IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has revealed that none of the 31 proposals for new states met the constitutional requirements. As a result, the submission deadline has been extended to March 5, 2025, for applicants to fulfill the necessary provisions.

Speaking at a two-day retreat in Akwa Ibom, Kalu disclosed that over 200 bills seeking amendments to the 1999 Constitution have been received, covering areas such as federal structure, local government autonomy, revenue allocation, security reforms, and electoral processes.

To enhance transparency and public participation, the committee plans to establish a situation room in collaboration with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) to track and address public concerns during the amendment process. Additionally, zonal public hearings will be held across the six geopolitical zones to gather further input from stakeholders.

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has adopted a new Regional Development Master Plan to replace the previous 15-year plan, which expired in 2020. The decision was made during the NDDC 2025 Board and Management Strategic Retreat in Lagos, where stakeholders evaluated past progress and outlined strategies for improved regional development.

The communiqué, signed by Chairman Chiedu Ebie and Managing Director Samuel Ogbuku, emphasized stronger collaboration with Niger Delta states, ensuring projects align with community needs. It also called for budget discipline, adherence to statutory tenures for board members, and digital transformation in governance.

Additionally, the retreat adopted the KPMG Corporate Governance Report, advocating for international best practices and sustainable development. The participants commended President Bola Tinubu for fully implementing the NDDC Act, ensuring consistent funding for the Commission. 

.. By GOC Nwadike, NDSF-IMO-SLC, PH.

The Main Organizing, And the Local Organizing Committees Required For The Successful Hosting Of The Meiden Edition Of The Niger Delta Sports Festival Have Been Inaugurated In Port Harcourt, The City Capital Of Rivers State.

The Niger Delta Sports Festival; A Flagship Sport Development Program Of The Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, In Partnership With Dunamis Icon Limited; the Consultants, Is Aimed At Harnessing Talents For Human Capital Development In The Niger Delta Beyond Oil.

Performing The ceremony at the NDDC Headquarters on Friday, the Executive Director, Finance And Administration At The NDDC, A Former Commissioner of Sports In Rivers State and Chairman of the Main Organizing Committee of the Festival, Alabo Boma Iyaye Enjoined members of the various committees to see their nominations as opportunity to serve their region, while appealing to them to show commitments and seriousness in their charges.

Iyaye noted that the festival which is the first of its kind in the country must not fail to leave up to its expectations which is, the discovery of talents in all sporting segments from the Niger Delta region.

Members Of The Central/Main Organizing Committee inaugurated today are selected from both the NDDC and The Consultants as follows; Alabo Boma Iyaye - Chairman, Itiako Ikpokpo - Co-Chairman, Davies Okerevu, Barr. Salami Okogie, Barr. victor Arenyeka, Mrs. Seladi Wakama, Allwell Egwurugu, Onome Obruthe, Ono K. Akpe, Eniofioke Udo-Obong, Ochuko Igbigbisie, Fred Edoreh, Mr. Paul Bassey and Lady Rose Bassey.

Also inaugurated as Chairmen of Sub-Committees of the Local Organizing Committee are; Mr. Enefiok Udo-Ubong - Technical; Engr. Evong Moduck Evong - Accommodation; Mr. Isreal Ummerri - Transportation; Dr. George Uzonwanne - Medical Services; Mr. Edger Okpozo - Security; Mr. Kufere Etukudo - Facilities/Equipment; Chinyere Clara Braide - Protocol Services; Mrs. Inyang Etim Udoh - Catering Services; Mr. Richard Mode Damijo - Cultural Expo; Mr. Iwuala Harrison - Media/Publicity; Mr. Godwin Enakhena - Scouting/Mentorship Program And Dr. Eyibrayila Ladi Awofeso - Secretariat Services.

The Nine Commissioners Of Sports From The Nine Mandate states of the Niger Delta region, which includes Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Imo, Abia, Delta, Edo and Ondo are equally inaugurated members of the Main Organizing Committee to oversee their various States Liaisons of the Festival.

The festival is billed to run from 1st to 9th Of April, 2025 at Uyo, Akwa Ibom State with that state as the host of the first edition. Over 15 different sports from both the individual, double and team games will be featured in the festival.

The NDDC which is the main sponsor of this festival with almost 95% of the funding coming from it, says it's part of its programs set aside for the celebration of the 25 years of existence of the commission. 

Scrap markets, commonly known as panteka, have resumed operations across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), five weeks after the FCT Administration (FCTA) shut them down due to security concerns.

The markets, located in all six area councils of Abuja, were closed on January 14 following a security meeting led by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, during which several scrap dealers were arrested.

Leaders of the affected markets confirmed the reopening after discussions with Abuja Market Management Limited and the FCT Police Command.

According to Muhammad Sani Abdullahi, chairman of the Dei-Dei scrap market—the largest in Abuja—market leaders underwent police profiling. As part of the new regulations:

Each market’s chairman, vice chairman, and secretary must provide national identity card details.

They must also present a guarantor, who must be an imam, pastor, or traditional leader.

Market unions are responsible for profiling their members.

Additionally, the Abuja Market Management Limited has taken over security and facility management in the markets. Shop owners are now required to pay N10,000 monthly for these services, in addition to their annual rent. 

The Coalition for Transparency, Equity, and Justice (CTEJ) has urged the Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy to address allegations of financial mismanagement under Minister Hannatu Musa Musawa.

Citing the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, the CSO formally requested an explanation regarding the N4 billion reportedly allocated for office rent. The group claims that N3 billion was allegedly paid in installments to a landlord without Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval, with the office located along ICPC Road, Abuja.

Additionally, the coalition questioned:

The minister’s appointment of 50 new aides, calling it excessive.

The dismissal of experienced officials within the ministry.

The appointment of Ahmed Sodangi as Director-General of the National Gallery of Arts (NGA), arguing that his past involvement in Bank of Industry-sponsored exhibitions should not justify his selection.

In response, the Ministry of Art dismissed the allegations. Dr. Nneka Ikem-Anibeze, Special Assistant for Media and Publicity, stated that the ministry operates from the Federal Secretariat and has not rented any office space. She also refuted claims of family ties between Minister Musawa and Sodangi and denied the hiring of 50 aides. 

Senate spokesman, Yemi Adaramodu, on Friday, faulted the action of his colleague, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, over a seating arrangement row in the hallowed chamber. Natasha, who represents Kogi Central under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had on Thursday, refused to use the seat allocated to her, citing Order 10 of the Senate Standing Rules, which protects the privileges of members.

At the height of the situation, Akpabio called on the Senate security to walk the female senator out of the chambers, but fellow lawmakers’ intervention saved the situation from degenerating out of hand. Reacting to the incident during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily monitored by Core TV News, Adaramodu said the upper chamber was not for content creation. “What we are saying is that the National Assembly is not for content creation in entertainment. National Assembly is for serious business,” he said.

Adaramodu, who represents Ekiti South Senatorial District, also weighed in on the bullying allegation of the Kogi senator. “If she is talking like that being bullied or sidelined, as a first-timer, she even had three committees that she was appointed as chairman. “You are entitled to only committee to be the chairman and she is in charge of Foreign Affairs, NGOs now,” the Senate spokesman said. On the possibility of applying disciplinary actions against Natasha, the Senate spokesman said her colleagues from Kogi State, especially Senator Isah Jubril “had already tendered an apology on her behalf.”

He assured that the 10th Senate wouldn’t revisit the issue following the apology on Akpoti-Uduaghan’s behalf. “The Senate as a whole has already accepted that tendered apology, so we are not going to revisit that,” Adaramodu stated.