Nation
No Motion On Pantami’s Removal, Reps Clarify
The House of Representatives, yesterday, said there was no time at its Wednesday’s plenary that a motion on the resignation of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, was treated, let alone being shut down.
The House at plenary, yesterday, through a motion by Rep. Ahmed Jaha from Borno State, said it was surprising that some sections of the media reported that Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila had killed a motion brought by the Minority Leader, Hon Ndudi Elumelu, on Pantami.
Jaha, who came under Order 6, Rule 1 and 2 of the Standing Orders of the House, which border on matters of the privilege of the individual lawmakers, the same order cited by Elumelu, last Wednesday, said there was a complete misrepresentation of what happened in the chamber.
He explained, “I woke up early in the morning today to have my Sahur and came across media publications that this House took a position and refused or stopped the minority leader from bringing a matter for the removal of the minister of communications and digital economy.
“He said his privilege was breached because as someone that was in the chamber on Wednesday, there was no motion that was blocked by the Speaker, who presided over the day’s plenary.
“From what happened, this House did not stop any such move. What I know is that the presiding officer only said the order cited was wrong and that the minority leader can come through the right order.
“There was no point where this presiding officer stopped the motion (calling) for removal of the minister.”
He said the issue of insecurity was a very serious one, noting that, “The interest of the nation is above any individual interest.”
Before ruling on the matter, Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila said as Jaha rightly observed, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu came under Order 6, which dealt with matters of privilege.
“As provided for in our rules, matters that come under privilege are not debated. They are not motions. They are not seconded as a motion should.
“I think it behoves on all of us to educate our constituents on such matters. It was not a motion. We noted the privilege. We only followed our rules. It’s important that our constituents get to know. As is the practice, your point of order is noted.”
After Jaha, Rep. Uzoma Nkem-Abonta came under the same matter of privilege.
He said the matter at hand suggested that the people outside were mindful of what happened in the House.
He then suggested that it should come under motion on notice for the House to take a clear position.
The Speaker said as observed, there was no motion on the floor of the House on the matter on Wednesday.
The Speaker went ahead to advise the journalists covering the House to always report what transpired in the House accurately.
“Abonta, if you have a motion or Elumelu has a motion, you know the proper thing to do. We have a procedure to follow, and I’m sure members will do justice to it”, Gbajabiamila added.
The Alliance Française Port Harcourt in conjunction with the Embassy of France Nigeria over the weekend joined the globe to campaign against the 2025 gender- based violence (GBV) with the theme: “16 Days of Activism Against Gender- Based Voice”
The event which took place at the event Hall of the Alliance Française Port Harcourt was in collaboration with the Female in Gaming Network, ( FIGN) and partnership with Nexal a body that seeks to promote online safety and responsible digital behaviour.
The Tide reports that the project which was aimed at promoting digital safety and girls inclusion in Gaming, with the initiative tagged ‘Gameover Gender- Base Violence’was part of the global campaign against gender- based Violence.
The activity which experienced a flavour of festivity was full of fun and excitements as participants took part in tournaments on popular digital games such as Mario kart and EAFC 25, with an intent to creating safer and more inclusive digital spaces.
The Director of the Alliance Française Port Harcourt, Mrs Marina Lacal said that these activities were designed to encourage inclusion of girls, team work and fair play on online gaming spaces, saying that the gaming world reflects these inequalities, where female players are often under represented.
According to her the main objectives of the initiative was to provide a supportive environment for girls and female in gaming network.
“GameOverGBV” is a project created to reshape this landscape by offering an innovative inclusiveness of girls on online digital Gaming community and digital environments that provide opportunities for creativity, learning and connection, but also fight against Gender-Based Violence Digital Gaming,”she said
She however, explained that the Digital Game, sport competitions, was launched to strengthen social and digital skills through games, workshops, and raise awareness among all young participants about respect, equality and digital citizenship.
The Tide News reports that in Port Harcourt, the competition brought together 100 young participants from three major universities: University of Port Harcourt, ( UNIPORT),Ignatius Ajuru University of Education(IAUE) and Rivers State University (RSU)as well as students from four selected secondary schools, Oginigba comprehensive Secondary.School, Vine lnternational, Virgo predicanda lnternational, and Excellent Montessori Secondary school.
“This is an approach where girls and boys can learn, play and collaborate in a more respectful and safe space for young women, while ensuring a safe, enjoyable and respectful digital environment. It also expose young women to cyberbullying, exclusion, sexist comments and online hate,” Mrs. Lacal said.
Earlier, a game developer Sophia Nei and her. team had engaged participants in an interactive session with the theme: “Can Video Games Be Safe Spaces For Girls?”
However, Mrs Nei and her team educated the girls on the benefits and violence on online digital gaming and urged them ( participants)to learn to say ‘No’ to Online hate, sexist and cyber bullying, while encouraging them(students) to stand up for themselves by reporting such issues to the appropriate authority.
Highlight of the competition was the awarding of prizes to winners by the Director of Alliance Française, Mrs Marina Lacal.
