Television Nigerian

The Nigerian Senate has rejected the dismissal of a member of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).

The Senate asked the Corporation on Tuesday to restore a former District Engineer, Engr. Aniekan Paddy Ukpe, whose appointment was terminated in March 2023.

The Red Chamber further ordered that the former District Engineer be paid all outstanding entitlements, stating that there was no evidence linking him to the vandalism of railway rails within his jurisdiction.

Senator Neda Imasuen (LP, Edo South), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, raised the issue before the Senate.

The lawmaker’s report to the Senate arose from a petition submitted by the Engineer, who claimed that the Corporation had wrongfully terminated his appointment.

In his plea, Engr. Ukpe stated that he was the Senior Civil Engineer in charge of the North Central District, which included Kaduna, Plateau, Benue, and Nasarawa states.

He described how he learned of the railway track vandalism that occurred on September 19, 2022, at Kamuru Station in Zonkwa, Kaduna State.

After receiving the information, the Engineer stated that he immediately issued a verbal telegram report to the District Manager and filed a formal complaint with the police.

He stated that this resulted in the arrest and punishment of the perpetrators, two of whom were sentenced to two years in prison.

According to Ukpe’s petition, rather than being complimented by the District Manager, he was accused of underreporting the incident.

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The District Manager questioned him and then sent the case to an investigation committee.

He claimed that the committee’s findings were biased and riddled with anomalies, which led to his dismissal without a fair chance to defend himself.

The NRC, represented by its Managing Director, Engr. (Dr.) F.E. Okhiria, justified the termination by claiming dereliction of duty.

According to the NRC, Engr. Ukpe delayed reporting the occurrence to his superiors and was complacent in handling the situation.

The corporation claimed that his acts breached the Railway General Rules of 1964, which justified his firing.

The House of Representatives’ Committee on Defense has emphasized the need for more funding for the Defence Intelligence Agency.

Babajimi Benson, Committee Chair, spoke as he led members on their first oversight visit to the DIA headquarters in Abuja.

Benson stated that the DIA is vital to the nation’s security architecture, and the visit emphasizes the need of intelligence-driven approaches in solving multiple security concerns.

He stated, “There are three intelligence agencies in Nigeria: DSS, NIA, and DIA. The DIA’s budget should be increased as it provides both internal security and external intelligence.

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“So, they’re the only agency with those two caps. DSS is simply Nigerian, NIA is foreign, but DIA handles both. However, when comparing the budgets of the three organizations, it is surprising that DIA receives the least funding.

“So, we’re here today to examine what they’ve done with what little they have, but there’s a need to increase what they get so they can compete with DSS and NIA. This is the recommendation we are bringing away, and we will make certain that Mr. President, father of the nation, sees it.

“He should take DIA as his baby because they have so much potential. As you can see, insecurity has decreased dramatically in Nigeria, and the DIA has played a crucial role,” Benson added.

Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele has complimented Senate President Godswill Akpabio, noting that one of the reasons President Bola Ahmed Tinubu sleeps well is owing to Akpabio’s effective leadership in the Senate.

Bamidele made the remarks on Monday while speaking on behalf of a group of senators who had convened at Akpabio’s Abuja home to celebrate his 62nd birthday.

According to a statement from Akpabio’s media office, the gathering was impromptu, but notable attendees included the National Assembly Management team, led by the newly appointed Clerk, Kamoru Ogunlana; political associates; Akpabio’s friends; and Senate President’s office staff, led by Chief of Staff Sylvester Okonkwo, who presented a birthday card and gifts on the team’s behalf.
Others who attended were Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, former Deputy Governor of Edo State Philip Shaibu, and important private individuals.

Senator Bamidele praised Akpabio for his leadership, saying that his colleagues are pleased with his performance as Senate President.

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“I know one of the reasons he (President Tinubu) can sleep well is because he has you (Akpabio) as the President of the Senate.”He trusts you. He depends on you. He relies on you and takes your comments seriously.

“Mr President of the Senate, we are all really proud of you. I’m standing beside my coworkers. I’m always honored to speak on their behalf, and I’m confident that I’m saying exactly what they expect.
“We are extremely proud of you. Senator Bamidele stated, “We just want to thank you for who you are and the kind of leadership you provide.”

When asked to offer a toast on behalf of former and current governors, Senator Adam Oshiomhole, a two-term Edo State governor, remarked, “This evening, I’m asked to give a toast to a man who was elected President of the 10th Senate.” His Senate leadership reminds us all that no matter what platform we were elected on or whose party we represent in the 109 Senatorial Districts, once we arrive in the Senate, we become a symbol of one Nigeria.

“And in a moment like this, to speak of a man who had the appetite to tolerate debates and remind us that Senators are not meant to stammer and that democracy manifests better when there are controversies, not meant for the faint of heart, we must have the courage to face issues, debate them, build consensus, and reach an agreement in the national interest. You do not shy away from severe problems. That was the message he (Akpabio) delivered to us last week.”

Akpabio responded by thanking his colleagues and other well-wishers for their gesture, despite the fact that he had no plans to celebrate his birthday.

Shehu Sani, a former member who served in the Kaduna Central senatorial constituency, has cautioned the National Assembly from letting its actions weaken its power.

Speaking at the commencement of the National Assembly Legislative Aides’ Forum, or NASSLAF, Week on Tuesday in Abuja, Sani offered the counsel.

For the benefit of the nation, the pro-democracy activist also exhorted the lawmakers to charitably do their duties.
He asserts that the legislature’s submissive stance is detrimental to the nation and warns that it can sabotage democracy and good government.

Sani praised the Eighth Assembly, which is led by Sen. Bukola Saraki, for resisting the executive’s overreach and contrasted it to the present National Assembly.

He noted with dismay that the National Assembly’s authority seemed to be eroding with time.

“It was unimaginable in our day for MDA chiefs to disregard our call. They recognized the seriousness of our supervisory duties,” he stated.

Sani cautioned that the present Assembly ran the risk of losing its independence and eroding democratic checks and balances by acting as a “rubber stamp” for the executive.

Therefore, he warned the MPs not to put their own interests before of their constitutional obligations.

“Respect is required for this institution. You will no longer be respected if you become stooges. Legislative independence was protected during our time, but it came at a price, he noted.

The former senator added that their commitment on doing the right thing led to strained ties with the government and delayed the passage of bills. He cautioned that too much cooperation was risky because it may lead to dictatorship.

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Sani mentioned cases in which MDA leaders publicly questioned parliamentarians while performing oversight duties, a practice that he claimed earlier assemblies would not have accepted.

“The Senate President is responsible for making sure that executive initiatives and appointment candidates are thoroughly examined. “Automated approval is not appropriate here,” he said.

Sani reminded the MPs that serving Nigerians, not the president, was their top priority.

Sani also recognized the crucial but frequently disregarded contributions of legislative assistants, characterizing them as the backbone of the legislature and their role in creating laws and policies that govern the nation.