The Nigerian Senate has strongly rejected claims that it neglected its duties in the burial of its late colleague, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah. In a statement issued by Yemi Adaramodu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, the Senate described the allegations circulating on social media as unfounded and misleading.

Adaramodu emphasized that the Senate honored Ubah’s memory with all the necessary tributes before his burial in Nnewi. For the first time in the history of the National Assembly, a full legislative day was dedicated to paying tribute to the late Senator.
His seat was draped with the national flag, recognizing his service to the Senate and to the people of Anambra South Senatorial District.

“The Nigerian Senate did not neglect Senator Ubah or his family,” Adaramodu stated. “From the moment the news of his death broke, the Senate conveyed condolences to the government and people of Anambra State.”

He further highlighted that Senate President Godswill Akpabio led a delegation of senior Senate officials to visit Ubah’s family in Lagos shortly after his passing. Additionally, nearly 100 Senators attended the valedictory session held in his honor, where tributes were paid by prominent figures, including Vice President Kashim Shettima.

Adaramodu noted that substantial numbers of Senators attended the burial in Nnewi and that the Senate had made prior arrangements with the Ubah family to ensure its presence. He expressed disappointment that certain media outlets misinterpreted the Senate’s actions and falsely claimed neglect.

“It is absolutely preposterous to suggest that the Senate failed to honor Senator Ubah,” Adaramodu concluded. “The Senate has done everything within its power to honor our colleague and provide support to his family during this difficult time.”

The Office of the Senate Leader has strongly refuted claims of an altercation between the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, as alleged in a post by Jackson Ude on the X platform (formerly Twitter).

In a statement issued by the Directorate of Media and Public Affairs, the report was dismissed as a fabrication by a known purveyor of falsehoods, accusing Ude of abandoning journalistic ethics in favor of baseless rumors aimed at creating discord within the Senate.

The allegations suggested that Senators Akpabio and Bamidele were involved in a physical confrontation on Tuesday in the Senate Cafeteria, purportedly stemming from leadership disputes and alleged marginalization of the South West in key committee appointments.

However, the Senate Leader’s Office categorically denied any such incident, providing evidence to counter the claims.

The Senate Leader’s Office reaffirmed Senator Bamidele’s unblemished record of non-violence throughout his political career, including his tenure as the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).
The statement explained that shortly after the alleged incident, Senators Akpabio and Bamidele, alongside other principal officers, jointly hosted the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. YU Dunhai, and his delegation. Photographs from this meeting, widely published in national newspapers, were cited as proof of their cordial relationship.

Explaining further the statement indicated that both Senators reportedly left the National Assembly premises together in the same vehicle, further underscoring the lack of animosity between them.

The statement quoted Senator Bamidele to have warned against defamatory publications, emphasizing his readiness to invoke the Cybercrime Act of 2015 and other legal measures to protect his reputation and office.

The Senate Leader’s Office urged the public to disregard the misinformation, describing it as a calculated attempt to destabilize the Senate and disrupt national politics.

The statement reiterated Senator Bamidele’s commitment to his duties and called for respect for the integrity of the Senate as an institution.

A public hearing at the National Assembly on the proposed Chartered Out-of-Home Media Practitioners of Nigeria Establishment Bill on Wednesday revealed sharp divisions among stakeholders in the advertising industry.

The bill, sponsored by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Power, is aimed to establish a regulatory body to oversee, promote, and professionalize the out-of-home (OOH) media sector, which includes billboards, digital displays, and transit advertising.

While some stakeholders, including the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), the Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN), and the Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OOAN), supported the bill, others, like the Federal Ministry of Information, the Nigerian Press Council (NPC), and the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), opposed it.
Speaking at the hearing, Abaribe outlined the bill’s objectives, which include standardizing the OOH sector, addressing safety and environmental concerns, and fostering innovation.

“This bill aims to ensure that the practice of owning and managing OOH assets is elevated to a standard that promotes quality, uniformity, and environmental aesthetics,” Abaribe said.

He highlighted the challenges in the industry, such as lack of regulation, inconsistent practices, and environmental degradation caused by unregulated billboard installations. The proposed body would enforce standards, ensure public safety, and enhance the aesthetics of Nigeria’s urban and rural landscapes.

The Ministry of Information, represented by a director overseeing the office of the permanent secretary, opposed the creation of a new agency, arguing that it would place unnecessary pressure on governance.

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Press Council also criticized the bill, stating that existing units are already performing the functions proposed for the new body.

ARCON’s Director General, Olalekan Fadolapo, warned that creating another agency would contradict the Steve Oronsaye panel’s report, which recommends streamlining government agencies to reduce redundancy.
COREN’s representative, Dipo Mabogaje, argued in favor of the bill, noting that while ARCON regulates advertising content, a dedicated body should regulate the structural integrity and environmental impact of billboards.

Similarly, the Presidents of ADVAN, Osamede Uwubanmwen, and the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN), Lanre Adisa, expressed strong support for the bill, emphasizing the need for improved industry standards and professionalism.
The Senate Committees on Establishment, Information, and Media will review the input from stakeholders before making recommendations on the bill. While supporters believe the legislation will address pressing issues in the OOH sector, critics argue that it could lead to redundancy and inefficiencies in governance.

The debate underscored the complexities of balancing industry growth with regulatory efficiency in Nigeria’s evolving advertising landscape.