₦airaland Forum

By Emeh James Anyalekwa

ABUJA — Member representing Bende Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu says the priority of the 9th Assembly is to reform legislative functions by making them more proactive, and in tune with global best practices.

Kalu, Official Spokesman of the 9th House of Representatives and Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, stated this while speaking at the 2nd Public Lecture of the National Assembly Legislative Digest entitled: ‘20 years of the National Assembly in the 4th Republic: The Tasks ahead of the 9th National Assembly’.

“This House will prioritize the economy, insecurity, good governance and the fight against corruption over the next four years using a system of accountability and transparency”, Kalu said.

Igbere TV reports that the event which was organized by the National Assembly management headed by the Clerk, Mohammed Sani-Omolori, held at the Nigeria Air Force Conference Centre, Abuja.

Speaking at the event, Hon. Benjamin Kalu who represented the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, said the 9th House of Representatives had also made a total of 63 Resolutions.

Revealing that the journey of the National Assembly over the last 20 years has not been an easy one, Kalu said a total of 287 Bills have passed first reading at the 9th House, with at least 2 Bills passing second reading.

“Despite all these, the National Assembly of the 4th Republic has produced some remarkable legislations; more recently, the Assembly's Pension Reform Act, the National Health Act, and the Terrorism (Prevention) Act. Not forgetting the National Minimum Wage Act, Police Reform Bill, the Company and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) Amendment Bill, the Gender and Equal Opportunity Bill, the Railway Transformation Bill and the “Not too Young to Run Bill” (now a fourth alteration to the Constitution), all of the 8th Assembly”, Ben Kalu stated.

“It is also remarkable that the last Assembly introduced a total of 2,569 bills and passed 704 of them, an improvement from the 7th Assembly which introduced 1,063 and passed 106.

“Moving forward, we must learn from the mistakes of the previous Assemblies and build on their achievements for the good of the nation. The 9th House of Representatives will do just that. So far, we have hit the ground running. As at Wednesday, July 24, 2019, barely a month post inauguration, 287 bills had passed first reading, with 2 passing second reading in the House. Also, 63 House Resolutions had been made urging the Executive arm and mandating committees to take necessary actions arising from motions deliberated on the Floor of the House of Representatives. Without missing a beat, these committees have made considerable advancements, investigating pressing public issues such as the Edo and the Bauchi legislative crises, the Oyigbo pipleline explosion, among others”, he added.

The lawmaker said that “the House of Representatives will uphold the independence of the legislature while leveraging on the benefits of Interdependence between the arms of government. Equally, the achievements of the past Assemblies and those expected in the future is dependent on the commitment, efficiency and dedication of the staff of the National Assembly”.

While thanking the National Assembly staff for the work done in the last 20 years to sustain the operation of the Legislature, the lawmaker said the 9th Assembly will do more to enhance their welfare to enable the House achieve its legislative goals, urging the NASS management to “use the Legislative Digest as one of the platforms to bring the Parliament closer to the people.”

“The House of Representatives will uphold the independence of the Legislature while leveraging on the benefits of interdependence between the arms of government. Equally, the achievements of the past Assemblies and those expected in the future is dependent on the commitment, efficiency and dedication of the staff of the National Assembly”, Hon. Ben Kalu added.

Igbere TV reports that the event with the objective to ‘consider the last 20 years of the National Assembly in the 4th Republic and tasks ahead for the 9th Assembly’, had Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, a former Senate President, as Chairman.

Dignitaries in attendance include Senator Ken Nnamani, Alhaji Ibrahim Salim, Alhaji Nasiru Ibrahim, Prince Asiwaju Ogunyomi, Dr. Salisu Maikasuwa and representatives of the Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF) and Service Chiefs.

The Presidency has denied assigning portfolios to Nigeria’s Ministers designate, Igbere TV reports.

This was in reaction to a report circulating in the media that President Muhammadu Buhari had assign portfolios to the 43 Ministers designate.

Igbere TV observed Thursday night a purported list from the Presidency on WhatsApp, assigning Ministries to the incoming Ministers.

