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OMO-AGEGE TO NIGERIANS: DON’T DESPAIR, WE WILL OVERCOME OUR CHALLENGES

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The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has called on Nigerians not to despair over the myriad of challenges confronting the nation.

Expressing optimism that Nigeria will surmount its travails, Senator Omo-Agege harped on the need for citizens to eschew bitterness and ill-feelings towards one another as the country stands to gain a lot from a united front.

The Deputy President of the Senate stated this on Friday in Abuja while giving his opening remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast.

He said he remained an incurable optimist about a better Nigeria despite security challenges in some parts of the country.

His words: “The promise of God is that He will not conceive a nation – from the many nations of Nigeria – and not see it to fruition. This is His promise in Isaiah 66: 8- Who has ever heard of such things? Who has ever seen things like this? Can a country be born in a day or a nation be brought forth in a moment? Yet no sooner is Zion in labour than she gives birth to her children. Here He says that he will not start a thing and not see it to the end. God that began our nation in 1914 will see it to perfection.

“As we seek the birth of a new nation, we must be reminded that no nation is built in one day. Rome, they say, was not built in a day. Nigeria holds a great potential for itself, for Africa, for the black race and indeed for mankind. It is not uncommon for a people with such unusual potential to continually be bedeviled by the schemes of the evil one through his agents. We are all familiar with the story of Job; his travails and his ultimate triumph. This is the lot of those who know God and who put their trust in Him.

“We must never despair over the weight of challenges facing our nation. It is because among nations, Nigeria is a nation of the chosen. We are blessed with some of the best resources the world has ever known. Our mainstay natural resource namely oil, is said to be of the best quality type in the world being practically Sulphur-free. In terms of the human resource, Nigeria has some of the best brains in practically all fields of human endeavour.

“Would we now wonder why we seem to be going through what appear to be unusual, heavy travails? The devil has no business with failures. He only goes after successes or entities with huge potential for success. Look around you, nations that are blessed by God are the most troubled by threats of all kinds. But they rise above their travails because God is with them. God Himself did not promise us the absence of trials, but He promised that we will not be encumbered by trials that will overwhelm us, if we put our trust on Him. And the only way we can qualify for this covenant with God is through our faith, fervent, unceasing prayers, and by doing His will.

“As we pray today for Nigeria, let us ask God to give us the courage as a people, never to stumble. Let our obstacles be stepping stones and not stumbling blocks. Let God give us the courage to positively explore our differences rather than negatively exploit them, such that they are sources of strength rather than of weakness. Let God give us, individually and severally, the wisdom and the love to emphasise and celebrate those things that unite us, rather than those that divide us. This is the foundation towards making a nation out of the many nations of Nigeria.

“Finally, while we live through life as individuals, as brethren and as a nation, there are crosses to be borne, sorrows to be shared. This is why we are going through the mask of travails that we see today as a people. We must tear this mask. We must emphasise those things that unite us, and in the process heal those that seem to divide us. This way we build a united country under one God. At the end, a crown of victory awaits us all and our children, and even generations unborn. This is the promise of God. The perfect will of God is not to bring our nation to ruin, even in spite of the machinations of the devil and his agents. His thoughts for us are of peace, and not of evil, to bring us to an expected end (Jeremiah 29:11-For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”). An end with a crown of victory as one united Nigeria”.

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House Of Reps Adopt Tax Reform Bills, VAT Remains 7.5%

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The House of Representatives has finally adopted the reports of its committee on finance on the Tax reforms bills after months of negotiations and three public hearing on the issue.

Several amendments were made to accommodate all concerns as the bills were approved without any dissenting voice.

Part of the amendments include the retention of value added tax (VAT)at 7.5 percent, redefinition of the inheritance tax, and distribution of value added tax.

The House also approved the proposal for the military to be exempted from personal income tax.

“All the 36 states, including the Federal Capital Territory have their representatives in the sub-committee.

“This is the first time such a report is getting hundred per cent approval by almost all members,” the Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas said.

Following the consideration of the bills, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Finance James Faleke

“These bills underwent three full days of public hearings, with input from over 80 key stakeholders. Afterward, we held an eight-day retreat to debate each clause,” the Lagos lawmaker said.

“I am glad that House members recognised our thorough work and approved all our recommendations.”

With the adoption, the House is now poised to pass the bills.

The adoption is coming after President Bola Tinubu in October 2024 asked the National Assembly to pass the tax reform bills. These bills include the NRS bill, the Nigeria tax bill, the Tax administration bill, and the joint revenue board establishment bill.

Some clauses in the bills had generated concerns in some sections of the country with many calling for their withdrawal. But President Tinubu insisted on the bills, arguing that Nigeria needs them to make progress.

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Natasha: Senate Passes Vote Of Confidence In Akpabio’s Leadership Again

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Senator Godswill Akpabio and Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
Senate-President-Godswill-Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
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For the second time in the last few weeks, the Nigerian Senate on Thursday passed a vote of confidence in the leadership of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

This comes after Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele under Orders 40 and 51, moved a motion on the recent controversy surrounding the upper chamber, underscoring the need for clarity, adherence to legislative rules and a renewed focus on governance.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan representing Kogi Central was suspended by the Senate following following alleged gross misconduct and and disobedient to Senate rules.

She tagged her suspension as an injustice, reporting the matter to the United Nation’s Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) on Tuesday.

The Senate, however, responded to her complaint to the IPU on Wednesday, telling the international body that Senator Natasha’s suspension has nothing to do with her sexual abuse allegation against Akpbaio, but for gross misconduct and disobedient to Senate rules.

Speaking on the floor of the Senate , Senator Bamidele acknowledged heightened public interest in the matter due to allegations made by a fellow senator.

