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Court adjourns trial in Nigerian Govt versus Ali Bello, others to May 27
Senator Ita Enang, former Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, attributed the failure of the Nigerian economy, the escalating debt burden, and the depreciation of the national currency, the naira, to the National Assembly. Enang made these remarks during the public unveiling of Oversight Magazine, a publication dedicated to covering parliamentary events, by former House of Representatives member Aniekan Umannah.
Enang asserted that the National Assembly’s inability to pose pertinent inquiries was accountable for the economic challenges. Having chaired both the House and Senate Committees on Rules and Business, Enang criticized the chambers for never releasing reports on their oversight duties as required, nor for questioning the nation’s debt.
He highlighted that while lawmakers frequently conduct oversight visits to scrutinize the activities of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, they neglect to present their findings for deliberation on the parliamentary floor. According to him, the executive’s suboptimal performance, at both state and national levels, can be attributed to the deficient oversight of the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly nationwide.
Enang emphasized the importance of the oversight function, stating that it allows for monitoring the utilization of budget allocations, assessing project progress, and planning future budgets accordingly. He concluded that the failure of the Nigerian economy, the devaluation of the naira, and the excessive debt accumulation are ultimately the responsibility of the National Assembly.
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NCC warns Nigerians against use of pre-registered SIM cards
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has issued a strong warning to Nigerians about the dangers of purchasing pre-registered SIM cards, emphasizing that this practice is illegal and could result in severe penalties, including imprisonment.
The NCC warned that individuals using pre-registered SIM cards might unintentionally become involved in crimes such as identity theft, financial fraud, kidnapping, and armed robbery.
Furthermore, the NCC noted that pre-registered SIM cards compromise the accuracy of consumer information and hinder efforts to track criminals effectively. Using these SIM cards undermines the reliability of data collected on consumers, making it difficult for authorities to identify and apprehend the true criminals.
The NCC’s message aims to educate the public on the risks associated with pre-registered SIM cards and to encourage adherence to legal guidelines to enhance national security.
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Getting election process right duty of every Nigerian – Osun REC, Agboke
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun, Dr. Mutiu Agboke, emphasized that ensuring a successful election process in Nigeria is the responsibility of every citizen.
During a courtesy visit to the Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Prof. Simeon Bamire, on Thursday, Agboke highlighted the need for increased collaboration with the university. He also praised the university’s lecturers for their roles as INEC ad-hoc staff during the 2022 gubernatorial and 2023 general elections.
Agboke called for enhanced cooperation between INEC and the university’s academic staff, stressing the importance of innovative thinking to improve the election process. “We appreciate the institution’s members of academia who assisted us during the elections,” he said. “We seek more collaboration, engagement, and stakeholder enlightenment to get it right. No one else can do it for us; we need to think creatively to succeed.”
Prof. Bamire acknowledged INEC’s critical role in Nigerian society and expressed satisfaction with the commission’s efforts, despite some public dissatisfaction with current events in the country. He assured that the university supports INEC and is ready to assist when needed.
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Wildlife bill passes second reading in Reps
The bill addressing wildlife trafficking and habitat destruction passed its second reading in the House of Representatives during Thursday’s plenary session.
Hon. Terseer Ugbor, the bill’s sponsor and representative for Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency of Benue State, explained the bill’s general principles, noting that the illegal wildlife trade and trafficking are becoming increasingly dangerous, necessitating legislative action to stop this menace.
Ugbor, who also serves as the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, emphasized that the 10th National Assembly must address pressing issues like illegal wildlife trade, habitat loss, and the decline of Nigeria’s unique wildlife populations, aligning the country with global best practices.
He stated that Nigeria’s legal framework on wildlife needs a review to effectively combat poachers and traffickers, who are a significant challenge.
“The bill aims to enhance the capabilities of law enforcement agencies, grant investigators more power to examine financial matters and conduct intelligence-led operations, and enable judges to expedite wildlife cases and recover assets,” he explained. “It also aligns with international treaties, fosters global cooperation, and introduces stringent penalties for poachers and traffickers.
“By taking a stand against illegal activities targeting our wildlife and forests, we protect our future. This bill represents our commitment to counter the use of our borders for trafficking illegal wildlife products such as pangolin scales and elephant ivory.
“A combination of lack of public awareness, weak legislation, and minimal enforcement has hindered efforts to combat wildlife trafficking and biodiversity loss in Nigeria. Consequently, Nigeria’s wildlife has significantly declined, with species like lions, elephants, gorillas, and chimpanzees nearing extinction,” Ugbor added.
After contributions from other members affirming the importance of protecting endangered species in line with international treaties, Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu passed the bill for a second reading upon a vote. He then referred it to the House Committee on Environment, instructing them to submit their report within two weeks.
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