News
Senate Vows To Tackle AGF …As Reps Bicker Over Immunity
More troubles may be in the offing for the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, as the Senate, yesterday, resolved to tackle him for his refusal to honour the invitation extended to him to explain the rationale behind the prosecution of principal officers of the Senate at the FCT High Court, Abuja, over allegations of forgery of the 2015 Senate Standing Rules.
The development follows the report of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters headed by Senator David Umaru (APC), Niger North Senatorial District.
Umaru, who moved a motion through Order 43 of 2015 Standing Rules, submitted that the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, had turned down the invitation on two consecutive times.
“Mr President, distinguished colleagues, I want the Senate to consider the Report of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters on the imminent threat to Nigerian democracy,” he said.
Umaru explained that on the 21st June, 2016, the chamber resolved that the AGF be mandated to explain the cause behind his decision to prosecute Bukola Saraki and three others for allegedly forging Senate Standing Rules, which made the committee to invite him on 23rd June, 2016, but he wrote asking for extension, but did not honour the meeting of 30th June, 2016, a situation he said, was undermining Nigerian democracy.
He lamented that the AGF sent an Aide, Mr. Obono Obla, whom he said was walked out.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives was in rowdy session, yesterday, over the planned inclusion of the Senate President and Speaker to enjoy immunity.
The Minority Leader of the House, Leo Ogor, had in the bill canvassed the inclusion of the presiding officers of the two chambers of the National Assembly which will also include the Deputy Senate President and the Deputy Speaker in the immunity.
He called for the amendment of Section 308 of the Constitution which only gives immunity to the president, vice president, governors and their deputies to also include the presiding officers of the National Assembly.
But the Majority Leader opposed the idea, saying that there was no any democracy in the world that heads of the legislature enjoy immunity, adding that even if it would work, the timing was wrong especially now that the Senate President Bukola Saraki was facing trials.
The House went rowdy when the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara abruptly ended debate on the matter, as he referred it to the Special Ad-hoc Committee on Constitution Amendment headed by the Deputy Speaker, Yussuff Lasun.
News
PDP Opobo/Nkoro Hails Fubara On Peace, Projects
Stakeholders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Opobo/ Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State have commended the state Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his disposition that has fostered peace in the State.
Rising from an expanded stakeholders meeting last Saturday in Opobo Town, the body in an eight-point communique signed by its Chairman, Hon. Benneth Daminabo, Chairman of Council, Rt. Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam and LG party Chairman, Warisenibo Godwin Pepple commended the governor for linking Opobo/Nkoro LGA to the national grid.
In addition, it lauded the effort of the governor in pursuing the 50.15 kilometre Dual Carriage Ring Road, Elelenwo internal road, Aleto-Ebubu-Eteo Road in Eleme and Andoni Road projects.
Despite the distractions, the stakeholders said they were impressed that the governor had equally done projects in health-the unveiling of Prof. Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Agric projects at Tai and Oyigbo and improving welfare of civil servants.
In their words, “members reaffirmed their unalloyed loyalty and implicit confidence in his administration.”
Condemning the unfriendly and discourteous utterances of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Tony Okocha in different fora in the State, the forum urged the duo to desist from such action in order not to heat up the polity.
The forum pledged to stand by the governor through, “thick and thin”, the stakeholders acknowledged the contributions of women, who through prayers for the government has impacted positively in the direction and posture of the governor.
Finally, the forum unanimously expressed gratitude to the Simplified Movement and other bodies that have thrown their weight behind the governor to ensure that the administration is stable and successful.
By: Kevin Nengia
News
‘Rivers People Are Now Breathing Fresh Air Under Fubara’
Aformer Caretaker Committee Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon Elamo Arogu, says under Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the people of the State are now breathing fresh air.
Hon Arogu said Governor Fubara has given Rivers people hope, considering the impactful and people-oriented projects being carried out by his administration.
The former CTC chairman made the assertion during the Simplified Movement’s thanksgiving service and rally held in honour of Rivers State chief executive last Friday in Abua .
Arogu said under Governor Fubara, the Abua/Odual people have the confidence that the dividends of democracy will definitely get to them.
He noted that the Governor has the strong will to change the narrative in Rivers State, being the reason he is receiving massive support across the State.
“The people of Abua/Odual are strongly behind him. Our doors ate open for everyone because there is government in place to attend to the needs of the people. I believe that he will develop Abua/Odual and other Rivers council areas, hence, the massive support. This government is business- oriented and we are ready to encourage him succeed and invest in our land. The issue of a bank; road networks and other necessities of life bordering on development as demanded by the people will be considered by Governor Fubara”, he said.
He called on the opposition to team up with Governor Fubara to build a stronger, united and viable Rivers State.
He maintained that ward nine under his leadership is Simplified.
News
Rivers State University Cooperative Society Elects New Leaders
The United Port Harcourt Peoples Cooperative Investment & Credit Society Limited, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, has elected new leaders to pilot the affairs of the cooperative for the next two years.
They are Pastor Dr. Barine Aeba (President); Dr. Gift N. Nkweke (Vice-President), Dr. Kenneth Chima Adiele (General Secretary), Victor G. Banigo (Assistant General Secretary),
Rose Yeyeda Nwosu (Treasurer), Adaku Nwogu (Financial Secretary) and Stella Ereba (Public Relations Officer).
Inaugurating the new Management Committee after a keenly contested election held recently at the University Amphitheatre, the Director of Cooperatives in Rivers State, Dr. Elizabeth Chidi-Wike, congratulated the seven-member Executive for emerging winners at the election, charging them to uphold the bye laws of the Cooperative Society and hold regular congress meetings.
Dr. Chidi-Wike used the forum to commend the outgone Management Committee for reviving the Cooperative and placing it on an enviable pedestrial.
In her remarks, the Acting Registrar of the University, Mrs. Ibimonia Sotonye Harry applauded Cooperative members for keeping faith with the Cooperative Society, stressing that the goal of the society in helping members save for retirement cannot be over emphasised.
In his valedictory speech, the outgone President, Dr. Mie-Idala Jones Amachree expressed gratitude to God for the successful completion of his four-year tenure, thanking his fellow Management Committee members who gave him the needed support that transformed the Cooperative Society.
In his acceptance address, the President, Pastor (Dr.) Barine Aeba thanked the university management for providing the enabling environment for the peaceful conduct of the election, pledging that he will fulfill all his campaign promises.
A total of 165 Cooperative members participated in the electoral exercise which was conducted by an Electoral Committee led by Engr. (Dr.) Joseph D. Enoch.
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