News
Amnesty: Senate Seeks More Funds
Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, at the weekend, said the Senate will support any proposal from the executive to increase the fund slated for the amnesty programme in the 2016 Appropriation Act.
Saraki, who was speaking to journalists at the Presidential Villa after the Change of Guards ceremony to mark the nation’s 56th Independence Anniversary, said any plan by the executive to calm the frayed nerves in the Niger Delta will enjoy the support of the National Assembly.
He reiterated the position of the Senate in its 20-point solution to the economic recession billed to be presented to President Muhammadu Buhari that government should engage in constructive dialogue with the militants who are making oil production difficult.
“Any positive move to restore peace in the restive Niger Delta region as well as increase the nation’s ability to earn more money at this point will enjoy the support of the Senate. We need to earn more foreign exchange and inject more money into the system through the funding of development projects to reflate our economy and put more people to work,” Saraki said.
The Senate had in its recommendations also asked President Buhari to appoint a special adviser that would lead the government engagement team in dialogue with the aggrieved Niger Delta militants to ensure the protection of Nigeria’s oil and gas assets.
In the 20-point solution, the Senate stated: “This team should include senators from the zone, and should oversee and advice on all the interventions and negotiations that are necessary to bring peace and stability to the region.”
It tasked the Federal Government to ensure that all cases of unwholesome practices in the export of crude oil are vigorously pursued and dealt with decisively.
The Senate further advised the Federal Government to ensure that all cases involving unaccounted oil exports are pursued with vigour, and culprits brought to book.
According to the ad-hoc committee set up by the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly to harmonise the two-day debate by members on the economic crisis, it urged the Federal Government to, among other things, “engage in meaningful and inclusive dialogue with the aggrieved Niger Deltans to avoid an escalation of the conflict in the region, ensure protection of the Nigeria oil pipelines and the resultant increase in oil production, sales, and economic boost.”
The report of the ad-hoc committee stated that the engagement of the militants in dialogue is necessary because of the falling oil revenue from an average of about $110 in 2014 to $30 in January, 2016, and $46 today.
Accordingly, the report said, “this fall in revenue was further exacerbated by the vandalization of the nation’s oil asset in the Niger Delta region that nearly halved the nation’s oil production and export from 2.1 million barrels per day to just about 1 million barrels per day.
“All this was happening in the absence of any saving from the high oil prices of the last decade that saw the nation’s foreign exchange reserves plummeting from more than $60billion in 2007 to about $24billion.”
In recommending dialogue, the Senate said that it is necessary, “In order to shore up our foreign reserves. Government should explore every avenue to restore the oil production target of 2.2 million barrels per day.
“Peaceful means should be immediately crafted and adopted to stop the vandalization of petroleum and gas assets in the Niger Delta region. Government must engage in meaningful and inclusive dialogue with the aggrieved Niger Delta militants to avoid an escalation of the unrest in the region, and ensure protection of our nation’s oil and gas assets to facilitate increase in oil production and boost revenue there from,” it stated
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.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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