News

Senate Sends 2017 Budget To Presidency, Today …Debates FRA Violations

Published

9 years ago

May 17, 2017

The Senate, yesterday, said the 2017 Appropriation Bill passed by the National Assembly will be transmitted to the Presidency for assent latest by today.
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, yesterday, said the National Assembly delayed transmission of the bill as the document was still undergoing legislative processes after it was passed last Thursday.
The National Assembly had, last Thursday, passed the 2017 Appropriation Bill, with budget estimates totalling ¦ 7.441trillion.
The passage followed the consideration and adoption of the report by the Senate and House of Representatives’ Committees on Appropriations on “a bill for an act to authorise the issue from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation of the total sum of ¦ 7,441,175,486,758.”
After passing the budget, Thursday, the Senate had adjourned plenary for 10 minutes, resumed and adopted the votes and proceedings of the last session.
At the plenary, yesterday, the Senate adopted the “Votes and Proceedings 2” of the last legislative day.
The Senate’s spokesman, however, explained that there were more legislative processes on the bill before it could transmitted to the Presidency.
Sabi-Abdullahi said, “We passed the budget last week Thursday. Let us get this very clear: after a budget is passed, the appropriation committee must do authentication. The authentication means that it is not any document that should fly around; there must be something that will show that this is the main budget that we passed. If you are familiar with our procedures, you will see that the budget always carries some signatures.”
Meanwhile, the Senate has fixed, today, to debate cases of violations of Fiscal Responsibility Act by some Federal Government’s revenue-generating agencies.
The decision followed a Point of Order by the Deputy Leader of the Senate, Bala Na’Allah, at plenary, yesterday.
He said that revenue-generating agencies of government had refused to submit their 2017 fiscal proposals to the National Assembly, contrary to regulations.
Presenting the order, Na’Allah said that it was his responsibility to collate the agencies’ budgets and submit to the chamber for consideration, but said that he was yet to receive the proposals.
He said that the proposals ought to have been submitted to him by the agencies since September 2016.
“I am the one responsible for the collation of reports and we have not received one single report regarding the budget of parastatals, which were supposed to have been given by September 2016.
“I want to put it on record that we have not received any report. I don’t know whether the chairmen of committees have received.
“The Senate must rise and fight every form of corruption in the country,’’ he said.
The deputy leader of the senate said that the chamber was determined to support the Federal Government in the fight against corruption by ensuring that individuals and agencies obeyed relevant laws.
“I decided that I will bring this on the floor so that senators will understand the implication.
“In our commitment to assist this government to fight corruption, we must stamp our feet that every spirit of our laws must be obeyed by those holding public office.
“The only approach that this Senate can adopt to assist this government in fighting corruption is to insist that gross abuse of power and misuse of power is stopped.
“The only way we can build institutions is to radically address the issue of abuse of power and misuse of power,’’ he said.
After Na’Allah’s submission, the lawmakers said that the refusal of the agencies to do the needful was a violation of the Fiscal Responsibility Act and would not be tolerated.
It resolved to come up with a motion on Wednesday to “comprehensively debate on the matter and take a decision on the alleged illegal operations of the establishments’’.
In his remarks, President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, said that the senate must take the matter seriously and ensure that institutions of government respected the laws of the land.
He condemned the practice where agencies of government spent money without statutory approval by the national assembly and ruled that the issue be debated and the resolution taken on Wednesday.
“This is a very serious issue because as we all know that in line with the Fiscal Responsibility Act, these things are meant to have been submitted since August 2016 and was to come with the 2017 Appropriation Bill.
“We have now passed the budget and there is no report from the agencies.
“I think this matter really needs to come as a motion because it’s a very serious matter.
“We need to debate it because we are already in May and how can parastatals be operating without any budget, especially in this time of fight against corruption.
“We need to take this matter seriously because clearly, these agencies are just flouting the guidelines and breaking the law.
“If as at middle of May, we have not received any budget from them, which money are they spending and with what authority?
“We need to look into that and take a decision that may be, they can only pay salaries until they bring their budgets here and approvals given,’’ Saraki said.
He stressed the need to address the issue and put an end to continuous disregard for laws in the country.

News

Cleric Predicts Breakthrough, Warns of Political and Security Challenges in 2026

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Founder and Senior Pastor of Liberty Hour Ministry, Port Harcourt, Apostle Chikadibia John Wodo, has expressed optimism that 2026 will usher in uncommon breakthroughs and good fortune for Nigeria, particularly in the areas of political, economic, and spiritual development, with Rivers State playing a key role.

Apostle Wodo made this declaration in his special New Year message, where he stated that individuals and forces standing as obstacles to the manifestation of God’s will in the new year would face bitter consequences. He cautioned that corrupt political leaders risk backlash from the very people they govern if they fail to change their ways.

The cleric warned against the escalation of political tension in Rivers State and called on residents and religious leaders to intensify prayers for lasting peace. He also urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara to remain resolute in leadership, reminding him to uphold his vows to God by continually seeking divine guidance in decision-making and governance amid evolving challenges.

Assessing the broader national situation, Apostle Wodo called on Nigerian leaders to repent and govern with a heightened sense of responsibility, noting that the cries and supplications of the masses have drawn divine attention. He further warned of alleged plots to disrupt a smooth democratic transition in 2027 and appealed for prayers to avert such an agenda.

According to him, Nigerians are yearning for genuine socio-economic transformation and freedom from political oppression. He challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to redeem its credibility by ensuring free, fair, and credible elections devoid of undue political interference.

