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Tag: Ovie Omo-Agege

  • Prof. JP Clark died an intellectual colossus — Omo-Agege

    Prof. JP Clark died an intellectual colossus — Omo-Agege

    The late renowned poet and Emeritus Professor of Literature, Prof. John Pepper Clark-Bekederemo, made his mark and left this plane of existence as a colossus, Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege, has said.

    Recalling Prof. Clark’s remarkable intellectual contributions, Omo-Agege in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yomi Odunuga, in Abuja on Tuesday, described his death as the end point of an impactful life.

    JP Clark passed on in the early hours of Oct. 13, at the age of 85.

    Omo-Agege expressed appreciation to God for granting the late intellectual a peaceful exit, surrounded by his family.

    “Born in Kiagbodo, Delta state to an Ijaw father and Urhobo mother, the Emeritus Professor rose to become one of the most brilliant stars in Africa’s firmament, passing through the University of Ibadan and University of Lagos with such intellectual productivity that made him an African giant.

    “Widely travelled and thoroughly distinguished, Prof. Clark held visiting professorial appointments at several institutions of higher learning, including Yale University and Wesley’s University in the U.S.

    “His marriage to Prof. Ebun from the great Odutola family in the old Western Region was a courageous challenge to old ways and people like he broke the barriers against inter-tribal matrimonial union.

    “Through poetry, Prof. Clark-Bekederemo captured pertinent contemporary socio-political issues as shown in his 1985 collection of poems titled, “State of the Union” – a collection of select poems in his 2002 anthology published by Longman Nigeria Plc under the title, “The Poems (1958-1998).

    “As we all mourn the transition of this great African to eternal life, our heartfelt condolences go to his dear family and our dear Papa, Chief Edwin Clark.

    “Forever, the world shall recall the intellectual stature and contributions of Professor Emeritus John Pepper Clark-Bekederemo,” he stated.

  • 1999 Constitution: Key areas in need of review revealed

    1999 Constitution: Key areas in need of review revealed

    The secretariat of the Senate Committee on Constitution review has identified key areas that need review in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, who is also the Chairman of the committee, made this known following the inaugural meeting of the committee on Thursday.

    He stressed that though the National Assembly (NASS) was still on recess, holding the meeting underscored the importance placed on the assignment to begin the process of bringing positive changes to the Constitution.

    Recall that the Senate Committee on Constitution review was inaugurated on the 12th of February, 2020 by the President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, following which, the committee held two meetings on the 26th of February, 2020 and on the 3rd of June, 2020, respectively, to work out the modalities for carrying out the all-important national assignment.

    Among the major fallouts of the meetings were that the El-Rufai report on restructuring and the 2014 Constitutional Conference report were recommended to be part of the Committee’s working documents.

    These two documents have been obtained by the secretariat of the Committee for duplication and circulation to members, Omo-Agege stated.

    “As we await the full resumption of our activities at the Committee level, compilation of all the Constitution alteration Bills referred to the Committee and gazetted are being collated for the process of the Committee in due course.

    “This assignment is one that must be carried out jointly with the House of Representatives, apart from other stakeholders in the various Houses of Assembly and members of the public.

    “Hence, I am in touch with my counterpart in the House to work out the modalities for a harmonious working relationship.

    “In pursuant of this, our secretariat has obtained all the Bills for the alteration of the Constitution referred so far to our counterparts in the House of Representatives and we have transmitted ours to them for further legislative activities.

    “The secretariat has been working and has identified many areas that need review in the 1999 Constitution from the engagements in the past and they include:

    “The need to make the Constitution more gender-friendly and affirm equal rights to women and girls.

    “The need to strengthen the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Federal Character Commission and other oversight agencies.

    “The need to address the challenges of residency and indigeneship.

    “The need to address the federal structure of the country to be in tandem with our history and modern realities.

    “The need to revisit socio-economic and cultural rights as entrenched in Chapter 2 of the Constitution as fundamental principles of state policy.

    “Electoral reforms veto to make our electoral system credible, free and fair.

    “Fiscal federalism and revenue allocation; and Comprehensive Judicial reforms.

    “This is a work plan that has been proposed for input. It is more of a road map of the Committee with the aim of presenting our report to the Senate plenary at the end of the first quarter of 2021.

    “This Constitution review process presents another opportunity for Nigerians to look at these issues again.