From the purported list, Babatunde Fashola’s former Ministry was split into three with the former Minister retaining Ministry of Power, while that of Housing and Works went to two fresh Ministers.

Similarly, Ministry of Information and Culture was split, with former Minister Lai Mohammed retaining the Information Ministry and losing out on Culture. This is just as Rotimi Amaechi returned to the Ministry of Transportation.

Also, Festus Keyamo was assigned Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, while the erstwhile AGF, Abubakar Malami was named Minister of Interior.

While Adamu Adamu retained the Education Ministry in the purported list, Chris Ngige was returned as Minister of Labour and Employment.

Reacting, however, Bashir Ahmad, Special Assistant to the President on New Media, said the trending list was false and totally untrue.

He added that the President would assign portfolios to the Ministers designate upon their inauguration as Ministers of the Federal Republic.

“So someone makes a list of Ministers-designate and assigned portfolios for them. The assigned list is now trending on WhatsApp as usual.  Disregard any list pls. Portfolios will be announced by Mr. President after their inauguration as Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, Ahmad wrote on his verified Twitter handle, which was sighted by Igbere TV.

He, therefore, advised the general public to be wary of such “false information” and disregard subsequent updates not from the Presidency's official media handles.

http://igberetvnews.com/866855/presidency-speaks-on-assigning-portfolio-to-ministers-designate/

Cc: Lalasticlala, Mynd44, OAM4J

...Disown Spokesman, Musa

The Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) better known as Shiites, says the protest against the detention of its leader, El-Zakzaky would continue despite Federal Government’s proscription order against its activities, Igbere TV reports.

Suhaila Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, daughter of the imprisoned leader made the disclosure in reaction to a statement issued by the group’s Spokesman, Ibrahim Musa, that they would suspend protests following the court ruling.

In a video obtained by Igbere TV from her Facebook page, Suhaila said that protests would continue until El-Zakzaky is released, adding that Musa could not speak on behalf of the group.

Her words: “Even as I speak right now, earlier today, there was a protest in Abuja and there will be tomorrow (Friday).

“And there will continue to be on every weekday. I just wanted to clarify because I saw news agencies stating that spokesperson of this movement released the statement.

“First of all, the Islamic movement has no such thing as a spokesman.

“And the person who wrote this article (is) the chairman of the media forum; the media forum, just like the numerous forums we have in the Islamic movement, is just a forum that is there for people within that field to have their own space and activities within the Islamic movement.”

She cautioned against “frustrating” the efforts of the protests, while insisting that nothing shall discourage the group from protesting further.

“This person (Musa) has nothing to do with the people organising this protest that have been going on in Abuja and are still going on and will continue to go on till El-Zakzaky is freed”, Suhaila added.

Musa had on Wednesday, said that the group would be suspending protests and take the Federal Government to court over its (Shiites’) proscription, reports Igbere TV.

http://igberetvnews.com/865714/just-in-shiites-dares-fg-to-continue-protest-despite-proscription-order/

Cc: Lalasticlala, Mynd44, OAM4J

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said it would soon begin the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) across the country, Igbere TV reports.

Igbere TV reports that the Commission had suspended the exercise, which was then ongoing, prior to the 2019 general elections.

In a statement on Tuesday, the electoral umpire also said the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) would soon commence nationwide. This, INEC said, is to enable all those who missed the previous registration — especially those who just clocked 18 — register.

Igbere TV reports that the Acting Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ekiti State, Dr. Muslim Omoleke, made the disclosure while addressing newsmen in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.

The REC spoke after receiving an “Award of Excellence” from Students Representatives Council (SRC) of the International Institute of Journalists (IIJ) Abuja, Ado-Ekiti campus.

Omoleke said the decision to continue both exercise was agreed upon during a post-election retreat held by the commission in Lagos penultimate week.

His words: “The commission has concluded plans to resume the distribution of Permanent Voter’s Card(PVCs) and also the continuous Voters Registration in order to capture more eligible Nigerians.

“It is our firm believe that every qualified Nigerians is allowed to participate in the electoral process and going by what we discussed at our last retreat, these exercise will commence very soon across the country.

