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Yobe lawmakers to re-enact law on surface, groundwater

Yobe State House of Assembly has given accelerated consideration to a bill seeking for the re-enactment of a law for water users in the state. The bill, which was presented by the executive arm of government, has scaled through the second reading on the floor of the House after extensive deliberations by members. Leading the
Yobe lawmakers to re-enact law on surface, groundwater

Yobe State House of Assembly has given accelerated consideration to a bill seeking for the re-enactment of a law for water users in the state.

The bill, which was presented by the executive arm of government, has scaled through the second reading on the floor of the House after extensive deliberations by members.

Leading the debate on the bill, the majority leader of the House, Hon. Nasiru Hassan Yusuf said the bill would regulate how to use and control all surface and groundwater for the development of irrigation farming systems.

Hon. Nasiru Hassan Yusuf, who spoke on the importance of the bill, said when it passed into law, it would also control pollution, water contamination and flooding across the state.

Supporting the bill, members representing Karasuwa, Gujba, Gulani and Damagum constituencies: Hon. Adamu Dala Dogo; Hon. Bulama Bukar; Hon. Bunu Zanna Bularafa and Hon. Digma Maina Gana described the bill as one of the tools that would assist the government to enhance agricultural activities for the food security in the state.

Presiding over the sitting, the speaker of the House, Rt Hon. Chiroma Buba Mashio committed the bill to the joint House standing committees on water resources and that of agriculture for further legislative action.

Yobe lawmakers to re-enact law on surface, groundwater

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• January 2, 2025
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BREAKING: Anglican Archbishop, driver released after one month in kidnappers’ den

The kidnapped senior Anglican cleric, Most Rev. Prof. Godwin Okpala has been freed. Archbishop Okpala was set free alongside his driver. He confirmed his freedom in a post on his Facebook page, Thursday morning. The clergyman simply wrote: “Praise the Lord!” Hundreds of reactions followed immediately, thanking God for his freedom. DAILY POST reports that
BREAKING: Anglican Archbishop, driver released after one month in kidnappers’ den

The kidnapped senior Anglican cleric, Most Rev. Prof. Godwin Okpala has been freed.

Archbishop Okpala was set free alongside his driver.

He confirmed his freedom in a post on his Facebook page, Thursday morning.

The clergyman simply wrote: “Praise the Lord!”

Hundreds of reactions followed immediately, thanking God for his freedom.

DAILY POST reports that Okpala, a retired Archbishop of the Niger Province and Bishop of Nnewi, was released one month after he was abducted.

It could be recalled that he went missing on his way to Umuchu, a community in Anambra State for a burial ceremony.

Details of his release are still sketchy as of the time of filing this report, but it is being celebrated on various social media platforms of the Anglican Communion.

One of such platforms is the official Facebook page of St Stephens Anglican Church, Nnewi.

BREAKING: Anglican Archbishop, driver released after one month in kidnappers’ den

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Alleged fake video: Mahdi Shehu remanded in Kaduna prison

Kaduna-based Public Commentator, Mahdi Shehu, was on Tuesday remanded at the Kaduna correctional service facility. He was arraigned at the Chief Magistrate Court 1, Kaduna, on two count charges of conspiracy, aiding and abetting terrorism, contrary to section 26 (2)(3) of the terrorism (Prevention & Prohibition) Act, 2022 and inciting public disturbances contrary to section
Alleged fake video: Mahdi Shehu remanded in Kaduna prison

Kaduna-based Public Commentator, Mahdi Shehu, was on Tuesday remanded at the Kaduna correctional service facility.

He was arraigned at the Chief Magistrate Court 1, Kaduna, on two count charges of conspiracy, aiding and abetting terrorism, contrary to section 26 (2)(3) of the terrorism (Prevention & Prohibition) Act, 2022 and inciting public disturbances contrary to section 78 of the penal code law of Kaduna State, 2017.

Shehu had alleged in a post made on his X account of plans by the federal government to site a French military base in the north-east of Nigeria as reportedly claimed by the Niger Republic military leader, Abdourahamane Tchiani, which was later rebutted by the Nigerian government.