    “This review process will therefore be guided by the principle of inclusivity and participation.

    “We conducted a mapping of stakeholders that have been engaging in the Constitution review exercise since 1999.

    “We have collated previous reports such he as the 2014 Constitutional Conference Report and the El-Rufai’s report on restructuring which are being analyzed.

    “We have also designed several outreach programmes including the utilization of social media to receive and collate the views and opinions of Nigerians.

    “At the end of our technical sessions, our team will analyse the contributions and turn them into operations for the relevant sections of the Constitution,” the Senator said.

    He further stated that, “In addition, Distinguished Senators and members of the House of Representatives have initiated Constitution alteration Bills, all of which will be subjected to the relevant legislative process.

    “It is in line with this that the Committee is working on virtual conferencing to facilitate its work in view of the COVID-19 pandemic so as to ensure that our meetings within and outside the National Assembly premises are not unduly interrupted and frustrated from holding”.

    Senator Omo-Agege said that a target of March 2021 has been set to submit the report of the committee.

  • Why State caucus meeting held in Omo-Agege’s house – Delta APC

    Why State caucus meeting held in Omo-Agege’s house – Delta APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State has clarified why its caucus meeting held in the house of the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.

    The party’s Director of Publicity in the State, Nick Ovuoakporie made the clarification in a statement on Tuesday, while also dismissing fresh crisis reported to have taken over the party.

    The statement reads: “The attention of the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Delta state ably led by its State Chairman Prophet Jones Ode Erue has been drawn to a publication on the Vanguard newspaper of Sunday 16th August, 2020 purportedly authorised by the erstwhile suspended/removed Deputy State Chairman Elvis Ayomanor and one impostor who was referred to in the said story as the party’s Publicity Secretary respectively conferring non existing powers on themselves to issue misleading statements intended to create a false crisis scenario which only exist in the figment of their imaginations.

    “The party reacted through its Director of Publicity Mr. Ovuakporie Nick dismissing the duo and their sponsors as mere attention seekers whose actions are likened to that of a last kick of a dying horse in the throes of death.

    “The party hereby unequivocally insist that there is no crack nor crisis as reported by a section of the media to warrant the attention given to the unfortunate publication linked to the duo of Mr. Elvis Ayomanor, the disgraced former deputy chairman and the faceless Felix Okpako who has been masquerading as publicity secretary of the Party.

    “Recall, that Mr. Elvis Ayomanor and others were suspended and removed from office for contravening the party’s constitution including acts of gross misconduct which led to his replacement by Hon. Moses Ogodo as the Ag. Deputy state Chairman a phase, the party has since concluded and moved on to more pressing issues of the administration of the Party.

    “The party also seizes this opportunity to call on the general public to disregard the cantankerous activities of these charlatans and their sponsors, that a State caucus meeting was called to the home of the party leader His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Ovie Omo-Agege as against the state secretariat as a non issue, stating that precedence has effectively taken care of their argument triggered by frustration as caucus meetings has always been called/held at the residence(s) of the leader of the Party which has been the conventional practice overtime. The party confirmed that when late Senator Spanner Okpozo was the Chairman of the caucus, the meetings were taking place in his house at Ozoro with caucus members in regular attendance.

    “Second, when Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, was the leader of the caucus, the meetings were taking place in his residences in Abuja and Onicha-Ugbo with caucus members attending at various times. This has been the practice as it affects caucus meetings of the Party

    “The party also stressed that the caucus meeting invitation wasn’t extended to these impostors having been suspended and removed from office for acts which constituted serious breach of the party’s constitution 2014 as amended.

    “The statement sternly warns that though the leadership of the Party has always believed in towing the line of peace, the Party will not hesitate to take decisive disciplinary action against the suspended former Deputy State Chairman, Mr. Elvis Ayomanor who is a fugitive from justice in the United States of America and his sponsors to refrain from acts that tends to foist an imaginary crisis on the State chapter of the party which has been enjoying utmost peace and harmony amongst its members and leaders alike”.

  • JUST IN: Omo-Agege speaks on COVID-19 protest in Delta

    JUST IN: Omo-Agege speaks on COVID-19 protest in Delta

    The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has condemned, in strong terms, the alleged shooting of a protester in Sapele, Delta State by security agents, calling for the arrest and prosecution of the culprit.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports protesters took to the streets in Sapele to protest against the two weeks extension of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) lockdown in the State.

