I Remain Loyal To APC, Says Saraki

Senate President Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki on Monday restated his loyalty to the governing All Progressives Congress (APC).
Saraki also reiterated his belief that the President Muhammadu Buhari's government will redeem its electoral promises made during the 2015 general elections.
The Senate President spoke at the 10th Abuja Housing Show where top government officials and prominent stakeholders in the housing sector brainstormed on the theme: “Expanding Access To Affordable Housing In Africa.”
Acknowledging the presence of the APC National Organizing Secretary, Senator Osita Izunaso who earlier kick-started discussions at the summit, Saraki assured that the APC government is unwaveringly committed to the social welfare of the people while re-affirming his unalloyed loyalty to the party.
“The Senate and the National Assembly as a whole believe very strongly that we must make a difference in the housing sector,” he said.
The Senate President, reacting to observations that the existing housing laws need respective amendment and repeal, charged the organizers of the Summit to take a further step by forwarding a document of laws requiring amendments to the National Assembly.
“I assure you that action will be taken instantaneously,” Saraki promised.
Saraki asserted that the Senate has commenced the review processes of several laws affecting property rights and access housing in the country.
According to him, the review of the National Housing Fund Act is on-going and would be completed before the end of the year.
According to the APC National Organizing Secretary, Senator Izunaso, housing deficit in Nigeria is pegged at 17million housing units.
"As at today, only 10 per cent of those who dream to own a house in the country can afford it, as against the 92 per cent house owners in Singapore.
"The central objective of the Summit, however, is to come up with feasible strategies on how to end the problem of homelessness in Nigeria," Ozunaso said.
Other personalities at the Summit include the representative of the Speaker of House of Reps, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Hakan Çakıl, TUC President, Comrade Bobboi Kaigama, among other investors.
END
Signed
Bamikole Omishore 
Special Assistant on New Media to the Senate President

I Remain Loyal To APC – Saraki
July 18, 2016Akorede Shakir
Senate President Bukola Saraki has re-avowed his loyalty to the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, The Brief reports.

Saraki conveyed his belief that the Buhari-government will redeem its electoral promises made during the 2015 general elections.

The Senate President made this statement today, July 18, at the Abuja Housing Show where top government officials and prominent stakeholders in the housing sector brainstormed on “Expanding Access To Avoidable Housing In Africa.”

Acknowledging the presence of the APC National Organizing Secretary, Senator Osita Izunaso who earlier kick-started discussions at the summit, Saraki assured that the APC government is unwaveringly committed to the social welfare of the people while re-affirming his unalloyed loyalty to the party.

“The Senate and the National Assembly as a whole believe very strongly that we must make a difference in the housing sector,” he said.

The Senate President, reacting to observations that the existing housing laws need respective amendment and repeal, charged the organizers of the Summit to take a further step by forwarding a document of laws requiring amendments to the National Assembly.

“I assure you actions will be taken instantaneously,” Saraki promised.

Saraki asserted that the Senate has commenced the review processes of several laws affecting housing in the country. According to him, the review of the National Housing Fund Act is on-going and would be completed before the end of the year.

According to the APC National Organizing Secretary, Senator Izunaso, housing deficit in Nigeria is pegged at 17,000million housing units.

As at today, only 10% of those who dream to own a house in the country can afford it, as against the 92% house owners in Singapore.

The center objective of the Summit, however, is to come up with feasible strategies on how to end the problem of homelessness in Nigeria.

Other personalities at the Summit include the representative of the Speaker of House of Reps, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Hakan Çakıl, TUC President, Comrade Bobboi Kaigama, among other investors.

The Senate versus Malami on Section 174 (3)
By Tope Ajayi   |   17 July 2016   |   1:52 am  

Senate President, Bukola Saraki and his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu.

After playing the hide and seek game for several weeks, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami last Wednesday decided to heed the invitation by the Senate for him to shed light on whether he acted in public interest and without abusing his office in a conflict of interest situation while filing forgery charges against the two presiding officers of the Senate, Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu and two other bureaucrats.

Like the typical politician that he is, Malami first paid a surprise visit to the chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary and legal matters, Senator David Umaru on Tuesday to test the waters and also water the ground so that he could have a soft landing after grand standing that the Senate had no powers to invite him. His decision to make all the reconciliatory moves and the eventual heeding of the invitation came after his hired writers in the newspapers failed to convince members of the discerning public that the law was on his side in his earlier claim that only the President who appointed him could summon him for explanation on actions he took in the course of his duty as the nation’s chief law officer.

When I said Malami’s visit was part of the political maneuver, I was conscious of the fact that in the build-up to the 2007, 2011 and 2015 elections, Malami sought the governorship of his home state, Kebbi, and while he failed to get the ticket on the platform of the ANPP and CPC in the first two attempts, he looked good to clinch the APC ticket in 2015 until the defection of the new PDP members into APC which enabled present Governor Atiku Bagudu to beat him to the ticket. So, Malami knows the game of dribbling very well.


When he eventually got to the Senate committee hearing on Wednesday morning, Senator Umaru spelt out the rule of the engagement. “We are not going into the issue of forgery. It is not our mandate. We feel that the AGF owes a duty to the Senate and citizens of Nigeria to know if that power was exercised in public interest without any abuse. The AGF has the power to institute or discontinue any criminal proceedings. We want to know if the AGF considered public interest. This is why we are here”, he said.
Therefore, the issues that the AGF was to address were whether in exercising his powers under Section 174 (1) of the constitution, he took into consideration the demand of sub-section 3 of the same document. He was also expected to address the issue of conflict of interest arising from his position as a personal lawyer to one of the parties in the civil suit arising from the same matter in which he later filed criminal proceedings in his official capacity as AGF. It was also expected that he would address the issue of why he as a member of the executive feels he should pry into the affairs of the legislature when the same constitution states that the National Assembly shall regulate its own internal affairs.

The AGF however, had decided he would give general explanations and avoid answering the questions specifically, after all he could conveniently hide under the claim that the matter is now subjudiced and he as a lawyer should avoid commenting on it. He forgot that when a matter is of public interest as the case under consideration is, even the court does not frown on fair comments.


Malami’s explanation was that he instituted the suit against the Senate presiding officers based on police investigation done before his appointment, adding that he acted in public interest. While declining to answer questions on why Saraki and Ekweremadu who were not mentioned in the police report were being charged with forgery, he said, “It is an act that predates my appointment. There are series of suits. …The National Assembly has the powers to regulate its own procedure.
But the basis for filing my case was that the position taken was not that of the Senate. The Senate Standing Order allegedly amended in 2015 did not follow the traditional way of amendment. That is where my quarrel comes in. If there are certain persons that did not allow the process of amending the Senate Standing Rules go through the constitutional process, we have a responsibility to act by way of initiating a criminal proceeding against those involved. The public interest and the need to ensure that no abuse is allowed, I have to take step to prevent that”.

What the AGF’s submission quoted above means is that the executive has decided to cry more than the bereaved. The Senate in its votes and proceeding of June 2015 had stated that its rules and standing orders were not forged. By this act, it has endorsed what the bureaucracy prepared and handed to its members on June 9, 2015. What this means is that the AGF is telling a man who presented his own signature that the signature is forged when the man maintains that that is his original signature.


Is it possible for the AGF to tell the Senate how to regulate its own affairs? The position of Malami raised the question as to whether he was just acting the script of the aggrieved Senators who having failed to get their candidates elected as Senate President and Deputy Senate decided to externalise and criminalize an internal affair of the Senate. And since the AGF is one of the lawyers they hired and got on their payroll prior to his appointment, he decided to do the bidding of the aggrieved Senators by taking the issue to court under his powers as provided under Section 174 (1) and (2) of the constitution. At the Senate hearing, the AGF refused to address the issue of conflict of interest.
It is also obvious from Malami’s explanation quoted above that he believes the Senate must necessarily carry over the rules from one Senate to the other, for example from the seventh Senate to the eighth Senate until it is ‘properly’ amended. He did not advert his mind to the fact that the rule of a Senate dies with that Senate and a new Senate is inaugurated with a draft rule given by the bureaucracy. The new Senate can amend the draft rule if the members so believe. Otherwise, the Standing Order can simply be adopted and retained as it is in the instant case.

The issue of Separation of Powers and the ruling of Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on the inappropriateness of the action of the AGF and the fact that the forgery case is an abuse of office and court process also seem not to have persuaded the AGF. Malami seems more concerned in asserting his powers to institute criminal cases. However, one needs to remind him that the extent of his powers is not in doubt. The manner and motive of his exercising that power is what is being questioned. We wait for the verdict of the court while hoping that no attempt will be made to intimidate or goad the judge to force the direction of judgment in certain direction.
.Ajayi writes from Lagos

In this article:
Abubakar Bukola Saraki
Abubakar Malami
Senate

Saraki Keeps Promise as Senate Passes Law to Curb Abuse Against People with Disabilities

The Senate today (Wednesday, July 13th, 2016) passed for its third and final reading the ‘Discrimination Against Persons With Disabilities (Prohibition) Bill (2016) (SB 22).’

Taking to his social media pages to comment on the development, the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki stated that the bill is highly important as it seeks to curb the abuse in all forms of Nigerians with disabilities.

The Senate President also stated that the bill would promote the respect of the rights of all Nigerians with disabilities.

“Many of you will remember that earlier this year, when I met with the leaders of the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities,” Saraki said, “I promised that the Senate would work on examining ways to strengthen our laws for people with disabilities.”

