Nelson Ugwuagbo

A bill to amend the Nigerian Constitution and allow voting by citizens in the diaspora has passed its second reading in the House of Representatives.

The proposed legislation, co-sponsored by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen and Representative Sodeeq Abdullahi, aims to amend the 2022 Electoral Act to enable Nigerians living abroad to participate in elections.

The bill was initially passed for a second reading in July and referred to the Committee on Electoral Matters for further consideration.

Following its progress on Tuesday, the bill has now been directed to the Constitution Amendment Committee for additional legislative review.

Details later …..

The Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has dismissed all management staff of the Edo Specialist Hospital and Stella Obasanjo Hospital, as well as dissolved the Governing Councils of state-owned tertiary institutions, including Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma.

This decision was conveyed in a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Musa Umar Ikhilor, and shared with journalists by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, in Benin City.

According to the statement, the Governor’s directive takes immediate effect.

“It is hereby announced for the information of the general public that the Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has approved the dissolution of the Governing Councils of all state-owned tertiary institutions in Edo State with immediate effect,” the statement read.

The affected council members have been instructed to hand over all government properties in their possession to the heads of their respective institutions.

In addition, the Governor approved the disengagement of the management staff of Edo Specialist Hospital and Stella Obasanjo Hospital, also effective immediately.

“Given the above, the management staff of the aforementioned hospitals are to hand over all government properties in their possession to the most senior officer in their various institutions,” the statement added.

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has commenced the export of refined petroleum products to neighboring West African countries, marking a potential shift in regional fuel markets.

According to a report by Bloomberg on Tuesday, citing data from Vortexa, Kpler, Precise Intelligence, a port report, and ship-tracking platforms, a tanker has transported a shipment of gasoline from the refinery to waters off the coast of Togo.

The report revealed that the vessel, CL Jane Austen, recently loaded over 300,000 barrels of gasoline from the refinery and sailed westward.

Last month, the Chairman of Ghana’s National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, disclosed that Ghana is considering purchasing petroleum products from the Dangote Refinery. Speaking at the OTL Africa Downstream Oil Conference in Lagos, Abdul-Hamid stated that such imports could reduce Ghana’s reliance on expensive European fuel, which costs the country approximately $400 million monthly.

He explained that sourcing fuel from Nigeria instead of Europe could significantly cut freight costs, ultimately lowering the prices of goods and services.

“If the refinery reaches its 650,000 barrels per day capacity, all that volume cannot be consumed by Nigeria alone. So, instead of us importing from Rotterdam, it will be much easier for us to import from Nigeria, which I believe will bring down our prices,” Abdul-Hamid noted.

The export marks a significant milestone in the refinery’s operations and signals its growing influence on the West African energy market.

A police officer was killed, and two others sustained injuries on Wednesday when gunmen attacked a patrol team along Asaga Road in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State.

The incident occurred around 7:30 am, with eyewitnesses reporting that the patrol team was ambushed by a group of six armed men. The attackers reportedly killed one officer on the spot, while the injured officers fled into a nearby bush for safety.

Following the attack, officers from the Ohafia Police Division and soldiers from the 14 Brigade launched a joint operation to comb the area and track down the fleeing suspects.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer for Abia State Command, Assistant Superintendent of Police Maureen Chinaka, said, “The picture is not very clear at the moment. I will provide feedback on the situation as soon as possible.”

Investigations into the attack are ongoing, and authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities.

South Africa has assumed the presidency of the G20, marking the first time an African country will lead the influential group of the world’s largest economies.

The handover ceremony occurred on Tuesday during the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva officially transferred leadership to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

In his acceptance speech, Ramaphosa pledged to prioritize the development of Africa and advocate for the interests of the Global South throughout his tenure.

“We will use this moment to bring the development priorities of the African continent and the Global South more firmly onto the agenda of the G20,” Ramaphosa said.

He outlined three main areas of focus for South Africa’s presidency: fostering inclusive economic growth, addressing food security challenges, and harnessing artificial intelligence and innovation to drive sustainable development. Ramaphosa also reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring global economic growth that leaves no one behind.

South Africa is currently the only African member of the G20, a bloc comprising 19 countries and the European Union. However, in 2023, the African Union joined the forum as a member, signaling increased global acknowledgment of Africa’s role in shaping international policy.

The G20 includes major economies such as the United States, China, Germany, and India, with Spain holding permanent guest status.

As the first African nation to lead the G20, South Africa aims to advocate for industrialization, job creation, and inequality reduction, while also steering discussions on pressing global issues.

“As South Africa, we undertake to advance the work of the G20 towards achieving greater global economic growth and sustainable development. We will work to ensure that no one is left behind,” Ramaphosa concluded.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reportedly dissolved the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, amid controversies surrounding the appointment of Professor Bernard Odoh as the institution’s Vice-Chancellor.

