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Controversy again over Onochie, as Dickson questions oil producing status of her LG

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***Ondo senators rejects nominee

President Muhammadu Buhari’s nominee for the position of chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Board, Lauretta Onochie was on the spot on Thursday as Senator Seriake Dickson demanded the oil producing status of her Local Government in Delta State

This was coming as the National Assembly’s Joint Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, on Thursday, commenced the screening of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Special Assistant on New Media, Lauretta Onochie, and 14 others amidst controversies

Recall that Buhari had on 25th November written the Senate, seeking her confirmation over her appointment as Chairman of NDDC and 14 other members.

Senator had interogated Onochie, to indicate her local government of origin and the community she hailed from.

Dickson indicated he wanted to know her Local Government in Delta state and her community, to ascertaon whether the community she comes from is an oil producing community or it has oil facilities located therein.
Recall that the Senate had rejected Onochie as a national commissioner for the electoral umpire, INEC over a year earlier after public outcry over her being partisan as member of the ruling party the All Progressives Congress.
Her rejection then the senate said was based on federal character principles as they observed that there was a serving commissioner from Delta State, where she hailed from.

However, in what appeared to be a ‘soft landing’ for Onochie who was being screened for the position of Chairman of the board of the NDDC this time around, the Committee did not allow her to respond to the two questions posed to her.

The acting Chairman of the Committee, Senator Bulus Amos (APC – Gombe South) said all issues concerning her nomination and other petitions against her would be discussed by the Committees at an executive session after the screening exercise.

Bulus said, “Madam nomineeyou have heard the question put to you. Just take your time. I am ready and we are all ready to discuss this during our executive session.

“So, I want to plead with all our senators here to allow her for now. We will talk during the Executive Session.”

He told members of the joint committee that all issues surrounding her nomination would be dealt with at an executive session.

Bulus had in his opening remarks said the crowd which attended the event evidenced the importance of the NDDC to people from oil producing states.

“We know that for quite sometimes the Niger Delta Development Commission has been a big place for each and everyone and everybody is desperate to follow what is happening there.

“Probably that is what has informed the large crowd outside. Everybody wants to know what we are doing here. We are doing nothing here than to screen those people that have been nominated,” he said.

In his comments shortly after the Chairman’s intervention, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC – Ekiti Central) said there was need to clarify the position of the Senate at the time she was nominated for appointment as a National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission and her present nomination as head of the NDDC.

Bamidele said: “The essence of this comment is to clarify the position of the Senate on this matter.

“On the nominee for the Chairmanship position, when we had a reason to turn down the presidential nomination of this same nominee in the Senate, just because the position for which she was nominated was the position of an electoral umpire and there where members of the public who were concerned that because she is a card carrying member of a political party and a presidential aide and in the Senate committee on Electoral Matters we took into cognisance the concern of the public.

“Today in the Senate, we are faced with a different scenario. She has been nominated as a representative from an oil producing state and for the purpose of holding a political appointment for which she is eligibly qualified. That is our position and I want the public to be clear on this.”

In a similar vein, Senator James Manager (PDP -Delta South), urged Nigerians to know that Onochie’s present nomination is an “isolated case.”

Manager said: “This is one nominee we rejected on the floor of the Senate. We rarely reject nominees from the President but this was done.

“Now this person is here again before the Senate. I want the public to know that this one is an isolated case. In an executive session we will discuss it. We will look at the petitions.”

On her part, Senator representing Anambra North, Stella Oduah thanked President Buhari for nominating a woman for such a sensitive interventionist agency.

Oduah said: “Nigeria women are particularly happy that the President did what he did by appointing a female, a very capable woman, to help this wonderful and relevant agency of the Niger Delta.

“Whether we like it or not, when a woman comes in, her innate skills and her multitasking ability would be brought to bare on her job.

“I believe that for the first time Niger Deltans will have the required development that they so much are in need of. I thank Mr President for this nomination.”

On concerns whether Onochie was from an oil producing community in Delta state or not, the Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, who is a member of committee said a precedent had been set when a nominee from a non-oil producing community in the past.

Kalu said: “We need to be more guided, we have appointed a chairman from our state (Abia) that was not from the local government where they produce oil, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, and nobody can tell us to reject this one.”

During his screening session, the Managing Director nominee of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbokwu, from Bayelsa state, said he would bridge the gap between the youths and the elderly in the region during his tenure.

He said: “I believe I’m a square peg in a square hole to man the position of the MD because I understand the problems of our people.

“I have been part of the Niger Delta struggle, I’m presently working as special assistant to the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.

“I will bridge the gap between the youth and the elderly. With my experience in activism and administration, I believe I’m going to bring a positive change in the Niger Delta.

“We are thankful to the President for completing the Forensic Audit of the NDDC, I believe we are going to use that as a guide to usher in a new dawn in NDDC.”
Onochie had in her opening remarks said her vision as Chairman of NDDC would be to redefine the true meaning of empowerment for the youth of the region.

He said the proposed board under her Chairmanship would work collaboratively as a team to deliver projects and empowerments to the people.

She said: “I hail from a community that produces all kinds of agricultural products that have not been properly harnessed.

“These are some of things we will work on to be able to bring food to the table of our people and to empower our people.

“Since the announcement of my nomination I have received thousands of applications from our young people wanting to be personal assistants because that is all they know.

“We are going to show them that there is more to life than being a personal assistant. We are going to show them how to be properly empowered so that our region can start booming like all the other regions.

“I have seen the men that I have been nominated along with. We have been in contact with each other. We are going to work as a team because I am a team player.”
In another twist senators Senators representing the three senatorial districts of Ondo State unanimously rejected the nomination of Mr. Charles Ogunmola as Executive

In a statement that was signed by the three senators said his nomination was not legal.
“Our position is premised on the fact that the nomination of Mr. Charles Ogunmola is non-compliance with the provisions of Section 12(1) of NDDC (Establishment etc) Act, 2000.

“The aforementioned Act clearly stated that the nominee for the position of Executive Director, Project of NDDC “shall be an indigene of oil producing area”. Mr. Charles Ogunmola is not an indigene of oil producing area of Ondo State.

“Therefore, we call on Your Excellency and the Nigerian Senate to uphold the extant Provisions of the NDDC (Establishment, etc) Act 2000 by rejecting the nomination of Mr. Charles Ogunmola.

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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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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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