COVER
Bill Seeking 60-year Age Limit for President, Govs Passes Second Reading
By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja
A constitutional amendment bill seeking to bar individuals above 60 years from contesting for the offices of President and Governor in Nigeria passed through second reading yesterday, in the House of Representatives.
If this bill scales legislative scrutiny and is signed into law, President Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi will miss out on the 2027 presidential contest as they are all above 60 years of age.
Titled “A Bill for an Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to review the requirements that qualify a person to be elected as President and Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Governors and Deputy Governor of a State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and for Related Matters” was sponsored by Imo lawmaker, Ikenga Ugochinyere.
The bill was one of the 31 proposed legislations which scaled second reading during Thursday’s plenary session.
The bill provides that “A person shall be qualified for election to the office of the President if he has been educated up to at least university level and has earned a Bachelor’s degree in his chosen field of study.
“Section 131 of the Principal Act is amended by inserting a paragraph which reads, “That he is not more than 60 years at the time of vying for the Office of President.
“Section 177(d) of the principal Act is amended by altering the educational requirement that qualifies persons to be elected as governor as follows:
“A person shall be qualified for election to the Office of the President if he has been educated up to at least university level and has earned a Bachelor’s degree in his chosen field of study.
“That he is not more than 60 years old at the time of vying for the office of Governor.
A bill to provide statutory backing for the establishment of Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education in Imo State also passed second reading.
The bill, sponsored by Ugochinyere, aims to elevate the institution’s status, granting it federal recognition and funding support.
The House also passed for second reading a Bill for an Act to alter the Constitution to provide for mandatory inclusion of youths and persons living with disabilities in political appointments.
This bill, also sponsored by the Imo lawmaker, seeks to promote inclusivity and representation in governance.
Similarly, the bill to move trade and commerce to the concurrent legislative list, aimed at enhancing interstate commerce, also scaled second reading during plenary.
When passed into law, the proposed legislation will empower federal and state governments to regulate trade, thus boosting economic activities between and within the two layers of government.
Also considered and approved was the Federal University of Education, Zaria (Establishment) Bill, 2025, sponsored by Speaker Abbas and Plateau lawmaker Yusuf Gagdi.
This bill aims to establish a specialised university focused on teacher education in Zaria. Other education-related bills include the establishment of Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education in Kano and the University of Nigerian Languages in Aba, among others.
Also passed for second reading is the Reserved Seats for Women in National and State Assemblies Bill, 2025, sponsored by Rep. Kafilat Ogbara.
The bill aims to promote gender inclusivity by reserving specific legislative seats for women.
The Inclusion of Youths and Persons with Disabilities in Political Appointments Bill, 2025, sponsored by Ugochinyere, also passed the second reading.
The bill aims to ensure greater participation of marginalised groups in government.
Additionally, judicial reforms are on the agenda with bills such as the Timelines for Justice Administration Bill, 2025, sponsored by Benjamin Kalu, which seeks to enhance the justice delivery system in the country.
Another proposal, “The Increase in Number of Supreme Court & Court of Appeal Justices Bill, sponsored by Bello Kaoje, calls for an expansion in the number of justices to improve the efficiency of the judiciary.
The House also deliberated on bills related to the creation of new states, with the Creation of Wan State (North Central) Bill, 2025 and the Creation of Gobir State (North West) Bill, 2025 also passing for second reading.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere, proposes amendments to the 1999 Constitution to revise eligibility requirements for these key political positions.
According to the bill, Presidential and gubernatorial candidates must not be older than 60 years at the time of contesting.
Also, candidates must hold at least a Bachelor’s degree in their chosen field of study.
The bill specifically amends Section 131 of the constitution to introduce the age limit for the presidency and Section 177 to apply the same requirement to gubernatorial candidates
In addition to the age limit bill, the House passed several other important bills for second reading, including: Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education Bill: Sponsored by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and Rep. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, this bill seeks to upgrade Alvan Ikoku College of Education in Imo State to a federal university.
Bill for the Creation of Ideato West Local Government Area proposes the creation of an additional LGA in Imo State to enhance administrative and developmental efforts.
Bill for Mandatory Inclusion of Youths and Persons with Disabilities in Political Appointments: Sponsored by Rep. Ugochinyere, this bill aims to ensure inclusivity in governance by reserving positions for young people and persons with disabilities.
Bill to Move Trade and Commerce to the Concurrent Legislative List: Also sponsored by Rep. Ugochinyere, this bill seeks to grant both federal and state governments the power to regulate trade and commerce, boosting economic activity nationwide.
