Category: News

In a communiqué issued at the end of its retreat in Ikot Ikpene, Akwa-Ibom State, the Senate also resolved to make electronic transmission of results mandatory from the next general elections in 2027, including the uploading of polling unit-level results and result sheets used at different levels of result collation.

“INEC should be unbundled to improve its efficiency and effectiveness in the preparation and conduct of elections.

“Relating to the use of technology in elections, remove the ambiguity evident in Section 64 of the EA22. Also, make electronic transmission of results mandatory from the next general elections in 2027, including the uploading of polling unit-level results and result sheets used at different levels of result collation.

“Introduce diaspora voting, at least for presidential elections, to enable citizens to vote, especially those on essential service abroad, such as military, paramilitary, and other security personnel abroad, Embassy staff, and other citizens.

“Relating to political parties; stipulate sanctions for failure to submit the register of party members not later than 30 days before the date of party primaries, congresses, or conventions in relation to Section 77(3) EA22, which the political parties have observed in the breach in the 2023 elections without penalty,” the communique read.

During the retreat, the upper chamber also weighed in on the security challenges in the country, saying a “comprehensive national security strategy” should be developed that addresses Nigeria’s needs.

According to the lawmakers, it is necessary for the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives to be part of the security briefings that the president gets.

“Promote community policing and engagement to identify and prevent terrorist attacks. The government should also work with civil society organizations and local/traditional communities to identify and address security concerns.

“Establish independent oversight mechanisms for the security sector. These mechanisms can help to investigate allegations of abuse and corruption and to ensure that security forces are accountable to the law,” the communique added.

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The minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji stated this on Wednesday, during a facility visit of the Abuja office of the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI) in Abuja.

He said the exercise became necessary as one of the strategies to addressing the growing menace of building and bridge collapse across the country.

“NIBRRI is a strategic agency in our national pursuit of innovation, sustainable developments, and infrastructure excellence.

“NBRRI, as one of the foremost agencies in the Ministry, presents enormous promise for the success of the renewed hope agenda of our dear President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, notably in the areas of infrastructure, wealth creation, employment generation, and enhancing the quality of life for all Nigerians.

“This maiden visit offers me a remarkable opportunity to witness firsthand the groundbreaking work within these walls.

“The collapse of buildings and bridges is not merely a matter of structural failure; it is a grave social, economic, and safety concern that demands our immediate and unwavering attention.

“We shall soon reach out to and partner with other stakeholders and relevant professional bodies, particularly in engineering, for the integrity testing of all major bridges and buildings across the country.”

He urged NBRRI not to rest on its oars but strive more towards addressing other critical issues, begging for solutions in the road and building sectors of the Nigerian economy.

“Your mission to drive advancements in construction, road infrastructure, and building technologies aligns with our President’s vision for a modern, prosperous, and technologically driven Nigeria.

“It is also heartwarming to learn that NBRRI has substantially implemented Executive Order #5 and other essential policies of science, technology, and innovation in Nigeria.

“As you know, our Ministry places a significant premium on Executive Order #5 to set our country on viable and sustainable economic growth and rapid transformation using Science, Technology, and Innovation instruments and platforms.

“Therefore, your disposition to noticeably implement Executive Order #5 reinforces NBRRI’s leadership role in Research and (R&D) for our nation’s overall growth and development.”

Responding to appeals to address  NBRRI’s challenges regarding the Institute’s Mandate, recruiting highly skilled research officers to drive the Institute, and low funding, he assured them that he would use his good office and every other means available to address them and to push for President’s assent to the NBRRI Bill to enable its full use.

On the challenge of recruiting highly skilled research officers to drive the Institute, the minister said he would support the Institute in this area by assisting in getting the needed approval to meet the gap in the staff strength.

“Although poor funding is understandably a challenge, I will also take it up with relevant authorities to improve available funding levels, especially low overhead, and to cover the expenses of the Zonal offices in all the geopolitical zones,” he added

He commend the management of the Institute for their efforts toward repositioning NBRRI and making it a global research center which will be the pride of every Nigerian consistent with the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

Earlier, the Director General of NIBRRI, Prof  Sampson Duna said the reason why accident occur often on most roads is because of potholes occasioned by poor quality of work by contractors.

According to the DG, the integrity of  most roads and bridges in Nigeria are  questionable.

To address the menace, he said NIBRRI had always dispatched a crack team of investigators to ascertain causes of building and road collapse in the country but lacks the power to prosecute the perpetrators because their mandate does not allow them to arrest anybody.

“We are, however, optimistic that this visit will open up new vistas of formidable working relationship with our parent Ministry. We believe your presence will yield unquantifiable benefits.”

He informed the minister  that NBRRI has been engaging in some R&D outputs such as: NBRRI Dismountable House (NDH); NBRRI Compressed Stabilized Earth Blocks (CSEB): NBRRI Pozzolana; Bamboo as Reinforcement; Rubberized Asphalt Mat for Road Maintenance (RAM); Natural Bitumen Mix Design Specification Development for Road Construction; NBRRI Fancy Facing Tile;

NBRRI Paving Stones Making Machine and  NBRRI Testing Laboratories/Equipment.

He however, appealed to the minister to assist the agency in acquiring Institutional Land at the Federal Capital Territory to be used as NBRRI Technology Village for display and utilization of our various R&D outputs.

