NEWS
Reps Lawmaker Demands Overhaul of Security Architecture in FCT
By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja
A House of Representatives Lawmaker, Rep. Joshua Obika (LP-FCT) on Thursday, demanded an overhaul of security architecture in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) following the spate of criminality in the nation’s capital.
Obika who made the call while addressing newsmen in Abuja on Thursday, said some locations under the bridges are totally infested with criminals.
The member who represents AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency of FCT, said that he had received several reports of people who were tracked and picked up in front of their gates.
“As if these were not enough, another dimension to the criminality has been introduced by hoodlums who mob passers-by upon choreographed fake alarms of missing genitals,” he said.
He said the criminals use the ensuing chaos to dispossess innocent victims of their cell phones and valuables.
The lawmaker said that no class of people had been spared in the criminality, adding that no one knows who would be the next victim.
According to him, Abuja is no longer safe and residents keep asking whether the security of Abuja is slipping through our fingers.
He said that there is an urgent need for the government to restore the hope of both the citizens and investors in Abuja.
“Pursuant to this, I appeal to President Bola Tinubu for the creation of a Special Security Intervention Fund for the complete overhaul of the FCT security architecture.
He says, “Added to this is the need for the FCT Administration to evolve a strategic initiative for the deployment of smart technologies in the nooks and crannies of the city and satellite towns.”
Obika called for the upgrade of the FCT Security Department to the rank of a directorate or an agency, empowered with adequate professional staff and an institutional framework.
He said this was to coordinate the security efforts in the FCT, adding that Abuja has become too big and complex to be handled just by an officer at the directorate level.
He said that nightclubs should be given standard operational procedures, adding that they should be required to install necessary electronic security surveillance gadgets in and around their places of business.
Speaking on education in the FCT, Obika said the educational system in the FCT, especially at the basic level, was in dire need of a major intervention.
He said most schools in the rural FCT lack the enabling environment for learning, adding that pupils study under blown-off roofs.
The lawmaker said that children sit on the ground to receive instructions, adding that there are no sanitary facilities and no adequate teaching materials.
“It is common to see schools without fences or security guards. These expose our children to the risk of insecurity,” he said.
NEWS
2025 Budget, Tax Reform Bills, others Top Agenda for Legislative Action – Bamidele
The Senate Leader, Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele, has listed the consideration of the N49.7 trillion 2025 budget and the Tax Reform Bills as two of the items topping National Assembly’s agenda in the new year.
Bamidele said this in his new year message to Nigerians made available to newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday.
Report says that Opeyemi’s message was entitled: “Another Year of Limitless Opportunities”.
He said that the next few weeks would be devoted to the scrutiny of the 2025 Appropriation Bill, Tax Reform Bills, 2024 and investigation of economic sabotage in the petroleum industry, among others.
Bamidele said that key economic reform initiatives which had been in the pipeline to open up Nigeria for real businesses that would throw up limitless opportunities would also be deliberated upon.
He further stated that the constructive collaboration which the national assembly had being having with the executive since June 2023 was already yielding results.
“It is also repositioning the nation’s economy for the benefit of Nigeria and Nigerians,” he said.
The majority leader cited the multi-tiered interventions by the presidency and national assembly, particularly the commencement of operation by Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals within the 2024 fiscal year as an instance.
Another one, he said, was the Port Harcourt Refining Company and Warri Refining and Petrochemicals Company which was now back in operation after almost two decades of inaction.
Bamidele assured that the national assembly would sustain the President Bola Tinubu-led government’s drive to deepen global best practices in the country’s petroleum industry.
“This is the rationale behind the Senate Ad-hoc Committee to investigate alleged economic sabotage in the Nigerian petroleum industry.
“Considering the significance of the Committee, the National Assembly has initiated the process to constitute a joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives.
“This is to look more decisively and incisively into diverse issues spurring infraction and sabotage in the petroleum industry,” he said. (NAN)
NEWS
Tinubu Lauds NASS for Support
President Bola Tinubu says his administration is encouraged by the National Assembly’s support over the last 19 months and is determined to take Nigeria to the Promised Land.
The President spoke on Wednesday while receiving Vice President Kashim Shettima, the leadership of the National Assembly, and former principal officers of the National Assembly in Lagos.
