Tag: Assembly

Delta Assembly passes N256.7bn 2022 supplementary budget

The Delta House of Assembly on Tuesday passed the state N256.7 billion 2022 supplementary budget.

Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa had forwarded the supplementary budget through a letter, read by the Speaker, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori during plenary on Tuesday in Asaba.

Okowa said that the budget became necessary due to certain government exigencies, saying it would help to taking care of ongoing developmental projects in the state.

Leading the debate on the budget, the majority leader, Chief Ferguson Onwo who commended the governor for the initiative, said that the essence of the budget was to cater for projects that were not provided for in the already approved budget.

He urged the lawmakers support the budget and ensure its speedy passage.

On his part, the Deputy Majority Leader, Mr Oboro Preyor, said also supported the passage of the budget.

“If the governor in his wisdom has discovered that there were some projects that were not captured in the approved budget, and he decided to include them in the supplementary budget, I think he has done well,” he said.

Consequently, the majority leader moved a motion to suspend relevant sections of the House Rules to enable it take the third reading and passage of the bill.

The motion which was unanimously adopted, when put to a voice vote by the speaker.

The Speaker while commending the lawmakers for the speedy passage of the bill, said that the budget was an indication that Okowa was irrevocably committed to the overall development of the state.

“Distinguished colleagues, I cannot thank you enough for the passage of this Bill. We have again proven to the people of the state that government cares and is ever ready to meet developmental needs of the state.

“This is a sign that democracy is alive and thriving in the state. This bill seeks to adjust and realign the budgetary provisions of the 2022 budget to accommodate hovernment’s commitments/priority projects and programmes not adequately provided for in the 2022 budget.

“Therefore, I thank His Excellency, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa, for his foresight leadership and zeal for the development of the state and this is a pointer that the state government will surely finish strong.”

December 20, 2022
Late Lagos lawmaker to be buried today at Ikoyi Vault – Assembly

Lagos State Lawmaker, Mr Olayiwola Olawale who died on Tuesday afternoon will be buried at 1:00pm, Wednesday (today) , the Lagos State House of Assembly has said.

The Chairman, house of assembly Committee on Information, Mr Setonji David, made this known in Lagos on Wednesday.

Newsmen reports that the 58-year-old Olawale would be laid to rest at Vault Garden, Awoyaya, beside Mayfair Garden, Lekki, Lagos.

The lawmaker representing Mushin Constituency II, was a second term lawmaker and the chairman, House Committee on Local Government and Community Relations.

A native of Abeokuta, Ogun, Olawale was reported to have slumped at the Rwang Pam stadium Jos, Plateau, venue of the APC Presidential Campaign from where he was rushed to a nearby hospital and later confirmed dead.

The 58 years old Omititi as he was fondly called by his constituents, friends, associates, political loyalists and admirers was born on March 12, 1964.

The lawmaker was visibly healthy as at Friday, where he took active part as a goalkeeper for one of the teams in the novelty match played by members to commemorate Lagos Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa’s 50th birthday.

The assembly spokesperson said his death really hit them below the belt, adding that they would all miss him more than words could express.

David said sequel to his decision to thread the active path in politics, Olawale at the dawn of the fourth Republic was the Ward Secretary, Alliance for Democracy, Ward G2, Papa Ajao Mushin.

“Olawale was also the special assistant on transportation to the former governor, Sen. Bola Tinubu from 2003 to 2007.
“In 2014, he was nominated and won the APC primaries and elected as a member to represent Mushin Constituency II at the Lagos state house of assembly.
“He was re-elected in 2019 for another two -year term, he, however, did not finish the term and did not win his third term re-election bid for the 2023 election, neither was he able to stage a come back before his demise on Tuesday.”
He is survived by his wife and children

November 16, 2022
Bauchi Assembly crisis implodes, six lawmakers injured

Bauchi State lawmakers were attacked by hoodlums on Monday at their guest house during an overside function in the state.

According to reports, the House was embroiled in a leadership crisis last Thursday with 22 members passing a vote of confidence on the Speaker, Mr. Abubakar Suleiman, and principal officers of the assembly.

