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Senate Confirms Nominee who Collapsed with Youth Ministers
The Senate on Wednesday, confirmed the ministerial nominee from Kaduna State, Dr Balarabe Abbas Lawal, who fell on the pulpit during screening exercise in the hallowed chamber.
Lawal, who replaced the earlier rejected nominee, Nasir Ahmed el-Rufai, was confirmed along with nominees from Kwara State, Dr Jamila Bio Ibrahim and that of Ondo State, Mr Ayodele Olawande.
Lawal was nominated Minister of Environment, while the duo of Dr.
Ibrahaim and Mr. Olawande were nominated as Minister of Youths and Minister of State for Youths, respectively.There were jitters in the Senate when Lawal slumped approximately 15 minutes into the exercise.
The nominee, who was second to appear on the floor of the senate after Ibrahim had just finished speaking when it happened.
After reading his profile, he was endorsed by a Kaduna lawmaker, who indicated that the three senators from the state had validated his nomination.
He slumped on the podium when, Sen. Sunday Katung (Kaduna South) was giving an appraisal of Lawal’s administrative background.
As he collapsed, the Senate President Godswill Akpabio yelled, “Bring water and sugar. Call Dr. Wale.”
At this point, journalists and cameramen were stopped from recording and were asked to leave the red chamber.
The nominee was immediately evacuated to the National Assembly clinic.
DAILY ASSET recalls that on July 21, 2020 a similar incident occurred when the then Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Prof Kemebradikumo Pondei slumped during interrogation by the House of Representatives Committee on NDDC.
About 45 minutes into his presentation, a lawmaker, Hon. Enwo Igariwey asked Pondei, whether the money spent by NDDC was budgeted for.
Igariwey asked the MD where the commission would get money to pay students on scholarship since the operation of the 2019 budget ended on May 31 and the 2020 budget had yet to be approved.
As Pondei was trying to answer, another lawmaker, Hon. Wole Oke observed that the MD was not looking good.
Oke had barely finished speaking when Pondei collapsed. He was quickly moved out of the conference room.
In another incident, a member of the House collapsed and died of cardiac arrest, while jumping on the floor in support of the house speaker, Mrs. Patricia Etteh in October 2007.
The lawmaker, Dr. Aminu Shu’aibu Safana collapsed and died of cardiac arrest while jumping on the floor in the chaos that ensued, due to allegation of financial impropriety levelled against Etteh.
Lawal’s collapse has led many to ask whether he was fit to do the job assigned to him by the president.
Conversely, one of the Ministers of Youth, Dr Ibrahim has voiced his unwavering commitment to realise President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the youths of Nigeria.
In an interview with journalists after her screening, Ibrahim emphasised the importance of youth inclusion in government decision-making.
“The President has heard the youth loud and clear by appointing me as the Minister of Youth.
“During the general elections, we clamoured for inclusion in government, to be at the decision-making table.
“The President has granted our request through my nomination as a minister and Minister of State for Youth, alongside other youthful cabinet members.”
Ibrahim, however, said that the cabinet nomination was just the beginning, indicating that more young individuals will assume leadership roles as heads of government agencies and departments.
Upon assuming office, Ibrahim stressed the importance of conducting a comprehensive diagnosis of youth challenges to actively engage young people in the decision-making process.
“If we want to plan for the future, young people must have input into the process. It is an all-inclusive approach aimed at ensuring that we involve more young people in shaping a prosperous future,” She said.
Addressing concerns about her ability to lead the youth effectively, Ibrahim said: “Leadership is a lifestyle, not just a role or task.
“It is a journey that takes years and a process from envisioning oneself as a leader to leading others towards a common vision.”
She also unveiled her plan for periodic engagement with the youth, emphasising that while she couldn’t specify the frequency, these engagements would address issues relevant to young people, demonstrating her dedication to advancing their interests.
The Nigerian Football Premier League (NPFL) has rescheduled the Day 3 Match of the league between Bendel Insurance FC of Benin and Shooting Stars FC of Ibadan to Oct 2.
The announcement is contained in a letter addressed to the chairmen and general managers of the clubs by the Chief Operating Officer of the league, Davidson Owumi.
The Benin Arsenal were to host the Oluyole Boys as the two clubs are fondly called by their fans, on Sunday.
The match, however, clashed with 2024 off-cycle governorship election in Edo, when vehicular movement is usually restricted. (NAN)
From Attah Ede, Makurdi
Benue Internal Revenue Service (BIRS) has shutdown Oracle Business Ltd, belonging to former Governor Samuel Ortom for allegedly owing taxes to the tune of N93.5m.
The premises of Jagshu and Ubgechi Filling Stations were also shutdown over alleged N2.
1m and N2.1m tax defaults respectively in Makurdi.The tax defaulters operation was carried out at the weekend by the Acting Executive Chairman of Benue Internal Revenue Service, Sunday Odagba in company of the Board’s Secretary/Legal Adviser, Ushahemba Dekaa
The action followed an order from a State High Court sitting in Makurdi which mandated the Board to enforce the consequences of the default.
The BIRS Legal Adviser, Ushahemba Dekaa told journalists after sealing the premises of Oracle Business Ltd that the company defaulted in its obligations for payment of taxes for six years, hence the clamp down.
According to him, the board has been monitoring the tax of the company all these while and the company keep on going back and forth in relation to payment which they failed to do.
He said the board equally organized several meetings and engagements with the companies, yet no compliance even when BIRS were using soft approach to ensure that they paid their taxes and levies but all to no avail.
On his part, the Group Managing Director of Oracle Business, Chris Omiyi argued that the company got letters of tax evaluation totalling N138m. “We sent our tax consultant to them and the liability dropped to N38million.
“Even that amount was spurious but because we are peace-loving we agreed to pay the N38million. But there is still a dispute of N15million which we are to resolve in the office. They fixed a date for the resolution, we got there the people we deal with were not on seat.
“The issue is that you said a company owes tax and we have started paying what you said we owe. Whatever that is in dispute we bring it forward and if it is overruled then we pay that which is in dispute because we have paid all others.”
In his remark the BIRS Acting Chairman, Sunday Odangba stated Oracle Business and other affected companies failed in their obligations.
He explained that the board on several occasions served them demand notices which they did not object and they did not pay.
The Management of the University of Jos has commenced the construction of a 10-lane Olympic Size Swimming Pool ahead of the upcoming National Universities Games Association (NUGA).
Prof. Tanko Ishaya, the Vice Chancellor of the University disclosed this on Monday while handing over the project site to Kaplan Consults Ltd.
and Caniyota Ltd. , the firms handling the project.The NUGA games, to be hosted by the university, is scheduled to hold between April and May 2025.
Ishaya, who explained that the project was being funded with Internally Generated Revenue, said that the swimming pool is one of the key facilities needed toward a successful NUGA games.
“Once this project is completed, all the necessary sporting facilities required for us to host the best NUGA games will be in place.
“I am calling on the contractors to carry out this job within the 16-week specified period; we need a quality job as well.
“We will expect briefing on weekly basis on the progress of work because we want this facility to be ready at least three months before the competition,” he said.
Earlier, Mrs Halima Auta, the university’s Director of Physical Facilities, explained that the swimming pool, a view pavilion and changing rooms would be handled by Kaplan Consult Ltd., while the training pool, all procurement and installations would be done by Caniyota Ltd.
Responding on behalf of the Contractors, Mr Kinsley Nathaniel of Kaplan Consults Ltd., promised to deploy the expertise needed to execute the project to an international standard. (NAN)
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