IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, says the Nigerian Senate, remains a “matured” institution that must be treated with respect. She made the remarks while speaking with journalists at the State House Abuja on Thursday, according to a statement by her media aide, Busola Kukoyi.

The remarks come amid allegations of sexual harassment and abuse of power against the president of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Speaking ahead of International Women’s Day, she dismissed concerns over the Senate’s handling of issues, insisting lawmakers are “doing what is needful.”

Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who served in the Senate for 12 years, said the chamber should be a place of honour, not controversy. She also urged Nigerian women to assert themselves in leadership. “I know with what is going on in the Senate, you may say, why am I not taking a position? I believe that the Senate is doing what is needful because that’s what it is. It is an inside place and it’s a matured chamber. It’s a mature chamber, and it should be treated with respect. It’s an honour for you to be in that place alone.

“I was there for 12 years, even in my younger days, and I’m still trying to look young, but people compliment you all the time, only that, women raise yourself, don’t be in a position that men will be talking to you anyhow”. 

As the Lenten season commences, President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerian Christians to embrace the love of Jesus Christ by showing compassion and empathy to those around them, especially the needy. President Tinubu made the appeal in a statement on Thursday, extending his heartfelt wishes to the Christians in Nigeria.

The Lenten season, the 40-day period, is a time of fasting, prayer, and repentance, preparing believers for the joyous celebration of Easter, commenced with the Ash Wednesday yesterday. “During Lent, Christians engage in earnest prayer, self-denial, almsgiving, and deep spiritual reflection. It is a solemn reminder of life’s transient nature, echoed in the Holy Scriptures: ‘By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground since from it you were taken; for dust you are, and to dust you will return.’ (Genesis 3:19).

“This year’s Lent, a time of devotion and reflection for Christians, coincides with the holy month of Ramadan for Muslims, a season that similarly emphasises devotion, sacrifice, and acts of kindness. This convergence of religious observances is a testament to the unity in diversity that characterises our nation. “Beyond fasting and prayer, I urge all Nigerians to embrace the love of Jesus Christ by showing compassion and empathy to those around us.

“Let us extend a helping hand to those in need, comfort the grieving, visit the sick, and uplift the marginalised. The Scriptures remind us that our love for one another is a true testament of worship. “Let this season deepen our commitment to selflessness and service as we strive to build a nation where empathy and generosity shape our daily interactions,” the statement said. 

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has reported that in the past week, 92 terrorists were killed, 111 arrested, and 75 kidnapped victims rescued. Troops also recovered 117 weapons and 2,939 rounds of ammunition.

Additionally, 18 suspects were apprehended for oil theft, and illegal operations worth ₦521.8 million were foiled in the South-South. Security forces seized 452,396 liters of stolen crude oil, 224,175 liters of illegally refined diesel, and 1,920 liters of petrol while destroying multiple illegal refining sites.

In the North East, 101 terrorists surrendered, while troops eliminated 25 insurgents, including a commander, Abba Alai, and rescued seven kidnapped victims.

DHQ reaffirmed its commitment to national security and adherence to rules of engagement. 

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to curbing industrial carbon emissions in Nigeria as part of efforts to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ engagement workshop on the National Industrial Decarbonisation Programme (NIDP) in Abuja, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, emphasized the need for industries to adopt green technologies and sustainable practices to reduce environmental impact.

The Director General of NESREA, Dr. Innocent Barikor, highlighted that the NIDP aims to create a strong regulatory framework supporting Nigeria’s climate action goals, promoting energy-efficient practices, and facilitating carbon credit trading.

With industrial emissions projected to triple by 2030, stakeholders stressed the urgency of implementing decarbonisation strategies to align with international agreements such as the Paris Agreement.

The Chairman of NESREA’s Governing Board, Garba Mohammed, and Oxytane Africa Investment Limited’s MD, Tamarankro Obriki, also reaffirmed their support for the programme, emphasizing the economic and environmental benefits of transitioning to a low-carbon economy. 

Local government chairmen in Kano and other northern states have denied receiving any directive from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) regarding signatory verification for direct allocation disbursement. Despite reports of the CBN initiating the process, no local government in Kano has opened an account with the apex bank. Officials from Benue, Bauchi, Plateau, and Kwara also confirmed they had not been contacted.

The delay in implementing financial autonomy, despite a Supreme Court ruling in July 2024, has raised concerns among local government officials. However, former Wudil Local Government Chairman, Yusuf Ibrahim Lajawa, argues that local governments remain powerless, as state governors still control their affairs.

Lajawa insists that without independent electoral bodies overseeing local government elections, autonomy will remain unattainable. He also asserts that local governments can sustain themselves financially if state governments stop interfering in their allocations.

Although the Supreme Court has ruled in favor of financial independence for local governments, its implementation remains stalled, leaving local authorities in uncertainty. 

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (APC, Abia North) expressed concern over the recommendation to withhold the salaries of the aides of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) during her six-month suspension.

The Senate had suspended Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan following allegations of misconduct and her refusal to comply with the chamber’s seating arrangements. 

The suspension entails the withdrawal of her salaries, allowances, and security aides, as well as the closure of her office within the National Assembly. 

During the plenary, Senator Kalu urged his colleagues to reconsider the aspect of the suspension that affects the aides of the suspended senator. He emphasized that these aides are employees of the National Assembly and should not be penalized for actions beyond their control.

“We cannot punish the aides of Senator Natasha for an offence they did not commit,” Senator Kalu stated. “They are staff of the National Assembly and have no other means of livelihood apart from the salaries they earn from the Senate. It would be wrong for us as a Senate to deny them and their families their salaries.”

He further moved for an amendment to the suspension terms, advocating for the continued payment of the aides’ salaries during the suspension period.