Saraki, who is a medical doctor by profession, emphasised that with the Senate’s passage of the Discrimination Against Persons With Disabilities (Prohibition) Bill, he was hopeful that the National Assembly would finally break the jinx by getting the bill passed in both Houses and signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Many will recall that similar bills seeking to protect the rights of people with disabilities failed to get signed into law during the 6 (2007 to 2011) and 7th (2011 to 2015) Assemblies.

*Attorney General of Nigeria just arrived Nigerian Senate*


Follow @NGRSenate for Live Updates as the #SenateProbesAGF on the Separation of Powers and the "Alleged Forgery" of Senate Standing Rules.

KWSG Not Diverting LG Funds- ALGON Vice-Chair

 

The Chairman of Ifelodun Local Government Council, who is also the Vice-Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, in Kwara State, Dr. Babatunde Salaam, has affirmed that the State Government does not interfere in LG funds in the State.

 

He made this assertion today while answering questions on a popular call-in Radio Program in Ilorin, The Platform today.

 

Dr. Salaam maintained that the issue of salary is not particular to Kwara alone, as it affects all the Local Governments in the country.

  

Dr. Salaam further reiterated that the State Government has not been fiddling with LG funds, adding that JAAC in the State has been transparent.

 

Furthermore, he added that the state government has been augmenting the LGs with funds, as well as the statutory 10% share from Internally Generated Revenue, IGR.

 

He, therefore, discredited the erroneous impression that the State government had been diverting LGs funds, thereby resulting in the salary crises.

Major Takeaways from Speaker Yakubu Dogara’s Interview with the Guardian
(Link on http://guardian.ng/features/we-need-a-strong-team-to-be-in-charge-of-the-economy-says-dogara/)

Speaking on the lack of compliance to Senate summons by appointees of the executive branch, Dogara said:

“Now the Senate has summoned the Attorney General of the Federation and the man has refused to appear. This is a man that appeared before the Senate for screening and now, he is saying he is not answerable to the Senate that he is an appointee of the president. Have we returned to that era?”



Speaking on attempts to strangle the legislature, Dogara said:
“If the goal is that they want to strangle the parliament, then definitely, we are going to run into serious problems and that will be an affront, a serious affront, on democracy and that will be totally unacceptable.”


Speaking on the need to preserve the independence of the National Assembly, Dogara said:
“Where you have the case of government’s power being carved out and vertically or horizontally shared. There are all for some purposes. I believe that the National Assembly in any country is the bastion of democracy. Where you do not have an independent National Assembly, you definitely will have some kind of totalitarian tendencies in the government.”

FORGERY CHARGE: SEPARATION OF POWERS, NOT SENATE,  IS ON TRIAL

By Kingsley Amaku

It is no longer news that the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has proffered forgery charges against the leadership of the Senate. Forgery is a very serious allegation. This presupposes that the accused persons in this case conspired to forge the Rules of the Senate. To make such an outlandish claim against the leadership of the highest lawmaking body, the National Assembly, would require that the attorney general has done his homework well and his case is not just unassailable but that it would be a matter of National Security not to fully prosecute the case. Any other suggestion with less weight, would have incalculable ramification for the development of our democracy, good governance and the perception of Nigeria in the eye of the international community. But can this be the case?
 
Let’s examine the issues for a moment. Part 2 of the 1999 Constitution Section 60 of the 1999 Constitution clearly provides for our government to be based on three separated but equal arms of government on whom power is shared in such a manner that neither of the other or a combination can intimidate, influence or supervise the other in the running of its internal affairs but must necessarily in the spirit of co-equality work together to ensure the rule of law.
 
Section 60 of the constitution provides that “Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the Senate or the House of Representatives shall have power to regulate its own procedure, including the procedure for summoning and recess of the House.” The Constitution again declares under section 64 as follows “64. (1) The Senate and the House of Representatives shall each stand dissolved at the expiration of a period of four years commencing from the date of the first sitting of the House.”
 
The implication of these two provisions for the purposes of this article will be examined as if they refer only to the Senate. It will be apparent on the face of the provisions that the Senate Rules are made by the Senate for itself. It will also be easy to conclude that by the combined effects of the two provisions, the rules of a new Senate are not dependent on how consistent it is with the outgoing Senate. This is because aside the provisions of Section 64 of the Constitution which borrows from the practice of the parliament of the United Kingdom, the implication of dissolution of parliament is that the old parliament ceases to exist (dissolves), which in this case under our constitution has been defined as (after 4 years). Meaning that every activities not concluded by the outgoing Senate becomes annulled. 
 
The implication includes that the in-coming Senate becomes a fresh Senate that starts afresh. This new Senate’s power to make Rules for itself is not dependent on having and indeed adopting the former Senate Rules. The former Senate Rules is only helpful as a guide at best or a template. This template is either amended, adopted, approved by the incoming Senate for itself. 
 
The question then that arises is that under what Rules is the election and swearing in of Senators-elect based. In order to answer this question, let’s examine and understand the process of inauguration of a new Senate. Having established that by the provisions of the constitution, a former senate dissolves into non existence, it goes without saying that the rules to be adopted for the proclamation of a new Senate and the election of members can only be based on the culture, custom and usage of the Senate. This position becomes even tenable with the fact that until sworn-in, members remain by the Constitution, merely senators-elect with no authority to adopt, apply or in anyway authorize anything whatsoever until sworn in. In this case, only the clerk of the National Assembly who is the harbinger of the rules and is in-charge of the conduct of the proceeding can determine the procedure to be adopted. I can't recall any objection by any senator-elect to the process or the rules adopted on the day by the Clerk of the National Assembly in swearing in and through the election process.
 
According to the AGF, his decision has been based on the petition from certain senators and the  report of the police investigation. The petition and the report put together claim that the Senate Standing Orders 2015 as amended upon which the Senate leadership election was based is not authentic but forged.
 
But is this conclusion grounded in fact and in law?
 
In fact, it is hardly plausible putting together the ingredients of forgery into play, the practicability of the so called conspiracy to forgery would have taken place effectively. To start with, these questions must be answered positively. If there is forgery of the 2015 Rules it presupposes that there is an original, the AG must have this original from which he must have determined that indeed forgery has occurred.  Two, if the clerk who is the bearer of the rules has not alleged forgery and the Senate in chamber has adopted and ratified their rules as authentic, can the courts hold otherwise in view of the separation of powers and non interference on each other's turf? Can the AGF based on any other report craft a charge of forgery? If the charge is based on the old 2011 rules, how is it that Saraki who was neither the keeper of nor a principal officer of the 2011 assembly be held responsible in law?
 
 While we had earlier established the fact that no arm of government including the Executive has supervisory role over another arm, a fact strongly highlighted under section 30 and 32 of the Legislative Houses (Powers & Privileges) Act. LFN 2010 CAP 234 which limits the powers of the executive and the judiciary to pry into the activities of the legislative houses, one is hard pressed to understand the grounding of the Attorney General’s position. It is arguable and almost very easily, except for the pedigree attached to the AGF office to suggest that the AGF may have in this case over-reached himself and severely damaged his own pedigree almost irredeemably as his position is hardly tenable.
 
I hope we are not making a caricature of our democracy and damaging our people’s right and opportunity to live in a thriving democracy. The AGF must ensure he has done his homework well as this from afar smell of gibberish.
 
