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We’re ready to pass PIB, say Lawan, Gbajabiamila
The leadership of the National Assembly said on Monday, 28 September, 2020 that the ninth Assembly would break the jinx of not being able to pass the Petroleum Industry Bill after several attempts.
The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila assured Nigerians that the time had come for the passage of the bill.
They spoke at a meeting of the leadership of the National Assembly with the Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Silva, Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mele Kyari and some other top officials in the Petroleum sector.
The meeting was to brief the National Assembly leaders on the focus of the PIB which the Senate President confirmed was forwarded to the Assembly about two weeks ago.
The bill has not been read at the floor of either of the two chambers of the National Assembly because the federal lawmakers are currently on recess but will resume session on Tuesday.
“The PIB is said to be jinx actually for a long time. Probably from 2007 to 2019,” Lawan said in his opening remarks.
“It’s either the bill or bills were sponsored by the executive and not passed by the legislature as was the case in 2007, 2011 in the 6th and 7th Assembly.
“In the 8th Assembly, the legislature sponsored the bill, breaking it down to about three; it passed but there was no assent.
“Now the bill is an executive bill coming to the National Assembly. The two chambers promise that we will break that jinx.
“We want to see an oil industry in Nigeria that is properly regulated, an oil industry that not only sustains the investment that we have but attract even more investment, an oil industry that is very competitive.
“So the Ninth Assembly wants to work with you, have a very clear understanding of every provision so that, at the end of the day, we will break that jinx together with you and provide the oil industry a legislation that will make more effective and efficient at the end of the day,” Lawan said.
The Senate President said it was the first meeting between the Petroleum Ministry and other agencies with the leadership of the National Assembly to discuss the essence and focus of the bill.
“We are glad that the bill is now in the National Assembly even though not before the National Assembly.
“I imagine that by tomorrow(Tuesday) when the communication to the House, communication to the Senate will be read, then it will be before the two chambers of the National Assembly,” Lawan said. Gbajabiamila was also confident that the ninth National Assembly would break the jinx and pass the bill speedily.
“The bill has been long in the making for several years but I believe this is the session in which it will pass.
“We will pass this Bill speedily, however its passage will not sacrifice thoroughness. We will not sacrifice thoroughness on the alter of speed. Speed because it will be in the nation’s best interest.
“In the House of Representatives, we have assembled a crack team of legislators who are versed in the workings of the industry. It is an ad-hoc committee drawn from the House Commitees on Oil, Upstream, Downstream, Local Content and Gas.
“So there is a crack team that will be working with you as we are all trying to go to the same destination.
“Talking about passing it speedily, unfortunately it is coming at the time when it will be competing with the passage of the budget,” Gbajabiamila said.
The Speaker described the bill as “perhaps the most important piece of legislation that will come out from National Assembly in the lifetime of this government.
“It is a most important piece of legislation because we all know what oil represents in terms of our economy. Everyone has been waiting for the arrival of the PIB.
“That is the legislations that is on the lips of every Nigerian whether he knows anything about petroleum or not. It is the most popular and most common Bill. Everybody talks about PIB because oil represents the life wire of our state. That underscores the importance of this bill,” Gbajabiamila said.
News
NYSC extends 2025 Batch ‘C’ registration by 48 hours over network glitches
NYSC extends 2025 Batch ‘C’ registration by 48 hours over network glitches
The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has extended the registration period for the 2025 Batch ‘C’ mobilisation exercise by 48 hours, moving the deadline to midnight on Tuesday, November 11, 2025.
The extension follows persistent network challenges that have hampered the registration process for many prospective corps members (PCMs).
In a statement signed by Caroline Embu, Director of Information and Public Relations, the NYSC apologised for the inconvenience caused and assured affected applicants that technical teams were working “round the clock” to restore smooth operations.
“While Management regrets the inconvenience this might have caused our valued PCMs, we wish to assure all that we are working round the clock to resolve the issues and ensure they enjoy seamless registration,” the statement read.
The scheme urged prospective corps members to take advantage of the extended window to complete their registration, expressing appreciation for their patience and understanding.
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“In view of this regrettable development, Management has extended the registration period by 48 hours till midnight of Tuesday, November 11, 2025, to enable our enthusiastic PCMs conclude their registration,” the NYSC added.
Meanwhile, several PCMs have voiced frustration over the technical difficulties, with many citing failed confirmation emails and prolonged delays despite multiple attempts.
Yusuf Abubakar Umar, one of the affected applicants, wrote on Facebook:
“I’ve been trying to register since 4 a.m., and like many others, I haven’t received any confirmation email.”
Another PCM, Recheal Joseph Ani, said:
“Honestly, I was in the café since 6 a.m. today and up till now I have not gotten an email to proceed with my registration.”
The 2025 Batch ‘C’ online registration exercise initially opened on November 4 and was scheduled to close on November 9 before the extension was announced.
The NYSC reassured prospective corps members that system upgrades are ongoing to prevent a recurrence of such network disruptions in future registration exercises.
