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Tinubu Signs Old National Anthem Bill into Law
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.
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
As part of efforts to reposition the newspaper for optimum corporate performance, the management of Asset Newspapers Limited, Publishers of DAILY ASSET, has announced the appointment of David Torough as the Editor of the Abuja-based national daily.
A statement by the management said the appointments were part of the company’s new strategy to further penetrate the various states in the country and raise its readership and patronage.
“DAILY ASSET is widely acceptable across the country and to maintain our leadership position, we need to increase management presence, hence the need to create new Bureau offices in some locations outside Abuja and Lagos,” the statement quoted the Publisher/ Editor-in-Chief, Dr Cletus Akwaya to have said.
In a statement yesterday, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of the fast-growing daily, Dr. Cletus Akwaya said the appointment was part of the new strategy to properly situate the paper for better productivity.
“DAILY ASSET has a commitment with the Nigerian people. We are determined to weather the storm and give Nigerian readers a Newspaper that satisfies their yearnings and reading pleasure and we can only do that with the right set of professionals,” the statement said.
Akwaya, a former Commissioner of Information from Benue State said the difficult times being faced by Nigerians posed a great challenge to the media as the people deserved credible information with which to make choices.
“We have a bond with the people, to offer credible information at all times in the best tradition of the Nigerian Press and on this scale of objectivity, truth and fairness, we pledge to remain steadfast no matter the challenges,” Akwaya was quoted to have said.
He said the newspaper will maiantin its daily print run and circulation to all states of the federation and urged advertisers to take advantage of the deep penetration of the Daily Asset brand to send their messages.
Torough, the new Editor has had a steady rise in the Newspaper in the last five years.
A graduate of Mass communication of the Benue State University, Makurdi, Torough joined the company in 2022 as Benue State Correspondent. He was spotted for his brilliance and redeployed to Abuja the following year and promoted to Deputy News Editor. He was subswuently named Deputy Editor of the paper, a position he held until the recent appointment.
Torough has attended several journalistic workshops and trainings to properly equip himself for the task ahead.
The statement also said the Management named Eze Okechukwu as Deputy Editor.
Before his elevation as Deputy Editor, Eze has been Deputy Politics Editor and DAILY ASSET Newspaper correspondent covering the Senate, having joined the organization in 2021.
Born on March 10, 1975, Eze holds a Masters Degree in Mass Communication from the Enugu State University of Science and Technology.
Eze began his journalism career with Daily Star, Enugu and later worked with Daily Trust Newspaper, Abuja as sports reporter.
Aside from his journalistic excellence, he has a great deal of passion for sports.
From Ngutor Dekera, Kaduna and Aliyu Askira, Kano
Northern governors and traditional rulers yesterday called for the suspension of mining activities across the region for six months, blaming illegal mining for worsening insecurity in many states.The resolution was contained in a communiqué issued after a joint meeting of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council held at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna.
The meeting, chaired by the Gombe State Governor and NSGF Chairman, Muhammadu Yahaya, had in attendance the 19 northern governors and chairmen of the 19 states’ traditional councils. The Forum expressed concern over the escalating violence in parts of the North, including the killings and abductions recently recorded in Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Sokoto, Jigawa and Kano states, as well as renewed Boko Haram attacks in Borno and Yobe.“The Forum extends its deepest condolences and solidarity to the governments and good people of the affected states,” the communiqué said, noting that the attacks on schoolchildren and other citizens had become “unacceptable tragedies” that required urgent collective action.It commended President Bola Tinubu for what it described as the Federal Government’s “firm response” to recent abductions and insurgency threats, especially the rescue of some abducted pupils.The governors also saluted security agencies for their sacrifices on the frontlines.“We resolved to renew our support for every step taken by the President and Commander-in-Chief to take the fight to insurgents’ enclaves in order to end the criminality,” the Forum stated.A major highlight of the meeting was the North’s renewed push for the establishment of state police, with governors and traditional rulers insisting that decentralised policing had become inevitable.“The Forum reaffirms its wholehearted support and commitment to the establishment of state police,” the communiqué added, urging federal and state lawmakers from the region to “expedite action for its actualisation.”On illegal mining, the governors said criminal mining networks were fuelling violence and providing resources for armed groups.As a corrective measure, they asked Tinubu to direct the Minister of Solid Minerals to impose a six-month suspension of mining activities in order to allow for a full audit and revalidation of licences.