Amaku is Senior Special Assistant to Senate President

Saraki's Persecution: A replica of Awo's crucifixion of Second Republic

By Kunle Ayoade

In one of the philosophical words of the Premier of old Western Region and best President Nigeria never had, Chief Obafemi Jeremiah Oyeniyi Awolowo of blessed and glowing memory, where he said "It is not life itself that matters but what individual bring to it that gives meaning," underscores that life to any man irrespective of birth or background, is not a bed of roses. The late sage as we all know, and perhaps those who care to read through his gallant political and social history, would conclude just as I do that the man really went through a lot in life, but nay, in all of the tumultous seas of life the man passed through just because of the purpose and principle he stood firmly to defend, one thing conspicuouly stood out, "he was more than conquerors."
Obviously today, posterity including the Awo's contemporary political enemies have continued to eulogise him as the best President Nigeria never had simply because of what he believed in, which those who stood against him later discovered would have done them and our history as Nigerians better if they had allowed the philosophy to generally see the light of the day.
The popular slogan and axiom that opportunity lost can never be regained, perhaps is the best for Nigeria peculiar state, though we know the truth but we have never allowed it to set us free. We want better and enduring life but we never allow the people and the process that could earn us the goodies to work it out.
However, the recent scenario that surrounds Senate Rules forgery allegation levelled against the leadership of the National Assembly in which the political leader in Kwara State, Dr. Bukola Saraki, the key target in the imbroglio is undoubtedly taking a perfect replica of Awo's major confrontation during his trial with Federal Government for treasonable felony case in the second republic.
Apparently, during the said trial that later landed the late sage in prison, as a law-abiding citizen and astute lawyer by profession, he took time to seek solace to earn justice in the court of law despite the glaring fact that the allegation preferred against him by the authority (Federal Government) was a mere attempt to scuttle his desire borne out of the love to deliver the best for the suffering masses.
So in dealing with a man who thinks you are a fool, it is good sometimes to remind him that you know what he knows but have chosen to appear foolish for the sake of peace; the government and its apparatus in their subtle strategy to remove Saraki from office by hook or crook means knew that they are bound to falter and so, have again chosen to cut corners barring the last minute attempt to re-engineer another false case to make the leadership of the National Assembly, particularly the Senate President and his Deputy look like criminal, as it happened to Chief Awolowo during his trial. Meanwhile, the Senate President and the entire House have chosen not to join the FG in its rat race to put Nigeria in disorder but rather have chosen the option of exploring the law to get justice in due course.
We cannot trample upon the humanity of others without devaluing our own. As Igbo people would always put it concretely in their proverb "Onye ji onye n'ani ji onwe ya: 'He who will hold another down in the mud must stay in the mud to keep him down. By this singular act of perambulation and by being economical with the truth, the executive has lost sight of the fact that its current persecution of the legislature is portraying it to the populace as an arm of government that is not capable to deliver any thing worthwhile, other than pursuing a personal vendetta against a hated rival. Violence never settles anything right: apart from injuring your own soul, it injures the best cause. And it lingers on long after the object of hate has disappeared from the scene to plague the lives of those who have employed it against their foes.
In swipt response to the Presidency's insinuation that the composition of the 8th Senate had contravened the established rules of the House, the Upper Chamber submitted that sequel to the alleged forgery of the rules that inaugurated the Red Chamber, it also presupposes that all the screening done for cabinet members were to be rendered illegal under the law that applies to the process of the screening. This would, in essence mean that a man who makes trouble for others is also making trouble for himself because it is impossible for a bad tree to bring forth a good fruit.
In the light of the on-going brouhaha between the executive and the legislature, it is disheartening to see that the trouble with Nigeria since independence is simply and squarely a failure of leadership. There is nothing basically wrong with the Nigerian land or climate or water or air or anything else. The Nigerian problem is the unwillingness or inability of its leaders to rise to the responsibility, to the challenge of personal example which are the hallmarks of true leadership.
In the meantime, we want to see wether the mere streak of evil will try to triumph over the good in the land, for we believe most assuredly that "After rain comes sunshine; After darkness comes the glorious dawn. There is no sorrow without its alloy of joy; there is no joy without its admixture of sorrow. And behind the ugly terrible mask of misfortune lies the beautiful soothing countenance of prosperity. So, we demand from those hiding under Federal Government to fuel the fire of unreasonable and palpable persecution of Saraki to immediately, tear the mask!


















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THE TIME HAS COME TO OPEN UP OUR RAILWAY SECTOR TO PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION- Senator Gbenga B. Ashafa.

 

Senator Gbenga B. Ashafa representing Lagos East Senatorial District at the 8th Senate, is the Chairman Senate Committee on Land Transport. Through this feature, he renders his opinion on how to transform the Nigerian Railway Sector and a report on the efforts of the Senate Committee on Land Transport towards ensuring a transformed railway Sector beneficial to all Nigerians. 

 

 

“The Nigerian Railway Corporation traces its history to the year 1898, when the first railroad in Nigeria was constructed by the British colonial government. On October 3, 1912 the Lagos Government Railway and the Baro-Kano Railway were amalgamated, starting nationwide rail service under the name Government Department of Railways. With the passing of the Nigerian Railway Corporation Act of 1955, the company gained its current name as well as the exclusive legal right to construct and operate rail service in Nigeria. The rail network reached its maximum extent shortly after Nigerian independence, in 1964. Shortly after that, the NRC entered a long period of decline, inept management, and eventually a complete lack of maintenance of rail and locomotive assets. In 1988, NRC declared bankruptcy, and all rail traffic stopped for six months. After that, trains resumed, where the tracks were usable. By 2002, passenger service was again discontinued altogether. Starting in 2006, plans were made to restore the rail lines and add new locomotives with foreign assistance. In December 2012 regular, scheduled passenger service was restored on the Lagos to Kano line.”– Wikepedia

 

I have chosen to start this article with the foregoing quote from Wikepedia to give you all a background of the history of the Nigerian Railway Corporation and by extension the Nigerian Rail Sector. This quote will also put in proper perspective the urgent need to open up our railway sector to Public/Private Sector Participation. 

 

In the recent past, Nigeria particularly has learnt that private participation drives effectiveness and Accountability in most service/utility sectors. We have learnt that the Government cannot carry the burden of delivering every service or utility. Successive governments in Nigeria have over the years burdened itself with the task of providing power, water, a National Carrier, Telecommunications, Railways etc.

 

What we have experienced till recently has been a steady decline in the functionality of Government-run social utility services. This has led to the change in disposition of Government towards extending a hand of partnership to the private sector to come and invest in some of these sectors. Sectors that have benefitted from the Private Sector Participation in Government Business include the Telecommunications Sector and the Power Sector.

 

Since the introduction of private sector participation in the Telecommunications Sector, the service has become more affordable, effective and accessible to every single Nigerian. The Telecommunications value chain also employs Millions of Nigerians with investment in the Sector set at about $32 Billion as at the first quarter of 2016.

 

Till the Telecoms sector was opened up in 2001, it was an untapped gold mine with unfathomable potential. It is this same quantum of potential that we seek to replicate by introducing the requisite CHANGE into the Nigerian Railway Sector.

 

Now, to achieve this change in disposition of any critical sector, there has to be a critical change in the Legislation that drives the Sector. Legislation forms the fulcrum of human, government and business interrelationship in every society. Hence what we need to and seek to do is to drastically change the legislation that guides the Nigerian Rail Sector to ensure that we maximize the full yet untapped potential inherent therein. For the sake of emphasis, the legislation that guides the Nigerian Railway Corporation was promulgated in 1955 (61 years ago).

 

Till now, you will agree with me that the country has focused primarily on road transportation in ferrying persons, goods and services from one point to the other. What this has led to over the years has been an influx of cars, congested roads, over-burdened road infrastructure, loss of lives to accidents and reduction in the productivity of manpower due to unending hours spent in traffic jams.

 

Government after government has invested even more in road expansion projects. The result as can be observed in the case of Lagos and Abuja has been a gradual occupation of the expanded roads with more cars. This is attributable to rural-urban migration as well as population explosion across the nation.

 

Mass transit remains a very pivotal aspect of the development of any city. It plays a critical role in enhancing productivity of the state by ensuring the movement of the largest number of people from point A to Point B within the shortest possible time. It also reflects the quality of life and the value placed on the unit citizen by any responsible government.

 

You will agree with me that the most effective means of transporting large quantities of humans, goods and services within any country is via rail. This is why whenever the topic of mass transit is discussed; rail transportation must be given its pride of place.

 

In the light of the foregoing, When I was appointed the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Land Transport, my humble self and committee members held interactive sessions with the Ministry of Transport and the Nigerian Railway Corporation to listen to the challenges facing the rail sector. We also at other different fora interfaced with stakeholders in the Rail Sector to feel their pulse on what needs to change to enable the Sector thrive. Our intention was to ascertaining how we as legislators could be of assistance to the Federal Government and fellow Nigerians through creating an enabling environment to revamp the rail sector through the instrumentality of legislation.

 

Upon our interaction with the Stakeholders, we discovered that there is an urgent need to open up the Sector to active private participation, predicated upon both State and Private Sector Participation on a level playing field.  To achieve this, we zeroed-in an urgent need to amend or repeal the existing Nigerian Railway Corporation Act, 1955, which does not contemplate private participation in the rail sector. I am therefore convinced that the time has come for us to open up our railway sector to private sector participation.

 

Just in good time, the Senate at Plenary forwarded the Nigerian Railway Corporation Repeal and Reenactment Bill 2015, sponsored by Distinguished Senator Andy Uba to the Senate Committee on Land Transport. Shortly after that, the National Transport commission Bill 2016 was equally forwarded to the Committee on Land Transport. 

 

With regard to the Nigerian Railway Corporation Repeal and Reenactment bill, the Senate Committee on Land Transport successfully held a public hearing, which had in attendance all the important stakeholders in the sector. This culminated in the setting up of a technical committee made up of stakeholders with the legal and technical expertise to further advise the Senate committee on the desirable disposition of the proposed legislation. On Wednesday, 24th May, 2015, the report of the technical committee was submitted to us and I had the privilege of presenting the said report to His Excellency, the President of the 8th Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki on the same date.

 

Based on the recommendation of both the Senate Committee on Land Transport and the Technical Committee on the Nigerian Railway Corporation Act Repeal and Reenactment Bill 2015, it was agreed that due to the extensive recommended changes, the tittle of the Bill should be changed to the Nigerian Railway bill, 2016.

 

Consideration of the report of the Senate committee on Land Transport with regard to the said Bill has equally commenced before the Senate at plenary. The Third and Final Reading of the Bill, which will include the line-by-line consideration of the committee recommendations with regard to the Bill will be completed upon the resumption of the Senate from its recess. With regard to the National Transport Commission Bill, preparations are currently in full gear to hold a public hearing as well. 

 

It is very important to note that up until 1993, the British also ran a state model of ownership and operation of the Railways and they faced similar challenges in funding and efficiency of the service. In a speech titled Rail growth through competition: the success of the UK model delivered by The Rt Hon Patrick McLoughlin MP on 12 November 2013 at the European Rail Congress, McLoughling pointed out as follows: “In fact the Railways Act came into effect on November 5 1993, breaking up the state-run British Rail, and transforming the face of our railway for ever. Nobody back then could have predicted the extraordinary changes that have taken place over the subsequent 2 decades.”

