North fuels insecurity, says senator Odebiyi

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***Senate asks FG to declare all known leaders of terrorists wanted

The senator representing Ogun West Tolu Odebiyi has warned that unless under aged marriage that gives room for children that are already in poverty to procreate is outlawed in the North, insecurity will continue to linger

The senator spoke while contributing to a motion entitled “Urgent need to surmount all kinds of kidnappings, banditry and related security challenges in Wasagu-Danko, Sakaba and Yauri Local Government Areas of Kebbi”.

Continuing Odebiyi said,
“We seem to be very reactive and very adhoc on how we solve problems such as security in this country but I think we need to go a bit deeper, if you look at from 2013 we had about 4million children out of school, today you have 14m children out of school add that to about 100 million people in poverty especially if you look at the northeast and the northwest.

“It is a fertile ground for recruiting bandits especially when you put that in conjunction with the break down of countries around Nigeria in the Sahel and all those areas it will provide a fertile environment.

“If you add that to under age marriage, children that are already in poverty giving birth and those children will grow up and land in poverty again

Military cannot do so much it is a holistic approach. 

“If we sit down here by 2025 we will have 20million children out of school, the security issue in this country will continue to get worse. 

“So all these adhoc reaction of calling on Army, the police, we must have a compressive approach and declare a marshal law against out of school children. 
“As long as we have poverty and more children out of school, as long as we have under age children giving birth, to more poverty, it is a fertile ground.” He said Nigeria is bordered by countries where terrorist groups aggregate to recruit. The children are vulnerable for recruitment 

He said adhoc reaction and buying of Tucano jets and bombing will not solve the problem because the variables are not there for these issues

“This thing must be looked at holistically. You have been talking about these out of school children, in 2013 we had 4million, now 2022 we have 14million and by 2025 we will have 20million out if school children.

These are the issues that are creating banditry, terrorism .”

The Senate in it’s resolution on the motion which was moved by Sen. Bala Ibn Na’Allah (APC-Kebbi) and co-sponsored by 12 other senators  during plenary  urged the Federal Government to declare all known leaders of terrorists wanted. 
The upper chamber equally called for the establishment of an operational base within Danko/Wasagu and Sakaba Local Government Areas of Kebbi affected by “the current rise in security challenges”.
The upper chamber also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to deploy massively, the military and other law enforcement agencies to conduct a rigorous operation that will bring to an end the banditry and cattle rustling in the affected LGAs.

It equally urged the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to as a matter of urgency provide relief materials to the affected areas.

The Senate also urged all relevant agencies, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and private philanthropist to come to the assistance of the victims of violence and humanitarian disaster.

Moving the motion, Na’Allah said that “it is no longer news that the bandits are moving in hundreds from village to village, house to house in search of cattle to rustle and people to abduct.

“The bandits have been reportedly laying siege around Yar-kuka, Morai, Dankade to Wadako and recently in Bena where 20 people were abducted.”

He further said that if urgent steps to tackle the security challenges were not taken, the peace-loving communities may be forced to resort to self-defence by acquiring arms and ammunition.
Contributing Sen. Adamu Aliero (APC-Kebbi) said “recently we purchased Tucano Aircrafts which can be used to move out the bandits. 
“It has the ability to trace the movement of these bandits. If they are rustling cows, I wonder how they move them without being detected.
“I urge security forces to intensify efforts to stop banditry in the state.”
Also, Sen. Sani Musa (APC-Niger) said that “the security situation is becoming alarming not only in Kebbi but in surrounding states like Niger.
“Human beings are lost every day; and we enjoy to stand and do one minute silence. 
“Apart from calling on security agencies to intensify efforts in the fight against insecurity, leaders should fear God,” he said. 
In his remarks, President of the Senate Ahmad Lawan said “let us never be discouraged because sometimes we fill why are we doing this when nothing is happening.
“There is a limit to what we can do but we must do what we are supposed to do well.
“We can only do oversight to put pressure but we can’t execute. We can’t command anyone to go anywhere but what we do here is very significant. 
“We should continue to debate it and follow on with some actions. We have approved significant resources, funds recently in both the Supplementary Budget of 2021 and the Appropriation Act of 2022 for armed forces and other security agencies
“The time has come for all security and defence-related committees to oversight on the releases of funds to these agencies” Lawan said.

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Legislature

Newly Appointed Ministers Thank Senator Basheer Lado for Supportive Screening Process

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Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu

Seven newly appointed ministers-designate have expressed their deep appreciation to Senator Basheer Lado, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Senate Matters, for his instrumental role in ensuring a smooth Senate screening and confirmation process.

