News
State Of The Nation Bill Passes Second Reading
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
RSG Cancels ?134BN Secretariat Contract, Orders Refund Of ?20BN Mobilisation … Revalidates Four Projects
The Rivers State Executive Council has revoked the ?134bn contract awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) for the renovation, retrofitting, and furnishing of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex by the State of Emergency Administration.
The council directed the immediate refund of the ?20bn mobilization fee already paid to the contractor.
Relatedly, the Council also approved the revalidation of the bidding processes for four contracts, consisting of the renovation of the State Secretariat Complex, construction of reinforced concrete shoreline protection and reclamation works in several riverine communities of Opobo/Nkoro, and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas. The projects earlier advertised for which bid documents were cancelled by the Emergency Administration and fees returned to the companies that had earlier purchased them.
The decisions were reached during the State Executive Council meeting held on Thursday at the Government House, Port Harcourt, and presided over by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Briefing newsmen, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart explained that the contracts had been awarded in a hasty manner without following due process. He said the council, therefore, approved the revalidation of the bidding process for all four contracts that were earlier advertised in national dailies on February 19, 2025.
With the revalidation process now on, Dr. Ezekiel-Hart stated that a fresh bidding will be advertised in newspapers for competent and experienced contractors to prequalify and submit both technical and commercial bids.
He listed the projects to include, “The construction of 4.8km reinforced concrete shoreline protection and reclamation of Queenstown, Epellema, Oloma, and Minima communities in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area in Rivers State. The construction of 2.5km shoreline protection and reclamation in Ndoni-Onukwu, Isikwu, and Aziazagi communities in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area.
“The construction of 2.5km shoreline protection and reclamation in Utuechi, Obiofu, Isala, Ani-Eze, and Odugri communities in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area. The renovation, retrofitting and furnishing of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex,” he added.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr. Azibaolanari Uzoma-Nwogu, announced that the council approved the constitution of a committee to develop a proposal for the creation of Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centres and ICT Laboratories across the three senatorial districts of the state.
She explained that the initiative is in line with the Federal Government’s directive that beginning in 2026, all examinations conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) will be computer-based.
The committee, chaired by the Deputy Governor, has the Secretary to the State Government, Permanent Secretaries from the Ministries of Education, Works, Information and Communications and Commissioner for Energy as members. Dr. Uzoma-Nwogu said the move will prepare Rivers youths for a digital future and improve the quality of education across the state.
On issues of employment, the Commissioner for Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment, Dr. Chisom Gbali, said the council reviewed ongoing efforts to create jobs for Rivers youths. He disclosed that his ministry has been directed to develop a framework for job creation and economic empowerment, noting that the government is determined to open up more opportunities for the young population.
“We want to assure Rivers youths that there will be a rising tide of employment and steady waves of economic empowerment,” Dr. Gbali said. “We know our Governor, when he makes a promise, he ensures it is fulfilled.”
On his part, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Sirawoo, said council also deliberated extensively on the recent flash floods experienced in some parts of the state. He said the council directed immediate remedial intervention to address the situation, and cautioned residents against the indiscriminate disposal of waste into drainage channels and building on waterways, which worsens flooding.
Dr. Sirawoo further noted that Governor Fubara remains deeply committed to the development of Rivers State and determined to accelerate the pace of governance despite time lost. He added that the administration’s renewed focus and energy will soon place Rivers State firmly back on the path of sustainable growth and progress.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the completion of the 62.650km Port Harcourt Ring Road project, despite the setbacks that have slowed its progress.
The Governor gave the assurance during an on-site inspection tour of the project on Monday, where he emphasised that the state government remains resolute in its determination to deliver the massive infrastructure for public use.
Addressing journalists at the Eneka Flyover axis of the project, Governor Fubara stated that his visit was to verify the level of compliance and commitment shown by the construction firm, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc.
Governor Fubara noted that discussions with the contractor had been ongoing to ensure that work resumes at full capacity after a period of financial challenges that affected the project’s continuity.
“You are aware that this project was, I won’t say abandoned, but somehow, for lack of funds, the contractor withdrew from the site. We have been discussing with them, and they gave me their word that although we have not finished all the discussions, they have already moved back to site, and I’m here to confirm that.”
The Governor described the Port Harcourt Ring Road project, which traverses six local government areas, as one of the most significant infrastructure undertakings in the state’s history, noting that its completion would not only ease traffic congestion in the capital city but also stimulate economic activities across multiple local government areas.
Governor Fubara reiterated his administration’s resolve to continue prioritising infrastructure development as a foundation for economic growth and social progress.
“I want to make this promise to our good people of Rivers State,” the Governor declared. “This project that we started, by the special grace of God, we are going to complete it. We owe our people a responsibility to deliver on our commitments, and this project will not be an exception,” he added.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the 2025 Batch B, Stream II National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members deployed to the State, to use the NYSC skill acquisition training programme to build capacity.
Governor Fubara gave the charge on Tuesday when he declared closed, the 2025 Batch B Stream II orientation exercise in the State.
Represented by the newly sworn-in Secretary to the State Government and Chairman NYSC State Governing Board, Hon. Benibo Anabraba, Governor Fubara enjoined the Corps members to embrace skill acquisition wholeheartedly in order to elevate themselves as wealth creators and employers of labour.
“Take Rivers State as your home. Be assured of the warmth, hospitality, and accommodating disposition of the good of our people at all times.
“Take the skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development post camp training very seriously and equip yourselves with the capacity to compete favourably in the nation’s huge economic space,” he stressed.
The Governor called on the Corps members to see their mobilization into the NYSC Scheme as a fundamental way to provide humanitarian services.
“Remember that you owe it to yourself, family, and the nation, the responsibility to serve selflessly and honourably,” he admonished.
In his farewell address, the State Coordinator of NYSC, Mr. Moses Oleghe appealed to the Corps members to use the opportunity of the service year to discover their true purpose.
He further encouraged them to embody selfless service and empathy in serving the people.
The colourful ceremony witnessed a vibrant parade.
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