Mr. Babale Abubakar, the Majority Leader of the House, told newsmen in Bauchi that the latest attack which happened at about 4 p.m as the lawmakers were having a meeting, left six of them injured.

“At least six vehicles were destroyed by the invaders who also smashed window glasses.

“They were over 100 and were carrying guns, sticks, and machetes,” he said.

“It was terrifying. Some of us ran towards the exit door and were badly hurt,” the majority leader added.

Abubakar said no sooner than the Special Adviser on State and National Assembly Laison to the state governor, Mr. Sani Mohammed Burra, left them that the hoodlums unleashed their mayhem.

According to him, one of them held me by the neck and asked if l was still a leader in the house.

“He said they were ready to kill me. Six members were injured in the process. Some were taken to the hospital and l believe they would be fine.

“It was a scary situation. It is sad,” he said.

He however said the matter had been reported to the Commissioner of Police in the state.

Reacting to the development, Burra dissociated himself and the executive arm from the attack.

He described it as uncalled for and unnecessary at a time efforts were being made to resolve the leadership crisis rocking the legislature.

The governor’s aide also called on security agencies to investigate the incident, and arrest and prosecute those involved in the bastadly act to serve as a deterrent.

July 5, 2022
Edo Assembly confirms 8 commissioner-nominees

The Edo House of Assembly on Monday confirmed eight out of the nine commissioner-nominees sent to it by Gov. Godwin Obaseki on Feb. 1.

The eight nominees were screened and recommended for clearance by the three-man ad hoc committee led by the Majority Leader, Mr Henry Okhuarobo.

Obaseki had in a letter, dated Jan. 25, 2022 and addressed to the speaker, Mr Marcus Onobun, requested the house to screen and confirm the nominees as commissioners in the state.

Those on the list included: Chris Nehikhare, Omololu Ojehomon, Afishetu Braimoh, Stephen Idehenre, Osasere Evbuomwan, Donald Ojemeh, Okojie Newton and Jonathan Lawani.

The Chairman of the Committee, Okhuarobo, presented the report of the Committee on the screened nominees to the house for consideration.

Presenting the report at the committee of the whole, Okhuarobo told the house that one of the nominees, Bamidele Obaitan, could not be screened due to unexpected emergency on the part of the nominee.

According to him, the nominees are physically fit and educationally qualified for the state assignment.

The committee recommended that the nominees having been found to be eligible be confirmed as commissioners in the state.

Thereafter, the House unanimously, in a voice vote, confirmed the nominees as commissioners in Edo.

The speaker, Onobun commended Obaseki for giving youths such as Okogbe Donald and Jonathan Lawani the opportunity to represent the youth in his administration.

Speaking shortly after his confirmation, Okogbe pledged to help redirect, reengage and refocus the youth’ energy for national development

Okogbe said, “Edo is privileged to have a development-driven governor. All we need to do is to help prepare our youths to be marketable not just locally but internationally.”

Also speaking, Afishetu Braimoh said she was committed to making a difference by adding value and aligning with the vision of the governor to make Edo great again.

Braimoh said, ”We are here to help convert our commodities to value chains so that the world can appreciate Edo for what it is known for.

February 7, 2022
Assembly to invite Anambra Commissioner over N1.5bn loan

The Anambra House of Assembly says it plans to invite Mr Nnamdi Onukwuba, the state’s Commissioner for Agriculture, to explain the utilisation of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) N1.5 billion loan by the State Government.

Mr Ebele Ejiofor, the Chairman, House Committee on Economic Planning , Sustainable Development Goals and Donor Agencies, stated this after leading his committee on an oversight tour of some project in the state.

Ejiofor expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of work done by the contractors at the 600 fish ponds, hostel blocks and farm houses.

The projects were located in Aguleri and Adazi Nnukwu communities in Anambra East and Aniocha Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.

He also threatened that the lawmakers might ask the government to revoke some contracts due to slow pace of work as well as poor quality of work done by the contractors.

“In Adazi Nnukwu, only 150 fish ponds had been done and the project was not properly executed.

