Nasarawa State House of Assembly says it has passed 15 bills and 16 resolutions within the last one year.
The Speaker of the House, Alhaji Ibrahim Balarabe-Abdullahi, disclosed this on Wednesday, at a sitting that marked the end of the first session of the 6th Assembly in Lafia on Wednesday.
Balarabe-Abdullahi described the sixth assembly as one of the best in the history of the state, owing to its achievements.
The speaker said that the achievements made by the House within one year were as a result of the unity, cooperation and support by the members and staff of the assembly.
“During my inaugural speech, I unequivocally committed my self to discharging my duties without let or hindrance.
” I assured all that I will strive to operate a transparent and open door policy in which the everyday business of legislation will be collective efforts.
” And in that respect, I can say without a shadow of doubt that I have delivered on my promise.
” The sixth assembly is on course to being one of the best.
“Indeed, within the first session of this assembly, a total of 15 bills have been passed into law and let me add that the House also passed 16 resolutions within the period under review,” he said.
The speaker also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for signing executive order 10 granting financial autonomy to both state legislature and the Judiciary.
Balarabe- Abdullahi assured the staff of the House of his commitment to providing an enabling environment for them to discharge their duties effectively.
The speaker expressed satisfaction with the cordial working relationship existing between the three arms of government in the state and called for its sustenance.
” Let me assure the Executive and Judicial arms of government that the state House of Assembly is willing to cooperate with them in the task of providing the dividends of democracy to the people of the state.
” Against this backdrop therefore , the state legislature will treat Executive bills expeditiously while the oversight duties of the various standing committees of the House will be strengthened, ” he said.
Balarabe-Abdullahi sympathised with the family of Mr Suleiman Adamu, member representing Nasarawa Central constituency over his demise on April 30.
” We also sympathise with the family of Alhaji Aliyu Bako Maigidi, the House Sergeant-at-arms over his demise on May 31, 2020.
” We pray for the repose of their souls and the souls of other departed ones and may Allah forgive them their shortcomings. Amen,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the bills passed into law are the 2020 Appropriation Bill ; a bill for a law for the Establishment of College of Health Science and Technology, Keffi; and a bill for a law for the Establishment of Isa Mustpha Agwai 1, Polytechnic, Lafia,
They also include a bill for a law for the Establishment of College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Lafia; a bill for a law to provide for the prohibition of the act of kidnapping and for other connected purposes thereto; a bill for a law to provide for witness protection Law and for other matters connected therewith and a bill for a law to provide for the Nasarawa State Public Procurement Law 2019.
Category: News
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Nasarawa Assembly passes 15 bills, 16 resolutions in one year
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UN releases voting procedure for June 17 elections
The United Nations has issued a new voting procedure for the election of its next General Assembly president slated for June 17 in New York.
Also to be elected same day are five new nonpermanent members of the Security Council, and 18 new members of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
The new procedure is contained in a letter by the current President of the General Assembly, Amb. Tijani Muhammad-Bande, to ambassadors of the 193 UN member countries on Tuesday evening.
Muhammad-Bande had earlier informed them that the elections would hold in line with social distancing guidelines to prevent spread of the coronavirus.
Normally, such elections are held during plenary meetings inside the General Assembly Hall chamber at the UN headquarters in New York.
But under the new procedure, delegates will cast secret ballots during allotted spaced-out time slots in the hall.
According to the new guideline, the elections will hold simultaneously between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. in eight time slots marked A to H lasting 30 minutes each.
Accordingly, 24 delegates will enter the hall at a time to cast their ballot in line with their assigned slots.
Nigeria is in slot F along with North Korea, France, India, Japan, United Arab Emirates, among others, who would be voting between 11:30 a.m. and 12 p.m.
Additional 30 minutes had been provided between 1:00 to 1:30 p.m. for delegates who would be unable to visit the venue during their time slots.
The PGA said he would circulate the names of the candidates to the delegates at least a day before the election.
Turkish ambassador to the UN, Volkan Bozkir, is the sole candidate for the president of the 75th session of the General Assembly, which begins in September.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that his name was initially sent for unanimous approval, but several countries reportedly requested a vote.
In the UN Security Council, there are five permanent members (United States, Russia, China, Britain and France) and 10 non-permanent members elected by the General Assembly for two-year term.
On June 17, seven countries would be contesting for five seats in the council, which is the most powerful organ of the UN.
Canada, Ireland and Norway are vying for two seats in the group of Western nations, while Kenya and Djibouti are battling for one seat to represent Africa.