Reserved Seats for Women in National and State Assemblies Bill: Sponsored by Rep. Kafilat Ogbara, this bill aims to increase female representation in legislative bodies
Judicial Reform Bills: Timelines for Justice Administration Bill (Sponsored by Rep. Benjamin Okezie Kalu) – Seeks to expedite judicial processes.
Increase in Supreme Court & Court of Appeal Justices Bill (Sponsored by Rep. Bello Kaoje) – Proposes an increase in the number of justices to improve efficiency.
Creation of New States: Creation of Wan State (North Central) Bill, Creation of Gobir State (Northwest) Bill.
With these legislative efforts, the House aims to reshape Nigeria’s governance structure, promote youth and gender inclusion, and enhance economic and judicial efficiency.
By Tony Obiechina Abuja
African Export-Import Bank has signed a $1.35bn financing facility in favour of Dangote Industries Limited.A statement from Afreximbank disclosed that the facility is part of a larger $4bn syndicated financing arrangement for Dangote Industries Limited in which Afreximbank acted as the Mandated Lead Arranger for the syndication.
This financing, one of the largest syndicated loans in recent African financial markets, will refinance capital expended on constructing the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Complex, the biggest single-train refinery in the world with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day. The financing alleviates initial operational expenditures and enhances DIL’s balance sheet, supporting its continued growth trajectory.Afreximbank contributed $1.35bn, the largest share among participating banks, underscoring its commitment to large-scale infrastructure that advances Africa’s industrialisation, energy security, and intra-African trade.Commenting on the development, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors at Afreximbank, Professor Benedict Oramah, said “with this landmark deal, we once again demonstrate that Africa’s development can only be meaningfully financed from within. It is only when African institutions lead the way that others can follow. The journey to utilise African resources for its own economic transformation is well underway.“Through the bank’s funding support, we are enhancing the capacity of the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Industries Ltd to produce and supply high-quality refined petroleum products to the Nigerian market, as well as for export to the entire continent and the world. Our energy security is in sight.”President/Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, added, “Afreximbank’s contribution to this milestone financing underscores our shared vision to industrialise Africa from within. This refinancing strengthens our balance sheet and accelerates with ease the refinery’s supply of high-quality refined petroleum products across Africa.”Afreximbank said that since operations at the refinery complex began in February 2024, it has continued to support the Dangote Refinery by providing key financing solutions for crude supply and product offtake, ensuring uninterrupted operations and reinforcing its role in Africa’s most significant refining intervention.The syndicated facility attracted strong participation from leading African and international financial institutions, reflecting enduring confidence in Africa’s industrial potential and Dangote’s vision in transforming Africa.
By James Samuel, Abuja
Ghana’s Ministers of Defense and Environment died after a military helicopter crashed, killing all eight people on board, a government spokesman and the armed forces said on Wednesday.Among the dead were Edward Omane Boamah, the Minister of Defense and Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, the Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Chief of Staff to the President of Ghana, Julius Debrah, said in a televised news conference on Wednesday.
“I have the unpleasant duty, suddenly, to announce a national tragedy involving the crash of a military helicopter this morning,” Mr. Debrah said. It was not immediately clear why the helicopter crashed.The deaths were announced hours after Ghana’s armed forces said in a post on social media that a helicopter traveling from Accra, the capital, to a mining community in the Ashanti region had gone “off the radar.” The post said efforts were being made to re-establish contact.The armed forces subsequently confirmed the deaths of all on-board the helicopter in a statement on social media. It extended condolences to the families and said investigations were underway to determine the cause of the crash.Also killed were the acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, Alhaji Muniru Mohammed; the Vice Chair of the National Democratic Congress political party, Samuel Sarpong; the Deputy Director General of Ghana’s Disaster Relief Agency, Samuel Aboagye; and three members of the military, including the pilot, according to Debrah.The officials were headed to a gathering on illegal mining at the Obuasi Black Park in the Ashanti region as part of a broader government effort to encourage responsible practices, according to local news reports.The gathering was meant to bring together Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama, along with other government and local leaders, mining association members and development partners, according to a program line-up posted online by officials ahead of the event. Obuasi is about 170 miles northwest of the capital.As a result of the national tragedy, the Chief of Staff said all flags would immediately be flown at half-staff until further notice. Tinubu Condoles with Ghanaian President President Bola Tinubu has sent his “deepest condolences” to President John Mahama, the government and people of Ghana following the helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, and six others. Tinubu assured his Ghanaian counterpart and indeed all Ghanaians that the thoughts and prayers of the government and people of Nigeria were with them during this time of “profound national loss”. In a statement in Abuja last night, Special Adviser to the President(Information & Strategy), Bayo Onanuga said the President urged the Ghanaian nation and the bereaved families and friends to find comfort in the knowledge that their loved ones died in the line of patriotic service to the country.
