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PDP Lawmakers Differ On Reps Plan To Summon Jonathan

Published

9 years ago

April 17, 2017

Some opposition lawmakers in the House of Representatives have reacted to the plans by an ad-hoc committee investigating the $1.3 billion Malabu Oil deal to summon former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, over his role in the controversial award of OPL 245 licence.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Justice, who also chairs the ad-hoc panel investigating the scandal, Razak Atunwa, had told newsmen, yesterday, that his committee would invite the former president for questioning.
Atunwa later released a statement to the media restating his position, with sources saying that the committee has the approval of the Speaker to summon the former president.
Although Jonathan has denied receiving anything from the over $800million transferred into the private account of ex-petroleum minister, Dan Etete, by his administration, from the money paid by oil giants, Shell and ENI; investigations in Nigeria, United States and Italy, indicate that the former president may have benefitted from the deal.
Apart from Jonathan, other officials believed to have benefitted from the Malabu funds, include his former justice minister, Mohammed Adoke, and then petroleum minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke.
It is based on recent revelations suggesting Jonathan’s involvement that the committee decided to invite the former president.
However, some lawmakers from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have, however, expressed reservations with the decision.
Atunwa, like House Speaker, Hon Yakubu Dogara, is of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), but his committee, like the House of Representatives, also has PDP members.
In an interview, yesterday, the House Minority Leader, Hon Leo Ogor, said there are modalities in summoning an ex-president.
“If it is the resolution of the House, we’ll follow it logically,” he said, adding that, “This isn’t the first time a former president will be summoned by the House”
The PDP House leader said rather than summon the former president; the two oil firms (Shell and ENI) who paid the money into the Federal Government account should be investigated.
“The ex-president said he doesn’t have a foreign account,” he said.
“I think the committee should rather investigate the oil firms, the minister of petroleum and attorney general since they participated in signing the MoU.”
He, however, expressed optimism that Jonathan will be exonerated at the end of the investigation.
“I chaired that committee in the 7th Assembly, we did our investigations, and I’m sure Jonathan will be exonerated”.
Also commenting on the potential summon, Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma, a PDP lawmaker from Edo State, said he was not aware of such plans but believes the ex-president will appear if summoned.
“I know Jonathan is a man who believes in the rule of law, he will definitely appear if he is invited.
“We shouldn’t be talking about that now since he has not been invited”, Agbonayinma said.
He said the allegations against the former president, who is spearheading moves to unite a factionalised PDP, had not been proven in court.
Also speaking on the matter, Nicholas Ossai, from Delta State, said any plan to invite the former president must be discussed at plenary.
“Former presidents, irrespective of their political parties are senior citizens, and there are certain levels of respect accorded to them”, he said.
“If there is any plan to summon him, it has to be deliberated on the floor of the House”.

News

198 UNIBEN Students Bag First Class

Published

1 day ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

A total of 198 students of the University of Benin (UNIBEN ) Edo State, bagged a First Class degree out of 14,083 students to be awarded first degree at the institution’s 51st Convocation and Founder’s Day ceremony.

Vice Chancellor of UNIBEN, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, disclosed this on Monday in Benin at a pre-convocation press briefing.

He said 4,217 students bagged a Second Class Upper, 7, 928 got a Second Class Lower, while 578 bagged a Third Class degree.

He said 15 new approved programmes by the National Universities Commission (NUC) would commence in the 2025/2026 academic session.

According to him, “The wheel of progress is on course and moving steadily in the University of Benin. This administration is poised to deliver on its mandate of effective, practical teaching, sound learning, result-oriented research and impactful community service.

“We must applaud the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for establishing NELFUND, and by so doing significantly reducing the financial stress of students in the process of acquiring tertiary education. We enjoin students and their parents to take full advantage of the federal government’s benevolence in instituting the fund.”

Prof. Omoregie disclosed that Nigeria’s Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, would deliver the Founders’ Day lecture with the topic, “Reforms for a Shared Prosperity”.

The UNIBEN VC said Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs and Former Vice Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Professor Eghosa Osaghae, would deliver the Convocation Lecture on the theme, “Making Our Universities Great”.

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Bayelsa Education Fund, British Council trains tra 1,000 teachers

Published

1 day ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

The last batch of 400 public school teachers in Bayelsa State on Monday commenced training under the sponsorship of Bayelsa Education Development Trust Fund (EDTF) and the British Council.

This batch will bring to 1000 the number of public school teachers in the state who have benefited in the partnership arrangement.School supplies

The EDTF, British Council and Teachers Training, Registration and Certification Board collaborated in the capacity development programme.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the five day capacity building program, Commissioner for Education Dr Gentle Emelah reiterated the commitment of the Bayelsa government to training and capacity of teachers in the state.

He noted that the improved teaching methodology in the state was responsible for the state producing the best student in the 2025 West African School Certificate Examinations.

Prof Ebimiowei, Executive Secretary at EDTF, noted that the collaboration is aimed at improving learning outcomes for pupils and students of public primary and secondary schools in Bayelsa.

“You will agree with me that until the cutlass is sharpened, it will have no impact on the hands of the farmer and so it is with our teachers., you need to be sharpened very well to give good delivery in your various classes and schools.

“Let me at this juncture appreciate the British Council for accepting to train 1,000 teachers, 50 education managers and 60 trainers for Bayelsa,” he said.

On his part, Chairman of the EDTF board, High Chief Fidelis Agbiki expressed appreciation to the Commissioner for Education Dr Gentle Emelah for his supportive role to the fund.

Agbiki urged the beneficiaries to justify the enormous resources invested by the government of Bayelsa by being dedicated within the five days the exercise would last.

He said; “This board will not operate on business as usual but on business unusual as we will push the frontiers outside the box to ensure that we get value for money,” Agbiki said.

Chairman of Development Partners Committee of the EDTF applauded the commitment of the partners for the successful completion of the programme, urging them to sustain the tempo

Speaking on the programme, Mr Fwanshishak Daniel, Head, English and Schools, British Council noted that the Bayelsa government had shown exemplary commitment to educational development.

He explained that the commitment has enabled the British Council and Bayelsa government to achieve within one year greater milestones that took other states three years to achieve.

He explained that the resources of the British Council have been made available to Bayelsa with the training of 60 resource persons from the state who will in turn train other teachers to improve education.

According to Daniel, the training will lay emphasis on new teaching methods, use of digital tools for self development and access to school amongst others.

Dr Peremoboere Ogola, Acting Chairman of TTRC, which facilitated training, thanked the EDTF for supporting training of teachers in Bayelsa with world class resources of the British Council.

She noted that another batch of newly recruited teachers are currently undergoing training at State government owned University of Africa, Toru Orua, Sagbama LGA in Bayelsa

News

RSG INAUGURATES ARMED FORCES REMEMBRANCE DAY COMMITTEE

Published

1 day ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has inaugurated a Central Planning Committee to organize the celebration of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD) in the State.

The committee was formally inaugurated by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba in Port Harcourt, last Thursday.

Dr Anabraba who also serves as Chairman of the Committee

highlighted the State Government’s deep appreciation for the sacrifices of Nigeria’s fallen heroes who laid down their lives for the nation’s peace and unity.

“These heroes have given their lives for the security and peace of our nation and deserve to be celebrated. The Armed Forces Remembrance Day is an opportunity to show our gratitude for their sacrifice,” he said.

Dr. Anabraba further extended recognition to all Security Agencies in the State, emphasizing the importance of the event in appreciating their contributions to national security and sovereignty.

The annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day, observed on January 15 across the country is dedicated to remember Nigeria’s departed soldiers and honouring the nation’s veterans.