Politics
Senate Orders Speedy Completion Of N30bn NASS Project
The Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has ordered Visible Concept, the construction firm handling the N30 billion renovation work at the National Assembly, to speedily complete the project.
Smart Adeyemi, the committee chairman, gave the order at an on-the-spot assessment of the project by committee members with the executive secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Shehu Ahmad.
The FCDA had in March awarded contracts for rehabilitating critical segments of the complex due to serious dilapidation of the National Assembly complex.
The segments included the hallowed chambers of the senate and the House of Representatives, the dome in the White House, and the construction of the office of the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) and library at the cost of N30 billion.
Mr Adeyemi noted that though the renovation works being carried out at both chambers were commendable, the slow pace of work was very worrisome.
He said the January 2023 deadline for delivery of transformed hallowed chambers was no longer feasible except for a miracle.
“This project must not be abandoned in any way. The hallowed chambers are expected to be completed and delivered by the end of January 2023.
“But the level of work seen here today is not pointing at that which, to us, is a threat to our legislative duties and functions.
“Non-completion of this project at designated time is even a threat to democracy itself because we don’t want the incoming government to inherit it as an abandoned one.
“So, this committee wants to know the challenges confronting the contractors as regards expeditious execution of the projects,” he said.
Mr Adeyemi also told the Executive Secretary of FCDA to get in touch with the minister for more funds for the contractors.
“As Executive Secretary of FCDA and Chief of Staff to the Minister, you have heard the contractor. Please give them more money for this project because we don’t want to hand over problems to the incoming government.
“Even if it is bond to be taken from a bank, let it be done for timely completion of the project, please.
“For us in the National Assembly, we want well-transformed hallowed chambers to be handed over latest by April, 2023,” he said.
On his part, the site engineer, Visible Concept, Tajudeen Olanipekun, asked for more funds to complete the project in good time.
He said that fluctuations in the value of the naira to the U.S. dollar had been problematic for them in importing required materials and equipment, coupled with the need for more mobilisation funds from the FCDA.
Politics
Why I Won’t Help Tinubu’s Govt Overcome Economic Challenges – Sanusi
The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, says he would not help President Bola Tinubu’s administration to correct the administration’s policies affecting the citizens.
Emir Sanusi spoke on Wednesday in Lagos as the chairman of the 21st Anniversary of Fawehinmiism (Gani Fawehinmi Annual Lecture 2025).
The emir stated that while there were “a few points” he could offer to explain the trajectory the administration had taken and how such decisions were predictable, he chose not to do so because “they don’t behave like friends.”
He said explaining the government’s policies would help the government, but he did not intend to assist them due to the way they had treated him.
“I can give a few points that are contrary, that explain perhaps what we’re going through and how it was totally predictable, most of it, and maybe avoidable. But I am not going to do that.
“I have chosen not to speak about the economy or the reforms or to even explain anything because if I explain, it would help this government, but I don’t want to help this government,” the emir said while addressing some of the points made by speakers about the economy.
He added: “You know they’re my friends, but if they don’t behave like friends, I don’t behave like a friend. So I watch them being stooges. And they don’t even have people with credibility who can come and explain what they are doing. I am not going to help. I started out helping, but I am not going to help. I am not going to discuss it. Let them come and explain to Nigerians why the policies that are being pursued are being pursued.
“Meanwhile, I’m watching a very nice movie with popcorn in my hands. But I will say one thing: What we are going through today is, at least in part, not totally, but at least in part, a necessary consequence of decades of irresponsible economic management.
“People were told decades ago that if you continue along this path, this is where you’re going to end up, and they refused to open their eyes. Now, is everything being done today correct? No.”
Emir Sanusi, who was deposed as the 14th Emir of Kano in 2020 by then-Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the current national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), was reinstated as the 16th Emir of Kano in 2024 by the New Nigeria People’s Party-led Kano State Government.
His emirship has faced ongoing challenges from forces believed to be backed by the federal government, including federal officials’ continued recognition of his predecessor, Emir Aminu Ado Bayero.
Last month, the police barricaded his palace, with the state government accusing the federal government of orchestrating the action to stir unrest in the peaceful state.
Politics
Reps Loses Deputy Chief Whip
The Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Oriyomi Onanuga, is dead.
Also known as Ijaya, Rt Hon. Onanuga, who was the member representing Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency, is said to have died following a brief illness.
This was confirmed in a tweet on the official X (formerly Twitter) account of the House of Representatives, on Wednesday night.
Rt Hon Onanuga, who was born in Hammersmith, London, to Nigerian parents on December 2, 1965, was a politician and entrepreneur. She held the position of Deputy Chief Whip in the Nigerian House of Representatives since 2023.
She contested and won a seat in the House of Representatives under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019. She also served as the Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development.
Politics
Aiyedatiwa Dissolves Cabinet, Retains Finance Commissioner, Attorney-General
Gov. Aiyedatiwa, however, exempted two members of the cabinet from the dissolution due to the critical nature of their duties.
The two commissioners exempted include the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Kayode Ajulo, SAN, and the Commissioner for Finance, Mrs. Omowunmi Isaac.
This was contained in a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
Mr Adeniyan said in the statement that “All the affected cabinet members are to hand over all government properties in their care to the accounting officers of their respective ministries.
Gov. Aiyedatiwa thanked the executive council members “for their service and contributions to the development of Ondo State under his administration and wished them well in their future endeavours”.
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