    Senator Omo-Agege also appealed for calm and according to him, the arrest and prosecution of the culprit will serve as a deterrent to other trigger-happy security men.

    While noting that the lockdown has caused untold hardship on the people, the lawmaker pointed out that the long-term benefits of the stay-at-home order is to protect the citizens from contracting the deadly disease.

    He explained that authorities at all levels of government are making frantic efforts to get palliatives to the poorest of the poor.

    Senator Omo-Agege recalled that around 1919 when the population of the area now known as Nigeria was only a fraction of what it is today, not less than half a million people died of a virulent global influenza pandemic brought by overseas ship passengers into coastal areas from where it spread elsewhere.

    “No doubt, the lockdown has caused difficulties and inconveniences for many citizens but in these trying times, it takes courage for our elected leaders to adopt global best practices by extending the lockdown so as to curb the spread of the deadly Coronavirus disease and save lives.

    “As President Buhari and governors, including Governor Okowa of Delta State have said, our common objective is to contain the spread of the Coronavirus and to provide space, time and resources for an aggressive and collective action while ongoing comprehensive public health measures including case identification, testing, isolation and contact tracing capabilities are intensified.

    “No doubt, the lockdown has caused many inconveniences for millions, especially for our daily wage earners and many others in the informal sector but for a disease that ravages with no guarantee of cure, and the fact that life has no duplicate, staying at home to curb its spread is a most reasonable imperative.

    “Too many lives are being lost and far too many families are going through deep grief caused by Covid-19; while the Delta State government weighs possibilities of making things better, we should all strive to appreciate the deep seriousness of the issue.

    “Nonetheless, warnings about social distancing, hand-washing and other preventive measures given by relevant state and federal authorities deserve our adherence.

    “These are trying times, palliatives and sacrificial giving from government, the private sector and individuals can make things easier. Importantly, we all need to support efforts being made by the federal and state authorities including the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) towards curbing Corvid-19 and saving our people’s lives,” he stated.

  • What Osinbajo, Lawan, Okowa said about Omo-Agege in Warri

    What Osinbajo, Lawan, Okowa said about Omo-Agege in Warri

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President, Senator Ahmed Lawan and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State on Sunday spoke glowingly of Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.

    The trio was among notable Nigerians that attended the Thanksgiving Mass for Senator Omo-Agege at Mother of the Redeemer Catholic Church, Effurun, Delta State.

    Osinbajo, in a remark, said that Omo-Agege was a well educated and distinguished lawyer, who had practiced at home and abroad.

    According to the Vice President, it is not just Omo-Agege’s brilliance that is propelling him, but that his courage, loyalty and reliability moved him first as a politician and then to the exalted position of Deputy Senate President.

    “I think that both Omo-Agege and Senator Lawan were the unanimous choice of most of us in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the leadership of the APC.

    “There was very little doubt that these two individuals were the ones that we wanted and everybody worked very hard indeed to make sure that came to be.

    “And the reasons are very simple: Lawan has always proved to be very reliable and always a party person and so is Omo-Agege.

    “In most of the things people were shy or afraid to do, Omo-Agege stood up and was ready to be counted at the right time.

    “I think that for his courage and for his steadfastness and for his reliability, not only was he rewarded by his constituents who he loves very much but also by our great party, and by the 9th Senate by his election to the position of Deputy Senate President,’’ he said.

    He said that with the qualities Omo-Agege possessed, he would still achieve more politically in Nigeria.

    The Vice President prayed God to continue to bless the Deputy Senate President.

    On his part, Lawan said he was in the church to thank God for his blessings on his Deputy.

    Lawan said that the more God is appreciated for his blessings, the more blessings he would bestow.

    He said that the Senate would continue to work hand in hand with the Executive in solving the security concerns in the nation.

    On his part, Okowa congratulated Omo-Agege who he described as his brother for attaining such a political height.

    He said that the feat was not just for the Omo-Agege’s constituents in Delta Central but for the entire state.

    “We rejoice with you as a State; your position is a call to service not just to your nation but to Deltans,’’ he said.

    In his comment, Omo-Agege said he was immensely grateful to God for what he had achieved as it would not have been possible without God.

