News
Senate Suspends Confirmation Of 27 RECs
The Senate yesterday, stood down the confirmation of 27 Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for two weeks.
This followed a unanimous decision taken by the lawmakers at plenary as they raised concerns over the disregard of decisions of the National Assembly, by the executive.
According to most of the senators, the action of the executive in this regard, was a threat to the country‘s democracy.
Sen. Peter Nwaboshi (PDP-Delta) said recent comments by Prof. Itse Sagay on the senate’s power to confirm nominees of the president were uncalled for and unexpected of a professor of law.
He added that the senate, in spite of what anyone thinks, would always ensure that the tenets of true democracy were enthroned in the country.
Sen. Matthew Uhroghide (PDP-Edo) said the laws establishing the agencies of government showed clearly that heads of agencies and some officers needed to be confirmed by the National Assembly.
”If by chance names are not confirmed, the President is at liberty to re-nominate, but the National Assembly has to be properly briefed.
“Recently we took a decision on some nominees of the President but we don’t know what happened.
“ Some of these people cannot be acting, unfortunately Mr Ibrahim Magu is still acting as EFCC Chairman.
“If the President knew he was not going to honour our stand he should not have sent his name,’’ he said.
He stressed that the National Assembly was a serious body that should not be disregarded.
The Deputy Chief Whip, Francis Alimikhena said it was unfortunate that the EFCC boss was still working in acting capacity even after nomination was rejected by the Senate.
He added that the executive should not encourage nominees to ridicule the senate.
Sen. Adamu Aliero (APC-Kebbi), however, pleaded with lawmakers to consider the screening and conformation of the REC in view of their importance to the 2019 general elections.
Also, the Deputy Leader, Bala Na’Allah pleaded with the lawmakers to consider the list for confirmation.
He maintained that the Senate must show a level of maturity rather than declining on its duty because of the actions of the executive.
The Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, on his part, said the position of the commissioners had been vacant for about a year.
He, therefore, stressed that the Senate could not be responsible for the delay of their appointment.
“Also if the Chief Justice of Nigeria is unable to perform his duties, the President can appoint the person next in line,’’ he said.
He, however pleaded that the lawmakers should heed to the appeal of some of the lawmakers for the list to be suspended pending when the senate would communicate with the President on the matter.
” I appeal that we leave it for one week or two for the President of the Senate to convey our grievances to President Buhari,’’ he added.
In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki pleaded with the senators to only suspend the consideration for a few weeks, rather than refusing to consider it.
While he shared in the sentiments of the lawmakers, he pleaded with them to agree to its suspension pending when the matter was resolved.
News
JAMB Registrar resolves over 5,000 pending complaints in five days
The Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Segun Aina, has resolved more than 5,000 pending complaints within five days, in a bid to improve service delivery to candidates.
?This is disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by the Acting Director, Public Affairs and Protocol, JAMB, Fabian Benjamin.
?Benjamin said the development followed Aina’s decision to strengthen the Board’s Service Compact with All Nigerians (SERVICOM) Unit to ensure the prompt resolution of outstanding complaints.
?He said the Registrar had relocated his seat to the SERVICOM Unit to gain first-hand knowledge of the nature of services being sought by candidates and other clients and to facilitate the resolution of pending cases.
?According to him, the move is in line with the Registrar’s Five Enduring Pillars, particularly the second pillar, “Service at Heart”.
He added that the Registrar’s move was to ensure his commitment to leveraging strategic communication to reposition the Board and deliver services commensurate with the fees paid by candidates.
?He noted that Aina had directed SERVICOM Desk Officers to address complaints holistically and promptly.
?Benjamin said the directive had already begun to yield positive results, with more than 5,000 pending and unresolved complaints addressed within five days.
?He said the complaints covered a wide range of issues, including difficulties in creating profile codes by candidates who had previously registered with telephone numbers to which they no longer had access.
?He added that biometric verification challenges were also addressed, including genuine cases of biometric failures encountered during the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) registration or examination.
?He further said that the Registrar also scrutinised the operations of the Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS), where issues relating to lost phones and SIM cards, candidates who converted from Direct Entry (DE) to UTME, and candidates omitted from the National Matriculation List after graduation were identified and addressed.
