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Senate Reshuffles Committee Leadership, Appoints Chairmen For Regional Development Commissions

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Nigerian Senate
Senate in Session
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The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has expressed satisfaction with the just-concluded budget defence sessions, commending lawmakers for their dedication in scrutinising the 2025 budget to ensure a workable financial plan for the year.

The Senate President made the comment when he presided over the resumption of plenary after a two-week break.

In the meantime, following President Bola Tinubu’s assent to bills establishing development commissions for various regions in the country, the Senate has conducted a minor reshuffle, appointing chairmen and deputy chairmen to oversee these commissions.

According to Akpabio, Senator Babangida Hussaini and Senator Muntari Dandutse will serve as Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Senate Committee on the North West Development Commission.

Similarly, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and Senator Kenneth Eze have been appointed as Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Senate Committee on the South East Development Commission, while Senator Titus Zam and Senator Isa Jibrin will head the Senate Committee on the North Central Development Commission.

In a related development, the Senate has reshuffled the leadership of some standing committees. Senator Abdul Ningi has been moved from the Committee on Population to head the Senate Committee on FERMA.

Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan, previously in charge of the Committee on Local Content, is now the Chairman of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations.

Other newly appointed committee heads include Senator Garba Maidoki, who now chairs the Senate Committee on Sports Development, as well as Senator Joel Thomas who is the new Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content.

Senator Victor Umeh has been reassigned from the Diaspora Committee and will now serve as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Population and NIMC.

Meanwhile, the Upper chamber condoled with the Speaker of the House of Representatives over the passing of former deputy majority whip, Hon. Oriyomi Onanuga, on January 15.

Akpabio led other lawmakers to observe a minute silence in her honour before plenary is adjourned.

 

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NASS Secures Presidential Assent to Federal Universities in Ekiti, Osun

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Senate Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele
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The National Assembly has secured the assent of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Bills establishing Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences in Iyin Ekiti, Ekiti State and Federal Universities of Agriculture and Development Studies in Iragbiji, Osun State.

Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele revealed the decision of the president yesterday after the signing of the two legislations establishing the two universities at the State House, Abuja on Thursday.

Bamidele had sponsored bills to establish Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences in Iyin- Ekiti Kingdom, Ekiti State and Federal University of Agriculture and Development Studies, Iragbiji, Osun State respectively in 2023 and 2024.

He had initiated with strong convictions that the two bills would bridge the knowledge gap in science, technology and innovation required for national development; promote environmental sustainability and climate action as well as enhance agricultural innovation and food security in the country.

Contingent upon their strategic national significance, the upper chamber passed the two legislative initiatives into laws and secured the concurrence of the House of Representatives, thereby informing the resolve of the president to give effect to the two legislations.

After the signing of the bills yesterday, Bamidele revealed the decision of the president, which he described as defining and significant in the quest of the president administration to address food insecurity and challenges associated with climate change in the country.

He, therefore, commended the president for approving the establishment of the two federal universities with specific mandate to address knowledge deficit in environmental technology and promote innovative research in food security and agricultural production.

Before the assent of the president yesterday, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa had strongly recommended the establishment of Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences in Iyin Ekiti, Ekiti State and Federal Universities of Agriculture and Development Studies in Iragbiji, Osun State.

In a letter to the presidency on Wednesday, February 19, the education minister asked the president to approve the establishment of the two federal universities as passed by the National Assembly.

With respect to the Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences in Iyin Ekiti, the minister said the Federal Ministry of Education “has reviewed the provisions of the bill and found that it meets all requisite guidelines and standards for the establishment of a Federal University of this nature.

“The university will specialise in technology-driven education and research, producing graduates equipped with 21st century skills in Engineering, Digital Innovation and Applied Sciences. It will drive Nigeria’s industrialization by fostering homegrown technological solutions for economic growth and job creation.

“The institution will focus on environmental sciences, offering programmes that address climate change, renewable energy, waste management and sustainable urban development. It will serve as a research hub for developing policies and solutions that align with Nigeria’s commitment to global environmental sustainability goals.”