“The Forum observed that illegal mining has become a major contributory factor to the security crises in Northern Nigeria. “We strongly recommend a suspension of mining exploration for six months to allow proper audit and to arrest the menace of artisanal illegal mining,” it said.To strengthen the fight against insecurity, the governors also announced the creation of a regional Security Trust Fund.Under the proposed arrangement, each state and its local governments will contribute ₦1bn monthly, to be deducted at source under an agreed framework.They said the fund would help provide sustainable financing for joint operations, intelligence-driven interventions and coordinated security responses across the region.At the end of the meeting, the Forum reaffirmed its commitment to unity and collective responsibility.“Only through unity, peer review and cooperation can we overcome the pressing challenges before us,” it declared.The Forum agreed to reconvene on a date to be announced.Meanwhile, Nigeria’s worsening security crisis took a grim turn on Monday as bandits launched fresh attacks in Kano State, abducting 25 villagers, even as the Federal Government raced to secure the release of more than 300 Catholic school children kidnapped in Niger State.In the early hours of Monday, armed bandits invaded Unguwar Tsamiya—popularly called Dabawa—in Shanono Local Government Area of Kano State, whisking away nine men and two women after shooting into the air and assaulting residents. The attackers also rustled two cows.A resident lamented the community’s helplessness: “We cannot do otherwise; most of us cannot leave because we have nowhere to go. This is our place, our land and everything is here.”The assault came less than 24 hours after a similar attack on Yan Kamaye in Tsanyawa LGA, a community along the volatile Katsina border.In Niger State, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu has assured distraught families of St. Mary’s Co-Education School, Kontagora that the more than 300 students and staff abducted on November 21 will return home “soon.” Ribadu, who led a high-level federal delegation to the school on Monday, said the abductees are safe, though he offered no specifics on their location or the status of rescue operations.According to Daniel Atori, spokesman for the Catholic bishop overseeing the school, the NSA reassured officials: “The children are where they are and will come back safely.”The St. Mary’s attack is part of a worrying resurgence of mass kidnappings reminiscent of the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction. Security analysts warn that banditry has evolved into a “structured, profit-seeking industry,” with hundreds of Nigerians abducted in November alone.The Kontagora school abduction occurred the same week 25 girls were kidnapped in Kebbi State—victims who authorities say have since been rescued through “non-kinetic” means. About 50 of the St. Mary’s hostages have also managed to escape.Ribadu’s delegation, which included the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), reaffirmed the government’s commitment to securing the freedom of all abducted citizens.As communities from Kano to Niger continue to bear the brunt of these violent incursions, the escalating spate of kidnappings underscores the urgent national demand for a more decisive and coordinated security response.
By David Torough, Abuja
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said former Attorney‑General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, will face a team of interrogators at its office daily throughout December.A credible source in the EFCC said on Monday that the daily appearance was part of an ongoing investigation into the whereabouts of an alleged 490 million dollars Abacha loot secured through a Mutual Legal Assistance (MLAT) request.
The source said that Malami, who was summoned for interrogation by the EFCC on Saturday, was barred from leaving Nigeria for the next one month.According to the source, one of the conditions for his release on Saturday was that he should report daily to the EFCC Headquarters in Abuja for further interrogation.The source said Malami would have to appear daily at the anti-graft office due to the volume of the investigation and the seriousness of the charges against him.”We seized his passport, it is the normal routine during investigation, but he has to report at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja every day for the next month.”He will be reporting for further investigation throughout December.”He will be reporting every day, starting from Dec. 1st to Dec. 31st.He will appear before the team of investigators for the entire month of December.”He will be reporting to EFCC for investigation for the period because of the volume of the investigation and the seriousness of the charges against him,” the source added.According to the source, a fact sheet on the former minister revealed that Malami had several issues to clarify with the EFCC within the coming weeks.“We have asked him to explain the whereabouts of the $490 million Abacha loot secured through MLAT.“We didn’t say he stole money, but he should account for the loot. This is one of the issues he will clarify to our investigators.”The commission cited the large volume of documents he must review and the need for extensive interviews as reasons for seizing his passport.The source said EFCC would not engage in a war of words but would release its findings after a thorough investigation.Malami, in a statement by his media aide, Mohammed Doka, on Monday in Abuja, however, described the EFCC investigation as a political witch‑hunt.He confirmed he honored an EFCC invitation on Nov. 28, describing the engagement as fruitful and expressing confidence that the probe would vindicate him.Malami described the EFCC’s allegations as baseless, illogical and devoid of substance, insisting they collapse under factual scrutiny.
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