 

McLoughling stated further that “Rail travel had dwindled to such an extent that most people thought the private train operators would manage a decline in both passenger and freight traffic. How wrong they were. Privatisation sparked a railway renaissance. Since 1993, passenger journeys have doubled in the UK to a level not seen since the 1920s. On a network roughly the same size as 15 years ago, today our railway is running 4,000 more services a day. And rail freight has grown by 60%. Revenue is up more than £3 billion since privatisation, almost all of it due to higher passenger numbers rather than fare rises Safety levels are at an all time high. Punctuality is at near record levels. And passenger satisfaction is up by 10% over the past decade. None of this would have happened without privatization, without competition, without franchises investing in better services. Without an industry structure promoting accountability and incentivising growth.”

 

 

What we seek to achieve by these legislations is to replicate in Nigeria what started in the United Kingdom a bit over 20 years ago and as succinctly captured by the quotes from McLoughlin MP, just above. 

 

This radical departure from the norm will make the sector more attractive to investors, by separating the roles of the operators and the regulator. A whole lot of investors have over time complained about the role of the Nigerian Railway Corporation as both the operator and the regulator in the sector. With the upcoming legislation, we expect to see a completely re-positioned Rail Transport Sector, open to private sector participation.

 

Once the rail sector is opened up to Private Sector Participation, we would have achieved two principal things, which are; Creation of Millions of jobs on one hand and also we would have successfully solved the challenge of inter/intra city mass transit.

 

Further more, in respect to Public Private Partnerships in the Rail Sector, the World Bank Group’s Public-Private-Partnership in Infrastructure Resource Center has also recommended the shared infrastructure model, which the upcoming legislation proposes when it stated that, “PPPs in railways can bring opportunities for investment, operating efficiency and modern and clean technology. PPP railway projects providing for shared use of rail tracks may lead to efficiency gains
and an increased revenue basis for states”

 

Having said these, I must thoroughly commend the effort of the Muhammadu Buhari led APC Government through the Ministry of Transportation headed by H.E Rt. Hon Rotimi Amaechi in consolidating the infrastructure relevant to drive our renewed rail sector, the Senate President who ab-initio showed interest in this vital sector by convening the National Assembly Business Environment Roundtable for the first time. I also commend the various states that have begun laudable intra-city rail lines, of particular note is the Government of Lagos State ably led by H.E Governor Akinwunmi Ambode. The Nigerian Railway Bill 2016 will essentially become the Bill that will bring all these brilliant initiatives by the Federal government and soon- to- be investors together to ease the Mass Transportation challenges across the Nation and as such help to increase the collective productivity of our work force.

 

In the same vein, I would like to seize this opportunity to commend all those who have worked tirelessly and pro-bono with the Senate Committee on Land transport, particularly the members of the Technical Committee on the Railway bill, ably chaired by Engineer C.C Okoye, the Chairman Body of Fellows, Nigerian Society of Engineers, the Nigerian Infrastructure Advisory Fund, Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Ministry of Transport, Office of the Senate President, the Nigerian Railway Corporation and all those who time and space would not allow me to mention here. We are indeed grateful.

 

It is our earnest hope, that these laws garner support across board and that upon the passage of these new legislations by this 8th National Assembly, we would have contributed in no small measure in opening up the rail sector, thereby attracting both Local and Foreign investments, creating millions of jobs and also establish a beneficial platform for the transportation of humans, goods and services alike.

If you missed Dr Femi Akorede's interview on Radio, especially those in the diaspora, please listen here.
Listen to UPDATE ON KWARA DEVELOPMENTS by DrFemi Akorede #np on #SoundCloud
https://soundcloud.com/drfemi-akorede/update-on-kwara-developments

Forgery Case: It's Senate That is Being Assaulted
...Saraki, Ekweremadu not mentioned by petitioners

We note the statement issued by the Secretary to the Federal Government, Mr. David Babachir Lawal that the Senate is not the one on trial in the Forgery case instituted by the Attorney General of the Federation against the Senate President and his Deputy.

We disagree with him on this position and we maintain our earlier stand that it is the Senate that is the target of the present attempt to intimidate the legislature to force a leadership change in the Senate.

Mr. Babachir Lawal should tell us how reasonable it is to conclude that when the President of Nigeria and the Vice President are being jointly tried in a suit whose outcome can remove them from office, it is not the Buhari Government that is being targeted.

It is also imperative to clearly state that contrary to the claim by the SGF, neither the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki nor Senator Ike Ekweremadu were mentioned by the petitioners, the statements by those interviewed by the police or even the police report.

Meanwhile, let us refreshen Mr. Lawal's memory about the facts of the 1999 case. It is obvious that the Senate President and his deputy are not being accused of certificate forgery as it happened in ex-Speaker Salisu Buhari's case. Therefore, nobody should compare an apple with orange. Also, neither Saraki nor Ekweremadu is below the age requirement for their present position as it was alleged in the Buhari case. Attempts to make the two situations look similar is to present all Nigerians as having no sense of history.

We also know that nobody can be accused of forging his own signature. The executive is in no position to determine what is the correct Standing Orders of the Senate. The Senate President and his Deputy were as at the morning of the June 9, 2015 inauguration of the Senate mere Senators-elect and could therefore not have been in a position to influence any alteration in the rule book.

The Senate as an institution, and indeed the National Assembly, has spoken about their understanding of the present assault on their independence by the executive'. We maintain that this trial is a design by the Executive to criminalize the internal affairs of the Senate to create a distraction for the leadership of the Senate, force a leadership change and cow the legislators.

Those behind this plot find this trial more expedient and important than finding tangible solutions to the multi-various socio-economic problems bedeviling the country. However, we are sure they will fail in this attempt. We only hope they will allow the judiciary to truly and creditably perform its duties and give independent verdict on the case.

Signed

Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi

Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Publicity

Press Statement: His Excellency, the President of Senate, Nigeria National Assembly
Dr. Bukola Saraki
June 27, 2016


Abuja, Nigeria, June 27---Today we the leaders of the Nigerian Senate reiterate our innocence against the charges filed by the Attorney General of the Federal Government of Nigeria at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court on the allegations of forgery of the Senate Standing Rules document.

In our view, the charges filed by the Attorney General represent a violation of the principle of the Separation of Powers between the Executive Branch and the Legislative Branch as enshrined in our Constitution. Furthermore, it is farcical to allege that a criminal act occurred during Senate procedural actions and the mere suggestion demonstrates a desperate overreach by the office of the Attorney General. These trumped up charges is only another phase in the relentless persecution of the leadership of the Senate

This misguided action by the Attorney General begs the question, how does this promote the public interest and benefit the nation? At a time when the whole of government should be working together to meet Nigeria’s many challenges, we are once again distracted by the Executive Branch’s inability to move beyond a leadership election among Senate peers. It was not an election of Senate peers and Executive Branch participants.

Over the past year the Senate has worked to foster good relations with the Executive Branch. It is in all of our collective interests to put aside divisions and get on with the nation’s business. We risk alienating and losing the support of the very people who have entrusted their national leaders to seek new and creative ways to promote a secure and prosperous Nigeria. As leaders and patriots, it is time to rise above partisanship and to move forward together.

However, what has become clear is that there is now a government within the government of President Buhari who have seized the apparatus of Executive powers to pursue their nefarious agenda.

This latest onslaught on the Legislature represents a clear and present danger to the democracy Nigerians fought hard to win and preserve. The suit filed on behalf of the Federal government suggests that perhaps some forces in the Federal Republic have not fully embraced the fact that the Senate’s rules and procedures govern how the legislative body adjudicates and resolves its own disputes.

Let it be abundantly clear, both as a citizen and as a foremost Legislator, I will continue to rise above all the persecution and distraction that have been visited on me. In the words of Martin Luther King Junior, “the ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at a time of challenge and controversy”.

I will remain true and committed to the responsibilities that my citizenship and my office impose on me. Without doubt, the highest of those responsibilities is the steadfast refusal to surrender to the subversion of our democracy and the desecration of the Senate. This is a cross I am prepared to carry. If yielding to the nefarious agenda of a few individuals who are bent in undermining our democracy and destabilising the Federal government to satisfy their selfish interests is the alternative to losing my personal freedom, let the doors of jails be thrown open and I shall be a happy guest.



Signed
Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, CON
President, Senate of the Federal Republic

Salary Delays Caused by BVN Verification: KWSG

The Kwara State Government says only civil servants and pensioners that are yet to undergo BVN clearance are currently being owed by the State Government. In the same vein, it emphasized that all cleared workers and pensioners in the state will continue to receive their entitlements.

In a statement issued in Ilorin, the state capital, on behalf of the Kwara State Personnel Database Development Committee by Dr. Muyideen Akorede, the state government said 15% of the 83,000 workers and pensioners that are yet to be BVN verified had their entitlements warehoused pending clearance.
The statement clarified that while the state government was one of the least affected by the huge drop in federal allocation and has been paying salaries regularly, certain categories of workers and pensioners who did not supply their details on time are temporarily affected.

The State Government said having gone through physical verification, workers and pensioners have to be subjected to BVN verification at the Nigerian Interbank Settle System(NIBSS) which is also verifying workers from other states and the Federal Government.

Continuing, the state government said the salaries and pensions of the affected individuals have been warehoused and will be paid to those verified as soon as the exercise is completed.

While urging the affected workers to exercise patience, the government stressed that the verification was necessary to ensure only authentic workers and pensioners who have worked for their wages are paid in the state.

