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NASS Can Prune Ministers’ List – Okocha
As Nigerians groan under the high cost of governance in the present democratic dispensation, a legal luminary in Rivers State and former National President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Chief O.C.J Okocha, has said that only the National Assembly can effect reduction in the number of ministers in the country.
Chief Okocha who said this while reacting to the call by the Presidential Advisory Council (PAC) to reduce the number of ministers, said that the presidency was right to have rejected the call.
The former NBA President who spoke in a telephone interview with The Tide on the issue said that the National Assembly could decide the number of ministerial appointments in the country through the amendment of the constitution.
He said that although it was the wish of Nigerians for the country to have a small size and efficient cabinet, constitutionally, the Federal Executive Council must reflect the 36 states of the federation.
Chief Okocha, however, stressed the need for the National Assembly to take a second look at the issue by amending the relevant sections of the constitution.
President Goodluck Jonathan had said that he preferred a leaner and more efficient cabinet but was constrained by constitutional provisions.
Jonathan stated this at a valedictory session with members of the Presidential Advisory Committee (PAC), who had wound up their assignments.
According to him, the federal cabinet in the country was large due to the constitutional provision which stipulates that each state of the country must produce a minister.
“Your suggestion for a smaller cabinet is excellent and I agree with you, but this cannot be achieved without constitutional amendment,’’ he said.
The president said, however, that the suggestions and advice which PAC offered to the government played a key role in stabilising the administration.
He assured the members that their final report would form part of the policy direction of the incoming administration.
Jonathan thanked them for accepting to serve the nation in spite of their individual schedules, and informed them that the Federal Government would continue to tap from their wealth of experience in the years ahead.
Earlier, the Chairman of PAC, retired Gen. Theophilus Danjuma, said they were privileged to have been selected to proffer advice to the new administration.
He advised the president to apply the same diligence he applied in selecting the PAC members to the appointment of his new cabinet from among the abundant qualified Nigerians willing to serve the country.
Our correspondent recalled that the committee was constituted by Jonathan as acting president on March 1 and was inaugurated on May 5 last year.
Jonathan had charged the members to provide alternative inputs into policy formulation in the areas of power, economy, security, infrastructure, social sector, electoral process and anti-corruption
In a related development, experts in policy making have lauded the directive by President Goodluck Jonathan to the Presidential Advisory Council to review the country’s foreign policy.
Speaking with newsmen in Abuja, Dr Joseph Golwa, the Director-General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, said there was the need to review the policy.
Describing the directive as apt and proper, Golwa said the review would provide a clear leadership direction for the new administration.
According to him, given Nigeria’s present role in the international community, the community was expecting a lot from the country.
“I use the word apt and timely because it’s to provide the clear direction for the new cabinet on what they are expected to focus on as far as our foreign policy is concerned.
“The international community is expecting to have some major positions from Nigeria and this statement coming like this shows that they would begin to have at the back of their minds that we are expecting a very major, proactive position as far as foreign policy is concerned for Nigeria,” he said.
He stressed the need for key players in the sector to work in harmony for the successful implementation of the policy.
“Every policy will require the harmonious cooperation of every stakeholder for it to be successfully implemented and with issues of foreign policies you don’t expect anybody to play a different role if you are a major stakeholder.
“The co-operation of every other person is necessary because it is through such cooperation and shared views you will be able to get to achieve your objectives and mission,” he added.
The ECOWAS Parliament has adopted a budget of 19,636,030 Units of Account (UA) (26 million dollars) for the 2026 fiscal year, and announced plans to commemorate its 25th anniversary in November.
The Speaker of the Parliament, Hadjia Memounatou Ibrahima, who announced this, said the development followed the recent conclusion of its 2025 Second Extraordinary Session in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
She said the budget was adopted by the Parliament during plenary, stressing that, beyond being a mere accounting act, it was the engine of parliament’s commitment to West Africans.
”It will enable us to carry out our priority missions, including implementing the conclusions of the seminar on AI, while ensuring virtuous and transparent management of public funds entrusted to us.
”This budget represents a five per cent increase compared to the 2025 fiscal year budget, reflecting an upward adjustment of UA 939,233 from last year’s UA 18,996,897.
”Out of the budget of UA 19,636,030 for 2026, the sum of UA19, 368,394 representing 98.64 per cent is expected to be financed through the proceeds from the Community Levy, while UA257,636, equivalent to 1.36 per cent, will accrue from other sources,” Ibrahima said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ECOWAS Community Levy is a mandatory 0.5 per cent tax imposed on goods imported into ECOWAS member states from non-ECOWAS countries.
Member states are under statutory obligation to pay the community levy, which is the main source of funding for ECOWAS institutions and their activities.
Ibrahima, however, expressed dismay that some members of the community were still defaulting on the payment of the levy, and warned that, going forward; such would be met with sanctions.
She also said that the commemoration of its 25th anniversary in November would highlight the ECOWAS Parliament’s achievements in deepening regional democracy, cooperation and growth, amid formidable challenges.
The Speaker described the forthcoming anniversary as “a chance to showcase resilience and chart a more innovative, youth-focused future for the community”.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
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