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Tinubu admonishes Nigerians to keep faith with the country to move in the right path
***Agbakoba canvasses for constitutional role for traditional rulers to tackle insecurity
***Says the electoral act is a mockery of Democracy
President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerians to have faith in the country as one indivissible nation in other to put it on the right track for growth and development
Tinubu spoke on Thursday at a Lecture/Colloquium held in honour of the 61st birthday of the President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio in Abuja.
The event with the theme: “Legislative Agenda for National Development” dignitaries from across the country and the diplomatic corps including the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje and traditional rulers.
In his remarks, Tinubu described Akpabio as a man who is committed to the values of national development.
The president said: “The opportunity you (Akpabio) offered us to listen to the lead speaker and his recommendations will be definitely looked into a more deeper legislative activities and collaboration with all of us.
“We will work together. While we consider the affairs of this country, the nationhood and the belief in one country will put us on the right path.
“Having you as a partner, I think Abbas as a partner, as the Speaker, is good enough for me to succeed.
“Inshallah, we will succeed. I appreciate Godswill Akpabio, God will help you, God will guide you.
“I believe in the person of Godswill Akpabio; he is truly Godswill.
“I know him as as a governor, as a commissioner in Akwa-Ibom. We share a vision even though he was a commissioner, he is extremely inquisitive.
“He transformed Akwa-Ibom tremendously. He built one of the most effective drainage systems in Akwa-Ibom. Today, up till now, no matter how heavy the rain is, you will never find casualties.
“All the other beautiful things you did, the stadium, the hotel, that caring for the lives of the people of Akwa-Ibom, is exceptionally great.
“On this occasion of your birthday anniversary, I’m delighted to join your family, friends, colleagues and Nigerians from across the country wishing you long life, good health, peace, satisfaction and gratitude for abiding grace of God Almighty.”
Earlier, the Guest speaker, former President, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Dr Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), said that for the country to tackle insecurity, peace and security must be developed.
The event was well attended by dignitaries across the country and the diplomatic corps including the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje and traditional rulers.
“The first question is how can we find peace. Is it by armed forces. It will be by executive and legislative processes.
“We can’t win, in my opinion, the war by armed forces. So I will suggest to the national assembly to consider the possibility of inviting the ethnic nationalities, the owners of Nigeria.
“The traditional rulers that are being ignored, I believe they should have a hand in the constitutional process. If this is done we will achieve peace.
“Together with our traditional rulers who I think are being ignored in the process, we might be able to resolve these insurgencies Boko Haram, IPOB.”
He further recommended the unbundling of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which he said “is doing far too much.
“INEC is doing far too much. In the Uwais report, we recommended creating the electoral offences commission.
“I urge the 10th National Assembly to simply enact the recommendations.
The Electoral Act makes a mockery of democracy, so we can correct that by passing all the recommendations of the Uwais Panel.”
He described the Supreme Court as the worst saying the country has suffered legal failure
The Deputy Senate President, Sen. Jibrin Barau who was also the Host of the event said that the colloquium was the culmination of events to mark the 61st birthday of Akpabio.
He described Akpabio as a leader par excellence who was always willing to give his quota to the development of the country.
“Hence the decision to organise this colloquium in order to contribute to the effort of the Senate and the entire Nigeria towards giving Nigerians the best.
“Leading to the transformation of our dear country in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of our President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“The 10th Senate feels that as we work with the President of this country to lay the foundation for the Renewed Hope Agenda of this administration…
“The time has come for us to draw attention to the critical mandate imposed on the Senate and the National Assembly by the Constitution.
“And to engender an inclusive process of executing the mandate by working with a broad section of our society to design a legislative agenda for national development.”
Barau further said that the National Assembly was in the process of reshaping the Constitution and legal frameworks that would make good governance a way of life and democratic consolidation the legitimate expectations of the people.
On his part, the celebrant Akpabio said that the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration “is real and this government is a correcting government.
“Our legislative agenda is going to be people-centred,” he said.
He also said that the national assembly would consider the recommendations spelt out by the guest speaker.
“We have taken note that we should unbundle INEC; we have taken note that we should involve our traditional rulers.
“We have taken note that most of the colonial laws are still in existence by virtue of the constitutional law given to us.
“We will work on these things,” he said.
Similarly, Speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas Tajudeen said that Akpabio, throughout his distinguished career, showed valuable assistance, strategic thinking and innovative leadership.