He was arrested by the Department of State Services, DSS, some days ago and was summarily arraigned at the Chief Magistrate Court for prosecution.

The Magistrate, Abubakar Lamido, remanded Shehu in the Correctional Service facility and adjourned to 14th January, 2025, for further hearing of the case.

Alleged fake video: Mahdi Shehu remanded in Kaduna prison

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• January 2, 2025
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First babies of the year get N1.4m, other gifts from Otti’s wife

The Wife of the Governor of Abia State, Mrs. Priscilla Otti has celebrated the first baby of the year in the State, Master Chiudo Favour, alongside three other newborns during her visit to the Aba South Primary Health Care Center. During the visit on Wednesday, Mrs Otti presented N500,000 to Master Favour and N300,000 each
First babies of the year get N1.4m, other gifts from Otti’s wife

The Wife of the Governor of Abia State, Mrs. Priscilla Otti has celebrated the first baby of the year in the State, Master Chiudo Favour, alongside three other newborns during her visit to the Aba South Primary Health Care Center.

During the visit on Wednesday, Mrs Otti presented N500,000 to Master Favour and N300,000 each to the other three babies, as well as bags of rice and other items.

Speaking at the Health Centre, Mrs. Otti congratulated the families and emphasized the Abia State government’s focus on improving healthcare services across the state.

She underscored the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a baby’s life, urging mothers to embrace the practice.

Mrs. Otti also addressed healthcare workers at the center, commending their dedication and encouraging them to continue their life saving efforts.

Responding, the mother of the first baby of the year, Mrs Comfort Favour, expressed gratitude to Mrs. Otti and prayed for divine blessings upon her and the state government.

The Governor’s wife also visited Federal Medical Center Umuahia where she distributed additional gifts to mothers.

“Every child born in Abia State is a blessing, and it is our duty to support families during these precious moments,” she said.

First babies of the year get N1.4m, other gifts from Otti’s wife

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Bribery allegations, defections, other issues that shaped Reps in 2024

On 19 December, the House of Representatives closed for the year, drawing a curtain on a challenging period, which witnessed the good, the bad, and the ugly. In this review, DAILY POST examines some of the events that shaped the House in the just-concluded year. Binance bribery saga In May, the House faced allegations of
Bribery allegations, defections, other issues that shaped Reps in 2024

On 19 December, the House of Representatives closed for the year, drawing a curtain on a challenging period, which witnessed the good, the bad, and the ugly.

In this review, DAILY POST examines some of the events that shaped the House in the just-concluded year.

Binance bribery saga

In May, the House faced allegations of bribery involving the CEO of Binance, Richard Teng.

In a post on X, Mr Teng alleged that his team, after meeting with the House Committee on Financial Crimes, was approached by unknown persons offering to “take away the trouble” of the company in exchange for money.

It could be recalled that two executives of Binance had earlier been arrested by the federal government on criminal charges.

The House Committee on Financial Crimes, chaired by Ginger Onwusibe (LP, Abia), was mandated to investigate a petition against the company.

Shortly before the bribery allegation, the Committee had threatened to issue a warrant of arrest against the company’s executives for ignoring multiple invitations.

However, the bribery allegation led to the premature end of the Committee’s probe.

Saga over Samoa Agreement

In July, the debate over the implementation of the Samoa Agreement almost brought the Green Chamber into conflict with the Executive.

Following a motion by Aliyu Madaki, the lawmakers in the Green Chamber resolved that the Federal Government should suspend the implementation of the agreement due to the alleged inclusion of LGBTQ+ clauses.

However, the newspaper that published the report upon which the House based its resolution later recanted the story, as an ombudsman found it faulty and untrue.

Dissolution of Downstream and Midstream Committee

The clash of interests among members of the House of Representatives forced the leadership of the House to dissolve the ad-hoc Joint Downstream and Midstream Committee.

Initially, the joint committee was investigating the importation of adulterated petroleum products, the non-availability of crude oil for domestic refineries, and other critical energy security issues.

But following the decision of the lawmakers to engage in a media war to protect their interest, the House leadership decided that the committee was dissolved.

The committee was also marred by bribery allegations.

Change of National Anthem

One major landmark in the House was the decision to revert to the old National Anthem.