The State Government expressed optimism that expected savings from the exercise will enhance its efforts to end the salary crises in the state.
On the issue of LG workers, the state government emphasized that cleared workers were paid based on available resources from federation allocation and internal revenue, stressing that the recent decision to prioritize salaries of basic education teachers will bring added relief to the workers.

Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed: The Indisputable leader. By Alh Taiye Alawuyan.
Sincerely, the formidable and unquantifiable impacts of our dynamic governor Alh. Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed on the wellbeing of Kwarans regardless of tribes cannot be in litotes from being a commissioner to Governor.
Kwara n dun bo Oyin monmo. This is the song that covered every body mouth, when Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed, the executive Governor of the State called for the all Stakeholders both NUT, NULGE etc on how to clear the debts in the State to cater for rapid development across the State.
A man who lives on the bank of a river does not use spittle to wash his hands. A good son do takes the footsteps of his parent. As Senate president is making us proud across the globe at the legislative realms, so is Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed he sets up a committee to see to the issue of unpaid salaries of some paras atlas of the State most especially; the tertiary institutions.
Leadership is not by skill but by Allah's favour and He bestowed talent on one, sincerely you all deserve these. It's high time we threw away the tooth less barking dog and embrace peace especially among those who struggle against Allah's wish.
No matter the number of aircrafts on the cloud, the space remains uncovered So no matter your scadal the scrupulous ones.
Indeed; if His Excellency Alh Abdulfatah Ahmed were to be an athlete, he would be in a blistering form in one hundred metres dash, just as the four by one hundred metres relay race would comfortably occupy pole position in his competitive athlete , menu list. Interestingly, both require enormous speed and endurance, but more than anything else, FOCUS ; no doubt, in the last five years, this gentlemen has displayed these traits in surplus.
One must be reminded that when politicians and technocrats paddle the affairs of Kwara State, the result is always in positive developmental project. In fact as the current administration slogan- Legacy continues.This premised on the benefits of one administration following into another in terms of policy formulation and implementation as well as program actualization.
With a policy thrust that coverages resources and takes advantages of the strength of the State for economic growth, human capital development and youth empowerment; all of which fuse with the share prosperity program of the administration, happy days , indeed have come.
His Excellency; uncompromising commitment to pilot Kwara State to the land in the face of ash Nigeria economic situation , the stage is unprecedentedly set to auto run the next phase of massive infrastructure development and economic growth of the state.
In the manner of an athlete with professional finishing on the track; the governor learnt the ropes thoroughly, having received the relay baton from the distinguish Senator Saraki, who himself understood the challenges ahead and knew who had the requisite experience; exposure and interest of the people at heart, humility, resourcefulness, determination, commitment, and indeed the fear of Allah are the ingredients that spice up Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed to steer the ship of our dear State to the promise land.
KWARA STATE IT'S GOOD HERE

Tuesday, June 21st, 2016 : Senator Dino Melaye ( APC Kogi West ) Speaks on the Senate motion on Allegations of Forgery of the Senate Standing Rules

https://mobile.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1043263395729002&id=900594889995854&_rdr

Kwara Releases Details of June Allo cation

Kwara State government says it recorded a 9.6 per cent increase in federal allocation for the month of June. The state got N1, 554, 650, 906.93 which is N136, 349, 914.54 higher than the N1.418billion it received in May.

The Commissioner for Finance, Demola Banu, who disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, however, said that the June allocation is still lower than the N2.4billion monthly wage bill of the State.

According to him, the state government got a statutory allocation of N936, 377, 868.44; VAT of N603, 942, 902.85 and exchange difference of N14, 330, 135.64, totaling N1, 554, 650, 906.93.

The Commissioner also disclosed the allocation received by the 16 local governments in the State for the month of June to include statutory allocation of N886, 061, 009.12; VAT of N342, 735, 943.98 and exchange difference of N9, 451, 695.84, totaling N1, 238, 248, 648.94. Banu said that the June allocation for the local government councils was N90.3m higher than the N1.147b they received for the month of May.

He, however, explained that the allocation was not enough to cater for the salaries of LG workers as basic education teachers and SUBEB staff alone require N1.2billion monthly.

According to him, N784, 616, 734.15 is required for other LG workers salaries monthly while N397, 188, 390.30 is needed for the payment of pensions.

Banu noted that the lingering salary impasse at the third tier of government was as a result of the significant reduction in monthly federal allocation accruing to the local governments. He, however, assured that the state government and LG administrations are making efforts to resolve the salary crises.

--

I Know Nothing About Alleged Forgery, Says Saraki

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, today (Wednesday) maintains he knows nothing about how the rules adopted in the inauguration of the Eighth Senate on June 9, 2015 was formulated.

He said the on-going efforts to drag him into a case of forgery before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, was just another phase in the orchestrated persecution he has faced since he emerged as Senate President a little over a year ago.

Saraki, in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, stated that he was not a part of the leadership of the 7th Senate that made the rules in question and prior to his unanimous election as Senate President on June 9, 2015, he was merely a Senator-elect like all his colleagues, and therefore was not in a position to influence the rules that were to be used in the conduct of the election.

"The Police in their investigation were conscious that the incumbent Senate President was not in office prior to June 9, 2015 and that was why in their letters inviting some individuals for their investigation, they only mentioned officers of the 7th Senate. The last of the letters was written to the Clerk of the National Assembly on June 7, 2016 and he was not among those invited.

"Those who decided to smuggle the name of the Senate President into the charge sheet after the fact knew perfectly well that only the leadership of the 7th Senate were invited for investigation. But they needed to implicate him in keeping with their declared vow to ensure that even if their current efforts to nail him through the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) fails, they would find other ways to carry out their vendetta.

"This so-called forgery case is another wanton abuse of the judicial process and making a mockery of the institution of justice. As the Senate earlier stated, the sponsors of this plot are not only gunning for Dr. Saraki, what they have just launched with this latest antics is a grand onslaught on the foremost institution of our democracy. The only institutional difference between dictatorship and democracy is the presence of the legislature. Therefore, by seeking to cripple the National Assembly, they have declared a war on our hard-won democracy and aimed for the very jugular of our freedom.

"Let us restate the fact that the Senators who initiated the Police investigation in the first place had raised the same matter on the floor and were overwhelmingly overruled. They also filed a civil suit and were told by the court that neither the judiciary nor the executive can interfere in the internal affairs of the legislative arm.

"The Senate President recognizes the sundry problems bedeviling our nation today - food insecurity, devaluation of the Naira, inflation, unemployment, failing national infrastructure, insurgency in the North-eastern part of the country, restiveness in the oil producing areas, and general insecurity, among others - and believes that finding solutions to them should be the priority, at this period, for every individual in government, not the pursuit of narrow political objectives. That is why these needless distractions will do nobody any good. In fact, it will not help in delivering on the promise of bringing positive change to the lives of our people who voted for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last elections.

"The Senate President does not see what value this current attempt to shut down the Senate by dragging its presiding officers before a court for a phantom allegation of forgery will add to the attempts to solve the problems confronting the nation.

"Dr. Saraki will however explore all legal options necessary to ward off this fresh case of persecution and distraction", the statement added.

SARAKI CAN'T GET JUSTICE FROM YOU......Lawyer tells CCT Chairman……..Ruling on Motion July 13

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Mr. Paul Erokoro today told the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal Mr. Danladi Umar that the Senate president standing trial before him on false assets declaration cannot get justice from him because of his biased and prejudicial comments in the trial.

Erokoro while moving an application filed by Saraki asked the CCT chairman to disqualify himself from further participating in the trial because of his biased disposition.

The CCT chairman had on June 7 threatened Saraki that the delayed tactics being employed by his lawyers will not reduce the consequences he would face at the end of the trial.

In his submissions on the motion on notice, Erokoro, claimed that the comment by the chairman was prejudicial to Saraki and that Saraki can no longer get fair trial from the Tribunal in line with the provision of section 36 of the 1999 constitution.

The counsel told the Tribunal that neither the chairman who was personally served with the motion on notice informing him of the prejudicial statement made in the open court on June 7 did not deny the statement either the prosecution too.

Erokoro further submitted that by implication, the CCT chairman and the prosecution have implicitly admitted making the statement and as such, the chairman should disqualify himself in the interest of justice and fair trial.

He further submitted that the Independence and the impartiality of the chairman as envisaged in section 36 of the constitution can no longer be guaranteed and that a good reason for the CCT chairman to disqualify himself from the trial had already been established and that he will not be able to balance the scale of justice.

"Once a Judge by word or action show that he cannot hold the scale of justice, he should disqualify himself" he said.

When asked on what happens to the Tribunal should the chairman disqualify himself, Erokoro said that there is a statutory provisions for the establishment of the Tribunal with a full complement of three members and that the appointing authority can do the needful by appointing more.

Saraki had in the motion specifically demanded for the removal of Umar from the panel of the tribunal that will prosecute because of the open threat of Umar to unleash the full weight of the law on him at the end of his trial for the sins of his lawyers.

Saraki claimed that the threat made by Umar in the open court was a clear indication that the tribunal had made up its mind to convict him at all cost irrespective of the evidence at the trial.

The Senate President has therefore asked the CCT Chairman to disqualify himself from further participation in the trial initiated against Saraki by the Federal Government.

In a fresh motion on notice brought pursuant to section 36 of the 1999 constitution, Saraki insisted that the tribunal chairman was in a worry to convict him without giving him a fair hearing or fair opportunity to defend himself.