India is running unopposed for the Asia-Pacific seat, same for Mexico for the Latin America and the Caribbean seat.
Eighteen new members will also be elected to serve for three-year terms in the 54-member ECOSOC, which focuses on economic, environmental and human rights issues.
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NHRC makes case for establishment of commission for Persons with Disabilities
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Wednesday called for the establishment of of National Commission for Persons Living with Disabilities to enhance inclusiveness and enable them contribute their quota to national development.
The Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Mr Tony Ojukwu, made the call during a courtesy call to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Disaster Management and Social Development (FMHDSD), Hajiya Sadiya Farouq, in Abuja.
Ojukwu assure the minister of the commission’s commitment to partner with her to ensure that the rights of persons with disabilities are mainstreamed into governance for better results.
“We believe that if human Rights are mainstreamed in all government operations, it will be more successful.
” There will be less criticisms, there will be no stigmatization, it will be more inclusive and people will be more patriotic and Nigeria will be better off” he said.
Ojukwu commended the Minister for providing humanitarian assistance and palliatives during different crisis situations, saying the issue of humanitarian intervention is always an emergency situation that requires good planning.
He said a well-planned intervention will solve a lot of humanitarian challenges in the country and suggested a shift from humanitarian Emergency to sustainable development.
Responding, Farouq said: ”the NHRC is a pillar of exemplary leadership in enforcing human rights and respect for rule of law in the country.
”We are ready to collaborate with you in carrying out our statutory mandate which includes, the formulation and implementation of fair and focused social inclusion and protection programs in Nigeria”.
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Osaka in no mood to back down on support for Black Lives Matter
Naomi Osaka, the world’s highest paid sportswoman, says the voices of prominent athletes can be more influential than those of politicians at this point in time.
The two-times Grand Slam champion says she is in view of this determined that hers will be heard on the subject of racial injustice.
She has faced a backlash on social media after throwing her support behind the Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests in the wake of the death of George Floyd.
Floyd was an unarmed black man who died in police custody on May 25.
The 22-year-old Osaka, who has Japanese and Haitian parents but grew up and lives mostly in the US, says she has no intention of backing down.
She hopes to help drive real and permanent social change.
“I’m vocal because I believe in the movement and want to try to use my platform to facilitate change,” Osaka told Reuters via email.
“George Floyd’s murder and the situation generally in America has had a big impact on me.
“Being silent is never the answer. Everyone should have a voice in the matter and use it.”
The death of Floyd while he was in the custody of the Minneapolis police has sparked worldwide protests against racism and calls for reforms of U.S. law enforcement.
Osaka said she had marched in Minneapolis and attended other Black Lives Matters protests in Los Angeles, where she lives.
She says the climate has changed considerably since quarterback Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the national anthem before a 2016 NFL game.
The player paid for his protest by being ostracised by the league.
“Colin has been putting this message out since 2016. It took a pandemic, an economic crisis and a torturous murder on camera, all at the same time, for people to really hear him,” she said.
“It shouldn’t have been that way. If the NFL wants to show that they really care the first thing they should so is take a knee together and give Colin his job back.
“That some people have said we as athletes should stick to sports is really insulting.”
National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell said last week the league had made mistakes in not listening to players and encouraged them “to speak out and peacefully protest”.
In response to her comments on social media, Osaka has been told to “stay in her lane” and focus on tennis.
But she has chosen to respond to her critics with argument and a few amusing GIFs.
“I probably shouldn’t read all the trolling but it’s hard to avoid,” said Osaka, who has over a million followers on Instagram.
“Using humour is definitely one mechanism to expose these people … Calling them out for their ignorance and racism is also worthwhile sometimes.
“I’m more sad for them than myself —- to be so hateful and ignorant can’t be an easy way to live life.”
Osaka said racism needed to be challenged all around the world and was delighted to see Black Live Matters protests in Japan, the country she represents on the international stage.
On Tuesday, Japanese public broadcaster NHK had to apologise for an animated video aimed at explaining the U.S. protests which sparked outrage for its depiction of black Americans.
Osaka retweeted the video with a GIF expressing bewilderment.
“We have been trying for hundreds of years and a change is long overdue,” she said.
“I do think this time there is a different feel and energy, and the protests are so far reaching. There have even been BLM marches in Japan! That makes me so happy.