However, he maintained that at no point between August 2023 and the present was the Senate informed of any sexual harassment claims, adding that the issue at hand was purely about disciplinary measures related to breaches of Senate rules.

According to him, “I want to make it clear that the matter referred to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges had nothing to do with sexual harassment. The Senate President did not preside over any case related to such allegations. What was addressed was a flagrant disregard for Senate rules and we followed due process as guided by the Constitution”.

He further defended the Senate’s authority to regulate its proceedings, including the decision to suspend a senator, stating that such actions were necessary to maintain order and uphold legislative integrity.

He refuted claims that the Senate acted beyond its constitutional rights, noting that suspension remains the only alternative to anarchy within the chamber.

“It was never an issue before us that any member of us was sexually harassed and we hold on to that point. We need to put the events of the last two weeks and concentrate. There is work before us and we have done everything possible, ensuring that the electoral reforms and others have legislative expressions.”

Regarding international reactions, he further clarifies that the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) acted within its own rules, and that any statements made by the Senator in question at the IPU meeting were done in a personal capacity, not as a designated delegate representing Nigeria.

“It was never an issue before us that any senator was sexually harassed. We need to move past the events of the last two weeks and focus on our legislative responsibilities. There is critical work before us, including electoral reforms, economic recovery, and tax reform bills.

“The 7th schedule of the 1999 Constitution is clear, and we all swore by oath that we will make laws for the good of this country. We swore to that oath and ensured everyone abides by that oath”.

The Senate leader also addressed the Civil Society Organizations, noting that Nigeria is making progress but still faces significant challenges. He urged the public to be objective in their analysis and to reserve their energy for genuine cases of sexual harassment.

“We have heard you, but we need to concentrate in our work, so if we choose to be silent on this matter going forward, know that it is intentional on our part. Please be objective in your analysis and save energy for those genuine victims of sexual harassment”.

To conclude, the Senate passed a vote of confidence in the leadership of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, commending the way the matter was handled.

The Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, who presided over Thursday’s plenary session, noted that with the budget which has now passed demands that the legislature focus on its oversight functions.

He reiterated that the matter is now before the courts, and as such, the Senate should allow the legal system to take its course.

 

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Prisoners on Death Row Rise by 98 in Six Months, NCoS Acting CG Reveals

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Acting Controller-General of NCoS), Mr. Sylvester Nwakuche and Senate Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele
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*****Seeks strategic collaboration with police, DSS, EFCC

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has revealed that the number of prisoners on death row had risen from 3,590 in September 2024 to 3,688 in March 2025, representing a 2.73 percent increase or 98 prisoners within six months.

The NCoS also sought strategic collaboration with the Nigeria Police, Department of State Services (DSS); Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to speed up the wheel of justice in the country.

The Acting Controller-General of NCoS), Mr. Sylvester Nwakuche revealed the figure yesterday while the Senate Committee on Interior chaired by Senator Adams Oshiomhole was screening him for the position of substantive controller-general.

Nwakuche was accompanied by his Principal Staff Officer, Mr. Godwin Okosun; Deputy Controller of Corrections of NCoS, Mr. Babatunde Ogundare; Acting Controller-General of NCoS, Mr. Sylvester Nwakuche; and Assistant Controller General of NCoS, Mr. Ahmed Adagiri, among others, to the screening exercise yesterday.

Responding to questions at the screening with facts and figures yesterday, Nwakuche disclosed that no fewer than 3688 inmates are currently on death row in the country compared to 3,590 recorded in September 2024.

He explained the major challenges facing the correctional service in the country, revealing that the majority of inmates “are currently awaiting trials. That is our major headache we are trying to address on a daily basis.

The acting comptroller-general said: “Inmates on death row are now 3688 from 3,590 in September 2024. State governors are part of our challenges. They refuse to execute inmates on the death row; neither do they commute their death sentence to life imprisonment.

“If they commute death sentences to life imprisonment, it is easier for us to distribute them to rural correctional facilities which are not as congested as those in urban correctional facilities.

“This is because the issue of congestion is a major urban phenomenon. Our correctional facilities in urban centres are more congested than those in rural areas. If we commute them to life sentencing, we will be able to distribute them equitably,” the acting comptroller-general.

The acting comptroller-general pledged to collaborate with other security agencies more strategically to ensure that the issues of awaiting trials are permanently resolved so that the prison can be decongested.

He further emphasised collaboration and synergy specifically with the Nigeria Police, EFCC, DSS and ICPC, among others, to decisively address the challenge of awaiting trials in all the correctional facilities nationwide.

“This is very important for any establishment to forge ahead. An establishment like correctional centres cannot do anything without collaboration. We are the one at the recipient of the products of all the prosecuting agencies,” the acting comptroller-general.

According to him, the Nigeria Police, EFCC, DSS, Nigeria Custom Service, Nigeria Immigration Service and ICPC will bring all these products to our doorpost. They expect to turn around and push them into society and be law-abiding citizens. If we must meet this expectation, we need to collaborate more meaningfully.

He lamented that the dispensation of justice system “is very slow. When I met with the Inspector-General of Police, I said some of your inmates are in our facilities. They have stayed up to five or six years. Some of them are not needed to be in our facilities any longer.

“If they have been sentenced, some of them will not spend up to two to three years in prisons. But they have stayed in our facilities for six years. For me, such persons should be discharged and acquitted. That is one area we must collaborate to decongest our facilities..

“I also met the Director-General of DSS on the need for collaboration. I met the Attorney-General of the Federation for the same reason. Some of the inmates are waiting for the advice of the Director of Public Prosecution. If we do not reach out to these agencies, our people will continue to be in prisons unnecessarily.”

In his remarks, Chairman, Senate Committee on Interior, Senator Adams Oshiomhole said the committee would submit its report based on the performance of the Acting Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).

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