In the motion filed by his lead Mr Kanu Agabi (SAN), Saraki stated that the threat by the CCT chairman was biased and cannot accord him a fair trial.

The motion predicated on eight grounds indicated that the threat of consequences issued by Umar has caused Saraki to lose confidence in the impartiality of the chairman and he is no longer confident that he can get justice from the tribunal if the chairman continues to participate in the hearing and the determination of the case against him.

Part of the grounds of the motion was that the defendant has lost confidence in the ability of the tribunal chairman to conduct a fair trial and dispense justice according the law.

The defendant is deeply worried and now lives in perpetual fear since the statement was made by the Chairman of the tribunal and no longer believes that Justice can be done in the trial.

Saraki denied the allegation by the CCT Chairman his lawyers have been employing delay tactics to frustrate the trial.


However, the prosecution counsel, Mr. Rotimi Jacob SAN in his vehement opposition to the motion said that the application was frivolous, and was an abuse of court process and a deliberate attempt to delay the trial.

Apparently justifying the alleged prejudicial comment of the CCT chairman, Rotimi claimed that it was true that the trial was being delayed by the defence and that the chairman only warned Saraki on the consequences of the trial and not the consequences of the charge.

He also said that Saraki had filed similar applications before asking for the same prayers and that since appeal on the earlier ones are still pending before the appellate court, the Tribunal should resist the temptation to do the statutory job on the Appeal Court.

Meanwhile ruling on the application has been fixed for July 13, 2016.

The Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed has restated his commitment to finding a lasting solution to the lingering salary crises at the basic education level.

Governor Ahmed, who stated this during a meeting with stakeholders in the Education sector in his office on Monday, said that he is worried about the plight of primary and junior secondary teachers as well as other workers who are being owed salaries due to drop in federal allocation.

He told the meeting that he is working round the clock with other stakeholders to come up with a robust plan that will bring succor to the affected workers.

The Governor noted that although the local councils are responsible for salaries and pensions at the local government level, the State government remains committed to ensuring welfare of all categories of workers in the State.

Governor Ahmed also emphasized that the federal government’s fresh bailout package for state governments, “is a budget support scheme, which is to enable states implement their budget in view of the current economic realities". He said the package was not extended to local government councils because the Federal Government could not afford it.

Present at the meeting with the governor were the Secretary to the State Government (SSG); Alhaji Isiaka Gold, Chief of Staff; Abdulwahab Babatunde, Head of Service; Hajia Zainab Umar and the State Commissioner for Education, Engr. Musa Yeketi and Chairman, House Committee on Education.

Others were Permanent Secretary, State Universal Basic Education (SUBEB); Dr. Oladimeji Dasuki, State NUT Chairman; Comrade Musa Abubakar and representatives of the State chapter of All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPS)

Public Procurement Bill.

Ayes! The Local Manufacturers Have It

By Abu Quassim

Last Thursday, the Senate made a major move that further underscored its determination to make itself relevant to all Nigerians, particularly in the area of economic development and empowerment of the people. It passed the Act to amend the National Public Procurement Act to Provide for a Local Content Policy and Timely Completion of Procurement and Other Related Matters Bill.

Beyond the turenci that one can see in the long title of the proposed law now awaiting concurrence of the House of Representatives and Presidential assent, of what relevance is the bill to an average Nigerian? To answer this question, one may need to look at one of the objectives of the bill as stated in Section 5 ( w). It states that the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) established under it " shall assist and support the local business community to become competitive and efficient supplier to the public sector". The essence of this function translates beyond creating a synergy between the public and private sectors for the purpose of enhancing their joint contribution to national development and growing the nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

It also means that the Bureau will specifically introduce measures to ensure that Nigerian entrepreneurs will by law compulsorily enjoy patronage from government organisations. And to give effect to the objective, the proposed law amended Section 34 sub-sections 1, 2 and 3 of the existing law by replacing the word MAY to SHALL. The new law raises the duty on government ministries, departments and agencies to purchase locally made goods, patronise Nigerian manufacturers and entrepreneurs and engage Nigerian service providers from discretion to compulsion.

Section 34 (1) states that "A procuring entity shall grant a margin of preference in the evaluation of tenders when comparing tenders from domestic bidders with those of foreign bidders or when comparing tenders from domestic suppliers offering goods manufactured abroad".

Also Section 34 (2) adds that "where a procuring entity has allowed domestic preferences, the bidding documents shall clearly indicate any preference to be granted to domestic suppliers and contractors and the information required to establish the eligibility of a bid for such preference". The following sub-sections however provides that "margin of preference shall apply to tenders under international competitive bidding" and that the BPP "shall by regulation from time to time set their limits and the formulae for the computation of margins of preference and determine the contents of goods manufactured locally".

The total effect is that procurement by government, which in the Nigerian context as at today is the biggest spender and purchaser of goods, will show preference for goods made in Nigeria. So, the bulk of the over N6 trillion budgeted to be spent in the 2016 appropriation law which is due to expire next March will go into the pockets of Nigerian manufacturers, suppliers, contractors, artisans and other service providers. The further implication of this law is that many companies owned by Nigerians or based in Nigeria will benefit from this huge fund.

This is a law capable of further energising existing and functional companies, reviving the ailing or dead ones and inspiring establishment of new industries and professional firms. What this translates to is creation of employment among our skilled youths, rekindling and challenging the creativity of Nigerians and creating empowerment and wealth for Nigerians without any borders. It is a law aimed at unleashing the potentials of Nigerians to earn money through legitimate means and become key participants or stakeholders in the national economy.

Another benefit of the proposed law is how it seeks to reduce the number of days for the Standard Procurement Processing Time for QCBS. From the period of preparation of terms of reference to signature of contract, the number of days was reduced from a minimum of 165 days to a maximum of 112 days. What this means is that the period of award of contract has been significantly reduced The law ensures that shortly after passage of budget, the funds in it will be freed and made available to circulate in the economy.

More importantly, the law was designed to protect the country from sharp practices by fraudulent businessmen and their collaborators in government procurement offices. That is the purpose of Section 6 (d) I and ii (e) (f), (g) as well as (h). The section gives the BPP the power to set, enforce, maintain and sustain standard and impose disciplinary measures.

Also, Section 16 (d), (e) and (f) set fundamental principles of public procurement which it states should be conducted "in a manner which is transparent, timely, equitable for ensuring accountability and in conformity with this Act"..."with the aim of achieving value for money and fitness for a purpose"..."in a manner which promotes competition, economy and efficiency". These are provisions which complement the anti-corruption agenda of the present administration.

The target of the law is therefore to make Nigerians benefit from the national wealth, in a transparent manner that will benefit the country. This bill is an award winning one which ought to be commended. Here, the Senate deserves to be given the Prize for the revolutionary legislation of the year as a result of this proposed law. Definitely, its effective utilization can cure poverty, reduce unemployment and aid genuine 'Nigerianisation' and modernization of the nation's economy.

One would have expected that such a bill would have emanated from the executive, particularly as it fits into some of the cardinal objectives of the Buhari administration. In other climes where these laws have been effectively implemented, they were initiated by the Executive. For example, in the United States, President Herbert Hoover introduced a similar law in 1922 to give legal teeth to the Buy America Policy introduced to cushion the effects of the Great Depression era.

If we are having this law introduced by the upper legislative chamber, then it is a big credit to the Nigerian lawmaking institution. That is why the co-operation between the legislature and the executive is a sine qua non to developing Nigeria. It is also the reason why Nigerians should call on President Muhammadu Buhari to quickly assent to the law once it is submitted to him. This is another indication that the eighth Senate cares, works and thinks for Nigeria.

Quassim resides in Abuja.

Forgery Case, An Unconstitutional Violation of Principles of Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances.

1. After reading in the national newspapers and online platforms of the planned charges of forgery and conspiracy preferred against the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, his Deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, immediate past Clerk of the National Assembly, Alhaji Salisu Maikasuwa and the Clerk of the Senate, Mr. Ben Efeturi and reviewing the circumstances leading to the filing of these charges, we are compelled to alert the good people of Nigeria and the international community, that our democracy is in danger and that the attempt by the Executive Arm of the Federal Government to muzzle the legislature and criminalise legislative processes in order to cause leadership change in the National Assembly is a return to the era of impunity and lack of respect for due process which we all fought to abolish.

2. We urge President Muhammadu Buhari to please call his Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, to order. The Senate of the Federal Republic voted freely to elect its leadership into office and continuing attempts to change that leadership through the wanton abuse of judicial processes cannot stand in the eyes of the world. It is clear that the Attorney General and party leaders behind this action either lack the understanding of the underlining principles of constitutional democracy, the concept of Separation of Powers, checks and balances and parliamentary convention or they just simply do not care if the present democracy in the country survives or collapses in their blinded determination to get Saraki and Ekweremadu by all means necessary, including abuse of office and sacking the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

3. The Nigerian people have enough economic hardship at this time requiring the full attention and cooperation of the three arms of government, instead of these attempts to distract and politicise governance. We are in a state of economic emergency such that what the National Assembly needs at this time are executive bills and proposals aimed at resolving the crises of unemployment, currency depreciation, inflation, crime and insecurity. What the National Assembly needs now are executive bills to build and strengthen institutions to earn revenues, fight corruption and eliminate waste. Instead, we are getting hostile actions aimed at destabilising the National Assembly, distracting Senators from their oversight functions and ensuring good and accountable governance.