“So, I’m hopeful for change, I’ll keep campaigning for change, and I demand a better future for the next generation.”(
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WTO acknowledges, accepts Okonjo-Iweala’s nomination
The World Trade Organisation(WTO) has acknowledged and accepted the nomination of Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala as the nation’s candidate for the bloc’s Director- General position.
President Muhammadu Buhari on June 5, endorsed Okonjo-Iweala for the WTO top job, making her the second African vying for the position so far.
A statement on the organisation’s website on Tuesday, acknowledged the nomination of Okonjo-Iweala to succeed the current Director-General, Mr Roberto Azevêdo, who had announced he would step down on Aug. 31, 2020.
In the same vein, Mr David Walker ,Chairman of the General Council gave July 8, 2020 as the deadline for the nomination.
““Shortly after the nomination period has closed, candidates will be invited to meet with members at a special General Council meeting, present their views and take questions from the membership” the website quoted Walker as saying.
Okonjo -Iweala a two time Finance Minister who served respectively in the Obasanjo and Jonathan’s administrations would replace the nation’s current permanent representative to WTO, Mr Yonov Frederik Agah
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Desist from malicious rumour, Actors Guild tells public
The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has advised members of the public against spreading malicious rumours without substance about the industry.
Its National Public Relations Officer, Monalisa Chinda-Cocker, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos.
Chinda-Cocker was reacting to the rumoured death of the legendary actor, Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, popularly known as, Olu Jacobs.
She said that Olu Jacobs was still alive, against the false information about his death.
The guild spokesperson warned mischief makers and enemies of the industry to quit from such wickedness that would not benefit the industry.
“It’s so annoying that some people take pleasure in disseminating fake news, and going extra mile on the social media to declare a living person dead.
“For crying out loud, this act is very bad, and I see it as malicious; but the truth of the matter is that Olu Jacobs is alive, very hale and hearty,” she added.
Chinda-Cocker described Olu Jacobs, as “a seasoned Nollywood leading star, role model and most influential African actor of all times who had starred in over 120 movies.
Similarly, his wife, Joke, had earlier debunked the rumoured death of her husband.
According to her, the family found the development so depressing that members had to speak out.
She added, “In fact, the birthday of Olu Jacobs (who laughed off the whole matter) is next month.”
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NAPTIP urges governors to domesticate VAPP Act over incessant rape cases
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has urged state governors to domesticate the Violence Against Person Prohibition Acts (VAPP) over incessant rape in the country.
The Director General of the agency, Mrs Julie Okah-Donli, made the call at a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja, noting that such domestication would help in dealing with perpetrators of rape.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the VAPP Act, enacted in 2015 states that a person has committed rape if such person intentionally penetrates the virgina, anus or mouth of another person.
It notes that the offence has been committed if the other person does not consent to the penetration or the consent is obtained by force, among others.
A person convicted of this offence is liable to imprisonment for life, except where the offender is less than 14 years of age.
The NAPTIP boss, therefore, urged state governors to “resolutely pursue the adoption of the VAPP Act before the issue of rape cases get out of hand.
“As at today, only about five states have laws against sexual and gender based violence, Lagos and Ekiti are the top on the list.
“This is a clarion call for states to domesticate the VAPP Act in their states to deepen the protection of women and children from predators in our society.
“State governors and assemblies that are delaying the domestication are inadvertently promoting sexual violence in their domain.”
She said that in many rape cases, the accused often hinged on consent.
Okah-Donli added that the determination of consent often led to distressing cross examination of rape victims in court, saying that this led to victims not reporting to the police to press charges.
She said that those charged with rape had a higher than average rate of acquittal mainly because it was difficult to prove a crime which usually had no third party witness.
She stressed that cases of rape was usually under-reported and under prosecuted.
According to her, the psychological reactions of victims in this regard include shame, humiliation, confusion, fear and rage.
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Welder bags 5 years imprisonment over N3.7m fraud in Ekiti
A Federal High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday sentenced a welder, Olatunji Bangboye, to five years in prison for falsely obtaining the sum of N3.7 million from one Chinedu Okpara.
Delivering judgment, Justice Uchena Agomoh, found the convict guilty of the three-count charge levelled against him and subsequently sentenced him, the News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) reports.
“Having given a careful submissions of both counsel in this sentence hearing, there’s no gainsaying that the convict is a first offender and he is remorseful.
“Learned counsel to the convict has submitted that convict has domestic responsibility, having four children and aged parents.
“This is a great responsibility and therefore wonders what happen if the convict is away for too long.
“There is also an evidence before this honourable court that the convict had refunded the sum of one million through the police, out of the total contract sum; that shows he is remorseful and ready to restitute.
