President Bola Tinubu has signed the National Anthem Bill, 2024, into law seeking to return the old national anthem ‘Nigeria, We hail thee’ into law.

Tinubu, who then attended a commemorative joint sitting of the National Assembly, said he was at the hallowed chamber as a mark of respect and to congratulate the legislators and Nigerians on the 25th anniversary of Nigeria’s unbroken democracy.

He extended his gratitude to the lawmakers and acknowledged the efforts and sacrifices made to build and sustain the country’s democratic institutions.

“Our friends, old and new, to every Nigerian I say congratulations on 25 years of unbroken democracy.

Out of respect, I have come to say thank you very much for building up this institution to this level. You are the foremost leaders who speak for our people and have been at the forefront of this struggle,” President Tinubu said.

Highlighting the significance of the National Assembly, President Tinubu referred to it as a “hallowed chamber” that embodies the nation’s consciousness for freedom and solidarity.

“You sang out the latest national anthem, ‘Nigeria we hail thee’. This is our diversity, representing all people and how we pledge together to be brothers and sisters.

“Without this House, I probably would not have found a path to the presidency; I started it all from here. That is why I have given that respect to you this morning to continue to collaborate with you to build our country together. We have no other choice. No other institution or personality will help us, except we do it ourselves for ourselves.

“No amount of aid from foreign countries can help us. Let us work together to build our nation, charting a new path,” the President stated.

President Tinubu also emphasized the need to preserve and strengthen democracy for future generations.

“We must nurture our democracy so that our children and great grandchildren will be assured of prosperity, progress, and development,” the President concluded.

In his remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the President’s visit was out of respect for the National Assembly.

”Before you arrived, Mr. President, the Speaker and I had explained to the lawmakers that this visit is what is called ‘waka pass’ in Nollywood. 

”You intend to celebrate Democracy Day on June 12, but out of honour and respect for the National Assembly you said you must pass through the National Assembly on your first anniversary,” the Senate President said.

On Nigeria reverting to the old national anthem, Akpabio commended the President for taking the nation back to its roots stating: ‘‘Though we may belong to different tribes, though we have different tongues, in brotherhood we stand.’’

”There is no more fitting place to take us back to our genealogy other than the National Assembly, which is made up of patriotic and elected citizens of Nigeria. The voice of the National Assembly is the voice of Nigeria, so we welcome you,” the Senate President added.

Tinubu Tasks NASS on Collaboration with FG for Prosperity

President Bola Tinubu has urged the National Assembly to continue to collaborate with the Executive for further development of Nigeria and prosperity of the people

Tinubu said this when he addressed a Joint session of the National Assembly yesterday in Abuja.

“So please continue to collaborate, work together to build our country, we have no other choice, it is our nation.

” No one, no other institutions or personality will help us except we do it ourselves, no amount of aid that may be coming from foreign countries, or any other nation.

“Let us work together as we are doing to build our nation, not only for us but for our generations yet unborn, ” he said.

Tinubu also urged the lawmakers to: “Nourish this democracy, build this nation, so that the future of our great grandchildren will be sure of prosperity and progress.

“You are foremost leaders that speak for our people and you have been in the forefront of this struggle.Charting a new course and the question for development, I have submitted the last budget, you expeditiously passed it, we are walking the talk.

“I will soon bring the year 2024 supplementary appropriation bill.”

Tinubu commended the lawmakers for their efforts in sustaining democracy.

“This institution, the hollow chamber, represents the consciousness for freedom and sense of belonging.

“Without this house, probably, I may not find a part in the presidency, ” he said.

Responding, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio said, the National Assembly would be expecting the 2024 Supplementary Appropriation Bill for consideration.

2025 Appropriation Bill Ready soon –Tinubu

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu said that the 2025 appropriation bill would be ready before the National Assembly soon.

 “I will soon bring the 2025 appropriation bill before you; this is just for your information,“he said.

