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Nasarawa Assembly officially approves the 2024 Appropriation Bill, totaling N199.9 billion.
“… confirms Aboki as member LGSC, as House proceeds on recess till February 12th…”
Nasarawa State House of Assembly, has passed the 2024 Appropriation Bill of N199.9 as presented by Gov. Abdullahi Sule into law .
Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau, the Speaker of the House announced the passage of the bill into law during the House proceedings today in Lafia.
The Speaker said that the passed budget, if assented to by Gov. Sule would promote economic growth and development in the state.
” A Bill for a Law to Authorize the Issue Out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the State (Appropriation) of the Sum of N199, 879, 370,709.43 only for the Services of Nasarawa State Government for the period of 12 months commencing from 1st January 2024 and Ending 31st December, 2024.
” The total sum of N117, 138, 350, 954.18 as Recurrent Expenditure while the sum of N82,741, 019, 755.25 as Capital Expenditure.
” The 2024 Appropriation bill is read for the third term and passed ,” the Speaker said.
Jatau appreciated members for their determination and commitments in ensuring the speedy passage of the 2024 Appropriation Bill into law.
” I want to appreciate you for your efforts in ensuring speedy passage of the bill.
” This shows sign of unity and synergy with the executive and judicial arms of government as we will always work in synergy with the state government for the overall development of the state,” he said.
Jatau urged the state government to ensure full implementation of the budget, if assented to by the Governor.
” We have done the needful, I hope that the executive will also do the needful,” he said.
He, then directed the Clerk of the House to produce a clean copy of the bill for Gov. Sule’s assent.
Earlier, Hon Suleiman Yakubu Azara, the Majority Leader of the House moved a motion for the passage of the bill into law.
Hon Luka Iliya Zhekaba, the Minority Leader of the House seconded the motion.
The House unanimously passed the 2024 budget into law.
In a related development, A Bill for a Law to make Provision for Right of Way in Nasarawa State and For Other Matters Connected Therewith passed first reading at the floor of the House.
Hon Suleiman Yakubu Azara, the Majority Leader of the House moved a motion for the bill to scale first reading which was seconded by Hon Luka Iliya Zhekaba, the Minority Leader of the House.
The House unanimously passed the bill into first reading.
In a related development, the House screened and confirmed Hassan Aboki Zanwa as member Local Government Service Commission.
Hon Suleiman Yakubu Azara, the Majority Leader of the House moved a motion for the screening and confirmation of the nominee which was seconded by Hon Luka Iliya Zhekaba, the Minority Leader of the House after Hon Solomon Akwashiki SDP Lafia Central and Hon. Esson Mairiga PDP Lafia North spoke in favour of the nominee who is from Lafia LG.
It would be recalled that on Dec 12, 2023, the Speaker of the House, has received the nomination of Mr Hassan Aboki Zanwa from Gov. Sule for re-appointment as member of the Local Government Service Commission.
The House also proceeded on recess from today to February 12th, 2024.
The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called on President Bola Tinubu to prevail on the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike to retract his publicly disparaging remarks made recently against the socio-political body.
PANDEF described as regrerrable and embarrassing comments by Wike in the aftermath of the group’s visit to Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, even to the extent of insulting the late former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South Leader, Chief Edwin.
Recall that the FCT minister had, on Thursday, during a media chat, described PANDEF as “the worst organisation anybody can rely on”, while also calling the board of trustee members of the body “political merchants”.
In a statement signed by PANDEF Chairman on Saturday in Abuja, Ambassador Godknows Boladei Igali, urged President Tinubu as the father of the nation, to prevail upon the Honourable Minister to retract his inflammatory statements and extend due respect to these eminent.
Igali clarified that the meeting with the president provided a valuable platform to discuss pressing issues of national and regional importance. Adding that “PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region.”
His words: ^To set the record straight, PANDEF the foremost socio-political body representing the South-South regions, composed of some of Nigeria’s most distinguished personalities. The delegation to Mr. President included chairpersons of at least four of the six SouthSouth states’ traditional councils, senior traditional rulers of major ethnic groups, former governors, past presiding officers of the Senate, prominent entrepreneurs, academics, and high-ranking retired military officers.
