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Tag: saraki

  • #OpenNass: Nigerians hail Saraki, Dogara for unveiling NASS budget, ending 8-yr of secrecy

    The National Assembly, Thursday, for the first time, published the details of its budget, beginning with the 2017 budget, to underscore transparency as earlier promised by the President of the 8th Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki.

    Reacting to the recent landmark, some Nigerians who expressed their views on the internet hailed the law making body and its leadership, Senator Bukola Saraki and Hon. Yakubu Dogara for complying with their earnest call for #opennass.

    Recall that Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, had earlier promised Nigerians that he’ll heed the calls for an Open National Assembly (#OpenNASS) in order to ensure everyone gets to see the line-item allocations of the legislative arm.

    The Appropriations Committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives separately presented their harmonised reports of the budget for consideration and subsequent passage on Thursday.

    According to the report, N434.4 billion was appropriated for statutory transfers to the National Judicial Council (N100 billion); Niger Delta Development Commission (N64.02 billion); Universal Basic Education (N95.2 billion); National Assembly (N125 billion); Public Complaints Commission (N4 billion); INEC (N45 billion); and National Human Rights Commission (N1.2 billion).

    The seven establishments are to get allocations on first line charge. In practice, the spending details of these offices are not made public.

    But the spokesperson for the Senate, Aliyu Abdullahi, told Journalists details of the National Assembly budget are included in the whole national budget, ending eight years of secrecy.

    “We have opened our budget,” he said. “Details are in the (whole) budget, that’s what I have come to tell you.”

  • Saraki Hails Buhari, Security Forces on Release of 82 Chibok Girls

    President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has commended the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government, security operatives, and the international Red Cross on the release of 82 of the Chibok schoolgirls, that were part of the group abducted by Boko Haram in 2014.

    In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki expressed delight at the development, saying that the prayers and well-wishes of Nigerians and the global community had led to the return of “more of our daughters.”

    “As a father, I can’t help but feel delighted and excited at the release of the 82 schoolgirls. When they were taken from us, the whole world joined in demanding for their return — now, it is a testament to the tenacity and commitment of the Federal Government, led by Mr. President, that they are back with us, and will soon be reunited with their families,” the Senate President said.
    “Last year, we managed to secure the release of 20 girls. Today, 82. By this feat, those that are still out there should be rest assured that Nigeria will not forget them, and this government will continue to do everything within its power to bring them back home,” Saraki said, “Moving forward, the Security Forces must be commended. However, the work is not yet done, too many families are still anxious today. Too many of our daughters have not returned.”
    The Senate President reassured that the Senate and by extension, the National Assembly, would continue to do everything within its power to augment the efforts of the executive and our international partners in securing the release of more girls and ending the Book Haram menace once and for all.
    “My colleagues and I in the 8th Senate will continue to remain committed to the cause of bringing back all our girls, ending the Boko Haram insurgency and ensuring the rehabilitation of the devastated North East zone,” he said, “It is clear that we still have a lot to do. But God-willing, we will be up for the challenge.”

  • Why we reduced cameramen covering Senate’s plenaries ─ Saraki

    Why we reduced cameramen covering Senate’s plenaries ─ Saraki

    …says ‘I have nothing against the press’

    Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki has said he has nothing personal against the press especially as it relates to the reduction in the number of media houses covering Senate plenary.

    Saraki noted that not all those carrying cameras are authentic journalist. He said the security situation in the country makes it imperative for the Senate to take the decision.

    Special Adviser to the Senate President on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu, in a telephone interview with The Punch, said the Senate, and the National Assembly by extension, had nothing against the press.

    He said the chamber’s gallery was still open to journalists and members of the public to observe proceedings.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the Senate, had on Thursday, restricted coverage of its proceedings to six television stations. This forced all the cameramen to boycott coverage of the plenary at the chamber.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that thirteen television stations had been accredited to gain entry into the chamber to cover plenary but the coverage was now restricted to African Independent Television, Nigerian Television Authority, Channels Television, Silverbird Television, Television Continental and the in-house New Age.

    However, the Senate Press Corps had protested against the restriction and filed a petition to the Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Sabi Abdullahi.

    Olaniyonu, however, said the restriction was only for “physical entry” of persons into the chamber. He said plenaries were usually broadcast at the Press Centre and proceedings could be monitored on television.

    He said, “We must restrict physical access into the chamber. It is not everybody who carries a camera and claims to be a journalist that should be allowed in the chamber. If you look at the new list of approved media houses critically, you will see that all sides have been considered – both government, pro-government, opposition stations are there.

    “We must restrict physically entry into the chamber. There is a gallery at the chamber that is open to every observer of the plenary. Some things are going on in that place, which we cannot make public in print. We can only restrict physical presence of persons in the chamber. There is even a press gallery, which all journalists have unhindered access to. There are people who pretend to be pressmen in order to gain entry into the chamber. Not everybody who holds a camera should be allowed in.”

  • False asset declaration: FG closes case against Saraki

    The Federal Government has closed its case of false assets declaration and other related charges against the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki.

