From Eze Okechukwu Godson, Abuja

The Senate yesterday passed for third reading the South West Development Commission Establishment Bill 2024.

Passage of the bill for third reading by the Senate during plenary was sequel to a report submitted to that effect by the Chairman, Senate committee on Special Duties, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan (APC, Borno Central).

Senator Kaka in his presentation of the report for establishment of the South West Development Commission said the intents and purposes of the bill were well structured for socio – economic development of the South West region.

“If the Commission is established through a Presidential assent to the bill, it will like other development – driven Commissions established on zonal basis receive funds from the federation account, donations from development partners etc, to address infrastructural deficits and tackle ecological problems in the region “, he said.

The Senate accordingly moved into Committee of the whole for clause by clause consideration of the bill after which it was read for the third time.

In his remarks after the passage of the bill, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin who presided over the session commended the Senator Kaka led committee for a job well done.

According to him, the South West Development Commission like other ones recently established will address the infrastructural and ecological challenges in the South West.

“The essence of the various development commissions being set up is to fast track development of the entire country.

“President Bola Tinubu has assented to similar bills passed for zonal development – driven interventions and will surely assent to this one “, he said.

By Eze Okechukwu, Abuja

The Senate yesterday confirmed the appointment of Olukemi Victoria Iyantan as one of the Commissioners in the National Population Commission (NPC). She represents Ondo State.

The confirmation of her appointment by the Senate followed the consideration of a recommendation made by its Committee on National Identity Card and National Population.

The Chairman of the Committee , Senator Abdul Ningi ( PDP, Bauchi Central) who presented the report that recommended the confirmation of Iyantan’s appointment said based on credentials made available to the Committee and public service pedigree of the presidential nominee, she deserved the appointment and should be confirmed by the Senate .

The Senate accordingly moved into the Committee of the Whole for clause by clause consideration and confirmation of her appointment as Commissioner of the National Population Commission.

In his remarks after the confirmation, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin who presided over the session admonished Iyantan to join other commissioners and Chairman of NPC in moving the Commission forward.

From Ene Asuquo, Calabar

The State Working Committee of Labour Party (LP) has applauded the Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission (CROSIEC) under the Chairmanship of Dr Ekong Boco for accelerating the processes that will ensure a seamless and credible Local Government Elections in Cross River State.

The commendation was contained in the statement by the State Chairman, Patriarch Ogar Osim.

He stated, “Knowing the dividend of bringing government closer to the people at the grassroots, Labour Party in accordance with the vision of IPAC in Cross River State, calls on all stakeholders to play their role within the ambit of the law to ensuring the success of the forthcoming local government elections which has been fixed for October 26th 2024”.

The statement further stated that, “Labour Party once again calls on CROSIEC and all stakeholders to be careful with impostors and impersonators who are impersonating the leadership of the LP with the aim to deceive gullible members of the public and also disrupt the election”.

Osim maintained that the State Executive Council of Labour Party Cross River State under the Chairmanship of Patriarch Ogar Osim was lawfully elected at a State Congress held in Calabar, March 2022 for four-year tenure as specified by the party’s constitution.

He said,” Labour Party Cross River State appreciates the critical role of IPAC led by Edet Effiom as Chairman towards ensuring that all legally certified political parties under IPAC participate in the process of shaping governance at the grassroots level”. 

“The party therefore commended the Governor, Prince Bassey Otu for appointing the leadership of CROSIEC led by Dr. Edet Boco who are non-partisan to midwife the conduct of local government election in the state.