News
Mark Assures Of Passage Of FoI Bill
Senate President David Mark yesterday assured Nigerians that the Senate would pass the Freedom of Information Bill already passed by the House of Representatives.
Mark gave the assurance when the executive members of the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) led by its President, Chief Olushola Ogunshola, paid him a courtesy visit in his office.
“Ordinarily, there is no need for you to come because we have assured that we are going to pass the bill. “The bill is not for the media alone but for everybody. However, there is need to guarantee that the media will use the bill responsibly,’’ he said.
He added, “Passage of the bill into law is not a problem but we must show enough restraint and responsibility in order to avoid recklessness in the discharge of our duties. The media must be able to protect the ordinary man from abuse and recklessness by some of its members.”
Mark noted that the Nigerian Press Council had failed in its duty of sanctioning any media organisation found to have gone against the ethics of the profession.
Earlier, the President of the NPAN, Ogunshola urged the Senate to pass the Freedom of Information Bill.
He also pleaded that the Senate should not change the name of the bill to Access to Information as done by the House of Representatives.
Ogunshola noted that although the bill was passed by the last National Assembly but was not signed into law, noting that there was still another historic opportunity for the current National Assembly to pass it.
“There is still another historic opportunity for you to pass the bill and allow President Goodluck Jonathan to sign it.
Nigerians will remember you for that. The bill should be passed before the general elections,’’ he said.
He said that efforts had also been made to correct the initial misconceptions about the bill.
Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Sen. Muhammed Abba-Aji, had denied reports credited to him on Igbo presidency and the Freedom of Information Bill.
Abba-Aji was quoted in the media as saying that there was no vacancy for the Igbos in 2015 and that he would prevail on President Goodluck Jonathan not to sign the Freedom of Information Bill.
Briefing newsmen yesterday in Abuja, Abba-Aji said that he had not at any time made such a statement.
“I hereby categorically state that I have not at any time made such a statement.
Contrary to this statement, I strongly believe that my Igbo brothers and sisters have equal rights with all members of other ethnic groups to seek any public office including the exalted office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“As it relates to Vice President Namadi Sambo, it is entirely my personal view, which he neither desired nor solicited. I therefore, hereby withdraw it, and regret any misunderstanding that it might have generated,” he said.
He added: “On the issue of the Freedom of Information Bill, what I did was to draw attention to the conflict that in my view, it is likely to have with Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as it relates to the oath of office and the Official Secrecy Act, which is yet to be repealed.
“I also tried to make the distinction between the Freedom of Information Bill, which seeks to compel public officers to reveal official matters and the Freedom of Press, which is already enshrined as Section 39 of the Constitution.”
However, mixed reactions have greeted the amended Electoral Act, especially the aspect that stopped the removal of governors through the courts.
Some politicians, who spoke to newsmen in Lagos yesterday, said that the removal of the power of the court to remove a sitting governor was in order.
However, others argued that it would give governors, who won an election through rigging, a second chance to rig.
Our correspondent reports that the former Electoral Act 2006 empowered the judiciary to nullify elections and give the mandate to the authentic winner of an election.
The newly amended act strips the court and the tribunal of the powers to remove from office a sitting governor for irregularities except through a re-run election.
When a sitting governor is found guilty, he should be disqualified from that election and its party should nominate somebody else,’’ Onimisi said.
But Malam Yusuf Buba, National Chairman, Advanced Congress for Democrats (ACD), commended the National Assembly for the amendment.
According to him, the power given to the judiciary to remove a sitting governor found to have rigged into office could corrupt the judiciary.
“If the power still lies with the judiciary, it can make it corrupt, but a re-run election will make it easier for people to come out and still exercise their civic rights, he said.
The Rumuokania 2 New layout Landlords Association in the Obio/Akpor local government area of Rivers State is seeking the intervention of the Rivers State Government in the desilting of the canal which transverses several communities including Mgbaraja,Ogbogoro,Egbule,Elioparanwo,Ozuoba and other communities in the area.
The Association which said this at a media briefing in Port Harcourt also lauded Governor Siminalayi Fubara for the construction of the Rumuoke/pipeline internal roads.
The landlords said the canal impede the free flow of water from the affected communities thereby causing severe flooding whenever it rains in the area.The Association also commended the governor for the ongoing construction and rehabilitation of road across the state, adding, the gesture has not only rekindled hope of Rivers people for a better tomorrow,but has bought prosperity across communities in the state.According to a Press release made available to news men during the briefing,”We are gathered here today to express immense appreciation to His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State,Sir Fubara, GSSRS,for the construction of the Rumuoke/pipeline Internal roads.“We also wish to use this medium to request the desilting of the Canal transversing the area and the construction of adjoining roads to the area.“We acknowledge with profound gratitude the transformative governance going on in Rivers State under the purposely and impactful leadership of Governor Fubara.“The visible impact of his administration across all sectors, particularly the rehabilitation and construction of new roads,has rekindled hope among the people and brought prosperity to our communities”The Association said.The landlords particularly praised the Governor for the successful completion of the Rumuoke Road from Okilton junction off Ada George Road to Road 9-2nd & 3rd Avenue, Road 10-2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue, and Pipeline Road upto the canal, expertly executed by Monier Construction Company (MCC).They noted that,prior to the intervention of the Governor,the road was in an extremely deplorable state, impassable, and prone to flash floods whenever it rains.“Most houses and business premises were often flooded as people could hardly leave or access the area,while economic activities were completely paralyzed.“The newly constructed internal roads have completely eased traffic in the area, boosted economic activities, and improved the quality of life of residents of Rumuokania and Rumuoke communities”The release which was jointly signed by pastor Joel Gbandi, chairman of The Association and Lucky Ashley Atiegoba secretary,on behalf of the Landlords also expressed gratitude to the Governor for the construction of all internal roads in the area..It however drew the , attention of the Governor to an emerging issue which they said poses threat to the durability of this critical road infrastructure.According to the landlords,”at the terminus of the newly constructed pipeline road, the adjoining canal is severely blocked, impeding the free flow of water .“The canal serves as a vital waterway, traversing several communities, including Rumuokania, Mgbraja, Ogbogoro, Egbelu, Elioparanwo, Mini-Orlu, Rumue-vorlu, Rumuokwachi, Ozuoba, Iwofe, Rumuolumeni, Rumuepirikom, and Mini-kete, among other communities.“This obstruction has caused water to back up onto the surface of the newly constructed road, leading to accelerated erosion and hazardous conditions for surrounding buildings, motorists, and pedestrians alike within RumuokaniaRumuoke communities.“It is against this backdrop that we respectfully request the kind intervention of our dear Governor in this regard:” We humbly request the desilting of the canal to restore proper drainage and prevent water overflowonto the newly constructed internal roads and flooding within the communities.“. We also request the construction of adjoining roads to the area to provide alternative pathways and improve overall accessibility in the area.“Addressing these germane concerns will not only safeguard the investment of the state government in road infrastructure in the area but will also mitigate flooding, enhance safety, and further elevate the living standards of residents of Rumuokania and Rumuoke communities”the landlords said.
