Nigerian Government Wednesday pledged its readiness to confer National Honours on the military personnel killed by some militant youths in Okuama community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.
President Bola Tinubu broke the news at the breaking of the Ramadan fast in Abuja with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, and the leadership of the House.
Addressing the gathering, the Commander-in-Chief commiserated with the military and the families of the deceased, assuring that the dead victims would also get what he described as a befitting burial.
“The baby step being taken by our country is doing well. The sacrifices we have made and we ask the people to continue to make, assuring them that there is a very bright light at the end of the tunnel.
“All you have to do is to have faith. Pls don’t forget your constituencies, remember what they are going through. We salute all our men and women in uniform and we sympathise with them.
“I will soon make further pronouncements. They must have a befitting burial and they must have national honour.”
He expressed confidence in the ability of the National Assembly to uphold good governance, lauding the existing cordial relationship between the executive and the legislature.
According to him, the harmonious working relationship had resulted in the expeditious passage of several bills to improve the welfare of Nigerians.
The President also urged the legislators not to forget their constituencies and to take advantage of the holy month of Ramadan to show compassion and support the less privileged in society.
Tinubu, therefore, urged lawmakers to show discretion in the exercise of their oversight functions while while oversight is essential for maintaining transparency and accountability in governance, excessive summoning of officials can disrupt operations and hinder service delivery to citizens.
Abass pledges to pass any bill
Tajudeen Abass, Speaker House of Representatives assured to pass whatever bill is sent to the National Assembly.
He made this known while speaking during a dinner hosted by the President for over 60 members of the House of Representatives to break the Ramadan fast.
The Speaker recalled that the recent bills that came from the presidency were treated expeditiously in the House.
He affirmed that what they did was not far from a miracle, noting that the delivery of a bill within 48 hours is not an easy task.
According to him, this was done because the lawmakers respected the President.
According to a video posted by Channels Television on its X handle on Thursday, the Speaker asserted that there were no voices in the House against the President and his policies.
He said, “Your Excellency, if I tell you that this in this month of Ramadan, we are breaking our fast for the 10th time and if you look at your administration, it is in the 10th month. So this is a very divine day, a day that God has gathered us to make things happen, for miracle to happen for this country to go forward.
“So it’s our prayer, Your Excellency, that this meeting will open a better chapter of the relationship between the executive and House in such a way that we would continue to work in synergy, in unity on purpose between the two of us. So far so good Your Excellency, the House is very supportive of you, the House loves you very well, and there is hardly any dissenting voice in the House today and yesterday against you for any of your policies.
“The House has always supported what you do and we shall continue to strive in ensuring that we operate as one – the executive and the legislature together. We want to ensure that whatever you bring will see the light of the day, both in the House of Representatives and in the Senate.
“You can see an example of the acid test of members’ support and solidarity. Just within the last three, four days, about three bills came from the Presidency and they were all expected to be treated expeditiously.
Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abass addressing the gathering
“And the House and the Senate did not relent, Your Excellency, in ensuring that we delivered a miracle because what we did is just short of being called a miracle – delivering bills within 48 hours is not an easy task but that is exactly what the National Assembly did because of the sheer respect it has for you.
“So this is what we want to continue, this is what sustain in the months and years to come.”
Delta Gov Meets Tinubu
Worried by possible fear of reprisal by the military, coupled with the mounting tension since the gruesome killing, Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, on the same day met President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Oborevwori says military authorities have assured him of the safety of residents of the community.
“I decided to come here to brief Mr President of all the things we have been doing to maintain peace. Mr President has assured me that he is in support of peace and we both condemn the killing of the officers and the soldiers because they were there on a peace mission,” he said after the meeting.
“What is happening now is something that we did not bargain for. But we want to assure everybody that there will be no more attacks on the villages.
“If there’s anyone that will that has happened in the past, there will be no attack. But we know that those who are culpable will be brought a book but innocent citizens will not be will not be attacked.”
Tinubu Pledges Punishment
President Tinubu who earlier condemned the killing, said the perpetrators, whom he described as “cowardly” must not go unpunished.
In a message he released Sunday evening, said the killing is “unprovoked” and “dreadful”.
“As the Commander-in-Chief, I join all well-meaning Nigerians and the men and women of our armed forces to mourn and express my profound grief over the needless death of our gallant soldiers,” Tinubu said.
“I extend my profound condolences to the families of these fallen soldiers, their colleagues, and their loved ones. The military high command is already responding to this incident. The cowardly offenders responsible for this heinous crime will not go unpunished.”