From Al-amin Tubo, Maiduguri and Attah Ede, Makurdi
No fewer than 24,000 Nigerians were declared missing by their families since 2015, as a result of insecurity that has affected most parts of the country, the International Committee of the Red Cross ( ICRC ) data has revealed.In Benue however, the state Police Command has confirmed the arrest of 176 suspects for allegedly committing various crimes in the Month of July.
Team Leader for Protection of Family Links of ICRC, María Toscano, who released data about the missing persons at a media workshop in Maiduguri said the international body was still on the trace of the missing persons. Referencing the data, the diplomat said Borno had the highest number of the missing persons with about 9,000 out of the 16,000 registered by ICRC in the North-East region.According to her, 11 persons have so far been reunited with their families this year, in addition to the 13 persons that were reintegrated with their families in 2024.Toscano said of the 24,000 registered missing persons, 71 per cent of the incidents occurred from 2014 – 2015, adding that Bama Local Government Area of Borno had the highest caseload of about 5,000 missing persons.The diplomat also said 65 per cent of those missing in the North-East were children at the time they were missing.Toscano, however, identified lack of access to conflict-affected areas and difficulties in contacting families, among the challenges faced by ICRC in the course of its assignment. Head of ICRC sub-delegation in Maiduguri, Diana Japaridze, in her speech, expressed concern over the increasing rate of missing persons and families, who were yet to be reunited after suffering displacement due to armed conflict for over a decade.“Some people spend years searching for loved ones, often with no result. Families have a right to know their fate.“In the chaos of armed conflict, situations of violence and disasters, families can become separated in a matter of minutes, creating anguish and vulnerability and sometimes leading to long years of uncertainty about the fate of children, spouses or parents,” she said.Japaridze urged media practitioners to contribute to awareness creation and draw the public’s attention to the needs of missing persons“While States should raise public awareness of the problem of missing persons as a fundamental concern of international humanitarian law and human rights law, the mass media must draw the public attention to this problem and the needs of families of missing persons.“We hope the knowledge and discussions we are going to share and have during the training will help you, the media professionals, research on the topic more deeply, ask better questions, write quality content, and thus report it in a more professional, unbiased, and empathetic manner,” she said.Police Arrest 176 Suspects for Various Crimes in Benue The Police Command in Benue has confirmed the arrest of 176 suspects for allegedly committing various crimes in July.Mr Ifeanyi Emenari, Commissioner of Police (CP), Benue Command, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press conference in Makurdi.Emenari said that the suspects were arrested for cult activities, armed robbery, banditry, theft and culpable homicide, among others.The CP said that out of the 176,arrested persons, 22 were held for alleged cultism, 26 for alleged armed robbery, while others were for other various offences.He also stated that the command within the said period recovered 30 different types of arms, 4,000 different types of ammunition, 8 motorcycles, one tricycle and two vehicles from the criminals.Emenari explained further that some of the arms recovered included four rocket launchers, 12 AK-47s, 11 locally made pistols and four locally fabricated rifles, among others.The CP added that the command, in collaboration with other security agencies, has successfully destroyed all the bandits’ camps in Benue.He pointed out that with the destruction of the bandits camps, many locals have returned to their ancestral homes and farms in most parts of the state.Emenari said that criminals committing all kinds of atrocities and hiding under cover of bandits would be arrested and prosecuted.The CP announced that he has relocated the area commander overseeing Otukpo axis to Agatu with strict orders to apprehend all criminals terrorising the area.According to him, the command was conducting series of operations and raids in Sankara axis to ensure that all the bandits and other criminal elements terrorising the area were apprehended.“A large number of bandits have been repelled from these areas, while some were neutralised in the course of these operations.“It is important at this point to mention that some police officers lost their lives during these operations.“While we commiserate with their friends and families, we remain committed to this course, as our dear state cannot be left in the hands of criminals.“Our desire is to provide security to all Benue residents, and the command under my watch in the month of July has been able to reduce crime to the barest minimum and will continue to ensure that the state is crime-free.“Measures put in place during the period under review include planned operations in the hinterlands to raid communities of bandits, patrols within the metropolis, intelligence gathering for proactive policing, raids of black spots and stop and search operations,” he said.
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