News

State Of The Nation Bill Passes Second Reading

Published

13 years ago

January 23, 2013

A bill seeking to provide a formal and mandatory platform where the President will present the account of his stewardship for public scrutiny passed second reading at the Senate.
The bill entitled; a Bill for an Act to Prescribe for An Annual State of the Nation Address and Other Matters Connected therewith, scaled its second reading in Abuja on Tuesday.
The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who led the debate, said that democracy was not just about elections, irrespective of how free and fair they were.
Ekweremadu said beyond election was governance, the bill sought to uphold the right of the people to hold their President accountable, take stock of the nation and make governance more open and participatory.
He said that when the “State of the Nation Address Bill’’ became law, it would usher Nigeria into an old democratic convention in both advanced and fledgling democracies around the world.
“One of such is the United States of America which model we are copying and which has enjoyed the dividends of this address for over 220 years.
“The U.S Constitution in Article II, Section 3 provides that the president shall from time to time give to the congress information of the state of the union.
“It also provides that the president shall recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient,’’ he said.
He said that since the former US President, George Washington, delivered the first address on January 8, 1970; it had matured to a major international event which was watched live by millions around the world.
This, he said, was because it served as an opportunity for the president to account to the people through their representatives and unveil policy thrusts and other critical issues.
He also cited other countries where the state of the nation address was been practiced to include Russia, Ghana, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mexico among others.
The deputy senate president said the world had embraced this value and Nigeria could not be odd, especially when it should be leading the way in democratic best practises in Africa and beyond.
Ekweremadu said the bill was not new to the Senate since he had sponsored it in the 6th Senate and it was passed by the National Assembly but unfortunately did not receive presidential accent.
He said the bill had to be reintroduced in the pursuit of what had become a democratic norm, especially the principles of accountability and transparency which were the fulcrum of democracy.
The deputy senate president explained that the bill was distinct from the Appropriation Bill and was in line with conventions in most democratic countries.
“One of the initial misconceptions about this bill is the wrong assumption that it is the same as the annual budget presentation hence that the budget presentation should suffice.
“For the avoidance of doubts, the budget presentation ritual is usually accompanied by a speech where Mr President throws light on the facts behind the figures, the policy thrust of government.
“The president also explains fiscal policies for driving such plans to realise government objectives, such annual speeches are at best a favour by Mr President to the National Assembly and Nigerians,’’ he said.
According to him, there is absolutely nothing in the 1999 Constitution that compels Mr President to present the budget himself or present a speech.
“Section 81(1) of the 1999 Constitution simply provides that the president shall cause to be prepared and laid before the National Assembly at any time in each financial year, estimates of the revenues and expenditure of the federation for the next financial year.’’
He said by this provision a president was at liberty to carry out the task by himself or delegate someone else to present the budget as was the case in 2008.
“This was exactly the case in November 2008 when the Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters, Sen. Abba Aji, laid the budget on behalf of late President Musa Yar’Adua,’’
He said the cost implication of the bill would only involve recurrent expenses such as preparation of the address and fuelling the presidential fleet from the state house to the National Assembly.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that a similar bill had been brought to the senate from the House of Representatives on Nov.22, 2012 for concurrence and had passed second reading after an extensive debate.
Based on this, there was no debate on the floor of the senate on this bill since it was agreed that it was similar to the earlier bill from the House of Representatives.
The Senate President, David Mark, referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Intergovernmental Affairs, for further legislative work.
The Committee is to submit its report to the senate within two weeks.

News

Be Patient With Us, Diri Tells Bayelsans … Inspects New 60mw IPP …Expresses Confidence In Technical Partners, BECL MD

Published

3 days ago

January 2, 2026

The Tide

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri has sued for patience on the ongoing installation of the state’s new independent power project.

The Tide gathered that the 60-megawatt gas turbine project, which installation commenced in October this year, was earlier scheduled to be completed by December but suffered logistics related delays.

The governor called on people of the state to have an open mind about the project, which he said now requires a new completion date due to unforeseen challenges.

?The Tide further reports that the State’s Chief Executive who undertook an on-the-spot-assessment of the project at Elebele in Ogbia Local Government Area on Wednesday, said like other citizens of the state, he was also disappointed that the December completion deadline could not be met.

However, he stated that his reaction to the delay had been that of understanding rather than being angry as had been noticed, particularly on the social media.

?”You can see I’ve gone round the whole facility. It was based on the working agreement and information available at my disposal that I gave the December date. But as it is with every human endeavor, we must all have an open mind, when it comes to issues, particularly technical matters like this.

?”I am as disappointed as any other Bayelsan because I believed that we were going to celebrate the 2025 Christmas with our own independent power, but it turned out not to be so.

?”I call on Bayelsans to have an open mind. These technical experts are working virtually 24 hours, but delays like this will certainly come”, he said.

He implored the people 9f the state to appreciate the work of the engineers, stressing that a minor mistake was capable of jeopardising the millions of dollars expended on the project.

?”For 29 years Bayelsa has been in darkness or has endured epileptic power supply. Now that we are getting close to the day of liberation, some people have become impatient.

“Let us not behave like the proverbial tortoise in the prison for years that asked to be released immediately as the place was smelling the moment he knew it would regain freedom the next day”, the governor added.

?The Bayelss Governor gave a thumps up to the technical partners, Jampur Group, and its team on ground as well as the Managing Director of the Bayelsa Electricity Company Ltd, Engr. Olice Kemenanabo, saying they were working round the clock to ensure the job was completed.

?”Those who have been following me on this inspection would know that work has not stopped even for one day since it started. I am sure the job is more than 90 per cent complete. So let us hold our fire.

“Engineer Olice, I am not putting you under any pressure. From the reports I have, Olice is one of the best electrical engineers in Nigeria”, governor Diri said.

The governor, however, hinted that the government was looking at inaugurating the project during its sixth anniversary in February.

The MD of the Bayelsa Electricity Company Limited, Kemenanabo, who also spoke, said the state was on the right track towards actualising the project and assured that the alignment of the entire system, including the gas generator and alternator were on course.

He also stated that the remaining two turbines would be delivered to the project site in a few days.

?Speaking on behalf of the Jampur Group, Mr. Sherrif Abu-Anif said the company was in good position to meet its own end of the bargain and appreciated the state government for playing its part very well.

By Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

News

Akpabio Withdraws All Defamation Suits After Priest’s Sermon

Published

3 days ago

January 2, 2026

The Tide

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.

News

‘Best Way To Show Gratitude Is To Deliver Tinubu in 2027’

Published

3 days ago

January 2, 2026

The Tide

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