“The demeanor of the convict throughout the trial shows that he is remorseful. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chief Judge of Nigeria,(CJN) has urged judges to decongest correctional centres.
‘Therefore, on count one, the convict is sentenced to two years in prison without an option of fine. On count two and three, he Bangboye is sentenced to one year and six months on each count,” Justice Agomoh ordered.
Agomoh said that the balance of the sum of N2.7 million must be paid by the convict to the victim within six months from July 1, 2020 with the knowledge of the prosecutor by way of showing restitution.
NAN reported that earlier, the Police Prosecutor, Mr Samson Osobu had told the court that the defendant between 2015 and 2017, in Ado-Ekiti under false presence and intent to defraud obtained building materials valued at N3.7 million from one Chinedu Okpara.
Osobu said the defendant between Feb. 22 and March 3, 2017 issued cheques to one Chinedu Okpara and when presented were dishonored due to lack of funds.
The prosecutor said the offence committed by the convict contravened Sections 1(1)(3) and 11 of the Advance Fee Fraud and other related offence Act, 2006 and Section 1(a)(I) of the Dishonoured cheque Act.
He relied on Section 11 of Advance Fee Fraud and other related offences Act, praying the court to order restitution or compensation by the convict to the victim.
The defendant, (Convict) had earlier pleaded not guilty to the three count charge when it was read to him by the court.
The defence counsel, Mr Toyin Oluwole, also prayed the court to temper justice with mercy, adding that the convict was remorseful and ready to restitute.(
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Austria allows travelling with 31 European countries
Austria on Wednesday said it would lift pandemic travel restrictions with 31 countries in Europe from Tuesday, though curbs remains for Britain, Sweden, Spain and Portugal, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg said.
Quarantine and virus tests will be scrapped for travellers coming from most European countries including Italy, Croatia and Greece, which are the most popular summer destinations for Austrian tourists.
However, a travel warning will remain in place for Lombardy, the Northern Italian region that had been hit hard by the pandemic.
Health Minister Rudolf Anschober said given the improving infection trend in most European countries, it was no longer important to stay in Austria over summer.
“What’s important is to travel responsibly,” he said.
He, however, urged travellers to observe hygiene and distancing rules. -
C/River, Isreali coy sign $15m cocoa city project agreement
The Cross River Government and Israeli Bean & Co. Global Ltd. has signed a full Venture/Public Private Partnership agreement of 15 million dollars.
The agreement was for the establishment of a special cocoa city project in the state, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
The online virtual signing was carried out on Wednesday in Calabar, while the Memorandum of Understanding had earlier been signed on Feb. 14.
The Cross River Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Okon Owuna and the Director General of Cocoa Regeneration Agency, Mr Collins Ogar, signed on behalf of the state government.
The state Commissioner for Justice, Mr Tanko Ashang, witnessed the agreement signing.
On the side of the Isreali, the Managing Partner, LR Group and Bean & Co, Mr Doron Rette, signed on behalf of the company.
Owuna explained that the agreement has two components, the Agro Industrial Centre with a processing plant, seedlings nursery and training facility as well as pulp powder and dry cocoa beans for export.
He said that the second component was the Farmers Outgrowers Scheme, which will cover 5,000 to 10,000 hectares of land.
According to him, thousands of farmers will be involved and will operate under the technical protocol of Bean & Co who will buy all their produce consisting of the pods and wet cocoa beans.
The Commissioner said that 65 per cent of the project sum would be covered by Bean & Co and its partners, while the state government would cover the remaining.
“As stated above, this project will increase cocoa farmers’ earnings three times over and increase productivity six times over.
“The project will engage thousands of farmers and employ Crossriverians in the cocoa city plus technology transfer.
“The outgrowing scheme will cover Etung, Ikom, Boki, Obubra, Obudu and Akamkpa which are the cocoa producing local government areas in the state.
“Under the funding proposal, the farmers will receive about N2.4million loan for four years to cover seedlings, pesticides, fertilizers, training, growing protocols and other necessary inputs,” he said.
He added that due to the long gestation and harvest time for cocoa which takes an average of four years, repayment of the loan would commence in the fifth year.
In his remarks, the DG of Cocoa Regeneration Agency, Ogar, assured that the Ministry and the Agency would work tirelessly to ensure the success of the project.
Speaking through the virtual video conferencing, President of LR Group, Mr Roy Yami, said the contract would be a good investment opportunity for cocoa farmers in the state.