“The 50-bed hostel in Aguleri is still at the foundation level, while there is nothing to show that this amount of money has been released.

“I think we will invite him to come and explain some of these things,” he said.

February 3, 2022
Grazing Bill ‘ll ensure harmony between herders, farmers in Lagos – Assembly

The Lagos State House of Assembly, says the Prohibition of Open Cattle Grazing Bill, when passed, will ensure harmonious relationships between herders and farmers in the state.

The assembly made this known after the bill was read on the floor of the house for the second time, by the Acting Clerk, Mr Olalekan Onafeko, at plenary on Monday.

It said the bill would also protect the environment of the state and the SouthWest zone.

The house also read for the first and second time, the state’s Value Added Tax (VAT) bill, and asked the Committee on Finance, which was handling it to report back on Thursday.

Speaker of the House, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, who described the Prohibition of Open Cattle Grazing Bill’ as timely, thereafter committed the bill to the Committee on Agriculture for public hearing.

The speaker also suggested that the bill should make provision for the registration of herders, and prepare them for ranching.

He said: “Allocating parcel of land is not enough, but there should also be training for those who will go into ranching, as ranching is expensive and requires adequate preparation.”

Concerning the VAT bill, he said it would further lead to increase in revenue and infrastructural development.

” This is in line with fiscal federalism that we have been talking about,” he said.

Obasa said the VAT law, when passed, would help the state meet challenges in its various sectors.

He also urged the Lagos state government to do everything legally possible, to ensure the judgment of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, was sustained even up to the Supreme Court.

The speaker lamented a situation where about N500 billion would be generated from the state,, while N300 billion was generated from other Southwest states, but paltry amounts would be disbursed to Lagos state in return.

Obasa said it was an opportunity for the state to emphasise again, the need for the consideration of true federalism.

Speaking earlier on the bill on open grazing, Mr Bisi Yusuff (Alimosho 1), lamented that farmers had continuously become afraid to visit their farms, thus causing shortage of food.

Yusuff also said many farmers had become indebted, as they now found it difficult to pay back loans they secured.

His position was supported by Mr Kehinde Joseph (Alimosho 2), who noted that the bill would ensure peaceful coexistence, reduce crime and help to guide activities of herders.

On his part, Mr Olumoh Lukeman (Ajeromi-Ifelodun 1), suggested that the high court should be made to handle cases from enforcement of the bill when passed, or that the state should establish special courts for such purpose.

Also, Mr Gbolahan Yishawu (Eti-Osa 1), expressed support for the bill, noting that it would give a level of security to the state and help reduce economic losses.

He added that Lagos had 250 hectares of land in Ikorodu and another 750 hectares in Epe for ranching.

Mr David Setonji (Badagry 2), said: “There was a time we went on oversight function in a school here in Lagos.

“We were embarrassed by cattle. We had to wait for the herder to move the cattle before we embarked on our oversight function.”

Setonji suggested a collaboration between men of the Neighbourhood Safety Corps and the Police, in the implementation of the law when passed and assented to.

Other lawmakers who contributed during plenary were Mr Adedamola Kasunmu, Mr Rasheed Makinde and Mr Sanni Okanlawon.

September 6, 2021
BREAKING: Gunmen kidnap Nasarawa Assembly member, demand N100m

A member of the Nasarawa State House Assembly (NSHA) representing Nasarawa Central State Constituency, Hon. Ismail Danbaba, has been kidnapped by gunmen.

The kidnappers have demanded for N100million as ransom.

An eyewitness said Danbaba was kidnapped on Saturday evening while traveling to Jos, Plateau State, to attend an official function.

Danbaba reportedly alighted from his vehicle to ease himself around a forest area on the Nasarawa-Jos road, when the kidnappers descended on him and whisked him away.

Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Mohammed Adamu Omadefu, who confirmed the development, said the incident happened in Sanga local government area of Kaduna State.

He explained that the kidnapped lawmaker had passed Andaha in Akwanga local government area of Nasarawa State heading to the forest area in Kaduna State when the kidnappers ambushed him and whisked him away.