“It is, therefore, highly regrettable and totally unacceptable that a serving minister in the Federal Government would exhibit such brazen disrespect towards individuals of this standing. This attitude perhaps explains his continued refusal of the Minister to engage with the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which PANDEF constituted as far back as October 2024, despite repeated attempts to reach.
“The Honourable Minister (Wike) characterized PANDEF as the worst organization ever” and accused its members of visiting the Presidential Villa merely to solicit financial favors. These statements are not only false but also unbecoming of a public official of his stature.
“PANDEF hereby calls upon Mr. President, as the father of the nation, to prevail upon the Honourable Minister to retract his inflammatory statements and extend due respect to these eminent Nigerians and traditional rulers who were, after all, esteemed guests of the Commander-in-Chief. It is apt to remind that the Minister does not own the Niger-Delta and his errant conduct should not be condoned.
“Notwithstanding this regrettable development, PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region,” Igali stated.
On efforts to restore peace in River State, Igali restated PANDEF’s commitment for peace in the oil-rich State.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which remains committed to resolving the Rivers State crisis,” Igali stated.
News
IPOB’s lawyer accuses Anambra govt of violating citizens’ rights, wants all arrested charged to court
The counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has called on the Anambra State Government to either charge to court or release individuals allegedly detained for the past five weeks without trial.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Ejiofor criticized what he described as “violations of citizens’ rights,” emphasizing that the detainees have not been presented before any court or formally charged with a crime.
“Today, March 15, 2025, marks five full weeks since several citizens of Anambra State were arbitrarily arrested and detained in a private facility controlled by the state government. Shockingly, they have not been charged with any offense or brought before any court of law. This is a flagrant violation of their fundamental rights,” Ejiofor stated.
He expressed concern that the detainees were not held by the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), or the military, but instead in an undisclosed facility, without any official explanation from the government.
Ejiofor, who has previously supported the government’s security efforts, urged Governor Chukwuma Soludo to ensure the rule of law is upheld.
“I have always championed active citizen participation in combating insecurity and have publicly urged the government to act against criminal elements. However, this must be done legally and transparently,” he said.
While commending the efforts of the state’s Agụnechemba security outfit, Ejiofor insisted that professionalism and adherence to due process are crucial.
He reaffirmed his support for lawful measures to combat crime but warned that arbitrary detentions could erode public trust in the government’s security strategy.
The Osun State Amotekun Corps has denied allegations of nepotism in its ongoing recruitment of 1,000 cadets, following claims by some dismissed recruits that they were removed in favor of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members.
Some affected candidates, seen outside the NYSC camp venue in Osogbo, alleged they were removed due to their affiliation with the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC). Speaking on behalf of the group, a dismissed cadet, Usman, claimed that they had been in camp since Sunday before being replaced by PDP members, some of whom, he alleged, were unfit for training.
However, Amotekun’s Board Chairman, retired Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Wale Abass, dismissed the allegations as baseless. He explained that those removed from the training camp either failed to meet the required standards or did not follow the proper recruitment process.
“The 1,000 cadets invited for training went through a rigorous selection process. They submitted applications online, underwent document verification, and passed physical fitness tests before being invited to camp,” Abass stated.
He further revealed that some unqualified individuals managed to gain access to the camp, while some selected candidates failed to meet the reporting deadline. Those with health issues were also disqualified.
Abass reaffirmed that the Amotekun Corps remains committed to fairness and impartiality in its recruitment process. He described the allegations as an attempt to create confusion and undermine the security outfit’s credibility.
PANDEF Clarifies Visit To Tinubu, Knocks Wike Over Inflammatory Comments
IPOB’s lawyer accuses Anambra govt of violating citizens’ rights, wants all arrested charged to court
Osun Amotekun recruits accuse Adeleke’s govt of nepotism
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