Ahead of the 25th Democracy Day, both chambers of the National Assembly unanimously passed a bill to adopt the old anthem once again.

The bill, sponsored by the Majority Leader, Julius Ihonvbere, was introduced and passed on the same day.

Subsequently, the President was invited to address a joint session of the National Assembly, where the new anthem was officially inaugurated.

Fubara vs Wike tussle divides House

The feud between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and former Governor Nyesom Wike caused divisions within the minority caucus in the House. Ikenga Ugochinyere led a faction loyal to Fubara, opposing Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda.

In May, Ugochinyere led a group of 50 lawmakers to visit Fubara in Port Harcourt, a move that angered many pro-Wike lawmakers in the House. By June, Ugochinyere was referred to the House Ethics Committee for leading the visit.

Undeterred, Ugochinyere continued to lead a strong opposition against the Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Umar Damagum. For weeks, he was the face of resistance against Wike’s influence.

Mass defection in Labour Party

Towards the close of the year, the Labour Party experienced a wave of defections in the House of Representatives. By the final count, six members of the LP caucus defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

DAILY POST had earlier reported how these defections threaten the strength of the LP as the third-largest party in Nigeria.

Chinedu Okere (Owerri Municipal/Owerri North/Owerri West constituency), Mathew Donatus (Kaura Federal Constituency, Kaduna), Akiba Bassey (Calabar Municipal/Odukpani constituency), and Esosa Iyawe (Oredo Federal Constituency, Edo) all left the party on the same day.

Later, Dalyop Chollom and Alfred Ajang, both from Plateau State, abandoned “Mama, Papa, and Pikin” and embraced the “broom” of the APC.

Death in the Green Chamber

In 2024, the House of Representatives lost three members.

The deceased members were Ekene Adams, Olajide Akinremi, and Isa Dangoyaro.

The year was marked by several moments of silence in the Green Chamber.

Bribery allegations, defections, other issues that shaped Reps in 2024

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Explosion rocks Trump’s Las Vegas hotel on New Year’s Day

A Tesla Cybertruck filled with fuel canisters and firework mortars has exploded outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, BBC reports. It was gathered that the driver of the Cybertruck died during the incident while about seven persons were left injured. Reports said that the truck was rented in Colorado and arrived in the
Explosion rocks Trump’s Las Vegas hotel on New Year’s Day

A Tesla Cybertruck filled with fuel canisters and firework mortars has exploded outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, BBC reports.

It was gathered that the driver of the Cybertruck died during the incident while about seven persons were left injured.

Reports said that the truck was rented in Colorado and arrived in the city Wednesday morning, less than two hours before the unfortunate incident occurred.

The police stated that the vehicle, which was parked in front of the hotel near a glass entrance, started gushing out smoke, then exploded.

President Joe Biden in an address, said the White House was tracking the incident, stressing that the law enforcement was investigating whether there was a link to the attack in New Orleans.

DAILY POST had reported that a vehicle on New Year’s Day ran into a large crowd in New Orleans, leaving at least ten persons dead while over 30 others were injured.

President Biden had while reacting to the New Orleans incident in a post on his official X handle, said the “FBI is taking the lead in investigation” describing the incident as an “act of terrorism”.

Explosion rocks Trump’s Las Vegas hotel on New Year’s Day

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2025 Census: Ohanaeze demands inclusion of ethnicity, religion

Apex lgbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has advocated for inclusion of ethnicity and religion in the forthcoming census. The group also called on lgbo investors to champion the establishment of an international economic hub in the south-East zone. In a statement issued on Thursday by Ohanaeze’s factional Secretary-General, Okechukwu lsiguzoro, he commended the efforts of
2025 Census: Ohanaeze demands inclusion of ethnicity, religion

Apex lgbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has advocated for inclusion of ethnicity and religion in the forthcoming census.

The group also called on lgbo investors to champion the establishment of an international economic hub in the south-East zone.

In a statement issued on Thursday by Ohanaeze’s factional Secretary-General, Okechukwu lsiguzoro, he commended the efforts of President Bola Tinubu in initiating a significant restructuring of Nigeria through the establishment of the six geopolitical zones Development Commissions.