May 30, 2021
Kaduna Assembly declares Speaker’s seat vacant, suspends 4 members

The Kaduna State House Assembly has declared the seat of Speaker Aminu Abdullahi-Shagali vacant.

The Kaduna assembly declared the Speaker’s seat vacant at its sitting presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Mr Isaac Auta-Zankai on Tuesday.

Recall that Abdullahi-Shagali who represents Sabongari constituency was suspended as Speaker in August 2020 for nine months.

Along with the suspension, he was directed to issue an apology to the House.

The assembly at its sitting on Tuesday, noted that he has not apologised to the assembly nor participated in its activities for over 120 days as prescribed by law.

The lawmakers unanimously adopted the motion moved by Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed, member representing Zaria Kewaye, and declared the lawmaker’s seat vacant.

The sitting, presided by the Deputy Speaker, also suspended four other members of the assembly for one year.

Those suspended include Mukhtar Isa-Hazo, a former deputy speaker who represents Basawa constituency, Mr Nuhu Goroh-Shadalafiya of Kagarko constituency, Alhaji Yusuf Liman-Dahiru, Kakuri/Makera constituency and Salisu Isa, Magajin Gari constituency.

They were suspended for causing disaffection and engaging in activities inimical to the unity of members of the assembly.

Three of the members of the assembly were initially suspended on August 11, 2020 for nine months, while Isa and Abdullahi-Shagali were ordered to tender public apology.

April 27, 2021
BREAKING: Ogun Assembly elects new deputy speaker

The Ogun State House of Assembly on Tuesday elected Mr Akeem Balogun (Ogun Waterside) as its new deputy speaker.

Balogun’s election, which was unopposed, was supervised by the Clerk of the House, Mr Deji Adeyemo during plenary.

Balogun’s election followed his nomination by Mr Solomon Osho (Remo North) and was seconded by Abayomi Fasuwa (Ijebu North East).

The former deputy speaker, Mr Dare Kadiri (Ijebu North 11) was impeached for gross misconduct on March 2.

Speaking to newsmen, the new deputy speaker appreciated his colleagues for his election.

“I will regularly be in consultation with the speaker as captain of the ship on issues that will bring development to the state,” he said.

March 9, 2021
50 die of strange disease in Kogi community, Assembly cry for help

The Kogi House of Assembly has called on State and Federal Ministries of Health to unravel the cause of the strange disease which has killed 50 persons in Olamaboro Local Government Area of the state.

The House made the call at Tuesday’s plenary sitting in Lokoja following adoption of a motion on Urgent Public Importance, raised by Anthony Ujah (APC-Olamaboro), over the strange illness that has claimed over 50 lives.

According to the lawmaker, the unknown disease comes with symptoms such as headache, red eyes, loss of appetite, inability to urinate or defecate, convulsion and death.

Ujah said that the residents of Etteh Community in the local government area have been thrown into confusion by the outbreak of the alien disease.

He maintained that the cause or nature of the disease is still unknown, adding that infected persons die within one week of contracting the disease.

More worrisome, according to him, is that all efforts to get solution using local herbs and treatment at primary health centres with referrals to clinics and hospitals in neighboring Ogugu and Okpo have been unsuccessful.

“The reports reaching my constituency office from the community leaders confirmed that over 50 people between the age of 25 and 40 years have died since September,” he said.

Seconding the motion, Edoko Moses Ododo (APC-Dekina/Biraidu), said that the people of the community now live in fear.

He said that urgent steps need to be taken to save their lives as the disease can adversely affect the economic input of the agrarian community.

Supporting the motion, Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Mohammed, submitted that the community shares boundary with Enugu State and efforts should be made to urgently avert further loss of lives.

Mohammed prayed that the State Government should establish a Hospital in Etteh Community to prevent or tackle future occurrence of such epidemic and other health challenges.

The Speaker of the House, Prince Mathew Kolawole, later asked for a minute silence in honour of the deceased.

He directed that a letter be sent to the Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja, for immediate support and assistance.

November 18, 2020