During a visit to Lado’s office, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the designated Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, spoke on behalf of her colleagues. She praised Lado’s guidance and support throughout the process, noting his efforts to make them comfortable at every stage.

“We can’t thank you enough for navigating us through this process and making everything feel manageable,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu remarked. She shared her initial anxiety, explaining how Lado’s personal touch—regular communication, detailed explanations, and readiness to help at any hour—helped them feel reassured and prepared.

The six other ministers-designate, who joined her in expressing gratitude, include Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda (Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction), Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi (Labour and Employment), Dr. Jumoke Oduwole (Industry, Trade, and Development), Idi Muktar Maiha (Livestock Development), Rt. Hon. Yusuf Abdullahi Ata (Housing and Urban Development), and Dr. Suwaiba Said Ahmad (Minister of State for Education). Each expressed their thanks for Lado’s dedication to their success.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu conveyed the group’s appreciation, emphasizing Lado’s patience and availability: “Your commitment, your guidance, and even the late hours you kept to assist us—these made a significant impact on each of us. We are truly grateful for your support.”

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Legislature

NASS Joint Committee moves to address security, energy concerns in tertiary institutions

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In a significant move to tackle pressing issues within Nigeria’s tertiary education system, the Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Tertiary Institutions has pledged to collaborate closely with stakeholders to combat critical challenges related to security and energy. This commitment was made during a two-day retreat dedicated to these urgent matters.

Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin (Kano North) highlighted the importance of establishing secure environments for educational institutions. He affirmed the National Assembly’s resolve to address criminal activities on campuses and mitigate ongoing energy crises that threaten the educational landscape.

The retreat, organized by the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions in partnership with TETFund, convened key stakeholders from the education sector to brainstorm potential solutions.

Chairman of the Senate Committee, Senator Muntari Mohammed Dandutse (Katsina South), opened the proceedings by stressing the critical nature of the security and energy challenges faced by institutions. “These issues endanger not only the safety of our students and faculty but also jeopardize the fundamental mission of education,” he stated.

Dandutse pointed to the rising incidents of violence targeting educational establishments, which have instilled fear among parents, resulting in decreased student enrollment and declining academic performance. “When parents are anxious about their children’s safety, our quest for academic excellence falters, threatening the future of our nation,” he declared.

Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, Chairman of the Governing Board of TETFund and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, emphasized the retreat’s role in identifying sustainable solutions. He expressed confidence that the diverse expertise of the participants would yield meaningful recommendations to address these issues.

Hon. Miriam Odinaka Onuoha, Chair of the House of Representatives Committee on Tertiary Institutions, reassured participants of the National Assembly’s dedication to fostering a supportive environment for higher education in Nigeria.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole, a former governor of Edo State and a member of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions, reiterated the essential role of tertiary education in national development. He called for a collaborative effort among all stakeholders to implement effective solutions to the challenges at hand.

As discussions unfold, there is a shared optimism that the retreat will produce actionable strategies aimed at improving security and energy supply within Nigeria’s tertiary institutions, ultimately ensuring a safer and more conducive learning environment for students across the country.

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Legislature

Parent Seeks Senate’s Intervention Over Daughter’s Missing UTME Result, Alleges Supervisor Misconduct

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Neda Imasuen

A serious issue has arisen regarding the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) as Mr. Onyebuchi Obioha has petitioned the Senate over the unexplained absence of his daughter Chizitere Audrey Obioha’s exam result. He claimed that the situation is linked to alleged misconduct by supervisor Mutiu Olayemi, appointed by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

In a petition submitted to the Senate by Senator Neda Imasuen, Mr. Obioha accused Olayemi of providing his phone number to Chizitere, a 16-year-old candidate, after her examination on April 22, 2024, at Wisdom House CBT Center in Ogba, Lagos.
However, Olayemi has denied the claim, stating that he did not share his number with any candidate and is currently in Abuja to address the allegations.

Mr. Obioha expressed frustration over JAMB’s failure to release Chizitere’s results, noting that while over a million candidates received theirs, she was only informed of an “alleged examination infraction.” He urged JAMB to provide evidence of any wrongdoing.

The petition outlined Mr. Obioha’s attempts to seek clarity, including opening a ticket with JAMB on April 30, 2024, with little response. During an interaction with JAMB officials, Chizitere denied any misconduct.

Mr. Obioha emphasized his determination for justice, stating, “If my daughter is guilty, let the law take its course. If she’s wrongly accused, we seek justice.” He raised concerns about Olayemi’s behavior, mentioning a note Chizitere received from him after the exam.

Olayemi maintained he was not involved in reporting any infraction against Chizitere, attributing the issue to a Resident Monitor.
The Senate’s involvement may be crucial in addressing accountability within JAMB and the conduct of its supervisors.

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