For the Chairman of the occasion and a former Senate President Anyim Pius, Akpabio has a date with destiny.
“You have emerged as President of the Senate at a time so much dexterity is required to redirect the course of our nation, reset our national agenda, and re- envision our future as a people.”
Anyim emphasised the need to align legislative agenda with the executive agenda.
He said that the agenda when properly aligned, would reset national priorities, bench mark national interest and redefine development.
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Date: Thu, 14 Dec 2023 18:29:34 +0100
Subject: Tinubu admonishes Nigerians to keep faith with the country to move in the right path ***Agbakoba canvasses for constitutional role for traditional rulers to tackle insecurity ***Says the electoral act is a mockery of Democracy ***Wants INEC to be unbundled
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The Obidient Movement, led by Dr. Yunusa Tanko, has issued a press statement condemning the circulation of false social media posts attributed to Senator Datti-Baba Ahmed. The fabricated posts, which have gone viral, are described as part of a deliberate smear campaign aimed at damaging the Senator’s reputation.
The movement clarified that Senator Datti-Baba Ahmed does not operate any social media accounts, making all attributed posts entirely baseless. During a recent press conference, the Senator unequivocally dissociated himself from these claims and urged the public to disregard them.
“This is a targeted attempt to tarnish the Senator’s image and credibility,” Dr. Tanko stated.
The Obidient Movement has called on its supporters and the public to remain vigilant and proactive in addressing the issue. They urged people to ignore, counter, and report the false posts whenever they appear.
The statement concluded with an appeal for continued support and collaboration in combating misinformation, reinforcing the movement’s commitment to truth and integrity.
The Senate has granted approval for a $2.09 billion (N1.767 trillion) loan requested by President Bola Tinubu to address the N9.7 trillion deficit in the N28.7 trillion 2024 budget. The decision was made during Thursday’s plenary, just 48 hours after the request was submitted to the National Assembly.
President Tinubu, in letters to both chambers of the legislature earlier this week, highlighted the importance of the loan for financing key projects and programs critical to national development.
Following the request, the Senate assigned its Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, led by Senator Aliyu Wammako (APC, Sokoto North), to review the proposal. Presenting the committee’s report, Senator Wammako described the loan as vital for implementing the Debt Management Strategy, reducing borrowing costs, extending debt maturity, and bolstering Nigeria’s external reserves.
The committee recommended raising the loan through Eurobonds or similar international financing instruments, subject to market conditions. It also suggested that any excess funds from exchange rate adjustments be directed toward capital projects in 2024 to support infrastructure and economic growth.
The Senate approved the loan unanimously, with no objections raised during deliberations. Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, who presided over the session, commended the Wammako-led committee for its swift and thorough handling of the proposal.
This loan approval is part of the government’s broader strategy to bridge fiscal gaps while focusing on developmental priorities and economic stability.
Simon Ekpa, a Finland-based pro-Biafra agitator, has been arrested and detained by the Päijät-Häme District Court in Finland on charges of inciting public crimes with terrorist intent.
The alleged offence reportedly occurred in Lahti on August 23, 2021. Finnish authorities apprehended Ekpa on Monday, November 19, marking another chapter in his history of legal confrontations.
A source confirmed Ekpa’s arrest, noting, “He was arrested three days ago. But this is not the first time. He will likely be questioned and released soon.” Ekpa was previously detained in 2023 on suspicion of fundraising fraud but was released the same evening.
The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has also requested the detention of four additional suspects in connection with terrorism-related charges.
Ekpa has gained notoriety for his leadership of a Nigerian separatist group advocating for an independent Biafran state in southeastern Nigeria. Finnish authorities allege that he used social media platforms to coordinate actions that resulted in violence against civilians and authorities in Nigeria.
Detective Chief Inspector Otto Hiltunen of the NBI stated that the investigation focuses on a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent, born in the 1980s, suspected of public incitement to crimes with terrorist intent.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has continued to engage the Finnish government through the European Union (EU) to extradite Ekpa. In August, Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters emphasized the dual approach of diplomatic engagement and sustained military operations against the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, reiterated the government’s resolve, saying, “The FG would respond appropriately to the Finnish Government through the EU. On the part of the military, troops would sustain operations against IPOB/ESN.”
Ekpa, who has represented Finland’s National Coalition Party (NCP) in local government, currently serves on Lahti’s public transport committee. Finnish authorities continue to investigate his activities, emphasizing the potential connection between his leadership role in the separatist movement and violent actions in Nigeria.
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