    He expressed his appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari, Osinbajo, APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, APC governors and all party faithful, who were instrumental to his emergence as Deputy Senate President.

    He said he would continue to strive to promote national unity and attract the dividends of democracy to his constituency.

    Earlier in a sermon, Very Rev. Fr. Anthony Ozele, President, Warri Diocesan Priests Association, said that it was wise to appreciate God for His goodness.

    He said that the celebration was not just for Omo-Agege and his family but for the entire Urhobo nation.

    Ozele said that the rate of killings, kidnapping, cultism, immorality and other crimes in Nigeria was worrisome.

    He said most crimes were brewed by hatred and called on Nigerians to love one another.

    According to the priest, Nigeria has a bright and prosperous future as God has plans for the nation.

    “Nigeria will rise; there is hope; I charge each and every one of us, let stand up for Nigeria.

    “Let us stand up for hope; all foes and enemies of Nigeria will be vanquished; Nigeria will survive,’’ he said.

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, Senate Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe and other principal officers of the Senate also attended the event.

    The Thanksgiving also attracted some serving governors, APC National Chairman, members of the National Assembly, political class, traditional rulers and the clergy.

  • Osinbajo, Lawan, El-Rufai, Wike storm Warri for Omo-Agege’s thanksgiving [Photos]

    Osinbajo, Lawan, El-Rufai, Wike storm Warri for Omo-Agege’s thanksgiving [Photos]

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Ahmad Lawan, Governors Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State and Nyesom Wike of Rivers State have arrived in Warri for thanksgiving by Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Senator Omo-Agege, representing Delta Central Senatorial District in the upper legislative chamber of the National Assembly (NASS), is thanking God today at Mother of Redeemer Catholic Church, Airport Junction, Effurun.

    Omo-Agege is returning to the Almighty God with thanksgiving for his electoral victory, elevation to the post of Deputy President of the Senate, and other innumerable blessings and great deeds of God.

    Reception had been billed to hold at Jubilee Centre, inside Holy Martyrs of Uganda Seminary, Enerhen Road, Effurun, after the church service.

    Also arriving the township of Warri is the State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, who received Vice President Osinbajo at the Osubi Airport in company of Senator Omo-Agege, Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodima and his Jigawa State counterpart, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar.

    See photos below:

    Meanwhile, Secretary to the Federal Government of Nigeria, Mr. Boss Mustapha has also arrived in Warri through the Osubi Airport.

    Attending the thanksgiving are the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr Timipre Silva, Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Senate George Akume and former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State.

    Others are Senators Ibikunle Amosun, James Manager, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Delta State House of Assembly, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh (NDDC, EDP), Rev. Francis Waive, Olorogun Ovie Omo-Agege and many others.

    Also attending are traditional rulers from Delta State including 103-year-old Chairman of the Forum of Urhobo Traditional Rulers and Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom, HRM Ovie Ogbon, Ogoni 1, Orodje of Okpe, Olu of Warri, Ovie of Uvwie, Ovie of Agbon, Ovie of Agbarha-Otor and others.

  • BREAKING: Senate Committee on Constitution Review inaugurated; Omo-Agege rolls out agenda

    BREAKING: Senate Committee on Constitution Review inaugurated; Omo-Agege rolls out agenda

    The Senate Committee on Constitution Review, chaired by Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, who has mapped out his vision for the Committee, has been inaugurated.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Committee was inaugurated on Wednesday at the conference room 022, Senate wing of the National Assembly (NASS)

    In his remarks, Senator Omo-Agege said the Committee will embark on far reaching consultations with Nigerians across the six geo-political zones to aggregate their positions on current issues that require legislative action by way of Constitutional Reforms.

    Read below remarks made by Senator Omo-Agege during inauguration of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review:

    Protocol

    It is my pleasure to welcome you all to the inauguration of the Constitution Review Committee of the 9th Senate which was constituted on Thursday, 6th February, 2020 by the President of the Senate, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator (Dr.) Ahmad Lawan, CON.

    Accept my congratulations, Distinguished Colleagues for appointments well deserved as members of this very important Committee saddled with the responsibility of amending the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in this 9th Senate. This calls for dedication, patriotism and selfless sacrifice to our fatherland.

