Politics
Rivers Assembly And 2009 Legislative Session
The success story of the state lawmakers in 2009 would be incomplete if mention is not made of how they condemned the seizure of two Hilux cars by the Ahoada East Local Government, resulting in the subsequent release of the vehicles.
The enthronement of democratic governance in May 29,1999 after several years of military intervention in the nation’s political history indeed set the tone for Nigeria’s ship to sail the water of democracy. The inauguration of the National Assembly and the various states Houses of Assembly across the country signaled the dawn of democratic experience.
Apart from its statutory function of making laws for the overall development of the people, the legislature carry out oversight functions on the works of the executive arm of the government as well as promote effectiveness in the good governance of a state or nation.
Since the inception of the 4th Republic, both the State and National Assemblies have performed creditably with the duty of making laws for the betterment of society.
Here in Rivers State, there is a track of legislative success that has contributed to the development and growth of the state since 1999 till date. Suffice to say that, the present 6th Assembly in Rivers State has risen up to its constitutional challenges in the discharge of its statutory responsibilities.
The development and successes achieved by Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi administration in the State can be attributed to the roburst performance of the state legislature within the year under review.
The Rivers State House of Assembly in 2009 passed over 15 laws, resolutions and motions that have impacted on the life of the people as well as assisted in the overall transformation of the state. Notable among such laws passed by the House in 2009 were the state Child Right Law, the Greater Port Harcourt City Law, the state Customary Court Amendment Law and the state Transport Regulatory Law. Others include the Amendment of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology Law 2009, the state 2009 Appropriation Law, the state University of Education Law, and the state Public-Private Partnership Infrastructure Law.
In 2009, the House also took some resolutions that helped the government to shape its development in the state. The success story of the state lawmakers in 2009 would be incomplete if mention is not made of how they condemned the seizure of two Hilux cars by the Ahoada East Local Government resulting in the subsequent release of the vehicles.
The Rivers Assembly legislative support to Governor Amaechi administration aided the implementation of waterfronts demolition exercise and the proactive manner the government tackled the issue of militancy in the state.
The lawmakers oversight functions, no doubt, facilitate legislative breakthrough in the state. The various House Committees carried their duties to the letter as the lawmakers visited some project sites within their jurisdiction to ascertain and monitor the level of projects embarked upon by the respective ministries and parastatals. But the work of the state House of Assembly however brought tears to two local governments. The lawmakers suspended two council chairmen and subsequently dissolved one of the LG councils for misappropriation of funds allocated to the councils.
Speaking on the performance of the House last year, the House Committee Chairman on Information and Training, Hon Onari Brown stated that the lawmakers fared very well in the discharged of their duties during the period under review, maintaining that it was a fruitful session.
According to the lawmaker, there was absolute peace, integration, unity and love in the House during the year, attributing such success to House leadership led by Rt. Hon. Tonye Harry.
He urged the people of the state not to renege in their support to the present administration in the state led by Rt. Hon Chibuike Amaechi, assuring that the state legislature would continue to carry out its statutory responsibilities at all times.
Akujobi Amadi
The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has told the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that his academic certificates were stolen by unknown persons while he was on self exile.
Tinubu, a former Lagos State Governor, was one of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) Chieftains who fled the country under the regime of the late General Sani Abacha.
Abacha had clamped down on academics, activists and other technocrats opposed to his regime.
In his sworn affidavit in support of his nomination form for the office of the president, Tinubu said he “went on self exile from October 1994 to October 1999 (and) when I returned and discovered that my property including all the documents relating to my qualification and my certificates in respect of paragraph 3 above were looted by unknown persons.”
While Tinubu skipped information regarding his primary and secondary education in the INEC form, he, however, said he attended University of Chicago between 1972 and 1976, where he obtained B.Sc in Economics.
He also said he had B.Sc in Business and Administration, as well as certificate in Public Account.
Tinubu’s latest claims appear to contradict his previous election submissions, especially in 1999, when he ran and won the Lagos State governorship election.
He had said then that he attended St Paul Children’s Home School, Ibadan, between 1958 and 1964; while his secondary education was at Government College Ibadan (GCI), between 1965 and 1968.
Following a backlash, the former governor withheld his primary and secondary schools academic records when he recontested in 2003.
He had claimed that from Ibadan, he proceed to Richard Daley College, Chicago, from 1969 to 1971.
He finally said he attended both Chicago State University and the University of Chicago.
All the submissions were, however, challenged as fraudulent by a prominent Nigerian lawyer, late Gani Fawehinmi.
Fawehinmi, who argued the matter up to the Supreme Court, which dismissed the case on technical grounds.
In his forms, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, presented the Master’s degree he obtained in 2021, as his highest educational qualification.
A chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Honourable Hellen Taiwo-Adebakin, has congratulated Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda on his emergence as Senate Minority Whip
Adebakin, while rejoicing with the Senator said, Aduda’s elevation was a great honour for the good people of the FCT that he represents, who daily yearn for effective inclusion in the affairs of Nigeria.
Hon Adebakin, Secretary of the former and current ex-National ex-officio members of the PDP also described the new feat attained by the Senator as a product of loyalty and consistency to the PDP.
“I am using this opportunity to rejoice with one of our leaders in PDP, Senator Philip Aduda over his emergence as the Senate Minority Whip. Your elevation to this enviable position was a product of hard work, commitment to legislative duties and loyalty to the party. I pray to God Almighty to continue to guide as you assume this position,” Adebakin said.
She, therefore, urged him to continue to be a good ambassador of the party, stressing that the Senator will move to a higher position in the Red Chamber when the PDP returns to power at the centre in 2023.
The Senate has lauded House of Representatives’ Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila on his 60th birthday.
The Senate gave the commendation in a statement by its spokesman and Chairman, Media and Public Affairs Committee, Senator Ajibola Basiru in Abuja.
The statement reads: “The upper legislative chamber, Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria wishes to congratulate an outstanding achiever, an astute legal light, a man of exemplary social standing and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Right Honorable Olufemi Hakeem Gbajabiamila on his 60th birthday.
“Achieving this major milestone – a perfect 10, six times, over which you have attained calls for recognition and celebration; especially having achieved so much for yourself, the society and the nation.
“The Senate recognises you as a man of good upbringing and a well-bred personality who had traversed the universe in search of education and had achieved so much in your chosen legal career before making outstanding pursuits in legislative politics.
“Your services as an extraordinary lawmaker have been impeccable rising from being a member of the House of Representatives to becoming the minority leader, majority leader and then holding the prestigious position of the Speaker of the elite Assembly”.
“Your being one of the two longest-serving members of the House of Representatives also calls for all accolades that can be showered on you today.
“You have surely had many adventures in life but we still see you travelling farther to further stabilise the Nation’s polity and we pray for long life and good health for you as all things get better with age for you.
“While we rejoice with you, we hope you will have an amazing birthday. Congratulations!”
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