“We have made several attempts in the past, but our efforts had not been fruitful. We are hopeful that you will be able to assist in this regards,” he said.

High point of the visit was tour of NIBRRI building and construction facilities within the premises.

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Although he did not specifically mention the president’s name in the video, which has gone viral, it was clear that the cleric was referring to Tinubu.

Gumi also said  the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was supported hypocrites and worthless people.

He alleged that though northerners were in charge of defence ministry, the command control is under southerners.

Gumi also tackled Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), whom he described as “satanic”.

“The Minister of the FCT is a Satanic person; I said it before when he was appointed and some people were grumbling. He has gone and brought the Israeli Ambassador, that’s what someone sent and I am yet to watch it. I am nut sure. But what is confirmed is he said they will collaborate with the Israelis on Abuja’s security issues. Abuja will now become an like Tel Aviv and when they see anyone with a beard like us, they will say it is Bin Laden; go and kill him.

“Where are those that worked for the Muslim-Muslim ticket? Hypocrites and worthless people. Abuja is becoming an extension of Tel Aviv and security is the bastion of the people. Have you not heard the silence? They know what they are doing. One Miyetti Allah leader came and told me that if they come to me with a proposal of negotiation with bandits, I should not be part of it, that I should leave it alone.

“It is a decoy. Muslims are the heads of the Ministry of Defence, of what significance is it? The real people in charge of Command and Control, those holding the guns and shooting, are we the ones? We are not the ones; they are playing us. There is an agenda. All means of money and economic power have been hijacked by them, they are planning to deceive us for four years and get eight years. They will not, Insha Allah

“I want to tell you, there is no way Northerners doing their legitimate business will get one billion naira. Our rich people cannot get anything except those they trust. They only trust them because they are doing what they want. Anyone whose loyalty they are not sure of, they will crush him in a few months.

“They will only come during elections like it is done to spread grains to chickens. If they spread grains to chickens, that’s all. Giving spaghetti to people is the solution, this spaghetti issue is a big deal. We are being cheated in this country and in a real mess.”

Daily Trust

Atiku predicated his plea on the grounds that presenting forged documents by any candidate, especially by one for the highest office in the land, is a grave constitutional issue that must not be encouraged.

The former Vice President stated this in his reply on point of law to Tinubu’s objection to grant leave for Atiku to present the fresh evidence before the apex court.

President Tinubu had predicated his objection on grounds of jurisdiction and that the issue of qualification is a pre-election matter amongst others and subsequently prayed the court to deny the grant of the application.

While faulting President Tinubu, Atiku submitted that issues of merit ought not to be determined or pronounced upon at the interlocutory stage.

The appellants/applicants while noting that they are only at this stage merely applying for leave of the Supreme Court to receive the fresh evidence, submitted that “to refuse to grant the leave as the respondents have argued, will amount to undue technicality.”

Meanwhile, in a 20 paragraph affidavit deposed to in support of the application, Atiku argued that if the apex court grants the application, there would be no need for “any further argument other than the written address in support of same, showing that the 2nd Respondent is in violation of the provisions of Section 137 (1) (j) of the Constitution by presenting a certificate disclaimed by the institution from where he purportedly procured same.”

Atiku also faulted President Tinubu’s submission that he was inconsistent in his names, describing the submission as immaterial and pedestrian, as there is no petition challenging his qualification.

Besides, Atiku pointed out that the presentation of a forged certificate disqualifies a candidate for all time, no matter when presented.

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The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has given the Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Engr Shehu Ahmed Hadi, 24 hours to explain the position of the National Mosque and what the compensation plan for it is.

Our city editor reports that parts of the land belonging to the National Mosque will be affected by road expansion, prompting its management to demand compensation in terms of other plots.

The minister, who gave the order when he received members of the Abuja National Mosque Management Committee led by its Chairman, the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, also debunked reports that his administration was promoting policies that were against certain religious alignments.

He said, “I want to start from what I was told; that I instructed the demolition of the National Mosque. I want you to know that in politics, people will use a lot of things to fight their opponents.

“The Sultan of Sokoto is one person I have high regards for, I don’t just see him as an elder brother, but like a father.

“Anything that has to do with the National Mosque, of which he is the president; I will always give it support.

“You said Obasanjo launched the appeal fund for the support of the renovation of the National Mosque. No government will not support the management of the national monument. We have a role to ensure that worship centres are well taken care of.”

Wike noted that those trying to whip religious sentiment were mischievously doing so to score cheap political points.

He further said, “We are not targeting any religious group or ethnicity; we are doing what we can for the good of all FCT residents and Nigerians at large.

“Don’t allow politicians who do not have the capacity to face me in any way to use religion as a weapon against me.”

Wike noted that as a Nigerian, he had no reason to instigate hate speech against any religious group, but to support any that had a genuine cause.

While assuring that the FCTA would not hesitate to support the maintenance of the National Mosque and the National Ecumenical Centre, having been declared as national monuments, Wike called on religious leaders to preach unity and peaceful coexistence.

Earlier, the Etsu Nupe urged the minister to support the maintenance project of the mosque, which he said had been stalled for some time.

He also pleaded with the minister to grant the committee more time to develop plots of land allocated to it by the FCTA.

Daily Trust