4. We must make it clear here to the individuals in the Executive arm and party leadership behind these plots not to mistake the maturity and hand of co-operation being extended to the Presidency by the legislature as a sign of weakness. The National Assembly bent backwards to accommodate various infractions and inefficiencies in pursuit of inter-arms co-operation and national interest. We did not follow up the various infractions because we believe there are bigger issues which the government has to attend to in order to ensure that every Nigerian have food on his table and live confortably in a secure environment. We know that the country is actually in a state of economic emergency and all hands must be on deck.

5. This latest plot is directed at forcing a change of leadership in the Senate or, in the extreme case, ground the Red Chamber of the National Assembly. Or how do one interpret a move in which the two presiding officers are being set up to be remanded in Kuje Prison or incapacitated from sitting at plenary through a day-to-day trial on a matter that is purely an internal affair of the Senate.

6. This obviously is a dangerous case of violation of the independence of the legislature, undue and unnecessary interference in the internal affairs of the Senate and blatant abuse of the judicial process. The matter now being criminalised was brought to the plenary of the Senate in session, over a year ago. And because it had no support, it was overruled and roundly defeated in chambers. To now take a matter that was resolved on the floor of the Senate to the police and then make it form the subject of a criminal prosecution of freely elected legislators beats all imagination of free thinking men all over the world. The implication is that any matter that fails on the floor of the National Assembly will now be taken to the Police, thereby endangering every Senator and House member. This current move clearly runs contrary to the Doctrine of Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances which are fundamental to the successful operation of the Presidential System of government. It runs counter to the principle outlined by the Supreme Court in the Adesanya Vs Senate case where it was held that nobody should seek to use the courts to achieve what he or she has failed to push through on the floor of the National Assembly.

7. This present efforts, therefore, is clearly a coup against the legislature with the ignoble aim to undermine its independence and subject the law making institution to the whims and caprices of the executive. It is a plan to return Nigeria to the dictatorial era which we have, as a nation, voted to reject. It is a dangerous trend with grave implications for the survival of our democracy and the integrity of the component institutions. This rule of men as against the rule of law is also the reason why the War Against Corruption, one of the cardinal objectives of the present administration, is losing credibility because people perceive it to be selective and, in most cases, aimed at settling political or partisan scores.

8. The Rules of the Senate and how the institution elects its leadership are internal affairs. The Rules of a new Senate are provided by the National Assembly bureaucracy. It has always been so since 1999. After the inauguration of the Senate, if Senators have objections to any part of the Rules, they can follow the procedure for changing it. Senators of the Eighth Senate have no control on the rules applied in the elections of June 9, 2015 because until after their inauguration, they were only Senators-elect, and therefore mere bystanders in the affairs of the Senate.

9. We therefore urge all Nigerians and the International Community to rise up and condemn this blatant attempt to subject the legislature to the control, whims and caprices of the executive. If the Legislative branch falls, democracy fails as there will be no other institution empowered by the Constitution to check and balance the enormous powers of the Executive branch. We also call on the judiciary as the last hope to save our constitutional democracy and stand up for the rule of law, by doing that which is right in this case.

Signed

Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi
Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs
June 19, 2016.

SPEECH DELIVERED BY HIS EXCELLENCY (DR.) ABUBAKAR BUKOLA SARAKI, CON, PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, AT THE RETREAT ORGANISED BY THE SENATE AD HOC COMMITTEE ON COMMITTEE REVIEW ON 17TH JUNE, 2016.
 
PROTOCOL
 
1. Distinguished colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, you would recall that in earlier this year upon the inauguration of this all important committee, I did make the point that the members of this committee had been arrived at in recognition of the enormity and solemnity attached to the exercise of constitutional review.
 
2. This is why the essence of this retreat cannot be overemphasized. 
 
3. Since, independence, our nation has sought to develop for itself workable Constitution on which her unity can be perfected. Other nations have trodden a similar path. For instance, following the Declaration of Independence and the Revolutionary War in 1776, the original 13 States of the United States of America operated an Article of Confederacy, a necessary but unwieldy document that institutionalized a central government. The Article lasted for 8 years before it was jettisoned for the current Constitution of the United States. 
 
 
4. Constitution making has always been a challenging issue in any polity. Because it is expected to put together the aspiration, commitment, values and agreement of different communities, debates can be polarizing, contentious and in some cases conflictual. These defaults issues should be viewed as part of the process of building consensus and strengthening our democracy. As polarizing as these issues are, with robust engagement, inclusive participation and process-led initiatives we can resolve the contentions and agree on some of the issues. 
 
5. As I had noted in my inaugural address, this senate isseeking to further consolidate and entrench the essence of our constitution as the only basis for the exercise of all powers under a constitutional democracy forged under the rule of law. This review process must not in anyway dent the solemnity, integrity and infallibility that should be ascribed to the 1999 Constitution. Rather we are by this process celebrating and affirming the inviolability of our constitution and its integrity. It is in no way a ritual or a routine.
 
6. It would be recalled that the 7th National Assembly had done a good job of obtaining national consensus on key challenges to the operation of the constitution and the utilisation of the constitution as the coherent framework for our development as a nation through its work on the 4th Alteration Bill. This is why I urge the committee to, in this first phase, to concentrate on the 4th Alteration Bill and conclusively address it before dealing with other proposals.
 
7. Yes, the issues of constitutional amendment as they affect the 1999 Constitution are enormous especially those affecting the smooth running and development of our federation, cannot be fully captured within the framework of the 4th alteration bill. I will however, urge you to pay attention specifically on the 4th alteration due to the immense work and national consensus already garnered in determining it. This will help us concentrate effort on clearing these already agreed areas and a other few exceptional issues that are integral. This is the surest way of delivering to our people a more acceptable constitution before the commencement of the partisan political activities early next year. 
 
8. Upon the completion of this phase of the work, I believe we will then take on the next berg of issues that continue to agitate the minds of many Nigerians. I have purposefully avoided reflecting on these issues as I would have normally done, because upon the retreat for the next phase we will comprehensively enquire into these and proffer workable solutions upon the overarching principle of greater freedoms for our people, abhorrence of discrimination of any nature that inhibit the enjoyment of our people’s rights, the enthronement of the rule of law, accountability of all offices and authority derived from the constitution, the issue and concept of "continuity in governance” which assumes that a country needs continuity in its government to continue to meet the demands of modern day governance. Most of these issues you would find interlocked in the current 4th alteration. I am also convinced that some of the hard national questionswould remain contentious and unresolved beyond this exercise, but be sure of this, we have the necessary will, courage and wisdom to interrogate them all and find solutions to them. Meaning that we are ready to take another plunge at cementing the process and deepening our constitutional framework through a second phase of amendments.
 
9. Distinguished colleagues’ ladies and gentlemen, by the caliber of the composition of this ad hoc committee, I am assured that your deliberation will be robust, courageous and vibrant and your recommendations to the senate will embody the greater aspirations of our proud heritage and people. There is no better time to exhibit and bring to bear your statesmanlike maturity, nationalistic considerations and vision to the mandate that our people have bestowed on us, to help bring their hope and dreams to reality.
 
10. In concluding, as you deliberate, I urge you to bear carefully in your mind the challenges of our past and the vision of our future. I urge you to consider every opinion and allow as many ideas as possible into the discussions. Nigerians of all works of life will be looking up to you to provide a new direction towards to cementing of our union through the recommendation you will be offering from this process.
 
11. I cannot finish this address without a resounding commendation to the Chairman, the DSP, Onwa Ndigbo, my charismatic and humble brother, Senator, Ike Ekweremadu, for his untiring devotion to this quest to bequeath to our people a near perfect constitution, may God continue to reward and strengthen you in all your endeavours. And to you my exceptional colleagues for making today a reality, God bless you all. 
 
12. I wish you all a most fruitful deliberation.
 
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
 
 
1

The senate has passed into law the Public Procurement Act 20‎07 (amendment) bill 2016, which seeks to promote local content.

The bill makes it mandatory for government agencies to patronise made-in-Nigeria goods.

It is one of the priority bills of the eighth senate.

Speaking after the consideration of a report on the bill, Senate President Bukola Saraki emphasised that priority must be given to local goods.

‎”In stimulating our economy, we all have a role to play to ensure that the executive complies especially in the area of giving first priority to locally-produced goods,” he said.

“This has helped many countries to develop when they had issues of downturn in their economy. I believe that having over N3trn available to stimulate local production going on now.

“One of the things that we have done today is also trying to shorten the process of awarding contracts; this will go a long way in helping budget implementation.

“It would go a long way in ensuring that most of the funds are available as quickly as possible and jobs are actually completed. I want to commend my colleagues for passing this bill‎.”

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#SarakiTribunal



SARAKI CHALLENGES CCT BOSS’ THREAT ON TRIAL...Asks him to disqualify himself

The Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki has challenged the threat by the Code of Conduct Tribunal Chairman Mr. Danladi Yakubu Umar that the delay being allegedly employed in his trial on false asset declaration will not reduce the consequences that he (Saraki) will meet from the tribunal at the end of trial.

Saraki claimed that the threat by Umar in the open court was a clear indication that the tribunal had made up its mind to convict him at all cost in respective of the evidences at the trial.

The senate president has therefore asked the CCT chairman to step aside from further participation in the trial initiated against him by the Federal government.

In a fresh motion on notice brought pursuant to section 36 of the 1999 Constitution, Saraki insisted that the Tribunal Chairman was in a hurry to convict him without giving him a fair hearing and a fair opportunity to defend himself.

