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Reps confirm 360 SUVs bought for members, say they’re work tools
Reps confirm 360 SUVs bought for members, say they’re work tools
The House of Representatives has confirmed the procurement of sports utility vehicles (SUVs) for the 360 members of the lower chamber worth over N50bn.
It said on Sunday that the vehicle are work tools not personal assets of the federal lawmakers.
The social media had been awash with reports that the leadership of the green chamber had bought SUVs for all members of the house.
Each of the SUVs is valued at N130 million, totalling over N50 billion for the purchase of the vehicles.
In a statement on Sunday, spokesperson for the House, Akin Rotimi, confirmed that the green chamber is in the “phased process of procuring and distributing operational vehicles to honourable members”.
He said the reports on the vehicle procurement “carry varying exaggerations”, adding that the vehicles are not personal gifts to the lawmakers.
He added that the vehicles remain the property of the national assembly within the four-year tenure of members of the house.
Rotimi said, “It is important to make a few clarifications. The vehicles to be allocated to the offices of honourable members are utility operational vehicles tied to their oversight functions in the discharge of their duties in the standing committees.
“They are not personal vehicles gifted to honourable members. For the duration of the 10th assembly (2023 – 2027), the vehicles shall remain the property of the national assembly.
“At the expiration of the tenure of the 10th assembly in 2027, should the extant assets deboarding policy of government still be in place, honourable members may have the option of making payment for the outstanding value of the vehicles to government coffers before they can become theirs, otherwise it remains the property of the national assembly.
“No matter how remote the location is, as long as there are Nigerian citizens living there, they deserve highly mobile representatives who can see first-hand what they are going through, and ensure government interventions, programmes, and policies are carried out effectively. This can only be possible with functional and reliable off-road vehicles.
“The vehicles are work tools and not status symbols — honourable members are diligent and patriotic elected representatives and not entitled.
“The anticipated allocation of vehicles will contribute to improved representation, constituency outreach and oversight functions.”
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BREAKING: Tinubu confers GCON national honour on Awujale
BREAKING: Tinubu confers GCON national honour on Awujale
President Bola Tinubu has conferred the second highest national honour of Grand Commander of Order of Nigeria (GCON) on the Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, for his immeasurable and invaluable contributions to national development.
The president was represented by his Vice, Alhaji Kashim Shettima on Friday at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, for a book presentation on “Reinventing Governance in Nigeria”, as part of activities marking his 64th coronation as a Paramount ruler and 90th birthday.
The President described Awujale as an extraordinary royal father and hero of Nigeria’s democracy who is adored all over the country for his sincerity of purpose and courage in the face of any adversity threatening national development.
The ceremony also featured the inauguration of Oba Sikiru Adetona School of Governance, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State.
BREAKING: Tinubu confers GCON national honour on Awujale
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Detained reporter Daniel Ojukwu regains freedom after public outcry
Detained reporter Daniel Ojukwu regains freedom after public outcry
Daniel Ojukwu, a dedicated journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), has regained his freedom after enduring a harrowing period in police custody. Ojukwu’s ordeal began on May 1 when he was taken by police officers in Lagos under unclear circumstances.
For two days, his family and the FIJ were left in the dark about his location, until it was discovered that he had been transferred to the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) in Abuja. The Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Inspector General of Police later moved him to the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID).
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The conditions for Ojukwu’s bail were initially stringent, but the tide turned when civil society organizations rallied at the Force Headquarters, demanding his immediate release. Their collective voice was heard, and Ojukwu was released on Friday.
Abimbola Ojenike, representing FIJ legally, expressed deep concern over the incident, labeling it “one of the most egregious cases of human rights violation and an abuse of police authority against members of the press.”
Detained reporter Daniel Ojukwu regains freedom after public outcry
News
Rivers Assembly speaker says house leadership intact
Rivers Assembly speaker says house leadership intact
The Rivers house of assembly says there are no change in the leadership of the state legislature.
Emeka Amadi, clerk of the house of assembly, in a statement said Martin Amaewhule is the recognised speaker of the assembly.
On Wednesday, Victor Jumbo, the lawmaker representing the Bonny constituency, was elected as speaker by the lawmakers loyal to Fubara.
On Thursday, Martin Amaewhule, a factional speaker of the assembly, alleged that the governor is planning to demolish the assembly quarters.
The comment was made following the visit of the governor to the assembly quarters on Thursday.
Amaewhule while speaking with journalists in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on Thursday, said the assembly quarters do not require any form of renovation.
But the Rivers governor said he came to the assembly quarters to see if there would be some work to be carried out there after the election of a new speaker.
The lawmakers maintained that there was no change in leadership structure of the house as Martin Amaewhule, Dumle Maol, and Major Jack remain speaker, deputy speaker, and majority leader respectively.
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“The attention of the Rivers State House of Assembly has been drawn to reports in the electronic and print media that there was a leadership change in the Rivers State House of Assembly today, the 8th day of May 2024. As the Clerk of the Rivers State House and one who administered the Oath of membership and office to all members and a custodian of all records of the House, I write to state the following,” the statement reads.
“That there was no change in the leadership of the House today and Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule DSSRS remains the Speaker of the House while Rt. Hon. Dumle Maol DSSRS and Hon. Major Jack DSSRS remains Deputy Speaker and Majority Leader respectively.
“That apart from the seat of Khana Constituency Il which was declared vacant because of death of the member who represented the constituency, no other seat has been declared vacant.
“That there is a subsisting judgement of a court of competent jurisdiction in Suit no FHC/ABI/CS/1613/2023 in which the Court among other orders “granted an ORDER OF INJUNCTION restraining the Governor of Rivers State (11th Defendant) whether by himself or by his agents and or hirelings or in any manner howsoever from impeding or frustrating the Rivers State House of Assembly under the leadership of the 2nd Plaintiff as the Speaker of the said House in the performance of their functions including holding of meetings and the transacting of the business of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
“That Hon. Victor Oko Jumbo, Hon. Sokari Goodboy Sokari and Hon. Adolphus Orubimie Timothy were suspended on the 30th of October 2023 pursuant to the Rules of the House and their suspension is yet to be liftedand they cannot lay claim to be officers of the House.
“That the House is still conducting legislative business in line with the Standing Orders of the House and the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as altered.
“That the good people of Rivers State and the Nigerian Federation should discountenance any media report purporting any recent change in leadership of the Rivers State House of Assembly.”
Rivers Assembly speaker says house leadership intact
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