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
Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf
Two Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Rivers State have been honoured by separate groups for their contributions to security, crime prevention and improved community-police relations in their respective areas of responsibility.
The beneficiaries are the DPO of Afam Police Division, CSP Endurance Worgu and his counterpart at Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf.
CSP Worgu was honoured by a group of students under the aegis of Rivers State Graduate Students Associations for what they described as his commitment and outstanding performance in the discharge of his duties.
The students, led by Chidi John Enyie, Esq. said CSP Worgu was selected based on his track record and status as one of the longest-serving young DPOs of Rivers State origin.
According to the group, CSP Worgu has made significant contributions to the protection of lives and property in the area since assuming office following the #EndSARS period.
The students said they were particularly impressed by the improvement in community-police relations under his leadership, noting that professionalism had remained a key feature of his service.
Enyie represented by Comrade Briggs Soku, said the students community was pleased to identify with a Rivers indigene who had distinguished himself in the police force.
He said the students considered it necessary to encourage and celebrate CSP Worgu because of his achievements as a young Rivers man excelling in a profession that many people from the state were often reluctant to join.
Receiving the award at his office in Afam, CSP Worgu expressed gratitude to God and the students for finding him worthy of the honour.
The DPO said the recognition had boosted his morale and encouraged him to sustain his efforts towards maintaining peace and security in the area.
He said he least expected the honour, particularly because it came from the students, adding that the recognition would further motivate him to serve the people better.
CSP Worgu assured residents of Afam that the police would sustain the existing peace in the area.
He appealed to members of the public to support the police by providing credible and timely information, stressing that useful information from residents would make the job of security personnel easier.
Meanwhile, the Ikwerre/Etche Media Association has also honoured the DPO of Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf, for his efforts in tackling criminal activities in the area.
The media group presented the award following the swift tracking and arrest of five suspected kidnappers who had allegedly terrorised residents of the Kom-Kom axis and other parts of Oyigbo.
The group commended CSP Bello for what it described as his determined efforts to restore confidence and security in the affected communities, particularly Kom-Kom and Obeama.
According to the group, the arrest of the suspects demonstrated the DPO’s commitment to tackling criminality and safeguarding residents.
The media association said residents had received the development with relief, noting that the police action had sent a strong message to criminal elements operating in the area.
Responding, CSP Yusuf appreciated the group for the recognition and reaffirmed that there would be no room for criminality in Oyigbo.
He also commended the media for its role in disseminating credible information to the public, saying the media had remained supportive of the police in the fight against crime.
CSP Yusuf warned criminal elements operating in Oyigbo to leave the area or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.
He assured residents that the police would continue to pursue criminals and work to dismantle their hideouts, regardless of where they might be operating.
News
College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates For 2027 Polls
The 5000 Achievers Christian Forum and Colleges of Bishops, Archbishops and Apostles, a Christian interdenominational organisation, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the 2027 general elections.
International President of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, disclosed this during the ordination and consecration of three new Bishops, as well as an award ceremony held in Port Harcourt.
Aroh said the performance of the APC-led Federal Government had endeared the party to the organisation, prompting the forum to declare its support for President Tinubu and other APC candidates in Rivers State.
He said the forum would support all APC candidates in the state during the 2027 elections and urged Nigerians to vote for the party.
Aroh, who is also the General Overseer of Caring Peoples Church, Port Harcourt, charged the newly consecrated Bishops to see their new positions as a great responsibility and dedicate themselves to the advancement of the kingdom of God.
He cautioned them against conduct capable of bringing their offices into disrepute, stressing that their activities would be closely watched by members of the public.
“As Bishops, the eyes of the public are on your activities. You must therefore conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of your calling,” he said.
Also speaking, the International Coordinator of the forum, Bishop Saint Robinson, urged the newly consecrated Bishops to work diligently towards winning souls for the kingdom of God.
Robinson, who was the guest speaker at the event, stressed that the activities of Bishops must at all times be guided by godly principles.
He also called on members of the church to support and cooperate with the newly consecrated Bishops in the discharge of their responsibilities.
The Secretary of the College, Apostle Elizabeth Ayadi Abaye, said the organisation was established to advance the kingdom of God and promote spiritual development.
According to her, the forum has organised several crusades, conferences, prayer meetings, ordinations, consecrations, enthronements, empowerment programmes and other spiritual development activities across the country as part of efforts to win souls for Christ.
Abaye said the organisation has members across the world and disclosed that more programmes had been scheduled to promote the spiritual development and wellbeing of humanity.
The three Bishops consecrated at the ceremony were Prince Alban Chike, Testimony Omenihu Shedrach and Prince Ifemena.
Among those honoured at the event were the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Abali Community, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Manuchimso Prince Lemmy Wopara, and Clifford Oko Jaja, Coordinator of the 5,000 House-to-House for President Tinubu.
By: John Bibor
News
Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping
The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 49-year-old suspected fake soldier, Andrew Atausi, and several other suspects in connection with various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, one-chance robbery and the alleged murder of police officers.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, where he said the arrests formed part of the operational achievements recorded by the Command between June and August 2026.
Adepoju said Atausi was arrested on August 10 by police operatives along Ada George, Port Harcourt, while dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in Army colours.
The Commissioner said investigation revealed that Atausi was not a member of the Armed Forces, adding that he was suspected to be a serial car snatcher, with three suspected stolen vehicles recovered from him.
He said the recovered vehicles included three Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premio with registration number BNY 380 ES, noting that the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles had allegedly been tampered with.
Adepoju added that an axe and military accoutrements were also recovered from Atausi, as investigation continued into the circumstances surrounding the vehicles and other items recovered from him.
On the June 29 attack on police officers at Aluu Division, the Commissioner said three members of the gang allegedly responsible for the incident had been arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU.
The suspects, identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, alleged gang leader; Doctor Chinedu Owhor, 42, and Kamachi Joe, 28, alleged armourer, reportedly led operatives to their hideout at Omagwa where two AK-47 rifles stolen during the attack were recovered.
Adepoju recalled that two police officers were killed during the Aluu attack, while others were wounded and one officer had his leg amputated, stressing that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fourth suspect.
On kidnapping, the Commissioner said five members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate were arrested in Oyigbo Local Government Area, adding that they allegedly confessed to operations in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.
He said two other suspects from the same network, Anele Ogbogu, 35, alleged to be the gang’s armourer, and Kenneth Eke, 38, were arrested on July 27, with one AK-47 rifle and one SMG rifle recovered.
The Commissioner further disclosed the arrest of suspects in connection with alleged firearm offences, armed robbery, cultism and one-chance robbery, with firearms, ammunition and other exhibits recovered during the operations.
Adepoju assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing in collaboration with other security agencies, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information that would assist the police in combating crime across Rivers State.
By; King Onunwor
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