Judges of the High Courts of Rivers State will proceed on this year’s Christmas and New Year vacations on Tuesday, 23rd December 2025.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Registrar, State High Court, David Ihua-Maduenyi, on behalf of the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Chibuzor Amadi, and made available to newsmen over the weekend.
The statement stated that judges will commence the yuletide vacation from Tuesday, 23rd of December 2025, and resume on Monday, January 12, 2026.
According to the statement, the directive is in compliance with the provision of Order 49 Rule 4(C) of the High Court of Rivers State Civil Procedure Rule, 2023.
The statement added that during the period of the vacation, all judicial divisions of the High Court of the State shall remain closed, while a vacation judge shall be designated to entertain only urgent applications and matters filed during the vacation.
By: Akujobi Amadi
Land grabbing and crisis of fraudulent land sales may soon be a thing of the past as Rivers State begins experimenting the community land development committee system.
The experiment saw the light of day in Alesa Eleme where the Alesa Land Development Commiittee (ALDEC) was inaugurated last Friday by the paramount ruler of Alesa, Emperor J.D. Mkpe.
The Alesa community where the Port Harcourt refineries are situated has implemented the recommended formula with the strong support of the paramount ruler said to be a respected leader known for his commitment to peace, education, community development, and support for law enforcement, often advocating for better infrastructure and governance in his area.
Inaugurating the committee headed by a businessman, Mr. Emmanuel Olaka, the paramount ruler recounted the contributions of his community to economic development of the nation.
“Alesa is one of the 10 communities in Eleme and we are the first community in Nigeria that has refineries. The Port Harcourt Refinery (1&2) that has a lot of pipelines surrounding us. We have done a lot of contribution in making sure Nigeria stands great among all nations.
“We are made up of about 13 communities due to expansion. When I say 13 communities, Alesa is a community that has embraced other people. You can see here some people from the northern community. All the communities are here. That is why Alesa is known as a cosmopolitan community.
“Because we have got a lot of information about sale of land, and because we now have a situation whereby other persons will go into another person’s land and sell without the owner’s notice. We have also got information about minors who are not qualified to sell landed property, now selling land without letting their elders know.
“And that is why today, we are going to inaugurate a land development committee whose duty is to see into all these issues and bring up report about them. This will make both buyers and sellers feel very free in Alesa.
“We seize this opportunity to warn thus: if you sell any land to anybody without this committee’s knowledge or consent, you are doing it at your own risk. If you are buying any land from Alesa, this committee will know. By this, we will track those selling the land to you so that you don’t buy land from a wrong person. We also do not want you to buy land from an under-aged persons (children) who will sell land and run away.
According to him, we are also partnering with the Rivers State government on the project because those who buy land in Alesa with due process would be backed all the way to acquisition of certificate of occupancy (CofO).
“We are duly registered and we hereby show the world our certificate of registration and recognition. This is not a shabby arrangement. We have the registration and the authority which we have here as a body approved by the government to go into this development. This also is the registered constitution of the body.
“We will also make sure that whatever land you buy here, will be registered with the government of Rivers State through the office of the Surveyor-General and the Ministry of Land and that of Housing. This is to permanently stop land grabbers,
“We want you to buy and develop, not to keep for decades. Failure to develop your land after five years, the land will be forfeited to the government of Rivers State as a ‘waste land’ that you do not want to develop. So we are here not to maltreat any individual, we are not here to punish anyone, but to make sure your money is safe.
“We are optimistic that this strategy will work for us all. One of the greatest persons who has been able to identify with us is the Mayor of Housing. He has been friendly to us and to our aspirations.
Speaking immediately after the inauguration, the chairman of Alesa Land Development Committee, Mr. Emmanuel Olaka, vowed never to betray his community.
“I want to extend my sincere appreciation to the Alesa Council of Chiefs, the women, the youths, for nominating me to be the chairman of the Alesa Land Development Committee. I want to say this afternoon that I, Emmanuel Olaka, a bonafide son of Alaka, from Uwueke community, I will never disrespect this community. I will always do what is right, so that my God will always stand by me. I will not be biased.”
Also speaking, the Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, who is behind the Alesa Sustainable Green Smart City, commended the community for leading the way and the war against land grabbing and land fraud.
He said the development would augur well for the green city being initiated in the area and other projects coming to Alesa.
He urged other communities in Rivers State and beyond to move fast and inaugurate such committees to put an end to land grabbing.
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