“We will always urge our people to embrace this coming window to enrol in the continuous voters registration for them to vote. We are already planning for the 2022 general elections.

“Some days to the Presidential and National Assembly elections, we suspended the distribution of PVCs, but very soon the exercise will begin again in the country.”

http://igberetvnews.com/861357/just-inec-begins-distribution-pvcs-voters-registration/


Cc: Lalasticlala, Mynd44, OAM4J

There was drama on Friday at the Senate as Senator Dino Melaye asked Festus Keyamo, a Ministerial nominee, to recite the second stanza of the National Anthem, Igbere TV reports.

Igbere TV reports that Keyamo, from Delta, had appeared before the Red Chamber for his screening as Minister.

President Muhammadu Buhari had submitted a list of 43 ministerial nominees, which was read at the Senate plenary on Tuesday.

“I know you to be intellectually mobile, I want you to recite the national anthem," Senator Melaye told the ministerial nominee.

The Kogi West Senator was, however, interrupted by the Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan.

“That is not a question, you have asked one direct and this one is not a question,” the Senate President told Melaye.

Keyamo was at that point allowed to continue with his remarks and to respond to questions asked by the Senators.

http://igberetvnews.com/848751/ministerial-screening-drama-as-dino-melaye-asks-keyamo-to-recite-national-anthem/

Cc: Lalasticlala, Mynd44, OAM4J

Femi Gbajabiamila’s Campaign Director, Abdulmummin Jubrin, has reacted to his missing out from the House of Representatives’ Committees set up by the Speaker.

Igbere TV reports that the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Thursday, announced the composition of the Chairmanship of the various Standing Committees of the House.

This is even as 13 additional Committees were introduced, increasing the number from the existing 96 to 109.

However, the name of Gbajabiamila’s Campaign Director, Abdulmummin Jubrin, was conspicuously missing in the list of Committee Chairman.

Nigerians have continued to react to the development, with many suggesting that the duo may have part ways.

Reacting, however, Jubrin in a Tweet obtained by Igbere TV, Thursday, said the Committee composition was fair enough and based on merit.

He also attached a picture of himself and the Speaker, which he said was taken after Gbajabiamila’s visit to his office, suggesting that both leaders may have not part ways.

“Walking Mr Speaker to his car after a surprise visit this morning. We have announced leadership of Committees and did our best to ensure merit and fairness. Mr Speaker went through extreme pressure but as usual, he showed courage. History will be kind to him. May God bless 9th Assembly”, Jubrin wrote.

http://igberetvnews.com/846884/gbajas-campaign-dg-jubrin-speaks-as-nigerians-react-to-his-omission-from-reps-committee/

Cc: Lalasticlala, Mynd44, OAM4J

TheGiftedOne:
IgbereTV - The official online NTA

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is set to reward one of its personnel, Aircraftman (ACM) Bashir Umar, who found and returned the sum of 37,000 Euros to Alhaji Ahmad, the owner of the lost money, Igbere TV reports.

Igbere TV reports that ACM Bashir found the money in a parcel, while on routine patrol with some of his colleagues, at the Hajj Camp Market in Kano State on Tuesday, July 16, 2019.

Bashir, who is a member of the NAF Mobile Air Defence Team (MADT), had been deployed for airport security duties on that day, when he found the parcel.

Igbere TV gathered that a phone number was on the parcel which the Airman called and eventually handed over the package to the owner.

In a statement sent to Igbere TV by NAF’s Spokesman, Ibikunle Daramola, he noted that the reward is a way to encourage other personnel to uphold such values.

“Consequently, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has directed the Chief of Administration at the Headquarters NAF, Air Vice Marshal Kingsley Lar, to immediately come up with modalities to reward the airman so as to encourage other personnel of the Service to continue to embody attitudes and behaviours that reflect NAF’s core values of Integrity, Excellence and Service Delivery”, the statement read.

“The attention of the Enugu State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to a wide speculations occasioned by a video in circulation that a lot of vultures consumed cow meat and died in Enugu community.