Professor Odoh, announced as the seventh substantive Vice-Chancellor on October 29, 2024, has faced allegations of irregularities in his academic credentials and the selection process. His official academic profile on UNIZIK website claimed he served as a visiting professor at the Federal University Gusau (FUGUS), Zamfara State, from July 2015 to October 2017. However, FUGUS and its Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) chapter denied this claim in formal responses.

Concerns about the appointment process had been raised earlier by UNIZIK’s ASUU chapter and the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN). The groups alleged procedural violations by the Governing Council, including the announcement of the vacancy and recruitment processes.

On November 1, 2024, the Federal Ministry of Education declared the appointment invalid. In a memo, the ministry criticized the Governing Council, led by Chairman Greg Mbadiwe, for proceeding without consulting ministry representatives, internal council members, and other key stakeholders.

The university’s Registrar and Secretary to Council, R.I. Nwokike, defended the council’s actions, citing a court ruling granting it authority to appoint the Vice-Chancellor.

ASUU’s national leadership intensified opposition on November 18, 2024, condemning Odoh’s appointment and that of Rosemary Nwokike as Registrar. ASUU National President, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, described the appointments as a breach of university regulations, highlighting the lack of proper advertisement, search processes, and adherence to selection criteria.

In response to the escalating controversy, President Tinubu has reportedly authorized the dissolution of the university’s Governing Council. Sources indicate that Education Minister Tunji Alausa has received presidential approval to make the announcement, which is expected to be made public shortly.

Former Imo State Governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha, has called on the Federal Government to release Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), as a tribute to the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.

Okorocha made the appeal on Monday during a night of tribute held in Ubah’s honour at the Nigerian Air Force Conference & Suites, Abuja. He referenced Ubah’s earlier plea to the government, which echoed a similar request made by the late President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.

“Before the death of Iwuanyanwu, he made a plea to the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Ifeanyi Ubah made a statement in the same line,” Okorocha said. He urged Senate President Godswill Akpabio to convey the message to the Federal Government, emphasizing that Kanu’s release would serve as a unifying gesture for the Igbo people.

“The best way to honour these great young men is the release of Nnamdi Kanu so that the Igbos can go home and reunite their place,” he added.

Okorocha also called on the Igbo community to embrace peace and unity, setting aside political divisions. Reflecting on the legacy of past Igbo leaders, he urged the living to learn from their examples.

“Ikemba Ojukwu, the Ekwuemes, and other great leaders who have passed on are now reconciled in the afterlife. Their spirits are likely discussing Ndi Igbo and asking, ‘Why do you play the politics of hate?’” he said.

The night of tribute was attended by prominent figures, including former President Goodluck Jonathan, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and former Senate Presidents Anyim Pius Anyim and Bukola Saraki.

Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who represented Anambra South Senatorial District, passed away in London in July at the age of 52. A businessman-turned-politician, Ubah would have turned 53 on September 3, 2024. He will be laid to rest on Friday, November 22, 2024.

President Bola Tinubu has submitted the names of three nominees for the positions of Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to the Senate for confirmation.

The formal communication was presented during the Senate’s plenary session on Tuesday, with Senate President Godswill Akpabio reading the letter to lawmakers. The nominations were subsequently referred to the Senate Committee on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for screening.

The committee will assess the nominees’ qualifications, professional experience, and suitability for the role, which involves overseeing the operations of INEC at the state level. Following the screening process, the committee will submit its findings to the Senate for deliberation and a final decision on confirmation.

These appointments are considered crucial to ensuring the effectiveness of INEC, which is responsible for conducting transparent and credible elections in Nigeria. The selection of qualified RECs is part of President Tinubu’s efforts to strengthen the country’s electoral process and enhance public confidence in the system.

The Senate’s decision on the nominations will play a key role in shaping INEC’s capacity to deliver free and fair elections in the future.

The Senate on Tuesday suspended its rules to admit family members and close relatives of the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah for a farewell session held in his honour.

The session began with the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, directing attention to the late senator’s seat, draped with the Nigerian flag and surrounded by four symbolic candles.

In his remarks, Akpabio noted that the day was dedicated to the memory of the late Anambra senator, who passed away on July 26, 2024, at the age of 52. He described Ubah, a businessman from Otolo, Nnewi North, as a visionary leader with extraordinary empathy, a champion of economic empowerment, and an advocate for community development.

The Senate President further described Ubah’s death as a significant loss to Nigeria’s political landscape.

Senator Ifeanyi Ubah reportedly passed away in July following surgery in the United Kingdom.