In the motion filed by lead his Counsel, Mr. Kanu Godwin Agabi (SAN), Saraki stated that the threat by CCT chairman was biased and cannot accord him a fair trial.

The motion predicated on eight grounds indicated that the threat of consequences issued by Umar has caused Saraki to lose confidence in the impartiality of the chairman and that he is no longer confidence that he can get justice from the tribunal if the chairman continues to participate in the hearing and determination of the case against him.

Part of the grounds of the motion was that the defendant (Saraki) has lost confidence in the ability of the tribunal chairman to conduct a fair trial and dispense justice according to law.
"The defendant is deeply worried and lives in perpetual fear since the statement was made by the chairman of the Tribunal and no longer believes that justice can be done in the trial".

Saraki denied the allegation by the Tribunal Chairman that his lawyers have been employing delay tactics to slow down or frustrate the trial.

In a - 26 paragraph supporting affidavit deposed to by one Olufemi Balogun in support of the motion, Saraki was said to be currently facing trial before the CCT on a 16 charge bordering on violation of the provisions of the Code of Conduct for public officers and that one witness Mr. Michael Wetkas called by the prosecution has given evidence and undergoing cross examination.

The affidavit claimed that on June 7, 2016 when the trial came up for continuation, one of Saraki's lawyers Mr. Paul Usoro (SAN), sought the leave of the tribunal to give a recap of the last proceeding on the last sitting and that the chairman in response openly accused the defense team of employing delay tactics in the following words.

"I am not happy at the delay by the defense counsel and I must say this thing out that this delay tactics will not reduce the consequences the defendant will meet in this tribunal at the end of the trial".

The affidavit also indicated that the statement of the chairman did not go down well with defence lead counsel Mr. Kanu Agabi (SAN), who immediately expressed worries about prejudice as evident from the statement threatening consequences even before all the evidence was in.

At the resumed trial yesterday Saraki counsel Mr. kanu Agabi (SAN) informed the tribunal of the pendency of the motion and the need for the tribunal to determine the motion first because of the fundamental issues it raised.
However, counsel to the federal Mr. Pius Akuta Ukeyima told the tribunal that the motion was not ripe for hearing. He urged the tribunal to proceed with continuation of trial.

Agabi (SAN), however objected to the continuation of the trial because of the fundamental issue raised in the motion prompting the chairman to adjourn hearing of the motion to June 21.

It will be recalled that on June 7, the tribunal chairman Mr. Danladi Umar had threatened Saraki in the open court that he would be made to face the consequences of the delay tactics being employed by his lawyers to delay the trial.

Umar said that he was not happy with the delay and that the defendant should be ready to face the consequences at the end of the trial because the delay tactics will not reduce the consequences that would be imposed on him.

CCT CHAIRMAN TO RULE TODAY ON MOTION OF CUSTOM BOSS ASKING HIM TO DISQUALIFY HIMSELF FOR RECEIVING BRIBE.

Disqualify yourself, ex-Customs boss tell CCT chairman - http://thenigerialawyer.com/disqualify-yourself-ex-customs-boss-tell-cct-chairman/

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE DISTINGUISHED SENATORS OF THE 8TH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA.

Dear Distinguished Senators,
Kindly accept my words of congratulations as you celebrate the first 365 days in office, following the inauguration of the leadership of the 8th National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Today, I celebrate with you as you celebrate the power of our democracy. This celebration is an eloquent testimony to the potency of our rule of law and amidst the prevailing crisis across our regions, I celebrate with you the strength of our unity as a nation. Please accept my congratulations.
Part of many lessons I have learnt from the 8th Assembly is that people can truly disagree without being disagreeable, that it is possible to compromise and still know certain principles that can never be compromised; and that as we listen to one another, we can assume the best in people, instead of the worst.

I understand and agree that we are in the midst of Crisis as a nation. I understand that our nation is at war against a network of violence and revenge. I understand how that might have weakened our economy, a consequence of our collective failure, as citizens, in the preparation of our nation for a new age. I do also understand how a considerable percentage of Nigerians have become homeless, jobless but certainly not hopeless. Things may be falling apart, but the center holds still. This is where our hopes as a nation rest. The strength of your unity as lawmakers is the strength of our nationhood. As legislators, I know you have not come this far to prove your strength just as politicians, nor to demonstrate your strength in struggling power with an individual, but because of your understanding of the enormity of the tasks ahead of us as nation. The understanding of where we were, where we are and where we hope to be in a nearest future - your understanding that despite your differences in political affiliations, regional dichotomy and religious background, you have collective responsibilities to the better days you promised Nigerians.

Distinguished Senators, I am not unaware that we are in a serious economic mess. The price of our oil projects against a drastic reduction in our productions and my country weeps of economic sabotage and a complicated environmental degradation. Let me reiterate that the unfortunate development in the Niger Delta region has tendencies of opening windows to external aggression in a competitive market environment we are now. I advocate a more diplomatic approach towards solving the Niger Delta militancy problems.
In this digital age, our economic needs a projection to compete at the global stages. It is a painful realization that we remain the architect of our misfortunes. Let the 8th NASS be the generation that reshapes the future of our economy to a sustainable standard. Give us an education system that value-driven, competence-based and self-reliance. Give us a platform where 'Aba' products are re-branded to meet up with he global demands and expectations and are proudly referred to as 'Nigeria made'. The home-based products have potentials to strengthen our economy as. Nation. That is part of your promises, your commitment and you efforts, don't let it be frustrated by circumstances.

Distinguished Senators, within this 365 days, you have proven to the whole world that the strength of our unity is embedded in our abilities to open our minds and understand our differences, rather than forgetting them. If in the spirit of collective aspirations, the 8th Assembly can be this united, I keep a living hope that the problems of Boko Haram in the Northeast, the Niger Delta Avengers in the South south, the Biafran struggle in the Southeast and the Herdsmen attacks across the country would soon be things of the past. So, I believe!
I believe that today, against our aspirations, the unity of our nation is under threats and Nigerian masses from the South, West, East and the North yearn for peace. It becomes pertinent to design a pivot on which our peaceful coexistence can rest. That is equity, fairness and justice. I have seen this as a prerogative of the 8th NASS. Please let this hope be kept alive. Your resolution to have peace at the National Assembly is not out of desires for personal gains, I agree you have passed through times of uproar and disagreement, all your engagements to achieve the unity is what stand you out as 'Men of Honor'. You earned peace and unity today because you respect equity and fairness, because you respect individualism and collectivism. You believe and uphold the principles that all ''animals'' are equal and that no group of ''animals'' are equal than the others. I salute this leadership prowess and sacrifices.

Distinguished Senators, this letter is a call to a reaffirmation of the core values of the 8th Assembly. A call to reestablish how you need to continue in measuring up to the legacies of the 7th Assembly as a promise to the future of our nation.
This is the time to uphold tour resistance to the temptations of falling back on partisanship and pettiness that have, for decades now, poisoned our politics and political ideologies. The time to keep to the values you all share as lawmakers - the values of self-reliance, individual liberty and national unity. The value that an Ibo man is equal in rights to an Hausa man; and that a Yoruba man is not superior to an Ijaw or Fulani man, a value that advocates personal freedom to self-determination.
I congratulate Dr. Abubakar Bulola Saraki, the President of the Senate, the Senate President and the Chairman of the 8th National Assembly.
God bless Nigeria.
God bless PMB.
God bless the 8th NASS.

OLAYINKA S. IBRAHIM.
The Director of Projects and Empowerment. Constituency Office of the Senate President, Ilorin.

#Ramadan: Dr. Akodere Provides Succour to SUBEB Teachers

In the face of backlog salaries owed the SUBEB teachers and LG workers by their Council Chairmen, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communication to the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Dr. Muyideen Femi Akorede has identified thirtynine (39) Primary School Teachers in his Ward, Ojomu North-North West, Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State.

In the spirit of Ramadan, the SSA, Dr.  Akorede distributed bags of Semo and cash donations to the identified teachers in his ward.

Aside the gestures towards the unpaid Local Government workers, the SSA also embarked on general empowerment to his people who are neither SUBEB teachers nor LG workers.

This act isn't only timely but rewarding before Allah in many folds, more so in the Holy Month of Ramadan.

Many thanks to Dr. Akorede as we urge other well to do in our society to emulate this good gesture rather than engaging in public display of wealth that is not rewarding but punishable before our God.

May God Almighty accept this act of the SSA as an act of Ibadah...Amin

Watch replay of live interview granted by Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki with questions from his facebook followers, which was also streamed on www.ngrsenate.tv


https://www.facebook.com/bukola.saraki/videos/10154325899459962/

Governor Ahmed Eyes Major Investment Deals on China Trip

Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, has arrived Ningbo, East China, on an investment drive during which he is expected to sign major agreements with investors.

Already, Governor Ahmed has held talks with key investors in textile, agribusiness, and allied business and is expected to sign a multimillion dollar deal for the establishment of a major industry in the state.

As part of the visit, Governor Ahmed attended the 2nd China-CEEC Investment and Trade Expo in Ningbo on Thursday. The Expo which pulled participants from China, Europe, Asia and Africa, saw Governor Ahmed hold exploratory discussions on medical diagnostic equipment, aviation training aircraft and tools for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises.

Governor Ahmed is expected to meet Chineses officials and investors on Friday during which investment agreements will be signed.

Dr. Muyideen Akorede
Senior Special Assistant(Media and Communications) to the Governor