HOUSE OF REPS REJECTS CFR HONOUR AWARD ON SPEAKER, DEMANDS GCON, SAYS WE’RE NOT INFERIOR TO SENATORS
HOUSE OF REPS REJECTS CFR HONOUR AWARD ON SPEAKER, DEMANDS GCON, SAYS WE’RE NOT INFERIOR TO SENATORS The House of Representatives has rejected the planned conferment of the Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) on Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the green chamber. During plenary on Wednesday, the house said it is unacceptable for Tinubu to confer the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) on Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), while reserving CFR for Abbas. The house passed the resolution following the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Philip Agbese, lawmaker from Benue. In his Independence Day speech, Tinubu said Akpabio and Kekere-Ekun will be conferred with the GCON, while Abbas and Barau Jibrin, deputy president of the senate, will get CFR. The president also said Ben Kalu, deputy speaker of the house of representatives, will receive the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON). Tinubu did not disclose the date for the conferments. No speaker has been conferred with the GCON in the history of the national honours. ‘IT’S DISCRIMINATORY’ While moving the motion, Agbese said the National Assembly is constitutionally established as a bicameral legislature comprising two equal chambers — the Senate and the House of Representatives. The lawmaker said it is discriminatory for the Senate President to be conferred with a higher national honour than the Speaker. “There is an ongoing and inappropriate culture of discrimination against the House of Representatives, often portrayed as inferior to the Senate, through language that consistently refers to the Senate as the ‘upper chamber’ and the House of Representatives as a ‘lower chamber’. This terminology misrepresents the legal status of both chambers and diminishes the house’s standing,” the legislator said. “We note that the conferment of the title of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) on the presideynt of the Senate and the conferment of the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) on the Speaker of the house of Representatives and Deputy President of the Senate, perpetuates the inappropriate subordination of the Speaker to the President of the Senate. “The Chief Justice of Nigeria, who is lower in protocol ranking than the speaiker of the House of Representatives, was also awarded the title of GCON, further exemplifying this culture of discrimination against the leadership of the house. “The constitution, in promoting a balanced and equal bicameral legislature, clearly provides that bills passed by one chamber must be concurred with by the other in the same form for them to become law, thus affirming the equal status of both chambers as essential components of the legislative process. “While the constitution assigns specific responsibilities to the Senate, such as confirming certain presidential appointments, it implies greater authority for the House of Representatives over appropriations and the power of the purse “These distinct roles are designed to maintain a system of checks and balances within the legislative arm rather than establishing the superiority of one chamber over the other.” THE DEBATE Contributing to the motion, Sada Soli from Katsina, said some Nigerians who never occupied elective office or occupied the seat of the speakeir — Aliko Dangote, founder of the Dangote group; and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) — were honoured with the GCON. Babajimi Benson from Lagos said the motion calling for the Speaker to be honoured with GCON is “putting democracy right”. “Injustice to one is injustice to all. This injustice has gone on for too long,” Benson said. Oboku Oforji from Bayelsa said it “gives us heartbreak that the Speaker is honoured with CFR while CJN is honoured with GCON”. The motion was adopted when it was put to a…
Dons Eze
- Foreign Affairs
- October 2, 2024
- 50 views
NIGERIANS RECEIVED THE MOST US GREEN CARDS IN AFRICA IN 2023
NIGERIANS RECEIVED THE MOST US GREEN CARDS IN AFRICA IN 2023 Nigerians received the most US green cards on the African continent in 2023, according to data from the Department of Homeland Security. US immigration law defines a lawful permanent resident (LPR) or “green card” holder as a foreign national who has been granted the status of residing permanently in the country. LPRs may apply to become US citizens if they meet certain additional eligibility requirements. According to the 2023 lawful permanent residents annual flow report released by the Office of Homeland Security Statistics (OHSS) in September, nearly 1,173,000 persons were granted green cards last year. The report said majority of the new LPRs (52 percent) were already present in the US when they were granted lawful permanent resident status. About 64 percent were granted LPR status based on a family relationship with a U.S. citizen or current LPR,” the report said. The leading countries of new LPRs by birth were Mexico, Cuba, and India. The report said 418,930 of the total new green card holders were Africans (35.7 percent). Of the 20 countries featured on the list of the most granted green card permits, Nigeria ranked 15 and was the only African nation that made the cut. California was the most preferred state of residence for immigrants with 205,040 arrivals, the report showed. Florida ranked second while New York, Texas, and New Jersey were third, fourth, and fifth respectively. The median age for new LPRs was 35 years. “New LPR’s who were 65 years of age and older increased 62 percent from 2022,” the report added. Females were also the most granted green card permit gender, while married applicants received the most in terms of marital status. According to the US Census Bureau, 13.7 percent of the US population is Black or African American
WHY WE DEPLOYED OUR MEN AT RIVERS STATE ELECTORAL COMMISSION OFFICE – POLICE
WHY WE DEPLOYED OUR MEN AT RIVERS STATE ELECTORAL COMMISSION OFFICE – POLICEThe Rivers Police Command on Tuesday denied sealing the office headquarters of Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission in Port HarcourtSpokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, made the clarification in reaction to publication by some online platforms that the office of RSIEC was sealed by the police.According to Iringe-Koko, the police officers seen at the RSIEC office were deployed to the place on the directive of the Commissioner of Police to protect the facility against any attack during the ongoing nationwide protest.She further advised journalists to always verify their facts before publication.SP Koko also revealed that there is no iota of truth in the allegation published in some social media platforms that the police assaulted and beat up some protesters.Meanwhile, the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared that it is in total support of the conduct of the local government elections in Rivers State on October 5, 2024.The party has also stated that it is participating in the elections, and has, indeed, submitted the names of its candidates for the various positions.The party made its position known in a letter to the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), INEC headquarters, Abuja, titled, ‘Re: Position of the Rivers State All Progressives Congress (APC) on the forthcoming Local Government Election in Rivers State vis-a-vis the judgement in suit no. FHC/ ABJ/987/2024.”A statement signed by Chairman, APC Rivers State, Chief Emeka Beke, and State Secretary, APC Rivers State, Hon. Sam Sam Etetegwung, in Port Harcourt, on Tuesday, recalled that following an attempt by some members of the National Working Committee of the APC to displace the duly elected State Executive Committee of the party in Rivers State by purporting to have dissolved the executive committee and replaced same with a caretaker committee led by one Chief Tony Okocha, the elected State Executive Committee approached the High Court of Rivers State in suit no. PHC/3592/CS/2023 (between Sam Sam Etetegwung and Abdullahi Ganduje & Ors), and suit no. PCH/3735/CS/2023 (between Chief Barnax Ezeboy Enyi & Ors and All Progressives Congress & Ors).The statement noted that in a judgment, the High Court of Rivers State presided by Hon. Justice S. H. Aprioku affirmed the validity and subsistence of the Beke-led executive committee until 2025.It further added that the court also set aside the purported caretaker committee of Chief Tony Okocha, and declared that the duly elected State Executive Committee (as led by Chief Emeka Beke) is the authentic leadership of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State.The statement also stated that the party was aware that the Federal High Court presided by Hon. Justice Peter Lifu delivered a judgment in suit no. PHC/ABJ/ CS/987/2024.It further stated that it is equally aware that on the 4th day of September, 2024, the High Court of Rivers State presided by Hon Justice I. P. C. Igwe in suit no. PHC/2696/ CS/2024 between Action Peoples Party (APP) and Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission had given a judgment compelling the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to proceed with the local government election scheduled for 5th October, 2024 or any other date of its choice.It noted that the judgment, being first-in-time to the latter judgment in FHC/ABJ/CS/987/2024, takes precedence, cognisance of the fact that when two equities are equal, the first in time prevails.According to the statement: “We, however, hereby notify you that Chief Tony Okocha, who filed that suit purportedly as ‘Chairman, Caretaker Committee’ of the All Progressives Congress, Rivers State chapter, is an impostor and totally unknown to the Rivers chapter of the All Progressives Congress. He is neither the chairman nor is he a leader in any capacity whatsoever.“He (Chief Tony…
NIGERIA NEEDS INDEPENDENCE FROM STATE CAPTURE – PETER OBI
NIGERIA NEEDS INDEPENDENCE FROM STATE CAPTURE – PETER OBI Presidential Candidate of Labour Party in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians to seek a true independent nation free from state capture and end the unprecedented hardship and suffering. He made the call on Tuesday on his social media handle as Nigeria marked its 64th independence anniversary from British colonialism on October 1, 1960. He said an anniversary celebration, whether for an individual or a country, offer opportunities to reflect on memories, celebrate accomplishments, look toward the future, and express gratitude. “This is exactly what we are doing today as our dear nation marks its 64th independence anniversary.” “It is now 64 years since Nigeria took charge of its destiny and embarked on the journey toward development as a sovereign nation. Today is a day to appreciate God for abundantly blessing us with natural, human, and material resources to build a great nation,” he said. Obi said, however, for him, this should also be a day of sober reflection for every Nigerian, especially for the leaders, whose actions and inactions have contributed to the stagnation and glaring failures we are witnessing at present. He said, “As the saying goes, an unexamined life is not worth living. We must, therefore, examine ourselves in the light of our nation’s journey over the past six decades. Have we lifted our people out of poverty, or have we driven more into it? Have we made education accessible to every Nigerian child, or have we allowed an army of over 18 million out-of-school children to roam the streets? Have we built a productive economy, or have we created a nation with the worst debt profile in its history? “By every measure of development, from the critical areas to the smallest aspects, we are underperforming. We rank poorly in security and peacefulness, making us one of the most insecure nations globally.” Obi said Nigeria is also ranked among the most corrupt countries, and is noted for disregard for the rule of law, thus making the nation to continue its dangerous dance on the edge of a precipice. “When we compare ourselves to countries that gained independence around the same time—before or after us—Nigeria stands out as a nation in decline, urgently in need of rescue from further decay. “On this day, therefore, we must make a solemn commitment to build a nation that is truly independent from the state capture that has dragged it into failure and kept its people in suffering. “We must create a nation free from tribal disunity and religious disharmony. We must build a New and Productive Nigeria that prioritizes the well-being of its citizens,” Obi said.
- Foreign Affairs
- October 1, 2024
- 72 views
FORMER US PRESIDENT, JIMMY CARTER, CLOCKS 100 YEARS TODAY, SHARES BIRTHDAY WITH NIGERIA
FORMER US PRESIDENT, JIMMY CARTER, CLOCKS 100 YEARS TODAY, SHARES BIRTHDAY WITH NIGERIA James Earl Carter Jr. (born October 1, 1924) is an American politician and humanitarian who served as the 39th President of the United States from 1977 to 1981. Today, October 1st 2024; President Jimmy Carter sets a new record on October 1, his birthday, when he will become the first American President to reach triple digits age (100) years old. President Carter came to Nigeria in 1978 to become the First American leader ever to make an official state visit to black Africa. He was greeted upon his arrival from Brazil at Murtala Muhammed international airport by Nigeria’s head of state, Lt Gen Olusegun Obasanjo and then driven immediately to State House on the Marina of Lagos Island where he and other top officials of his party are to stay during their three-day visit. The only other American President to pass through black Africa was Franklin D. Roosevelt who landed at Roberts Field in Monrovia, Liberia, en route home from the Cairo Conference in 1943. He stayed only a few hours, however, and did not pay and official visit. One significant thing is that every Head of State from 1960 till 1983 once used this Nigeria Army Land Rover NA 522 for ceremonial events.
IT’S TIME TO COLLAPSE WIKE’S STRUCTURE IN RIVERS – FUBARA
IT’S TIME TO COLLAPSE WIKE’S STRUCTURE IN RIVERS – FUBARA In response to former Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike’s assertion that his political structure should remain untouched, his successor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, announced that the upcoming Local Government election on October 5, 2024, will provide Rivers residents with a chance to experience the emergence of a new political structure that they can claim as their own. The Governor made this statement during a solidarity visit from leaders and members of The Simplicity Movement, headed by High Chief Sobomabo Jackrich, at the gates of Government House in Port Harcourt on Monday. High Chief Jackrich, widely recognized as Egberipapa, served as the governorship candidate for the National Rescue Movement (NRM) during the 2023 election in Rivers State. Governor Fubara, in putting the records straight, said he hardly comes out to receive people on solidarity visit to him but had to personally receive this group in order to show respect to the leadership of The Simplicity Movement. He explained that the group and its leadership are people who have on their volition decided to gather together, and publicly declare their support to his administration. He said, “You know at this time, people are paying people money but we don’t do it. People come out on their own to show support to us. Knowing the calibre of the founder of this group, knowing the role he has played with other people, and him choosing to be part of the success of our administration, I said I was going to honour him by coming to address you.” Governor Fubara commended the group for their decision to identify with his administration, and enjoined them to remain firm in their commitment as they synergise efforts at defending and protecting the interest of Rivers State at all times. Specifically, Governor Fubara said: “We must defend the dignity of our State. We must ensure that the commonwealth of this State belongs to everyone. That is why our slogan is ‘Rivers First’. Because we believe that if we take Rivers first, there won’t be crime. If we take Rivers first, there won’t be hunger. If we take Rivers first, there will be employment.” Governor Fubara told them that the journey of liberating the State had begun, adding that the forthcoming Local Government Election will be another opportunity for Rivers people to witness the rebirth of truly new (political) structure. He urged them to freely participate in the election since it will be a very important ingredient that will help his administration to chart the second phase of the struggle. He added, “Our journey is just starting. We are preparing for election on the 5th of October. I want you to participate actively in that election. “That election is going to be the turnaround. That election is the rebirth of a new and strong structure that doesn’t belong to anybody; and you can see that that is why they are running everywhere to stop it.” “What is structure? Structure is ownership: the one who controls the LGA; the one who controls the resources; the one who gives employment to our local people; the one who shares the State and the local government resources among its people. And that is what I want this government to stand for (and defend in the interest of the people).” Governor Fubara pointed to the need for them to continue to maintain the peace that he had always preached all the time. In his speech, leader and founder of the Simplicity Movement, High Chief Sobomabo Jackrich said, having inaugurated the Movement, they decided to undertake the solidarity visit to publicly declare their support to Governor Fubara, who has demonstrated determination to restore the dignity of the State.
PRESIDENT TINUBU ANNOUNCES 30-DAY NATIONAL YOUTH CONFERENCE
PRESIDENT TINUBU ANNOUNCES 30-DAY NATIONAL YOUTH CONFERENCE President Bola Tinubu has announced a 30-day confab for Nigerian youths to discuss challenges confronting them. Tinubu made this announcement on Tuesday during his 64th Independence Day Anniversary Broadcast. He said in a bid to bequeath a worthy future to the youths, the government cannot do it without making them its architects. “Considering this, I am pleased to announce the gathering of a National Youth Conference. This conference will be a platform to address the diverse challenges and opportunities confronting our young people, who constitute more than 60 per cent of our population. It will provoke meaningful dialogue and empower our young people to participate actively in nation-building. By ensuring that their voices are heard in shaping the policies that impact their lives, we are creating a pathway for a brighter tomorrow. The 30-day Confab will unite young people nationwide to collaboratively develop solutions to issues such as education, employment, innovation, security, and social justice. Through this confab, it will be our job as leaders to ensure that their aspirations are at the heart of the conference’s deliberations. The government will thoroughly consider and implement the recommendations and outcomes from this forum as we remain resolute in our mission to build a more inclusive, prosperous, and united Nigeria,” the president said.
WE’RE HUNGRY, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH: NIGERIANS CHANTED AS THEY BEGIN PROTEST IN ABUJA
WE’RE HUNGRY, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH: NIGERIANS CHANTED AS THEY BEGIN PROTEST IN ABUJA Thousands of Nigerians in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on Tuesday morning joined the #FearlessInOctober protest against hardships and poverty that the President Bola Tinubu-led administration has unleashed on them. The protesters chanted “We are hungry” as they marched on the roads. Some of the banners they displayed are; “Bad Governance has ended the dreams of Nigerian youths, end it now” “Enough is Enough – Revolution Now.” “We are buying fuel N1000 and you expect us not to come out and protest. What are we saying – we are hungry,” one of the protesters said. Human rights activist and convener of #RevolutionNow Movement, Comrade Omoyele Sowore, had invited Nigerians across the country to join him in the October 1st protest against hardships, privations, hunger, unemployment, insecurity, and poverty that the President Bola Tinubu-led administration has unleashed on Nigerians. Sowore, who made the call in a post on Monday evening, vowed that he could not be silent or indifferent, in the face of the sufferings and privations that the Nigerian people are going through, noting that he will be on the streets of Nigeria to join with other Nigerians in protesting the hardships. According to him, protests or revolts are the only tool that a people have to voice their opposition to the anti-people policies of their government, adding that it is a right that is enshrined in everyone’s gene. Reminding Nigerians that he has spent five of the last 6 years either in prison, detention, or confinement by the All Progressives Congresss-led government, under trumped up treason charges that they were forced to withdraw, Sowore vowed that he will not relent until “our point- by-point by demands are met”.
