NEWS
Senate Passes Bill to Compensate Victims of EndSARS for 2nd Reading
The Senate on Wednesday passed for second reading, a bill seeking to compensate victims of EndSARS protest.
The bill entitled, A Bill for an Act to Amend the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Act, was sponsored by Sen. Bassey, Gershom (PDP Cross-River ).
Bassey in his lead debate, said the bill sought to provide for the establishment of the EndSARS Victims Compensation Fund.
Bassey said: “distinguished colleagues, you may recall that as a result of the EndSARS nationwide protests in October 2020.
” Judicial panels of inquiry were constituted to address the demands of protesters and compensation for verified victims of the EndSARS protest.
“The findings of the judicial panels of inquiry and the Senate Joint Committee on EndSARS revealed the killing of protesters, destruction of private and public properties by rampaging hoodlums, who seized and took over the protest, destroyed and looted valuable assets.
“However distinguished colleagues the implementation of the recommendation of all the panels and committees regarding compensation has been very discouraging.”
According to him, the victims have been left to continually groan under the pains of injury inflicted by hoodlums during the EndSARS protest.
He said the eventual establishment of the fund and implementation of the recommendation of the judicial panel of inquiry and Senate Joint Committee on EndSARS would certainly bring succour to the victims of the 2020 Endsars nationwide protest.
“Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, it is my prayer that you support this amendment bill that seeks to bring hope to the victims of the 2020 EndSARS protest,” he said.
President of Senate, Ahmed Lawan thereafter referred the bill to the Committee on Special Duties for further legislative input and report back to plenary in one week.(NAN)
NEWS
Gov. Mutfwang Inaugurates New Fire Fighting Vehicle in Jos
Gov. Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau on Tuesday inaugurated a Rapid Reponse Fire Fighting vehicle belonging to the state’s Command of the Federal Fire Service (FFS).
The governor, who thanked the Director General of FFS for donating the truck to the command, promised to support it toward addressing challenges militating against effective fire fighting in the state.
Mutfwang, added that with the gesture, FFS has keyed into his vision aimed at making the state’s fire service department one of the best in the country.
”This is indeed a great gesture that signals the direction of this administration to move this state forward.
”We thank DG for the gesture and for considering Plateau to be among the beneficiaries of this beautiful initiative.
”This gesture has spurred us to critically look into the area of fire fighting in the state.
”We are raising the standard and we will not go below it. Will upgrade the state fire service department in the area of funding, training and equipment,”he said.
Earlier, Mr Tanfa Bonkat, the Acting of Controller of FFS in the state, said that only fifteen states in the country were given the vehicle.
He explained that the fire fighting truck has modern facilities with 500-litre water tank and ten-litre tank capacity for chemicals.
Bonkat, who further explained that the truck could navigate through difficult terrain, said that it would be stationed in strategic locations with high risk of fire outbreak.
The Controller, however, called on the governor to support the command with logistics, particularly utility vehicles and water tanker, to enable prompt response to distress calls.(NAN)
NEWS
Collapsed Bridge: FRSC Advises Motorists Plying Ikare/Ado Road to use Alternative Routes
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ondo State Command, has advised motorists plying Ikare-Akoko/Ado-Ekiti road to use alternative routes as a bridge along the road has collapsed.
Mr Ezekiel SonAllah, FRSC State Sector Commander made this known in a statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Akure.
SonAllah said that the diversion became necessary to prevent motorists, especially from the Northern senatorial district of Ondo State, plying the road to Ado- Ekiti from being stranded.
“This is to inform all articulated vehicle drivers plying lkare -Ado route that the road between Agbado and Ikare which is presently under construction is having some issues.
“A portion close to one of the bridges along the route has caved-in living a small space that cannot contain articulated vehicles (trailers).
“Drivers of articulated vehicles are therefore advised to use lkare -OkeAgbe -Omuoke -lkole route for now to enable the contractors effect the necessary correction within the next two week,” he said. (NAN)
NEWS
Tinubu Appoints new Team for Almajiri Education Commission
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of a new leadership for the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education.
Retired Brig.-Gen. Lawal Ja’afar Isa is to serve as the Chairman of the Board of the Commission, while Dr Idris Sani is to serve as the Executive Secretary/CEO.
This is contained in a statement by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, on Monday in Abuja.
He said that Ja’afar-Isa is a respected leader and previously served as the Military Administrator of Kaduna State from 1993 to 1996.
Ngelale said Sani holds a master’s and doctorate degrees in Islamic studies and was the Director-General, Al-Iman School, Lafia; Commissioner, Basic/Secondary Education, Yobe State; and the Chairman, Nigerian Arabic Language Village, Borno State.
He is also a member, Nasarawa State Government Committee on Enlightenment Campaign, and Secretary-General, Association of Private Schools in Nasarawa state.
”The President expects that the new appointees will bring their vast experience into the management of this critical Commission, which impacts the very core of society.
They should ensure that the administration’s drive to guarantee Nigeria’s out-of-school children the most comprehensive education is realised in the superseding interest of the nation’s future,” he said.