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NASS Task Leaders On Economic Dev … Debates Pre-Budget Framework
The Senate yesterday urged the federal, states and local governments
and all leaders in Nigeria to work harder to return Nigeria to economic growth,
sustenance as well as strengthen national unity.
The Senate made the call following the debate on a motion congratulating Nigeria and Nigerians on its 52nd Independence Anniversary sponsored by Sen.Ita Enang (PDP-Akwa-Ibom) and 107 other senators.
Leading the debate, Enang noted with delight that Nigeria
was gradually developing its domestic production capacity as an independent
nation.
Senate President David Mark, who presided over plenary
session, said that for Nigeria to remain one, united nation till date, was a
great achievement.
Mark noted that although the country might not be where it
ought to be, for now, it was making giant strides toward attaining its desired
destination.
The Senate president said that Nigeria needed political will
to take its policies to logical conclusions either at the executive level or
legislative level.
Mark said unless section 7 of the Constitution was amended,
the National Assembly would not be able to do something about the current
situation.
He, however, expressed optimism that if the state
governments would do even a little better than that what was currently
obtainable, the situation would be a lot different.
Mark noted that only Lagos was generating its own revenue
adding that other states were largely depending on federal allocation.
The Senate president said he completely disagreed with Sen.
Uche Chukwumerije (PDP-Abia), who described Nigeria as a failed state.
He said there was no doubt the country had challenges but
expressed optimism that with the right political will the challenges would be
surmounted.
The Deputy Senate President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu, urged
senators to remain patriotic and nationalistic, assuring them that all hope for
Nigeria was not lost.
Sen. Pius Ewherido (DPP-Delta) in his contribution,
congratulated Nigerians especially the ordinary masses, saying they were the
real victors.
Ewherido called on the National Assembly to take budget
implementation seriously, reminding them that it was one way to execute
projects that would impact, positively, on the lives of the ordinary Nigerians.
He stressed the need for effective funding of local
governments to ensure that they met the challenges of economic growth and the
need of the rural populace.
Meanwhile, the Senate
on Tuesday began work on the Medium Term Fiscal Framework (MTFF) and Fiscal
Strategy Paper (FSP) by referring the document to its Committee on Finance and
National Planning.
President Goodluck Jonathan had forwarded the MTFF and FSP
to the Senate for approval in accordance with sections 13, 12 and 11 of the
Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007.
The MTFF is the basis upon which the 2013 Appropriation Act
is structured.
There are certain key areas in the document that need to be
agreed upon by the Senate before the 2013 budget can be approved.
One of such issues is the benchmark of crude oil which the
MTFF document has placed at $75 per barrel. Another is oil subsidy, which the
Senate needs to agree on before the budget can be approved.
It would be recalled that Jonathan had last week
communicated to the Senate through a letter, his intention to present the 2013
budget at a joint sitting of the National Assembly on October 4.
Bearing in mind the importance of the need to submit the
2013 budget early to the National Assembly, Senate President David Mark advised
the committees to expedite work on the document.
Mark said the document should be returned to the Senate next
Tuesday.
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Be Patient With Us, Diri Tells Bayelsans … Inspects New 60mw IPP …Expresses Confidence In Technical Partners, BECL MD
The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene