Home Blog Page 28

N37bn National Assembly Renovation Fails To Resolve System Defects

coic
-
0
N37bn National Assembly Renovation Fails To Resolve System Defects

More than two years after lawmakers returned to chambers renovated at a reported cost of N37 billion, the National Assembly is still grappling with malfunctioning electronic voting equipment and faulty microphones, raising fresh questions about the value of the refurbishment.

Between April 2022 and April 2024, the Senate and House of Representatives chambers were vacated due to renovation works at the National Assembly complex.

Former President Muhammadu Buhari first approved the project in 2019 and it was criticised for its cost before being completed in phases.

Despite extensive rehabilitation, lawmakers have reported recurrent technical problems affecting the plenary sessions.

The main problem has been the malfunction of the electronic voting system, which has forced both chambers to resort to manual voting when considering major constitutional amendments.

On June 11, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas told members of parliament that the electronic voting system could not be used in deliberations on the state police bill.

“The electronic voting system is not working at the moment so we are going to do a head count,” Abbas said before members voted manually.
The Senate also ditched electronic voting on June 24 when its voting machine reportedly malfunctioned while considering the same constitutional amendment.

Meanwhile the problems with faulty microphones have continued to plague proceedings beyond the voting system.

Before the debate on the state police proposal could continue, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu was seen making several attempts to fix a broken microphone when the debate began.

A number of legislators have also had to change seats and use working microphones at other members’ desks during debates.

Journalists reporting from the public gallery on the plenary have also complained about the poor quality of the sound, saying that debates are often hard to follow because speakers are inaudible.

In 2024, lawmakers returned, and worries about the renovated chambers emerged.

In that year, Senator Ali Ndume had during plenary criticised the facilities, saying the Senate chamber looked more like a conference room than a modern legislative chamber.

“There is no voting machine here. “If we are to vote electronically, the facilities are not there but we had that before,” Ndume said at the time.

Reacting, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the contract for the renovation was awarded in the last National Assembly under the leadership of former Senate President Ahmad Lawan.

The breakdown of the electronic voting system has also revived discussions on the parliamentary voting procedures, particularly on constitutional amendments that require support from at least two-thirds of lawmakers.

Iya Alakara: Nigerians React to Tinubu’s Media Posts AI Picture of First Lady selling Akara

coic
-
0
Iya Alakara: Nigerians React to Tinubu’s Media Posts AI Picture of First Lady selling Akara

The President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Media Centre has posted an AI-generated image of Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, frying and selling akara, only days after her statements about small businesses sparked considerable outrage on social media.

The photograph, shared on the Presidency’s official social media pages on Friday, depicted the First Lady at a roadside akara stand, wearing an apron with the statement, “Iya Alakara, fueling the nation with love.”

The tweet was believed to follow remarks made by the First Lady during an interview, in which she stated that micro-enterprises such as frying akara, roasting corn, and producing kuli kuli required minimal capital to begin.

Oluremi Tinubu stated that the Federal Government was assisting such projects with grants rather than loans as part of its efforts to improve livelihoods and promote small businesses.

“We’re trying to give optimism, and starting an akara business does not cost a lot of money. To begin roasting maize, or as one person put it, kuli kuli, does not require much. “We didn’t give them a loan; we gave them a grant,” she explained.

Her remarks, however, elicited conflicting reactions from Nigerians, particularly on social media.

While some critics accused the First Lady of being insensitive to the terrible economic realities that many citizens face, others praised her, claiming that she was only directing attention to small companies that anybody could start with modest funding.

The President’s choice to release the AI-generated image has fueled the dispute.

Supporters of the tweet described it as a lighthearted response to criticism, as well as an attempt to reinforce the First Lady’s message of entrepreneurship and self-reliance.

Others, however, criticized the image, claiming that it trivialized the economic suffering that many Nigerians are experiencing, particularly at a time when growing living costs have made survival difficult for households and small business owners.

The debate comes amid ongoing public discussions about poverty, unemployment, food inflation, and the impact of government economic changes on ordinary Nigerians.

Many critics questioned whether government officials properly comprehended the magnitude of residents’ hardships, rather than whether small enterprises could support families.

The following are some reactions to the AI image of the First Lady selling Akara.

Osun Governorship Poll: IGP Expresses Concern Over Spate Of Killings

coic
-
0
Osun Governorship Poll: IGP Expresses Concern Over Spate Of Killings

Osun State: No fewer than 20 people have allegedly been killed in the past few months, the Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, disclosed on Friday during a visit to Osun State, as fears of possible violence loom large ahead of the governorship election in the state.

Speaking at a meeting at the Osun State Police Command headquarters in Osogbo, Disu cautioned political actors against turning the electoral process into a violent confrontation.

The police chief told residents and political stakeholders that adequate security arrangements would be put in place to guarantee a peaceful election.

He said he had discussions with Governor Ademola Adeleke during the visit and was briefed in details by the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan.

“According to my records, over the course of a number of months, more than 20 people have been killed. “We are preparing for an election, not a war,” Disu said.

He said security agencies received several allegations and complaints involving members of different political parties in the state.

The IGP also disclosed that the commissioner of police had informed him that some suspects were being protected in the Government House, a development he described as disturbing.

“I raised the issue at my meeting with the governor and he said in clear terms that even if it is his own child that is involved in criminal activities such a person must be arrested,” Disu said, adding that senior police officers, including the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the zone, were present at the meeting.

“Full weight of the law will be meted on anybody who engages in acts of violence or killings, criminal activities will not be tolerated,” the police boss warned.

“You can’t kill somebody else and think you’re going to walk around free. “That is why I came down from Abuja in person to address this matter,” he said.

Disu again emphasized that the police would ensure a secure environment for political campaigns and the election, and highlighted the importance of maintaining peaceful democratic activities.

We will make sure all parties can campaign freely and safely. But to those who are plotting violence, know that it will not be business as usual. He added: “Human life is sacred and no one has the right to take it.

Meanwhile in a video of the IGP and Governor Adeleke meeting, the governor maintained his administration was still committed to peace and stability in the state.

ADELEKE reportedly also said that he had no problem arresting any body found to be involved in criminal activities.

The development is coming on the heels of the rising political tension in the state following the calls by the Imole Campaign Council, which coordinates Adeleke’s re-election campaign, for the redeployment of the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, over allegations of bias and partisanship.

INEC Announces Extension Of Continuous Voter Registration Ahead Of 2027 Polls

coic
-
0
INEC Announces Extension Of Continuous Voter Registration Ahead Of 2027 Polls

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the nationwide Continuous Voter Registration, CVR, exercise by two weeks It also introduced a new online self-service registration portal for first-time voters.

The Commission issued the statement on Friday.

The CVR which began on 18th August 2025 and was scheduled to end on Friday, 10th July 2026, will now run until Friday, 24th July 2026.

The statement said the extension was informed by a review of the exercise and feedback from INEC state offices, political parties, civil society organisations and other stakeholders.

The commission said the extra time is to give more Nigerians who are eligible but yet to register a fair chance to be included in the Register of Voters ahead of future elections.

From Wednesday 8th July 2026, INEC will introduce a fully online self-service registration option for eligible first-time voters on the new self-service online registration.

It said the service would be available on the Commission’s dedicated portal: cvr.inecnigeria.org. According “With the new system, eligible citizens will be able to complete their voter registration, including biometric capture, using their personal devices from anywhere, without visiting an INEC office,” INEC said.

The platform employs robust identity verification, biometric validation and backend checks to uphold the integrity of the National Register of Voters.

The statement read, “The extension underscores the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that every eligible Nigerian has a fair and reasonable opportunity to be included in the Register of Voters.”

INEC also appealed to all eligible citizens who have not registered to take advantage of the extension as well as the new digital option.

It added: “The Commission remains committed to a credible, inclusive and accessible voter registration process, and to the advancement of the use of technology to improve the citizens’ experience in the electoral process.

Orji Uzor Kalu Claims Opposition Lacks Strength To Unseat Tinubu In 2027

coic
-
0
Orji Uzor Kalu Claims Opposition Lacks Strength To Unseat Tinubu In 2027

The Abia North Senator, Orji Uzor Kalu has said that President Bola Tinubu has no serious challenger ahead of the 2027 presidential election, saying opposition parties lack the capacity to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress.

It was gathered that Kalu addressed his constituents in his hometown, Igbere, in the Bende Local Government Area of Abia State during a meeting with stakeholders of his political groups, the OUK Movement and Reality Organisation, and members of the APC in the state.

The former Abia State governor said the opposition parties are still divided, unable to solve their internal crises before the general election.

“I can tell you that just as President Tinubu has no competitor in 2027, APC as a party has no challenge. “The opposition in the country is in shambles, they are yet to put their houses in order, they do not have the capacity to challenge APC,” Kalu said.

The lawmaker also supported the economic policies of the Tinubu administration, calling the President a determined leader prepared to make difficult choices in the interest of the country.

“Tinubu is what a good leader should be, he is not afraid of making decision. “He is making tough decisions for the interest of the country,” he said.

Kalu said the administration’s economic policies had not yet yielded all the desired results but that progress was being made.

“We may not have gotten where we ought to be with the President’s economic policies, but we are getting there. “We are still struggling with the micro economy but the macro economy is doing well,” he added.

On his representation of Abia North in the Senate, Kalu said he remained accountable to his constituents and would leave office anytime they withdrew their mandate.

He said that no senatorial district in the country had surpassed Abia North in terms of attracting Federal Government projects.

He said his representation had also helped in the rehabilitation of several roads, reconstruction of schools and distribution of uniforms and text books to pupils in the constituency.

Kalu was confident of making it back to the Senate and insisted that the APC was firmly rooted in Abia State.

He predicted that Tinubu will win the state in 2027 presidential election.

But the former governor advised the APC leadership in Abia to conduct the party’s affairs with maturity, justice and fairness to avoid the emergence of factions.

In a statement, he said APC members were invited to the stakeholders’ meeting as part of the efforts to promote unity and strengthen the party ahead of the elections.

A former aspirant for governorship in the state on the platform of the APC, Mascot Uzor Kalu, urged party faithful to unite and work for victory in 2027.

Mascot said he withdrew from the party’s governorship primary conducted last month in the interest of unity and peace of the APC.

He charged party members to support Tinubu’s re-election and vote for all APC candidates in Abia State in the 2027 general elections.

Other speakers at the meeting included George Nnanna Kalu and Uche Ogboso who commended Senator Kalu for what they described as quality representation and promised to support his re-election.

 

Father Seeks Death Sentence For Killers During Burial Of Abia Nursing Student

coic
-
0
Father Seeks Death Sentence For Killers During Burial Of Abia Nursing Student

The body of the slain student of School of Nursing Umuologho Obowo, Miss Wendy Achumba was buried on Friday at her father’s compound in Umuokohia, Obingwa LGA of Abia State.

On May 21, 2026, Miss Achumba was allegedly raped and murdered at her lodge in Umuologho after she allegedly rejected romantic advances from an indigene of the community.

The father of the victim, Mr Jerry Achumba, at the interment, appealed to Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, security agencies and the Nigerian judiciary to ensure that anyone found responsible for his daughter’s murder is sentenced to death.

Achumba, who lamented that his slain daughter was abused and murdered in cold blood, said that his family’s ultimate demand is the those who murdered Miss Wendy be tried and sentenced to death, according to law.

“My family will not rest until the person that killed her is tried convicted and executed; my daughter must get justice.
“Say not because she is laid away it is ended. No, it hasn’t ended,” said the bereaved father.

 

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, during the burial speech, assured the bereaved family that his administration will pursue justice against anyone involved in the murder.

The Governor, Otti, who was represented by his Special Assistant on Students Affairs, Chinedu Nwosu, said the state government would not allow an Abia citizen to be killed in such brutal manner.

The government of Abia State will not sit back and watch as our people are subjected to violence. A promising future and a life brimming with talent have been brutally cut short.

“We also reaffirm the commitment of the state government to continue to support the family throughout this judicial journey until justice is fully served,” Governor Otti said.

Students of School of Nursing, Umuologho Obowo in their large numbers attended the burial, weeping profusely as the body of their former colleague was interred during the event.

Court Hears Emefiele Was Aware Of Alleged $6.2 Million Fraudulent Withdrawal

coic
-
0
Court Hears Emefiele Was Aware Of Alleged $6.2 Million Fraudulent Withdrawal

One of the special dollar accounts of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had a negative balance of N2.858bn after the alleged fraudulent withdrawal of $6.2m from the apex bank, a prosecution witness, Jim Obazee, told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja on Friday.

Obazee, who appeared as the 15th prosecution witness, testified in the trial of former CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele before Justice Hamza Muazu.

Emefiele is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on an amended 20-count charge of alleged conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, forgery, obtaining by false pretence and conferment of corrupt advantages to the tune of $6.23m.

The money, according to Obazee, who was led in evidence by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), was allegedly released from the CBN Abuja branch on February 3, 2023, as funds meant for foreign election observer logistics during the 2023 general election.

He said the withdrawal was made without naira cover as required for dollar transactions which had pushed the account into a negative balance of N2,858,150,196.42.

He said the development should have been noticed by Emefiele and the bank’s chief accounting officer.

“You can’t leave the bank until you balance the account,” he said.

The witness said the transaction did not leave the bank with proper documentation for the receiving officer.

There was no evidence, Obazee told the court, that the funds got to foreign election observers or had any economic benefit for the Federal Government or the CBN.

“The money actually was taken but didn’t go to the intended beneficiaries,” he said.

His team began its probe by examining internal control deficiencies at the apex bank and conducting interviews with internal audit officials, he said.

According to him, a letter from former President Muhammadu Buhari to the then Secretary to the Government (SGF) of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, authorised the release of funds for election observer logistics.

He said a subsequent letter from Mustapha to Emefiele introduced one Jibril Abubakar as the person authorised to collect the money.

The witness also said the CBN’s Bank Verification Number (BVN) portal was down for more than a month before the withdrawal, so it was not possible to authenticate the identity of the person who collected the money.

He further alleged that the CBN official who received and processed the payment documents was redeployed to the governor’s office 56 days after the transaction without following normal procedure.

Obazee said that part of the money was recovered from one Bashir Maishanu, who reportedly confessed to the crime and handed $856,500 to the special investigation team.

He said Maishanu should be prosecuted with Emefiele.

During cross-examination by Emefiele’s counsel, Matthew Burkaa (SAN), Obazee conceded that criminal charges had already been filed against Emefiele in September 2023, before President Bola Tinubu directed him in December 2023 to prepare charges against the former CBN governor.

He said all persons interviewed by the special investigation team including Emefiele, denied knowledge or involvement in the transaction.

In cross-examination, Justice Muazu held that Obazee is not a forensic document examiner and cannot be asked to authenticate Emefiele’s signature on exhibits tendered before the court.

The matter was adjourned to October 20, 2026, for adoption of final addresses.

Terrorists Claim Russian Aircraft, Capture Malian Troops In Fresh Attack

coic
-
0
Terrorists Claim Russian Aircraft, Capture Malian Troops In Fresh Attack

A security analyst, Brant Philip, said terrorists seized several Malian soldiers in coordinated attacks on military positions in parts of Mali on Saturday.

The attacks targeted Malian army positions in Aguelhok, Gao, Sevaré, Anefis and Kenioroba, Philip wrote in a series of posts on 𝕏.

The attack was conducted by the Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin and the Front de Libération de l’Azawad, he said.

Philip also said there were unconfirmed reports that a Russian Africa Corps Su-24 fighter jet crashed near Gao after being shot down by anti-aircraft fire near Anefis.

“Unconfirmed reports of AA shooting down Russian Africa Corps Su-24 jet near Anefis, crashed in Gao,” he wrote.

“Heavy smoke rising from Gao Air Base right now,” he added.

There is no independent confirmation of the alleged crash, and no official confirmation from Russian or Malian authorities at the time of filing this report.

The Russian Africa Corps was fighting side-by-side with the Malian military to repel the attacks, Philip said.

“The Africa Corps is fighting alongside the Malian army to repel the JNIM/FLA offensive on its positions in Gao, Anefis and Aguelhok,” he said.

Philip also said that the FLA captured more Malian soldiers in Anefis.

SGF’s Office Allegedly Connected To Controversial Presidential Agency – Gbajabiamila Speaks

coic
-
0
SGF’s Office Allegedly Connected To Controversial Presidential Agency – Gbajabiamila Speaks

Saturday Punch has obtained official documents that have raised fresh questions over the Presidency’s claim that the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC) never existed.

The documents revealed that the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) received, acknowledged and acted on correspondence submitted in the name of the council months before the Presidency publicly disowned same.

It was reported that one of the documents indicated that the office of the SGF had processed and forwarded a request by the council’s self-styled Director-General, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, for office accommodation from recovered Federal Government properties through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

It was signed by the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Nnamdi Maurice Mbaeri, on behalf of the SGF. The letter was dated November 21, 2024.

Registry stamps on Adeyemi’s letter, dated November 7, 2024, showed that it was received by the SGF’s office on November 12 and sent to the EFCC nine days later.

The forwarding letter titled, “Request for Office Accommodation”, said, “I am directed to forward attached copies of letters requesting allocation of office accommodation from the recovered Federal Government landed properties for further necessary action.

Adeyemi in his letter to the SGF, described the PFIPC as a Federal Government investment promotion agency saddled with the responsibility of attracting foreign direct investment into Nigeria.

He said the council “also serves as the resource and coordinating centre for the Nation’s Foreign Investment Promotion activities, a One-Stop-Shop for Investments centre coordinating investment-related activities across ministries, departments and agencies and promoting Nigeria as a preferred investment destination.

The letter added that the council “facilitates the interaction between public and private sectors, and has an active role in policy advocacy and promotes a positive image of Nigeria as a country attractive to foreign investors.”

Adeyemi is being prosecuted for allegedly operating a fake government agency, forging a presidential appointment letter purportedly signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila and falsely representing himself as the Director-General of the PFIPC.

He was also accused of operating 34 bank accounts, some under the names of alleged government agencies, and carrying out official business under the banner of the council.

But in a statement Wednesday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the PFIPC was fictitious.

In the statement titled “Re: The Matter of Adeniyi Adeyemi Matthew and the Fictitious Presidential Economic Advisory Council”, the criminal case against Adeyemi was detailed including a police investigation report, charges filed against him and allegations of fraudulent conduct.

Abuja Residents To Experience Planned Power Outage As TCN Schedules Maintenance

coic
-
0
Abuja Residents To Experience Planned Power Outage As TCN Schedules Maintenance

Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, Abuja Region, has announced a planned preventive maintenance at the Katampe 132/33 KiloVolt (kV) Transmission Substation on Saturday from 9:00am to 4:00pm.

Mrs Ndidi Mbah, General Manager, Public Affairs of the TCN, made this known in a statement in Abuja on Saturday.

According to Mbah, the planned maintenance is to allow TCN’s maintenance crew to carry out preventive maintenance on the 100 Mega Volt Ampere (MVA) 132/33kV Power Transformer (TR1), its auxiliaries and associated switchgear in the substation.

“It means that Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, AEDC, will not be able to off-take bulk power for distribution to customers in parts of Mpape, Maitama, Jahi, Life Camp,

Others include Kado Fish Market, Idu-Karmo and its environs during the maintenance period,” she said.

“The company apologizes in advance for any inconvenience this planned outage may cause to electricity customers in the affected areas,” she said.

“Equipment maintenance is also important to continue to ensure they are running at their best,” she said.

1...272829...2,816Page 28 of 2,816
© Newspaper WordPress Theme by TagDiv