    The closure was made on Thursday at the Code of Conduct Tribunal in Abuja.

    The Federal Government’s prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, announced this after an official of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Ilorin branch, Bayo Dauda, testified as the fourth and last prosecution witness.

    In response, however, the Senate President’s lawyer, Paul Erokoro, SAN, said the defence would file a no-case submission.

    By opting to file a no-case submission instead of opening defence, the defence team believes the prosecution with its documentary evidence tendered and testimony of its witnesses, was unable to prove any of the 18 counts preferred against Saraki.

    Recall that the case was filed in September 2015, and has traversed the hierarchy of courts up to the Supreme Court with Saraki losing all applications and appeals filed to terminate the trial.

    The tribunal Chairman, Danladi Umar, gave the registry to put the records of proceedings from inception together.

    The defence will, thereafter, within one week file its written address on no-case submission. The prosecution will also respond within one week.

    The tribunal fixed June 8 for the adoption of the addresses.

  • Increased assassination attempts: Saraki seeks special protection for Senators

    Increased assassination attempts: Saraki seeks special protection for Senators

    Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has said the recent assassination attempts in the country calls for urgent security measures to protect the lives of Nigerians and that of Senators in particular.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Saraki was speaking against the backdrop of the alleged attempt on Senator Dino Melaye’s life and the raid of Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje.

    The Senate President stated this on Thursday, at the inauguration of an ad-hoc committee, investigating the alleged attempted assassination on Melaye.

    Represented by the Senate Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan, Saraki said: “The 1999 Constitution guarantees every Nigerian the right to life. Like every Nigerian, a Senator or member of the National Assembly deserves to be protected against infringement, threat and harassment.

    “The reported incidence in Kogi State where armed assassins invaded the house of a sitting Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Dino Melaye with the intention of taking his life is frightening and must be fully investigated.”

    Saraki added that effort must be made to “ensure that no Senator or member of the legislature is put in a position where he or she will feel his life is threatened in such a manner as to affect his judgment and thereby weaken hiss moral compass and ability to act without fear or favour.

    “The investigation will seek to unearth the remote and immediate issues connected with, and leading to the ugly incident.”

  • World Press Freedom Day: Report NASS activities correctly, shun propaganda, Saraki tells journalists

    World Press Freedom Day: Report NASS activities correctly, shun propaganda, Saraki tells journalists

    Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, has tasked journalists across the country to report activities of the National Assembly as it happens and not based on propaganda.

    Saraki made this statement while addressing Senate Press Corps in Abuja on the occasion of the 2017 World Press Freedom Day.

    “Your stories play a major role in the discharge of our responsibility. I urge you to go beyond propaganda and report us correctly,” Saraki said.

    Saraki also said the Senate received a total number of 196 nominees for various appointments, but confirmed 185 in less than two years.

    He noted that the National Assembly under his leadership had passed motions that impacted on well-being of the nation, adding that such was done with private sector participation in the economy.

    According to him, the upper legislative chamber has investigated fraudulent cases through its oversight functions, noting that the exercise has so far yielded better results.

    “As we continue to pass motions, we have investigated some fraudulent cases as an institution and have prevented so much for the betterment of the country,” he maintained.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that every year, 3rd of May is a date which celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom; to evaluate press freedom around the world, to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.

    World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993 following a Recommendation adopted at the twenty-sixth session of UNESCO’s General Conference in 1991. This in turn was a response to a call by African journalists who in 1991 produced the landmark Windhoek Declaration on media pluralism and independence

  • May Day: Workers are ‘angry,’ attend to their demands now, Saraki tells FG

    Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has called on the Federal Government to immediately constitute a panel to work on demands of Nigerian workers for increased wages, arrears of pension, promotion and allowances.

    Saraki said this while addressing workers at the Eagles Square, Abuja, venue of the 2017 May Day Celebration.

    He stated further that government needs to quickly address all issues affecting Nigerian workers because they are “angry.”

    Saraki expressed the readiness of the National Assembly to play its part in ensuring that workers get their dues.

    A statement by his media aide, Yusuph Olaniyonu, quoted Saraki as saying, “Government must set up a high-powered committee representing all stakeholders who have the ability to engender confidence across board. They must be given clear terms of reference and realistic time to conclude their work and make recommendations.

    “We in the National Assembly are ready to play our part to ensure the appropriation of necessary funds and enactment of appropriate laws to back up the resultant policies.”

    Saraki applauded the patience, understanding and co-operation that the workers had extended to the Administration since its inception, “particularly at this period of economic challenge, stating that their positive attitude will not be taken for granted.”

    He disclosed that the National Assembly members had on their own increased the proposed provision in the 2017 budget being worked on to take care of pension of retired workers.

    He also said the legislature could easily at the last stage of the budget process include provisions to take care of the financial implication of redressing arrears of promotion and allowances.

  • May Day: Nigerian workers are priceless – Saraki

    May Day: Nigerian workers are priceless – Saraki

    Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki has described the contribution of Nigerian workers to the growth and sustainability of the economy and nation as large as priceless.