The cleric also predicted that insecurity could worsen in the coming year and warned of the possible emergence of a strange ailment, stressing that Nigeria’s political challenges can only be resolved through equity, fairness, and justice, especially in the treatment of minorities, the vulnerable, and the disadvantaged.

Apostle Wodo further claimed that some clerics and General Overseers have compromised their faith and incurred divine displeasure, calling for sincere repentance to restore their relationship with God. He also advised early preparedness to mitigate natural disasters such as fire outbreaks and flooding, particularly in rural communities.

He concluded by urging Nigerians to remain prayerful, vigilant, and united as the nation navigates the opportunities and challenges of 2026.

News

Ado Royal Family Disowns Alleged Installation of Amanyanabo of Okrika

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Ado Royal Family of Okrika has firmly disassociated itself from the alleged self-enthronement of Hon. Godknows Tam George as the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head, describing the action as unlawful, illegitimate, and a threat to the peace of the ancient kingdom.

The family, which described itself as the sole legitimate custodian of the history, traditions, and stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika, stated that it has not installed any king and has not commenced the formal process for such installation.

This position was contained in a statement jointly signed by Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan (Ogan Ado Royal House), Alabo Engr. Henry Semenitari Abam (Abam Ado Royal House), and Alabo Prince Oriyeorikabo Fibika (Fibika Ado Royal House). The statement was presented to journalists on Friday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.

According to the statement, the purported action by Hon. Tam George amounts to “a blatant assault on the collective integrity of the Okrika people” and constitutes “a criminal act of impersonation with the potential to destabilize the peace and socio-political fabric of our ancient kingdom.”

The family stressed that Hon. Tam George was never presented as a candidate by the Ado Royal Family and did not undergo any of the mandatory rites, consultations, or confirmations required by Okrika customs.

“The Ado Royal Family has never presented him as a candidate, nor has he undergone any of the prerequisite rites, consultations, or confirmations. His actions are those of a lone interloper, operating in a vacuum of legitimacy,” the statement read.

It further emphasized that the stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head is a sacred institution rooted in centuries-old traditions and spiritual heritage, not something to be claimed through academic qualifications, political ambition, or personal interest.

Speaking during the briefing, Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan reiterated that the process of crowning an Amanyanabo is clearly defined and has not yet begun.

“To crown a king, there is a process, and those processes have not taken place,” he said. “We are the chiefs; we are the ones that will be part of the selection. Honestly, we have not started the selection process; we have only begun discussions.”

He explained that during the proper selection process, chiefs supervise nominations from each constituent house, with each house expected to nominate two or three candidates—steps which, he noted, have not been carried out.

“I want to assure the public that none of the Ado family chiefs has given Hon. Tam George any sign of approval,” Prof. Fyneface-Ogan added.

Efforts to obtain the reaction of Hon. Godknows Tam George proved unsuccessful. Repeated attempts through phone calls, text messages, and WhatsApp messages were unsuccessful, as he did not respond as of the time of filing this report.

By: Tonye Orabere

News

PH Traders Laud RSG’s Fire Safety Sensitisation Campaign

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

Traders in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, have commended the Rivers State Government (RSG) for its ongoing fire emergency and safety sensitisation campaign across major markets in the state.

Speaking on behalf of traders at Nowa Market, Borikiri Old Port Harcourt Township, the market chairman, Mr. Innocent Chukwuma, praised Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara for initiating the awareness programme in designated markets and public places.

Chukwuma described the exercise as timely and impactful, noting that it was the first time the Rivers State Government had carried out such a campaign in Nowa Market. According to him, the sensitisation would educate traders on fire emergencies and the necessary precautions to prevent outbreaks.

He urged traders to strictly apply the safety measures taught during the campaign, both during business hours and after closing their shops.

“I want to thank the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Ministry of Special Duties for coming to our aid, especially during this dry season,” Chukwuma said.

“This is the first time we are seeing government presence in our market in this manner. We lack words to thank our God-sent governor, particularly for providing us with fire extinguishers and other firefighting equipment.

“We will do exactly what we have been taught today to ensure there is no fire incident in our market. We will always switch off all electrical appliances before closing for the day,” he added.

Similarly, the Chairman of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, Mr. Gift Nkesi Benjamin, applauded the state government for the distribution of fire extinguishers and other fire safety equipment.

“We will adhere strictly to the safety guidelines and instructions given to us today to ensure there is no fire outbreak in our market,” Benjamin stated.

“On behalf of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, I sincerely thank the Rivers State Government and the Ministry of Special Duties for bringing this important campaign to our market.”

At Rumuwoji Market (popularly known as Mile 1 Market), the Chairman, Chief Hon. Godpower O. Wobo, also expressed gratitude to the state government for the sensitisation exercise. He assured that traders would comply fully with government directives to prevent future fire incidents.

Responding on behalf of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Special Duties, Mr. Sokari D. P. George, thanked the traders for their cooperation and warm reception.

He emphasised that safety remains paramount, especially during the dry season, and urged traders to be cautious in their daily activities.

Mr. George disclosed that the theme of the 2025 fire safety campaign is “Controlled Fire Is a Friend, Uncontrolled Fire Is an Enemy.”

He cautioned against refuse and bush burning around buildings and warned traders not to store fuel in unauthorized places such as homes, offices, markets, or public buildings.

“Follow all fire safety guidelines and instructions,” he urged.

The permanent secretary also noted that Governor Fubara prefers a zero-fireworks approach during festive periods to ensure public safety, stressing that the government has invested heavily in markets and expects traders to take responsibility for protecting them.

By: Kiadum Edookor