?He also noted that some previously unresolved payment-related issues were swiftly resolved, alongside complaints concerning inappropriate examination venues, e-PINs, technical challenges and difficulties with the uploading of documents.
?According to him, other recurring complaints relating to changes of name, date of birth, state and local government of origin were also addressed.
?The acting director said the initiative underscored the Registrar’s commitment to placing candidates and other clients at the centre of the Board’s operations.
?He said JAMB would continue to strengthen its complaint-resolution mechanisms to ensure that candidates received timely and efficient services.
News
RIFF 2026: RIFF Takes Film Tourism To Bonny Island
The Rivers International Film Festival (RIFF) 2026 is set to make a significant impact on Nigeria’s creative and tourism landscape as filmmakers, industry professionals, cultural enthusiasts and international guests converge on the historic and culturally rich Bonny Island, Rivers State, for the fourth edition of the festival.
Scheduled to hold from 29 October to 1 November 2026, RIFF 2026 is expected to bring together creative talents from Nigeria and across the world for four days of film screenings, industry conversations, masterclasses, networking opportunities, cultural experiences and celebrations of cinematic excellence.
The festival is being organised around the theme, “Film Tourism: A Pathway to Economic Development,” highlighting the powerful relationship between the film industry, tourism and the wider creative economy. This is with the view to promote cultural preservation, youth empowerment and economic development.
Speaking on the forthcoming fourth edition of the festival, the founder, Rivers International Film Festival/National Chairman Film Festivals Association of Nigeria, Kate Ezeigbo, said that the efforts of RIFF in conjunction with the Rivers State Government have not gone unnoticed.
According to her, “The growing significance of the Rivers International Film Festival has received commendation from the Honourable Minister for Arts, Entertainment , Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, who acknowledged the important role being played by the Rivers State Government and RIFF in advancing the creative sector.
The Minister stated: “I am aware that the Rivers State Government, backed by the Rivers International Film Festival, partnered with Entertainment Stakeholders, encourages the use of film and art for cultural preservation and youth empowerment. This really will make Nigeria the cultural and creative hub of Africa and Rivers State is taking a huge step in claiming that position.”
The commendation is seen as a major recognition of the festival’s vision and its commitment to using the creative industry as a vehicle for cultural development, youth engagement, tourism promotion and economic growth.
News
147 structures to be affected by coastal highway service lane
A total of 147 structures in Lagos will be affected by the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway service lane.
President Bola Tinubu made this known on Sunday at a stakeholder engagement and flag-off of repair works on Eko Bridge and Marine Bridge in Lagos, and the flooded section of Lagos- Ibadan Expressway.
The president said that, of the 147 structures, five would be cut fully and the others minimally.
Tinubu was represented by Lagos State Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The President noted that Eko Bridge was one of the oldest bridges constructed after Nigeria’s independence, adding that Marine Bridge provided access to the seaports in Lagos State.
He urged Lagos State Government to remain on a trajectory of irreversible development in every nook and cranny of this state.
”Today, in particular, is a day on which we have had extensive stakeholder engagement. We are truly happy with the turnout,” he said.
Tinubu said that the Federal Government had undertaken extensive renovation works in Lagos State.
“As a government, we must acknowledge and appreciate the efforts that have been made. This is about recognising the real work on ground.”
He thanked the stakeholders, saying they had always turned out to discuss with the government anytime needed.
Tinubu praised the Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, for his efforts in road infrastructure development.
“For all of us to enjoy the full benefit of infrastructure, we have to shift a bit, so that it becomes an asset that will outlive all of us.”
He said that the stakeholder engagement was aimed at seeking support of the people toward implementation of the projects.
He gave the assurance that the Federal Government would make compensations where necessary.
“It will be given to you at the right time.
” There are days when we accept criticism for us to do better, but there are days when things have been done and they have been done right, and we need to give recognition and support where it is most deserving.
“It is my honour to flag off all of these projects to the benefit of mankind, to our citizens in Lagos, to the benefit of all our people across the country,” Tinubu said.
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