“Nigerians are the heart of everything we are doing.
We have come to serve.“The transformative journey we have embarked upon is for all of us. It is for our tomorrow. It is for the future generation. Your commitment will yield that fruit for the babies yet unborn.
“Your commitment to value addition and bringing about the spirit of can do and must do is for all of us together,” the President said.
Acknowledging the encouragement from the lawmakers, the President pledged to work harder, embrace intellectual inquisitiveness, and make courageous decisions for national development.
“We have a saying in Yoruba that it is only a courageous dog that will capture the animal in the bush,” he added.
Godswill Akpabio, President of the Senate, commended Tinubu for his courage and commitment to reform and assured him that the National Assembly was firmly behind his administration.
“On this journey of restoration, transformation and rebuilding the nation, you are not alone.
“The National Assembly is with you and will stand by you,” he said.
Akpabio highlighted the positive economic outlook under the Tinubu administration, citing achievements such as oversubscription of Nigeria’s Eurobond, improvements in ease of doing business, and growing foreign investors’ confidence.
“We salute our men in uniform and commend you for your bold reforms. Investors remain interested in Nigeria because of your leadership, and we will continue to smile as the benefits materialise,” he added.
Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House of Representatives, commended the President for his respect and support of the National Assembly.
He said many key figures in the administration, including the President, Vice President, Wife of the President, Chief of Staff to the President, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and several ministers, were all former members of the National Assembly
”The National Assembly should consider itself lucky, and to God be the glory, Mr President, the National Assembly today is more united than ever.
”The National Assembly is more fulfilled than ever before because there is nothing we have ever knocked on your door to request for the National Assembly that you have not obliged.
”This is historic. This is commendable. We need to thank you for that. I also want to thank you for bringing more succour to the poor,” he said.(NAN)
NEWS
Organisation Gifts Materials to New Year Babies in Lagos
A Lagos-based organisation, GVS Cosmetics on Wednesday distributed materials and cosmetics to some babies born, to mark the New Year celebration.
The Managing Director of the company, Chief Ebere Nwosu, said the organisation was passionate about supporting new mothers.
Nwosu, who was represented by Mrs Lucy Odumu, a Pharmacist and General Manager, Marketing of the company, said its action was part of its corporate social responsibility and the need to play roles that would put smiles on faces of citizens.
Report says that staff of the organisation visited three general hospitals across Lagos to celebrate with the new mothers and their babies and donating personal care products to them.
At the Gbagada General Hospital, the beauty and skincare brand gave children materials and its products to Mrs Medina Olayiwola and Mrs Esther Joseph.
Also, at the Maternal and Child Centre, Ajah, the company distributed babies materials to Mrs Christabel Akpat, Mrs Rianat Idowu, Mrs Doris Okeke, Mrs Happiness Mathias, and Mrs Funmilayo Jagbojagbo, who had new born babies in the New Year.
The team of the company also visited the Maternal and Child Centre, Amuwo Odofin where Mrs Oluchi Moses and Mrs. Esther Onyeme were also gifted babies wears and cosmetics.
Speaking, Nwosu said that new mothers deserved attention.
“Our company has always had this zeal to touch lives, especially new mothers and their babies.
“We must put all these together for the benefit of the mothers and the new entrants to the world.
“During childbirth and immediately after it, women are at their most vulnerable, as they now have new lives to care for.
“This initiative aims to bring smiles to the faces of these mothers by giving them personal care and beauty products to take care of themselves and their babies, making them feel good,” Nwosu said..
He noted that the company was committed to promoting maternal and child care in society.
Nwosu added: “Initially, we planned to visit eight hospitals, but due to logistics and feedback, we settled for the three hospitals.
“This initiative aims to become a lifetime event with activities lined up for other significant internationally recognised days,” he added.
The team commended the staff of the hospitals for helping those they described as “mothers in need.”
While appreciating the team, some of the beneficiaries urged other kind-hearted individuals to emulate the kind gesture and share love at all times.
“We thank you and your company for these gifts. You have shown that Nigerians are good people.
This is an opportunity to ask Nigerians to always support one another for the society to be great,” Mrs. Olayiwola said. (NAN)