ATIKU SEEKS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT FOR SIX-YEAR SINGLE TERM PRESIDENCY
ATIKU SEEKS CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT FOR SIX-YEAR SINGLE TERM PRESIDENCY A former Vice President and the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2023 general elections, Atiku Abubakar, has written to the National Assembly, requesting an amendment to the Constitution to allow for a six-year single term for the President and state governors. In a memorandum to the Senate Committee on Constitutional Review, Atiku also proposed that the presidency be rotated between the North and South. It is noteworthy that during Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s presidency, he advocated for a six-year single term for the presidential seat. What Atiku Told Obasanjo In His New Message To HimFollowing the 2023 general elections, Atiku has continued to support this tenure proposal. He stated, “The office of the President shall rotate among the six geopolitical zones of the federation on a single term of six years, flowing between the North and South on the single term of six years respectively.” Atiku urged the National Assembly to “amend Section 135(2) to read: ‘Subject to the provisions of subsection (1), the President shall vacate his office at the expiration of a period of six years.’” Additionally, he proposed the “substitution of an aspirant” in Section 285(14)(a) with “a voter.” The former Vice President also suggested that the minimum educational qualification for a person to run for election should be the Ordinary National Diploma instead of the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination. He proposed an amendment to Section 65(2)(a) to read: “He has been educated up to at least Ordinary National Diploma in any recognised academic institution.” Furthermore, he recommended the insertion of a paragraph in Section 65(2)(a)(i) to read: “Evidence of certificates of all educational qualifications of a candidate shall be submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission or an affidavit by the candidate in the event of loss of his/her educational certificates, qualifications obtained, and dates, stating the schools attended.” Atiku also advocated for political parties to have more power in the candidate selection process. He proposed an “amendment to Section 65(2)(b) to read: ‘He is a member of a political party whose name is in the register to be made available by his political party to the Independent National Electoral Commission 30 days before the conduct of the political party’s primary and he is sponsored by that party.’”
FUBARA REACTS TO WIKE’S BOASTFULNESS, SAYS ONLY EMPTY CONTAINER MAKES A NOISE
FUBARA REACTS TO WIKE’S BOASTFULNESS, SAYS ONLY EMPTY CONTAINER MAKES A NOISE Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has revealed that God has left his traducers, saying that is why they keep falling and will continue to fail in their evil agenda.Fubara, who stated that he doesn’t need anybody to stand with him once he is doing the right thing, denied the allegation by his predecessor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Nyesom Wike, that there was a state-sponsored attempt to bomb the venue of the grand civic reception by Rivers Ijaw People’s Council, at Rainbow Town, in Port Harcourt on Saturday in his honour.Wike had boasted that all his political enemies put together could not fight him, maintaining that he was too big for that.Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had declared their support for Governor Fubara following the protracted political struggle between the governor and Wike.Wike during the event lampooned the PDP governors, saying, “These people that are going to television to attack me, where were they when we made an Ijaw governor? Nobody is fighting me. I am too big – far too big for anybody to fight. All these people put together cannot fight me.“Let nobody threaten anybody; all those threats are empty. Soon we will know who is relevant.”But in what appeared as a response to Wike’s vituperation, Governor unequivocally stated, “I make bold to say it, there is no security agency in this state that I have called any day to go and do something wrong. I have never. I don’t have a need for it. But I know what they do, and they keep failing because God has left them.”Speaking during the Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service organised as part of activities to mark the 64th Independence Day Celebration of Nigeria at St. Paul’s Cathedral of the Anglican Communion at Garrison Junction in Port Harcourt on Sunday, he told the congregation: “As a matter of fact, I belong to that school of thought that if I am the only person that needs to stand on that side of right, I will stand there.“I don’t need anybody to stand with me. I cannot give my kidney or liver to anybody, I won’t. If that is the only reason for me to be loyal, I will not be. But I will not do the wrong thing. I will stand for the side of right.“They even say they don’t know what we are doing. Let me remind them, it is Fubara that signed the paper to borrow from Zenith Bank the N200 billion for the construction of the Port Harcourt Ring Road. So, it is my project. It is Fubara that awarded the Trans-Kalabari Road that they couldn’t do.“They did only a bridge from Krakrama, but I am the one doing it: the complete span, and it is N225 billion. I didn’t borrow.“It is this same Fubara that is building a General Hospital, which I also included a Psychiatric Hospital because they will need it very soon.“So, tell them that what I did in one year is what they did in 8 years. It is only empty container that makes noise. If God has given you opportunity, eat your plantain and keep quiet. God will continue to give us the strength to do the best for our people, without fear.”He added, “Very soon, you will see what we are doing. It is not about doing roads to your business interest. I don’t have any business interest. Whatever I am doing, I am doing it for the people of Rivers State. We will not take any decision that we cannot defend. We won’t be part of anything that will bring any form of…