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May 23, 2024 House of Representatives Push for Reversion to Previous National Anthem

House of Representatives Push for Reversion to Previous National Anthem

The House of Representatives has advanced a bill for a second reading, proposing a return to the previous national anthem. Championing the debate on the bill's fundamental principles, Julius Ihonvbere, its initiator, emphasized the importance of fostering patriotism and nationalism.

During deliberations, Chinda, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, contended that the old national anthem, being a colonial relic, should not be revisited in a post-independent Nigeria. This stance found support from Ahmad Satomi, the representative of Jere Federal Constituency, Borno State.

However, diverging from this view, another lawmaker from Borno, Ahmed Jaha, endorsed the bill, asserting that the wording of the new anthem lacks substantive relevance to the affairs of the Nigerian State.

May 23, 2024 EFCC Charges Former Aviation Minister Sirika and Brother with New 10-Count

EFCC Charges Former Aviation Minister Sirika and Brother with New 10-Count

On Thursday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, on a new 10-count charge. Sirika appeared before an Abuja High Court in Garki alongside his brother Ahmad and Enginos Nigeria Limited, a company involved in the alleged offenses.

The defendants were accused of involvement in an N19.4 billion airport contract scam. They pleaded not guilty to the charges read by Justice Suleiman Belgore.

Previously, Sirika, his daughter Fatima, and his son-in-law Jalal Sule Hamma were granted N100 million bail each by an Abuja High Court in Maitama for their alleged role in a fraudulent N2.7 billion Nigerian Air contract.

READ ALSO: Court Grants Sirika, Daughter, and Son-in-Law N100 Million Bail Each in N2.7 Billion Fraud Case

In the new charges, the EFCC alleged that Sirika abused his ministerial position to benefit Enginos Nigeria Limited, which is led by his brother Ahmad. Specifically, Sirika is accused of influencing the award of a N1.3 billion contract for constructing a terminal building at Katsina Airport to his brother's company.

Some of the charges read:

  • “That you, Hadi Sirika, while serving as the Minister of Aviation, on or about August 18, 2022, in Abuja, did use your position to confer an unfair advantage on Enginos Nigeria Limited, whose alter ego is your brother Ahmad Sirika, by influencing the award of a N1.345 billion contract for the construction of a terminal building at Katsina Airport. This act is contrary to section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, and punishable under the same section.
  • “That you, Hadi Sirika, while serving as the Minister of Aviation, on or about November 3, 2022, in Abuja, did use your position to confer an unfair advantage on Enginos Nigeria Limited by influencing the award of a N3.811 billion contract for establishing a Fire Truck Maintenance and Refurbishment Centre at Katsina Airport. This act is contrary to section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, and punishable under the same section.
  • “That you, Hadi Sirika, while serving as the Minister of Aviation, on or about May 5, 2023, in Abuja, did use your position to confer an unfair advantage on Enginos Nigeria Limited by influencing the award of a N615.195 million contract for the procurement and installation of lifts, air conditioners, and power generators for Aviation House, Abuja. This act is contrary to section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, and punishable under the same section.
  • “That you, Hadi Sirika, and Enginos Nigeria Limited, between August 2022 and May 2023 in Abuja, had possession of an aggregate sum of N2.337 billion, which you knew indirectly represented the proceeds of criminal activities by Ahmad Sirika, who was the Minister of Aviation at the time. This is contrary to Section 17 (b) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004, and punishable under the same section.”
May 22, 2024 May 29: Tinubu Calls for Modest Celebration of First Anniversary

May 29: Tinubu Calls for Modest Celebration of First Anniversary

The Nigerian government plans to mark President Bola Tinubu's one year in office with a "low-key" official ceremony, as announced by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris. This disclosure was made during a ministerial press briefing held at the Radio House in Abuja on Wednesday.