NYSC extends 2025 Batch ‘C’ registration by 48 hours over network glitches
News
Give service chiefs 90 days to crush terrorists, Adeboye tells Tinubu
Give service chiefs 90 days to crush terrorists, Adeboye tells Tinubu
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has urged President Bola Tinubu to take decisive, wise, and diplomatic steps in addressing what he described as an alleged Christian genocide and worsening insecurity across Nigeria.
Speaking during the November Holy Ghost Service at the Redemption City campground, Adeboye advised the Federal Government to handle the situation with “balance and strategic foresight,” stressing that political and religious tensions must be approached with care.
“If I am asked to make suggestions, I will say quietly to the government to move wisely and diplomatically,” Adeboye said. “There were times in Nigeria when Christians and Muslims lived peacefully together. I have Muslim relatives and still share meals with them, but the trouble started when politics entered religion.”
The cleric revealed that he had offered private counsel to past presidents on similar issues but noted that only the Commander-in-Chief can act on such advice.
“All the presidents who were around when this trouble started, whatever I discussed with them remains confidential. I have done my best behind the scenes, but as I always say, you can only advise a Commander-in-Chief; you cannot command him. God is my witness,” he said.
Adeboye outlined what he would recommend if given another opportunity to advise the current administration.
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“If I were to advise our government, I would say: move fast, move diplomatically, and move wisely. Find a way to convince the President of America to delay his actions for about 100 days. Then, instruct our security chiefs to eliminate terrorists within 90 days or resign.”
He recalled that former President Muhammadu Buhari once gave a similar directive but failed to ensure compliance.
“Buhari once ordered the service chiefs to get rid of Boko Haram or resign, but he didn’t follow through. I asked him later why he didn’t proceed with his threat,” he recounted.
The cleric further advised Tinubu to ensure that efforts to defeat insurgents also target those funding them.
“When giving orders to the service chiefs, make it clear that they are not only to eliminate terrorists but also their sponsors, no matter how influential they may be,” he said.
Adeboye warned that Nigeria must exercise caution in its foreign relations, noting that no major power would defend the country in the event of external aggression.
“If America attacks us, China will not come to our defense. Neither will Russia or Britain. They will condemn it but do nothing,” he cautioned.
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The respected cleric expressed disappointment with what he described as misleading reports about security improvements in Nigeria, referencing a recent presidential statement.
“I almost spoke last month when I heard the speech of my in-law (Tinubu) saying all is well and displaced people had returned home. The person who wrote that speech does not like him. People around him are not telling him the truth,” he said.
Adeboye acknowledged that Tinubu inherited a deeply rooted security challenge but urged him to focus on solutions rather than rhetoric.
“Our President inherited this problem. As an applied mathematician, I am only interested in getting the problem solved,” he said.
Reiterating his call for diplomacy and accountability, Adeboye appealed to the government to seek international understanding and ensure effective leadership within the military.
“Let the government use diplomatic channels to convince Trump to give us 100 days of grace and then hold the service chiefs accountable. They must deliver within three months or resign,” he added.
He ended his message on a note of faith, expressing confidence that peace would eventually return to the country.
“God said this would be a remarkable year, even though the wind may be violent. The theme for our next Holy Ghost service is ‘Fear Not.’ One way or the other, there will be peace again in Nigeria.”
Give service chiefs 90 days to crush terrorists, Adeboye tells Tinubu
News
U.S lawmaker accuses Nigeria of inaction on insecurity despite billions in assistance
U.S lawmaker accuses Nigeria of inaction on insecurity despite billions in assistance
United States Congressman Riley Moore has issued a strong rebuke of the Nigerian government, accusing it of failing to address the country’s persistent insecurity despite receiving substantial security assistance from the U.S.
Speaking during an interview on The Dinesh D’Souza Show on Thursday night, Moore expressed deep concern over what he described as the Nigerian authorities’ silence in the face of ongoing violence against Christians. He alleged that believers are being “slaughtered for practising their faith,” and warned that the unchecked violence could have serious global repercussions.
Moore currently chairs an investigative committee established by U.S. President Donald Trump to probe the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria. He emphasized the urgency of international cooperation to prevent extremist groups from gaining further ground.
“My brothers and sisters in Christ are murdered for practising their faith and belief in our Lord Jesus Christ,” Moore said. “If we don’t address this, and some terrorists take hold in Nigeria, I promise you, we would have to address it one way or the other.”
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He called for a renewed partnership between the Nigerian and U.S. governments, noting that the U.S. has provided billions of dollars in security aid, including training and equipment, to help Nigeria combat terrorism and protect vulnerable communities.
“They have been paying for that, but they were also granted security assistance from the United States of America… and it has gone on unresolved,” Moore stated. “They are not prioritising the protection of the Christians.”
Moore lamented that the issue has long been neglected, saying, “It has been flying under the radar, and nobody has cared about this for a very long time.”
He concluded with a passionate appeal to uphold Christian values and protect lives, stressing that the matter transcends politics and nation-building.
The Nigerian government has yet to respond to Moore’s remarks, which come amid growing international scrutiny of religious freedom and human rights in the country.
U.S lawmaker accuses Nigeria of inaction on insecurity despite billions in assistance
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