    The need for Constitutional amendment lies at the heart of Constitutional theory and practice. Constitutionalism implies that the fundamental rules for effective exercise of state power and protection of individual rights should be stable and predictable and not subject to easy change or the whims of individuals. This is most central in our noble and continual pursuit of the General Will. It is for this reason that the drafters of our Constitution deliberately made the process of Constitutional Amendment very pains-taking. Yet, the greater need to improve democratic governance or adjust to the ever changing political, economic and social realities has made it necessary for our Nation to embark on this journey again.

    These changing times have brought new challenges and today in our country, we are faced with increased insecurity, slow economic growth, rising poverty, and a poor political culture, amongst others. These challenges that will define the way Nigerians will live in the 21st century have continued to agitate the minds of our people. It is against this background that the need for constitutional reforms has once again become necessary.

    It is worthy of note that because of the need to incorporate the interests, wishes and aspirations of the people from various ethno-social and ethno-religious backgrounds, we shall embark on far reaching consultations with Nigerians across the six geo-political zones to, aggregate their positions on current issues that require legislative action by way of Constitutional Reforms.

    Over the years our people appear to have been polarised along different fault lines which often make it impossible to reach the much-needed consensus in some critical areas where fundamental changes are required. We must guide against this if we are to succeed. There is thus the need for constitutional amendment that will be consistent with the agitations and aspirations of our people. This again, is the whole essence of the General Will.

    Our task would be to find a consensus through compromise in order to meet the ever-changing needs of our people. We must understand that the fact that behind our diversity are people united by common challenges of insecurity, unemployment, and a good hope for a better future, provides us with the opportunity to focus on those issues that unite us. It is only by so doing that we can guarantee success and leave for our children a better, fairer and more just Nigeria than the one we met.

    As we set out to perform this all-important role that we are called upon to play at this critical stage of our nation’s development, let me appreciate the effort of the President of the Senate in putting together the membership of this Committee. The diligence, hard-work and foresight that were brought to bear are commendable. Mr. President, we appreciate the importance and level of responsibility you attached to the work of this Committee. We will not disappoint you. I also have no doubt in my mind that this Committee will meet the desires and expectations of the Nigerian people. This is because at the end, what unites us is far greater than what divides us.

    In carrying out this national assignment, this Committee will no doubt, consider the alteration of the Sixth schedule to make provision for new items, the establishment of National and State Houses of Assembly, Pre-election Matters Tribunal, Governorship Pre-election Matters Tribunals and Presidential Pre-election Matters Tribunal, including time limits for the disposal of all pre-election matters before the conduct of the general elections.

    We will also consider the need for devolution of power, full Local Government fiscal autonomy, full autonomy of the judiciary in the area of administration of justice, youth inclusiveness in governance, gender parity or affirmative action. This is by no means an exhaustive list. The Committee will also consider inputs from stakeholders and different interest groups across the country.

    In addition, this committee will consider the recommendations of the 2014 Constitutional Conference and the Governor Nasir el-Rufai-led Committee on restructuring. We would also liaise with our counterparts in the House of Representatives, the State Houses of Assembly and collaborate and build consensus with all stakeholders to ensure synergy. Development Partners will also play pivotal roles through counsel, workshops, conferences and interactions. The partnership roles of the Executive and Judiciary and their invaluable contributions cannot be over looked as it will enhance efficient and successful outcomes.

    Finally, it will suffice to say that an assignment of this magnitude demands diligence and commitment. So, as we embark on this very important legislative assignment, let us use this opportunity to build consensus on constitutional issues that will impact the lives of the people of our great country Nigeria. We must get it right for the good of our people and the unity of our great country. The Nigerian people deserve no less.

  • Omo-Agege solicits support of GCUOBA on bills

    Omo-Agege solicits support of GCUOBA on bills

    The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has urged old students of Government College Ughelli to approach his office with bills that will better the lot of Nigerians.

    Omo-Agege stated this on Friday in Abuja when he played host to the national leadership of Government College, Ughelli, Old Boys’ Association (GCUOBA).

    He commended the old students for their efforts in helping their Alma Mata by assisting the school in providing infrastructure.

    A statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Yomi Odunuga, quoted him as saying: “It (Government College Ughelli) is a renowned institution. For that reason, any assistance that I can provide by virtue of this office, please count on it. I will not hesitate to provide such if it is within my powers.

