Author: straightnewsng.com

By Akanimo Sampson A constitutional lawyer wants the Senate Constitution Review Committee to review all aspects of Nigeria’s federal system by consensus. In a statement issued on Monday, Kayode Ajulo, says a general consensus is crucial for the social harmony, political stability and general well-being of the country. Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, on February 6, inaugurated a 56-member constitution review panel. Heading the panel is Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege. It consists of all the eight principal officers, a senator from each of the 36 states and two members from each of the six geo-political zones. According to Ajulo, “the…

By Akanimo Sampson The government of Nigeria will soon come out with a blueprint on how security forces and humanitarian agencies will handle emergencies in the frontline. President Muhammadu Buhari has already approved the constitution of a National Humanitarian Coordination Committee (NHCC) to oversee all humanitarian actions in the country. Among other things, the committee is to provide a national vision for humanitarian actions, advise on coordination between the security services and humanitarian actors, settle disputes that may arise from interactions between security services and the humanitarian community. It is also to propose policies that will enhance coordination and seamless…

The Senate, Tuesday, directed its Committees on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions and Finance to investigate non-remittance of taxes on bank deposits and dividends payment due to state governments. The Red chamber also mandated the committees to ensure that all withholding tax revenues on both bank deposits and dividends are recovered while they report back to the plenary within four weeks. A report obtained from The Vanguard said the resolution was the sequel to a motion entitled: “Digitalisation, Automation of Collection and Remittance of Withholding Tax on Bank Deposits and Dividends Payments for Enhanced Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of…

The Imo state governor, Hope Uzodinma, Monday, terminated the Assumpta/Port Harcourt road contract over the abandonment of the project by the contractor handling it. The governor gave the order while on inspection of the road and instructed the State Ministry of Works to re-award the road project to a competent road contractor to begin work before the raining season. He added that he would set up a task force to look into the road project in order to ascertain the contractors that are serious to deliver their work. This is coming weeks after the governor severally warned the contractors under the…

The Federal Government has called on the people of the region to embrace dialogue in order to address issues giving rise to conflicts, agitations and youth restiveness in the region. Minister of State, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Omotayo Alasoadura, who made the remarks during a sensitization on Peace and security enlightenment programme in Ukwa-West Local Government Area, said the region requires relative peace to attain progress. Alasoadura particularly charged the people of Abia State, especially the oil-producing areas to maintain peace and security in their various communities in order to attract development to the state. The Minister of…

Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, says the South East has relatively recorded the lowest incidence of security challenges compared to other regions in the country. Umahi stated this Monday when he highlighted the steps being taken by governors in the region to ensure the security of lives and properties of people in the South East. But reacting to Umahi’s claim, Chief Mbazilike Amaechi, elder statesman, disagreed with him, saying that in Nigeria today no place can be said to be secured. Meanwhile, the governor has called on the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. T. Y. Buratai to ensure the…

By Akanimo Sampson International Labour Organisation (ILO) says persons with disabilities constitute a largely untapped pool of talent in the labour market. They are estimated to be about 15 per cent of the world’s population of 7.8 billion people which translates to 1.14 billion. According to ILO, they face a high risk of being marginalised further as the world of work undergoes rapid transformations, including technological developments, climate change and demographic shifts. “As a result, existing inequalities may increase, unless countries implement a range of measures to tackle the issue,’’ says ILO. In the European Union, for instance, 60 per…

By Akanimo Sampson The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, and members of the House have been dragged to Federal High Court, Abuja over the plan by the Federal lawmakers to spend N5.04 billion on 400 exotic cars. The plaintiffs-193 concerned Nigerians, including the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) – are praying the court to restrain and stop them from spending the huge amount on cars. Recall that the members had resolved February 24 to acquire Toyota Camry 2020 model for members as official cars, otherwise called utility vehicles after rejecting the ones from Innosen Motors. The…

By Akanimo Sampson A hotel project by the Nigerian Navy in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, has sparked a seeming bitter land dispute between the state government and the navy. The land which previously served as the Navy Officers’ Mess is being converted to a hotel by the navy. But, Governor Ben Ayade, has ordered the navy to withdraw from the site, claiming that the land belongs to the state government. In a swift response, the navy deployed its heavily armed personnel to the disputed site in a bid to deter intruders, including state government officials. The state Information…

By Akanimo Sampson Naval assets of the European Union (EU) will be patrolling no closer than 100 kilometers (60 miles) off the eastern coast of Libya, where women, men, and children trying to flee Libya depart on overcrowded, unseaworthy boats. The decision formally ends the already moribund Operation Sophia, the anti-smuggling mission set up in 2015 but left without any ships in the water since March 2019. It had failed principally because the previous Italian government had refused to allow people to disembark. Operation Sophia, however, rescued more than 50,000 people at sea. “Ironically, the operation was undone by its…