“The Command wish to inform members of the public that there is no cause for alarm as enquiry conducted by the command revealed that it is the activity of bird hunters(poachers) who usually mix some concoction with slaughtered animal left overs and faeces with a view to attracting vultures to it and to consume it.

“Further information gathered revealed that after consuming it, vultures will be weak and subsequently die for them to go and pick it. However, some vultures believed to have taken the concoction of these bird hunters(poachers) fell down Enugu community market and were not able to be picked on time before the widespread speculations.

“The command however wishes to make it clear that it is not emanating from any slaughtered animal for human consumption but rather the activities of mischief makers who want to provoke and cause mayhem in the state. The commissioner of police enjoins all to be law abiding and go about their normal lawful businesses.”

The Nigeria army has placed Major General Hakeem Otiki under house arrest and close surveillance, Igbere TV has learnt.

Igbere TV reports that Maj. Gen. Otiki is the military officer whose N400 million was reportedly carted away by some escort soldiers, July 11.

Although instructed to load the money into a military jet for transport to Abuja, the soldiers failed to do so but instead shared it among themselves and disappeared.

They reportedly dropped their rifles, uniforms and other accouterments, and mobile phones before vanishing into thin air with the money.

Otiki was the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 8 Division, Sokoto, until his redeployment to the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria, ASCON.

Military sources told Igbere TV that the Maj. Gen. is being held in the Officers Mess until he can be moved to Abuja for questioning over the sources of the N400 million.

It was gathered that men of the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI), Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB), and Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police (NACMP), have been arranged for his special interrogation in Abuja.

He is reportedly being guarded by heavily armed soldiers who are carefully screening his visitors.

By Emeh James Anyalekwa, Ogochukwu Isioma

ABUJA — A Bill for an Act to amend the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet)’s Act No. 9 of 2003, has passed second reading at the National Assembly, Abuja, Igbere TV reports.

The Bill is sponsored by Hon. Benjamin Kalu, All Progressives Congress’ member representing Bende Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives.

Igbere TV reports that the Bill, which comprises of three (3) clauses, primarily seeks to provide the Nigerian Meteorological Agency with the powers to be the sole authority to grant approvals and licences for the establishment of meteorological stations in Nigeria.

A first timer, Ben Kalu set National record when he moved the first motion of the Femi Gbajabiamila led Ninth House of Representatives, a feat that has never been achieved by any first timer in the past.

Established in its current status in 2003, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency is a federal government agency charged with the responsibility to advise the government on all aspects of meteorology and to issue weather and climate forecasts for the safe operations of aircrafts, ocean, vessels and oil rigs.

The agency is also saddled with the responsibility to collate, collect, process and disseminate information within and outside (Nigeria), among others.

The ‘people’s lawmaker’, as christened by his colleagues due to his sagacity and eloquence at the Floor of the Lower Legislative Chamber, Ben Kalu received loud ovation during and after the debate as the Bill was immediately passed for second reading with overwhelming ‘Aye!’ Vote by virtually all members present.

Background:

The observation and collection of meteorological data started in 1892 as an agricultural station under the then Public Works Department. At about 1937 the Nigerian Meteorological Department started operation as the main agency responsible for all weather observations in the country. Several ministries have supervised the Agency’s activities including the Ministry of Communications in 1952, Ministry of Transport in 1953, Ministry of Aviation in 2004 and presently the Ministry of Transportation. The movement of the Agency from one Ministry to the other over the years underscores the multi-sectoral relevance data it generates.

A weather station is a facility, either on land or sea, with instruments and equipment for measuring atmospheric conditions to provide information for weather forecasts and to study the weather and climate. The measurements taken include temperature, atmospheric pressure, humidity, wind speed, wind direction and precipitation amounts. Manual observations are taken at least once daily, while automated measurements are taken at least once an hour.

Speaking on the relevance of the Bill, Hon. Ben Kalu, who was last week honoured with UNICAL Distinguished Alumnus Award, in recognition of his developmental strides, excellent achievements and contributions to Project Nigeria said: “the need to observe the weather and climate for purposes of research, prediction and forecast cannot be swept under the carpet especially in this era of climate change.”