He urged the national assembly not to risk the democratic experience it had enjoyed so far.

”We must not risk this democracy. We must build this nation so that the future of our great-grandchildren will be secured in terms of prosperity and progress,“he said.

The president congratulated Nigerians for the 25 years of unbroken democracy.

“Out of respect, I come to say thank you very much for building on this stage, building the institution and the country.

”You are a first and foremost leader who speaks for our people, and you have been at the forefront of this.

“This institution of the hallowed chamber represents our consciousness of freedom and sense of belonging”, he said.

He said that the lawmaker just resounded the latest national anthem, “Nigeria, we hail thee” saying ”this is our diversity, representing all cradles and how we play together to be brothers and sisters.

“Without this house, I probably may not find the path to the presidency I started before now. That is why I am giving all the respect to you so please let’s continue to collaborate and work together,“he said.

The president said that no amount of aid from foreign countries would help to build the nation, and called on the lawmakers to work together to build the nation.

”This should not only be about you, but for the generation yet unborn and charting a new path for the citizenry.

Responding, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, said, “We will be expecting the 2025 appropriation as soon as possible.

Akpabio said that henceforth, members would refer to themselves as brothers, ”so today we say Nigeria, we hail thee”.

He said that there was no better place to go for the nation’s genealogy than the National Assembly.

“We look forward to celebrating Democracy Day on June 12. Whatever way you choose to celebrate with us, we will take it.” Akpabio said.

Also speaking, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, described Tinubu as a true democrat and leader of the party.

“I want you to know that we at NASS are very happy with your performance, and we are thankful for the relationship that has existed between us. It has been mutually beneficial.

“We assure you that we will always support your noble objectives and collaborate with you. We thank you for bringing back the national anthem we grew up with.“By the time we sing it, you will understand why we must bring it back, line by line,” he said.

From Attah Ede, Makurdi

The Benue State police command yesterday, confirmed the kidnapping of two female students of the Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University Makurdi (JOSTUM).

Daily Asset correspondent learnt that the two victims were kidnapped on Saturday night along the road leading to the university.

The State command Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Sewuese Anene who confirmed the incident to newsmen in Makurdi could not reveal the names of the victims and their levels of study.

She admitted that the incident took place on Saturday night about 11pm along North Bank/UniAgric Road Makurdi and said that the incident did not take place within the university campus.

According to her, the unknown gunmen blocked the road, attacked and took the victims before the security operatives could arrive at the scene of the incident.

“The family and school authorities have notified the Command and investigation into the matter is ongoing”, she stated.

When contacted, the deputy registrar, information and public relations of the institution, Mrs. Iwodi, said that she cannot speak to the press unless she gets permission from her boss.

She promised to call back after securing a mandate to speak but she could not call back again and could not be reachable again as at the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, Police in the State yesterday, have killed three suspected kidnappers, arrested one person and rescued two victims during a gun battle with the bandits.

According to a statement in Makurdi by the command spokesperson, Catherine Anene said the Operation Zenda Joint Task Force stormed a kidnapper hideout, and on sighting the police, the gang leader, Tersue Dada, aka “Causer”, engaged the team in a gun duel, but were overpowered by the superior firepower of the police.

Anene, said three suspects sustained gunshot injuries and were later confirmed dead at the hospital, adding that one of the suspects; Terver Tavershima of Tinenune, was arrested in Ukum Local Government Area.

She disclosed that two victims were rescued unhurt.

Anene intimated that the two victims said they were kidnapped from their homes at Ukum about a week ago and the sum of twenty-three million naira was placed on them as ransom to be paid by their families.

The statement quoted the Commissioner of Police, Hassan Steve Yabanet as calling on the good people of Sankera to cooperate with police teams sent to the area, as they continue to take the fight to criminals’ abodes in the area.

Items recovered from the scene include one AK-47 rifle, one Dane gun, assorted phones, a camouflage uniform and a motorcycle.