    Saraki made this known in a message signed by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Mr Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja at the weekend to mark this year’s 2017 Workers’ Day celebration.


    The statement reads in part: “From the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) that contribute over 47 per cent to our Gross Domestic Product (GDP), to the civil servants who are the driving force behind our government, all the way to the unregistered business owners who work to make a living for themselves and their families, every Nigerian worker in both the formal and informal sectors makes a priceless contribution to the sustainability of our nation.


    “As we mark this year’s Workers’ Day, all Nigerian workers should be proud that their significant contributions keep this nation moving forward as they are the lifeblood of our country, an integral part of the fabric that makes up our society,” he said.

     

    Saraki stressed the need for government across all levels and participants in the private sector to work toward ensuring that workers received their salaries and pensions as and when due.


    “As a result of globalization, the Nigerian workforce is no longer competing with itself. We are now competing with our counterparts from both developing and developed nations.


    “With this in mind, it is necessary that all employers, those in the public and private sectors, work to continuously invest in the development of their employees,’’ he said.


    Saraki said the upper chamber would continue to partner with Nigerian workers to enact legislation that would guarantee that they got their dues at the appropriate time.


    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Workers’ Day is observed May 1 each year to celebrate the achievements of workers

  • CCT: Again, absence of prosecution witnesses stalls Saraki’s trial

    CCT: Again, absence of prosecution witnesses stalls Saraki’s trial

    The absence of prosecution witnesses on Thursday in Abuja at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) again stalled the trial of Senate President Bukola Saraki.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the Senate President is standing trial over alleged false assets declaration while serving as governor of Kwara .

    The trial had suffered similar fate between April 18 and April 25.

    Both adjournments, however, were at the instance of the prosecution team.

    Saraki’s trial which began in September 2015 had suffered numerous setbacks, mostly at the instance of the prosecution.

    TheNewsGuru.com recalls that the prosecution shortlisted eight witnesses who would testify against the senate president in the 13- count charge of alleged false assets declaration.

    Those to testify are Yahaya Bello, Michael Wetkas, Mustapha Musa, Nura Bako, Adamu Garba, Samuel Madojemu, Abdulrahaman Dauda and Nwachukwu Amazu.

    Some of the witnesses were said to be DSS operators who investigated the four forms submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau by Saraki.

    The prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) had asked for short adjournment to enable him produce his witnesses.

    The Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Danladi Umar adjourned the matter till May 4 for continuation.

     

    NAN

  • 2015 Elections: Saraki, El-Rufai prevailed on Buhari to drop me as running mate – Tinubu

    A National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has alleged that Senate President Bukola Saraki and the Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai prevailed on President Muhammadu Buhari to drop him as running mate for the 2015 presidential elections which the party eventually won.

    Tinubu stated that Saraki, El-Rufai and other stalwarts of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who defected to the APC in the build-up to the 2015 elections, instigated Buhari and some APC chieftains not to pick him as the would-be Vice-President.

    The APC leader’s comments were contained in a book titled ‘Against the Run of Play,’ written by the Chairman, Editorial Board of ThisDay, Olusegun Adeniyi.

    Tinubu, the former governor of Lagos State, said his opponents persuaded Buhari to look for another running mate on the grounds that Christians in the North would not embrace a Muslim-Muslim ticket, and as such, could jeopardise the party’s victory.

    The former governor said the arguments put forward by the party members were not genuine, adding that El-Rufai had the intention to ensure the emergence of the Serving Overseer of The Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Buhari’s running mate.

    Tinubu added, “What they (Saraki and others from the PDP) did behind my back was wrong. We always do things as a group. By the time they joined, we were already too far ahead in our processes but we accommodated them.

    “We agreed to take their state structures and subsume them into the part and they all had their opportunity to nominate the candidates of their choices for different political offices.

    “But they went behind to instigate Buhari and some other people in the party against me on the pretext of religion. That was not right. They were canvassing arguments that the Christians in the North would not vote for a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

    “Nasir el-Rufai was also selling the same argument within the CPC (the defunct Congress for Progressive Change) because at that point, he still wanted to have Pastor Bakare brought in as Buhari’s running mate.”

    Tinubu stated that some senators and governors then, who defected from the PDP to the APC, met with him on the eve of the primaries to know if there was an agreement between him and Buhari to run together.

    He said he evaded the inquiry, which compelled the allies to join him in canvassing for Buhari as the right presidential candidate of the party.

    “I told them that it was better to resolve such issue after the primaries, but they wanted to make it a condition for supporting Buhari, which, for me, was very wrong. I told them I could not insist on this as a condition for my support for Buhari. I felt that was not right to hold Buhari hostage in this manner.

    “I believe the support that we gave was fundamental to Buhari clinching the party nomination. Without that support, a different outcome would have been most likely,” Tinubu added.

    He noted that Buhari later requested him to nominate three persons for the job, but he (Tinubu) presented only Yemi Osinbajo as his ultimate choice.

    “I backed down because I did not want to be depicted as causing a problem. I backed away from the position in order to offer Buhari a name I once raised with him in 2011: that of Professor Yemi Osibanjo,” he added.