According to Ohanaeze’s statement, “this initiative represents a crucial acknowledgment of the diverse tapestry of our nation and addresses historic imbalances among the various ethnic groups.”

However, Ohanaeze asserted that the true realization of the noble aspirations would hinge on the eagerly anticipated 2025 National Population Census.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo strongly emphasizes the necessity of including ethnicity and religion as integral categories in the census exercise.

“Such inclusivity is not merely a statistical formality, it is essential for generating accurate demographic data that reflects the true representation of the Igbo population and other diverse ethnicities scattered across all 774 Local Government Areas in Nigeria.

“The painful memories of previous National Population Census exercises, marred by fraudulent representations and distortions of ethnic numerical data, must not be repeated.

“It is, therefore, quintessential that the Federal Government adopts proactive measures to ensure that the 2025 Census faithfully reflects the rich diversity of our nation, thereby minimizing potential disputes arising from disproportionate demographic portrayals.

“In embracing economic opportunities, we urge our Igbo brethren to recognize and leverage the Tinubu administration’s proposed Tax Reforms Bill.

“This initiative presents a golden opportunity to redirect Igbo investments back to our homeland— a necessary pivot from the historical neglect that saw our investments languish in other regions.

“This endeavor is not merely aspirational; it is an urgent call to action aimed at revitalizing our local economies and fostering sustainable growth within the Igbo Nation,” Ohanaeze stated.

Isiguzoro added that Ohanaeze Ndigbo remained steadfast in its commitment to advocate for the unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

On the forthcoming Ohanaeze election, Isigguzoro said “recent attempts by specific Southeast Governors to impose a President General from outside Rivers State, particularly from Egbema, Imo State, threaten to undermine the very essence of Igbo identity and core values.

“Such political maneuverings that seek to diminish the rightful claims of indigenous Igbos of Rivers State are untenable.

“We will vigorously resist any imposition that contravenes the Constitution of Ohanaeze and undermines the heritage and aspirations of our people.”

2025 Census: Ohanaeze demands inclusion of ethnicity, religion

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Inflation: Labour pushes for minimum wage increase in 2025

The Organised Labour has revealed that it is pushing for an annual increase to the N70,000 minimum wage paid to workers in Nigeria. The president of the Trade Union Congress, TUC, Festus Osifo said this on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, stressing that it is important that the minimum wage paid to workers reflect
Inflation: Labour pushes for minimum wage increase in 2025

The Organised Labour has revealed that it is pushing for an annual increase to the N70,000 minimum wage paid to workers in Nigeria.

The president of the Trade Union Congress, TUC, Festus Osifo said this on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, stressing that it is important that the minimum wage paid to workers reflect a rise in inflation every year.

“What we are pushing on for Labour is that instead of you (the government) waiting for five years to increase the minimum wage, you will now look at the inflation of the last five years and try to make some adjustments, why can’t we reflect the inflation on an annual basis,” he asked

According to him, members of the organisation, as well as their colleagues in the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, have begun talks in that regard.

“For example, we have entered January 2025, by the 15th of January 2025, the National Bureau of Statistics is going to release the inflation figure for December.

“So, what we are pushing for as Labour is that, if for example, the inflation figure is 35%, apply that 35% to the N70,000 minimum wage so that it will become reflective of what the true value is.

“When we get to 2026, you will also do a similar application. That is actually what we are pushing. We shouldn’t be waiting for five years.

“In the new Act now is three years to do those adjustments but we could be doing them systemically by applying the inflation as of December of the preceding year to what the minimum wage is.

“This is part of the position that we are also going to canvass this year. We started the conversation last year but we will continue it in 2025,” he explained.

DAILY POST recalls that in July 2024, after months of protracted talks, the Federal Government and labour unions reached a consensus figure of N70,000 minimum wage which was later approved by President Bola Tinubu.

The increase came five years after the last review which was pegged at N30,000.

However, with the astronomic rise in cost of living, attributed to a more than quadruple hike in energy costs and petrol subsidy removal, labour unions have argued that N70,000 cannot take any worker home and thus demanded a decent living wage.

Inflation: Labour pushes for minimum wage increase in 2025