    “In the National Assembly, you have a representative here in me. If you have things of interest like a piece of legislation that you want to advance, you can always count on me to help push that”.

    Earlier, the leader of the delegation and President General of GCUOBA, Architect Charles Majoroh congratulated the Deputy President of the Senate on his election.

    He also commended Omo-Agege for appointing some old students of the institution as his legislative aides, even as he invited the lawmaker to the Association’s Annual Dinner coming up in Abuja this weekend.

  • Omo-Agege warns against relocation of Nigerian Gas Company from Ekpan-Warri

    Omo-Agege warns against relocation of Nigerian Gas Company from Ekpan-Warri

    The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has expressed dismay over the insistence of some multinational oil companies operating in the Niger Delta region on moving their headquarters elsewhere.
    TheNewsGuru (TNG) reports Yomi Odunuga, Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Deputy President of the Senate, in a statement, said Omo-Agege demanded that oil companies whose head offices are not in the region should relocate there.
    Omo-Agege, who expressed the dismay on Monday at the Senate plenary during the confirmation hearing of ministerial nominees, also said there is no need for Nigeria to continue with the multibillion Naira oil sudsidy regime.
    He said all that is needed to address the lingering issue of inadequate refined oil production to match local consumption, is to fix the country’s ailing refineries.
    He also expressed surprise that in spite of obvious economic realities, some people within and outside the NNPC still continue to believe that sudsidy is the solution.
    “I have always taken the position that there is no need for us to continue with this subsidy; all we need to do is to fix the refineries. But, today, I have seen many people in the NNPC and elsewhere moving otherwise because they believe we ought to continue with this subsidy regime.
    “I am from the Niger Delta and there are a lot of us who believe that most of the oil companies doing business in that neighborhood ought to have their offices and their headquarters in that same neighborhood so as to provide employment opportunities
    “There is an issue that is raging right now in the Niger Delta and it has to do with the Nigerian Gas Company in Ekpan-Warri; they are also threatening to move their headquarters from Warri in Delta state to somewhere else.
    “I am seeking a commitment today as the representative of the people of Delta Central that no ministerial nominee today will eventually superintend over the movement of the Nigerian Gas Company elsewhere.
    “I also seek a commitment that those companies that are doing business in the Niger Delta but have their headquarters elsewhere should come back to the Niger Delta area to provide jobs for our teeming youths,” the Deputy President of the Senate said.

  • Buhari will decide senate presidency for us- Omo-Agege

    Buhari will decide senate presidency for us- Omo-Agege

    The senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege says President Muhammadu Buhari will be actively involved in the process of selecting the next leadership of the Senate.

    Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Warri, Omo-Agege said the President and the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) would avoid the 2015 mistake that led to the emergence of Sen. Bukola Saraki as the president of the Senate.

    ‘‘Anybody who is going to be Senate President, in the 9th Senate, must be somebody who is loyal to Mr President, the party and the constitution.

    ‘‘The Senate President will be determined by Mr President. Mr President will indicate to us through the party who he want to work with,’’ Omo-Agege said.

    The ruling APC is set to produce the next Senate president after winning the majority of senatorial seats at the upper legislative chamber in the Feb. 23 election.

    Asked if APC has zoned the senate presidency to any geo-political zone, the lawmaker said ‘‘I do not know.’’

    ‘‘But what I can tell you is that we are going to have a Senate that will work with Mr President.

    ‘‘The era of allowing renegades who rode on the back of Mr President, who rode on the back of the party to go in there and trade the party’s mandate, I think that era is gone.

    ‘‘I am very hopeful that this time around, Mr President will step in and decide not only the zone that will produce the Senate president and the leadership but also who should be.

    ‘‘We don’t want to erect another opposition leader in the Senate, as we had in the 8th Assembly.

    ‘‘There are a lot of us in the Senate who are returning to the next senate who fits into that position. We are so many but any decision the President makes, we will all fall in line and abide.

    ‘‘We want President Buhari to succeed and it is all in our place, some of us who are close to him, to tell him certain calls he should not make because we know ourselves in the National Assembly and we do not want a repeat of the Saraki saga as we go back to the ninth Senate.’’ he said.

    Speaking on the upcoming Saturday’s election, Omo-Agege said the APC stood a chance to win the March 9 governorship elections in Delta, saying ‘‘Delta people are determined not to be in the opposition again.’’