On the Federal Universities of Agriculture and Development Studies in Iragbiji, Alausa specifically said the university would serve as a center for advanced agricultural education, research, and innovation, contributing to the country’s food security and sustainable agricultural practices.

He said: “It will develop improved farming techniques, agro-processing methods, and climate-smart agriculture solutions to boost productivity and resilience. The university will integrate agricultural sciences with development studies, training professionals to address socioeconomic challenges in rural areas.

“It will foster entrepreneurship and Agribusiness, equipping students with skills for self-employment and wealth creation. The university will stimulate economic activities in Iragbiji and surrounding communities, creating employment and business opportunities.

“The university will serve as a hub for collaborative research with international institutions, government agencies, and the private sector to drive innovations in agricultural sustainability, and community development,” the minister wrote in another letter to the president.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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NLM Rejigs Leadership Structure, Says It’s time for Leadership by Productivity

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By Abdulrahman Obaje

The Nigeria Liberty Movement (NLM) has outlined detailed plan as it rejig the leadership structure of the party from National Executive Councils to Family Mobilisers, saying that It’s time for leadership by productivity.

This is contained in an advance Ramadan message by Amb. Moses O. Adebisi PhD, aka ThisDaysMoses, aka Al’Musa, National Leader, Nigerian Liberty Movement.

Ambassador Moses while passing his advance ramadan message said, “Despite the general acceptance of the Message of Liberty by the aggrieved members of Nigeria Society, we have a need, and that need is worthy, able and willing Liberator in our 7 Hierarchical Order of Leadership and Structural Formation.”

“11 person at the state level across all the senatorial districts.”

“11 person at every local government level in your state.”

“11 person at every wards level in your state.”

“Requirements: We need a leader that can assemble these numbers of person together in his state, have a meeting with them, take their details and bring it to the headquarters in Abuja in person.”

“You and them would become the NWC of NLM, You and them will receive our Training, Empowerment and Leadership Tickets in Our Party and Our Government.”

“In quest for Liberty: NLM Through You, Would Emerge New Breed of Leadership in Nigeria’s Political Landscape, For Emergency National Intervention, Self Actualisation of every Nigerian and National Development.”

He charges any member that has the capacity to lead to contact him with his or her detailed plan.

he said, “Can you take this lead for your state?, Come up hitter, Come to my dm and tell me the state you want to lead, We shall bring down this posts in 24hours”

He greats and wishes the muslim community in Nigeria a rewarding Ramadan period in advance and pray that May the Ramadan bring you ever closer to Jannah

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PANDEF Leader Edwin Clark Dies At 97

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Chief-Edwin-Clark
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The leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Edwin Clark, is dead.

The death of the former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South leader was confirmed by a family representative, Prof. C. C. Clark, on Tuesday.

The statement read, “The Clark-Fuludu Bekederemo family of Kiagbodo Town, Delta State, wishes to announce the passing of Chief (Dr.) Sen. Edwin Kiagbodo Clark OFR, CON on Monday, 17th February 2025.

“The family appreciates your prayers at this time. Other details will be announced later by the family.”

Clark was a leading voice for regional and national unity. He was also known for mediating peace among warring communities and politicians in the Niger Delta region.

Last October, he set up a committee to reconcile Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his erstwhile political godfather Nyesom Wike.

The committee was headed by former Akwa Ibom Governor Obong Victor Attah, Co-Chairman, Pandef BOT.

Clark’s death comes barely four days after the demise of Pa Ayo Adebanjo, the leader of Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group.

Both statesmen were known to be leading voices in the political development of the country.

The duo joined other patriots to attend the Greater Nigeria Conference, which was held in Abuja in 2022 to deliberate on the emergence of the next Nigerian President from the South-East.

In November 2023, they, alongside other and other eminent leaders of thought, renewed the calls for the restructuring of the country to achieve a true federal structure.

They called for the adoption and fully implementation of the 2014 National Conference report, arguing that document contains the antidote to the political and socio-economic problems confronting the country.

 

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