Terrorists Kill 12 in Kaduna Market Attack

Meanwhile, terrorists yesterday reportedly attacked and killed 12 persons at Maro Junction, a weekly Market in Maro Ward, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

A former chairman of the local government, Cafra Caino, who confirmed the development, said the assailants invaded the market around 3pm yesterday and opened fire.

According to him, 12 bodies have been recovered while 20 others who sustained various degrees of injuries have been taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

He explained that it was the second time the weekly market had been attacked while business owners and customers transacting businesses.

“The situation is critical and has thrown residents around the area into confusion while they scampered for safety in neighbouring villages.

“Security operatives drafted to the area have already left. We are appealing to the government to deploy security operatives to help restore normalcy,” he said.Meanwhile, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mansir Hassan, did not respond to calls and text messages sent to him by our correspondent as of the time of filling this report.

By Tony Obiechina, Abuja

The Chairman of the Investment and Securities Tribunal (IST), Amos Isaac Azi has disclosed that the Tribunal has so far resolved capital markets disputes valued at N1 trillion since its inception in 2003

Speaking during a breakfast meeting with Members of Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria(FICAN)in Abuja on Wednesday, Azi also clarified that the mandate of the Tribunal is narrowed to only disputes arising from transactions in the capital market alone.

He said “Since the inception of the Investment and Securities Tribunal (IST) in the year 2003, we have been able to resolve dispute from transactions in the capital market to the tune of almost a trillion and in the last year, we have resolved disputes valued at N17 billion,”

He noted that the IST is the only constitutional court that has a time frame to resolve disputes which is within three months unlike other constitutional courts where cases linger for so long.

He further noted that “The courts have made tremendous progress especially in the areas of providing judgements on disputes as it has hardly been overturned at the Appellate Court where dissatisfied parties go to appeal,”

Azi added that the Tribunal has built a mechanism to ensure suites can now be filed digitally from anywhere around the world as part of efforts to adapt to technological advancement in line with global best practices, adding that the Tribunal has commenced virtual hearing since the Covid-19 era in 2020.

In his presentation, the Director, Planning Research and Statistics, Emmanuel Chukwuorji stated that the Tribunal has resolved over 300 cases so far from inception adding that the establishment of the IST has brought confidence in the capital market

“The IST is a creation of the Capital Markets Committee and what we have done over the years is to improve investor confidence by ensuring that disputes are well vetted before judgements are passed which is why our judgements are hardly overturned at the Appeal court,”

He added that unlike conventional courts, the Tribunal records every proceeding that happens in the court electronically, not in long hand.

He described the organisation as a foremost organ of government that boosts investor confidence and contributes significantly to the ease of doing business in the country.

The chairman said looking at how the Tribunal has been consistently rated high by the Ethics and Integrity Compliance Score card for Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs), “it is definitely a confidence booster for anyone who wants to invest in the Nigerian Capital market.”

The Tribunal boss said the IST has been quietly, but successfully carrying out its mandate of mediating between aggrieved investors in the capital market without anybody mentioning its invaluable contributions to the success of the capital market and the Nigerian economy.

He explained that the opening of more offices of the tribunal in geopolitical zones across the country, was meant to earn the confidence of investors in the adjudicatory process now existing in the capital market.

He said the aim of the tribunal was to ensure the rule of law, access to justice and for participants to play by the rules of the market or face sanctions.

 Azi  solicited the support of FICAN to give the IST better publicity and “tell the general public how the Tribunal ensures that capital market disputes are resolved within 90 days hence the need to approach the Tribunal for faster adjudication on issues of capital markets disputes.”

Responding, Chairman of FICAN, Mr Bassey Udo appreciated the Tribunal for taking a bold step in collaborating with FICAN in  its image building processes adding that the Tribunal will not regret the decision but rather have a partner they can be proud of.He reiterated FICAN’s determination to take the Tribunal to the desired level in terms of publicity.