“The reality of climate change is with us. It is now more compelling to constantly monitor, observe and collate meteorological data so as to be able to predict more accurately the dynamic climatic conditions. This, of course, is one important means of ensuring human survival.”

Ben Kalu added: “Mr. Speaker, Honourable Colleagues, you would recall that the primary purpose of government as enshrined in Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Altered) is the security and welfare of the people.

“In furtherance of this, the vital need to preserve the integrity of the Nigerian environment and thus secure its sustainability for present and future generations require clear and unambiguous provisions in the Nigerian Constitution and legislations. As a people living very closely to and depending for livelihood on nature and environment we should do all within our powers to ensure that nature maintains its cycles and it is important to note that the starting point is the constant, wide range, far reaching study and observation of weather and climate. It is also important to note that predictions and forecasts need to be as much as possible accurate. Consequences of misleading information are better imagined that mentioned.”

Challenges of Meteorological Services in Nigeria

Nigeria is a massive country with a total land mass of about 940,000sqkm and going by the recommendation of the World Meteorological Organisation that between 100 to 300sq.km you must ensure that there is at least one observatory, then it means that technically we should have nothing less than 9,000 stations across the country. Interestingly, the Nigeria Meteorological Agency has only 54 observatory stations across the federation.

Reacting to this, Hon. Benjamin Kalu said, “Mr. Speaker, Honourable Colleagues, you will acknowledge the fact that 54 meteorological observation stations nationwide is a far cry from the required 9000 observation station. What then do we do to resolve this issue and timely also?

“Much as it is worrisome that we are far below the expectation and recommendation of the World Meteorological Organisation, we must realise how difficult it is for government to directly fund through the agency, the establishment of as much as 9000 meteorological stations.”

“Section 7(1)(q) of the Nigeria Meteorological Agency Act provides for the agency to be the sole authority that approves and establishes meteorological centres in Nigeria. This inadvertently makes it unlawful for any other person to establish a meteorological station anywhere in Nigeria irrespective of its purposes. This means that all the universities, polytechnics, colleges, secondary schools, even private sectors that own and run meteorological observation do so contrary to the laws of the land”, he added.

According to him, “The way to go, therefore is to open up the sector by identifying the existing stations that are not part of the network run by the agency, approve and licence them and as well enter into collaboration with them, upgrade them, provide them with the necessary support. At the moment there are about 40 universities, 36 polytechnics and 32 colleges of education and thousands of secondary schools that have meteorological stations. Licencing and regulating the existing meteorological stations as well as other intending stations will be a quick way of improving upon the density of meteorological stations across the federation.”

Speaking on the way forward, the Federal Lawmaker said to realize the key objective of opening up for participation of both private or public sector in collation and collection of meteorological data, the 9th House of Representatives need to amend the extant law.

On the financial implications, the Abia born politician said “the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, established in its current status in 2003, is an existing agency of the Government of the Federation and as such the implementation of this bill, if passed into law, will not bring about substantial change in the cost of running the agency, hence Government will not need to spend more tax payers’ money to run the agency outside what is being spent already.”

“This bill only seeks to widen the functions of the Agency by given it powers to approve and licence the establishment of meteorological stations in Nigeria”, he said.

Concluding, Hon. Benjamin Kalu said “although a vast amount of meteorological data covering a period of more than 100 years exist in Nigeria, there is considerable scope for improvement. There is urgent need to increase the density of meteorological observation stations across the federation to meet the standards set by the World Meteorological Organisation among other things. But more importantly, more increase in the number of meteorological observation stations will improve the quality of data collated across the federation and this would result into more accurate predictions and forecasts which will ultimately ensure human safety and increase in productivity in agriculture, agro based industrial productions, air and sea travel, commerce, tourism, etc.

“Mr. Speaker, Honourable Colleagues, whilst thanking you for listening, I appeal that you graciously support this bill, which is aimed at preserving the environment, especially in this era of global warming and climate change.”

Watch Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CPW3uR6b8M

Source: http://igberetvnews.com/831463/nimet-act-ben-kalus-amendment-bill-passes-2nd-reading-at-nass/

Cc: Lalasticlala, Mynd44, OAM4J