While it remains uncertain if the ceremony will occur on June 12, which is now recognized as Democracy Day, the change from May 29 to June 12 for Nigeria's Democracy Day commemorates the presidential election of June 12, 1993, annulled by the military government. Despite Moshood Abiola's victory in the polls, he was never formally declared the winner nor sworn into office by the military administration led by Ibrahim Babangida. Tinubu, a prominent supporter of Abiola, is believed to have played a significant role in the shift of Democracy Day to June 12.

Regarding the one-year anniversary plan, Minister Idris emphasized that the celebration would prioritize sectorial debates over traditional festivities. "The anniversary is going to be low-key, there would be no major ceremony but sectorial briefing by the ministers. The essence is to ensure that government funds are kept for the people," he explained. The debate will focus on eight key sectors, with ministers delegated to speak on various aspects.

Moreover, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, also affirmed that the celebration would maintain a low profile.

May 22, 2024 Atiku And Obi Desperate For Presidency In 2027 Says APC

Atiku And Obi Desperate For Presidency In 2027 Says APC

As the 2027 general elections approach, the All-Progressives Congress (APC) claims that Mr Peter Obi and Mr Atiku Abubakar are eager to become Nigeria’s President. Obi was the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in 2023, while Atiku represented the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Notably, Obi served as Atiku’s running mate in the 2019 general election.

Recent reports suggest that these two opposition figures are considering forming an alliance to challenge the ruling APC in 2027. Responding to this development, APC spokesman Felix Morka stated that Obi’s potential return to the PDP would not be surprising. He characterized Obi as a “political wayfarer” and compared him to Atiku, whom he described as a “veteran political wanderer.”

“Atiku and Obi are united by their mutual desperation to be President of Nigeria and their ignoble disdain for President Bola Tinubu’s focused and extraordinary commitment to transforming our nation,” Morka’s statement read.

He added, “A recent visit by the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to his PDP counterpart, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has fueled speculations of a possible alliance or merger between their political parties ahead of 2027. What remains unclear is whether Obi will rejoin Atiku’s PDP, if Atiku will switch to Obi’s Labour Party, or if both will leave their current parties and join Professor Pat Utomi’s proposed mega party.”

Full Statement: 

ATIKU, OBI, UNITED BY MUTUAL DESPERATION

A recent visit by the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 presidential election, Peter Obi, to his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has fueled speculations of a possible alliance between both men or merger of their political parties in the lead up to 2027.

What is unclear, however, is whether Obi would make a comeback to Atiku’s PDP or whether Atiku would dump his PDP and seek rehabilitation in Obi’s Labour Party or whether both men would abandon PDP and Labour, altogether, and sojourn into the political wilderness of Professor Pat Utomi’s mega party.

News of Peter Obi’s return to the PDP would be hardly surprising. His reputation as a political wayfarer is only dwarfed by Atiku’s track record as a veteran political wanderer. News of Atiku joining the Labour party will shock no one as he will be living up to his well established reputation as the country’s most itinerant politician.  For now, Utomi’s mega party remains a figment with no offering of tangible accommodation for both men.

Atiku and Obi are united by their mutual desperation to be President of Nigeria and ignoble disdain for President Bola Tinubu’s focused and extraordinary commitment to the transformation of our nation.  Their restless drift in search of convenient party platforms to execute their presidential run only belie the self-indulgent and opportunistic essence of their aspirations. Men without the staying power to build or fix their own parties, who flee at the slightest flicker of internal crisis cannot possibly be trusted by Nigerians to tackle serious and complex national political and economic challenges that confront our nation.

President Bola Tinubu embodies character, vision, tenacity and doggedness required to deliver a resurgent Nigeria of stable growth and development. The administration’s bold economic policy reforms and massive infrastructural uptake have already shattered historic barriers to growth, and paved the way for steady progress and development.

We urge Nigerians to stand fast in their invaluable support of our great Party and President Bola Tinubu’s determined commitment to deliver a stronger, secure and more prosperous country for us all.

Signed:

Felix Morka, Esq.

National Publicity Secretary

All Progressives Congress (APC)

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