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Speaker ‘s Impeachment saga: Jigawa Assembly removes Principal Officers, Councils’ Chairmen

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From Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

The Jigawa State House of Assembly has impeached two principal officers and suspended four more local government chairmen.

The Assembly took the decision at its sitting after resuming from recess and receiving the house committee reports presented on the floor of the house.

The impeachment of the two principal officers followed a motion moved by honourable Hamza Ibrahim Adamu representing Malam Madori State constituency.

Honourable Adamu accused the two officers and one other person of plots to support the impeachment of the speaker of the house some weeks ago.

The house members unanimously approved the motion and confirmed the removal of the deputy majority and chief whip and instantly elected their replacement

The two principal officers that were removed are the deputy majority leader, Aliyu Ahmed representing Kirikassama and chief whip Dayyabu Shehu Kwalo, representing Taura state Assembly constituencies.

Meanwhile, the house also suspended four local government council chairmen for alleged financial misconduct.

The council chairmen suspended were implicated in the house committee report on local government and chieftaincy affairs for alleged financial scandal in their respective local councils.

Presenting the house committee report during plenary, the chairman house committee on local government and chieftaincy affairs, hon Aminu Zakaria Tsibut said during the committee’s oversight to the 27 local government areas, it found questionable expenditures and financial transaction.

The affected local government councils are, Auyo, Dutse, Gumel and Ringim local government areas.

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Legislature

NASS modifies NDLEA Act, Prescribes Life Imprisonment for Drug Traffickers

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The National Assembly has modified the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act to prescribe life imprisonment for individuals found guilty of storing, transporting, or concealing illicit drugs and substances. 

The amendment was adopted on Thursday during plenary, presided over by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, following broad support from the senators.

The amendment reflects a harmonised position of the Senate and the House of Representatives on Section 11 of the NDLEA Act. 

The House had earlier passed an amendment prescribing life imprisonment for drug traffickers, while the Senate had proposed the death penalty.

To reconcile the differences, a conference committee of both chambers was convened. Senator Tahir Monguno, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters, presented the harmonised version to the Senate. 

He urged lawmakers to adopt the House’s position of life imprisonment, arguing that enforcing the death penalty could lead to the execution of over 900 accused persons currently awaiting trial for drug-related offenses.

The Deputy Senate President who presided over the plenary had put the resolution to a voice vote, and the majority of senators supported the amendment. 

The approved version stipulates life imprisonment for offenders.
The amended section now reads:
“Anybody who is unlawfully involved in the storage, custody, movement, carriage, or concealment of dangerous drugs or controlled substances and who, while so involved, is armed with any offensive weapon or is disguised in any way, shall be guilty of an offence under this Act and liable on conviction to be sentenced to life imprisonment.”
This amendment aims to strengthen the fight against drug trafficking while addressing concerns over human rights and the judicial implications of the death penalty.
The move is part of efforts to curb the growing menace of drug trafficking and its adverse effects on Nigerian society. According to Senator Monguno, the life imprisonment penalty strikes a balance between deterrence and humane judicial practice.
With the amendment, the NDLEA now has a robust legal framework to prosecute offenders and combat drug-related crimes effectively.

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Legislature

President Tinubu urges Senate to approve ₦1.767trn External Loan

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Bola Ahmed Tinubu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally requested the National Assembly’s approval for a $2.209 billion (₦1.767 trillion) external borrowing plan to finance part of the ₦9.17 trillion fiscal deficit in the 2024 budget. The loan, included in the 2024 Appropriation Act, is critical to the government’s broader strategy for economic recovery and growth.
In a letter to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, President Tinubu noted that the borrowing aligns with the provisions of Sections 21(1) and 27(1) of the Debt Management Office (DMO) Establishment Act, 2003. He also indicated that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had approved the plan.
The President explained that the funds would be sourced through Eurobonds or similar external financial instruments. A detailed summary of the loan’s terms and conditions accompanied the letter to guide legislative scrutiny.
“This borrowing is necessary to address the budget deficit and fulfill our fiscal strategy for 2024. Swift approval will enable us to move forward with mobilizing these funds,” the President stated, emphasizing the urgency of the request.
Senate President Akpabio referred the matter to the Committee on Local and Foreign Deb

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Legislature

Senator Natasha Transforms Kogi Central Schools with 5,000 Digital Learning Devices

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By Isah Bala

Access to quality education is a cornerstone of societal progress, and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is embodying this vision by bringing transformative educational tools to Kogi Central. In a groundbreaking initiative, the senator recently provided 5,000 digital learning devices to public primary and secondary schools in her district, aiming to bridge the digital divide and set a new educational standard.

The devices, unveiled at Abdul Aziz Attah Memorial College (AAAMCO), are preloaded with the Nigerian curriculum from UBEC and internationally acclaimed educational resources, including Khan Academy and Discovery Kids. Through this initiative, students will experience interactive learning, enabling them to explore subjects in depth, enhance digital literacy, and engage with complex topics in a hands-on way.

This project is just the beginning of Senator Natasha’s ambitious plan to make “smart schools” the norm in Kogi Central. She envisions a future where every child in her district has equal access to digital learning, stating, “My dream is to equip all public primary and secondary schools in Kogi Central with digital learning devices before the end of my tenure in 2027.”

Beyond device distribution, the senator’s initiative includes UBEC-led teacher training to ensure educators are equipped to integrate these tools into their classrooms effectively.
With this dual approach of student and teacher empowerment, Senator Natasha is laying a foundation that will support digital literacy and skill development for years to come.

Senator Natasha’s commitment to educational advancement represents a significant step forward for Kogi Central, ensuring that young students have access to the tools they need to succeed in an increasingly digital world. This initiative marks her dedication to the constituency that entrusted her with this mandate.

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