The Chief Whip of the Senate, Ali Ndume (Borno South) has criticized the newly renovated Senate chamber, stating that it lacks essential amenities such as voting devices and resembles more of a conference hall than a legislative chamber. His comments come just a week after the Senate and the House of Representatives moved back into their main chambers, which had been under renovation since 2022, costing over N30 billion to refurbish. Riding Motorbike Alone Across Laos – Beautiful Memories from LAOS – Nếm TV Ndume raised the issue during plenary on Tuesday, citing deficiencies in the chamber such as the absence of voting devices and inadequate microphones. Last Tuesday, there was a disagreement over seat allocation to senators in the main chamber, leading to a rowdy session. The Senate subsequently held an emergency closed-door session and adjourned to yesterday, May 7, after addressing the matters on the agenda for the day. Since day one, precisely last week Tuesday, when we moved into this chamber that was supposed to have been renovated, there have been complaints here and there. The first was on seating arrangements, followed by the echoing of voices by microphones that are even not audible. There is no voting device; the required facilities are not yet provided. We need to correct all these anomalies for the Hallowed Chamber to be what it is supposed to be,” Ndume stated. In response, Senate President Godswill Akpabio explained that complaints regarding sitting arrangements among senators have been largely resolved, clarifying that the renovation contract was awarded by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), not the National Assembly. Observations on inadequacies in the renovated Chamber are welcome from time to time for required perfection, but what we should be aiming at in the long run is for us, as federal lawmakers, to have proper autonomy on the National Assembly Complex and not continue as tenants of FCDA,” Akpabio stated. Recall that the renovation contract was awarded in March 2021 to Visible Construction Limited by the FCDA to rehabilitate critical segments of the National Assembly complex. During the renovation period, senators conducted their legislative business in another hall within the National Assembly complex.

  Wednesday 08 May 2024 Abduction: Senior police officers frustrated attempts to bail abducted journalist – Sowore Dollar speculation: FG rubbishes Binance CEO’s bribery allegation Porn star testifies against Trump at hush money trial Tinubu arrives Abuja after two weeks abroad Dangerous side effect: Widely used COVID-19 vaccine withdrawn by producer 11 Months After, FG Yet To Reconstitute Varsity Governing Councils CAC Gives PoS Operators 2 Months To Register Agents Kaduna Assembly C’ttee Probes El-Rufai’s Commissioners President Tinubu’s First Year In Office: Propelling Nigeria Towards Renewal Despite N30bn Renovation, Senate Chamber Lacks Voting Devices — Ndume US Halts Bomb Shipment To Israel Over Rafah Concerns Israel Launches Fresh Gaza Strikes As Negotiators Work Towards Truce Afe Babalola Laments Effects Of Economic Hardship On Lawyers Ekiti Varsity Expels Two Students For Assault On Colleague In Viral Video Ekiti, Cross River, Ogun seek ‘suspension’ of foreign debt payment due to FX volatility CBN to banks: Suspend processing fee on deposits until September 30 NLC kicks against CBN’s cybersecurity levy Naira depreciates to N1,416/$ at official market ECOWAS force to battle terrorism in Nigeria, others Ladoja withdraws suit against Olubadan-in-Council Relocate people from flood-prone areas,  NEMA tells 33 governors NNPCL cautions against panic buying of petrol Foreigners earning more from mining than Nigerians, says Akpabio JAMB releases results of additional 531 candidates Impeach Fubara now, APC tells lawmakers ACF hails rejection of foreign military bases in Nigeria Visit a newspaper stand this morning, buy and read a copy for yourself…

  President Bola Tinubu will return to Nigeria after his trip to Europe, the presidency confirmed on Tuesday. Special Adviser Information and Strategy to President Tinubu, Bayo Onanuga, has confirmed that the Nigerian President is currently in Europe. Onanuga also confirmed in a post on Tuesday that President Tinubu will return to Nigeria tomorrow, Wednesday, 8th May. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, along with his aides, will return to Nigeria tomorrow from Europe,” Onanuga wrote on the X platform. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, along with his aides, will return to Nigeria tomorrow from Europe. pic.twitter.com/WEeIglAsWc — Bayo Onanuga (@aonanuga1956) May 7, 2024 https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

  The corpse of a man said to be father of 12 children has been found in a brothel on Tombia-Amossoma Road in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. According to the residents of the area, the deceased hailed from Delta State, though his name could not ascertained as at the time of filing this report.   He was said to have left home around 8am on Tuesday for the brothel and was later found dead and naked in an apartment in the facility, while all the commercial sex workers had left. When our correspondent visited the scene, residents were trying to get the identity of the deceased in order to contact his relatives. It was gathered that security operatives had previously raided the brothel and earmarked it as red zone. The Commander of Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) in Bayelsa State, Mr Tolumobofa Akpoebibo Jonathan, told Daily Trust at the scene that the deceased was about 40-year-old and father of 12 children. Police spokesman in Bayelsa State, ASP Musa Muhammed, told Daily Trust that he was trying to reach out to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the area to get accurate information about the incident and promised to get back with comments.

  Senate President Godswill Akpabio has said Nigeria has experienced more jailbreaks since the change of name from prison service to correctional centers. He stated this during plenary on Tuesday in Abuja, while commenting on two legislations billed for concurrence. They are the bill to repeal and enact the law establishing Revenue Mobilsation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, and bill to repeal the Fire Service Act and enact Federal Fire and Rescue Service. Senate Minority Leader, Abba Morro. argued that there was no need to change the name because the “rescue component” is already part of the responsibility of the fire service. “I do not think there is a need for that,” Moro said. Also the Senate President Akpabio, said there was need to examine such laws. He said, “This is something to be looked at. When you are convicted, you are supposed to learn a skill. But since we changed the name to the correctional centre, there have been more jailbreaks.” Recall that in 2019, former President Muhammadu Buhari signed into law the bill that changed the name of the Nigerian Prison Service to Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).

  The management of the Bamidele Olumilua University of Education Science and Technology Ikere-Ekiti (BOUESTI) has expelled a female student caught in a viral video flogging her colleague. On Monday, a clip circulated on X which captured the student assaulting her colleague with a cane. In the footage, the perpetrator is heard screaming at the victim, saying: “I want to see you fight back. You called me a bastard? Is it because I have kept silent? I must draw blood from you today and no one can stop me”. The victim is seen running to safety while being chased by her attacker. The video also captured several individuals present during the assault, yet no one attempted to intervene. The footage provoked outrage on social media, with users calling on the institution to investigate the incident. Tope Akinbisoye, the varsity’s spokesperson, earlier revealed that the school disciplinary panel on Monday summoned the students in the viral video. But in a statement on Tuesday evening, the school authorities announced that Opemiposi Precious Bolaji, the perpetrator who is an 18-year-old student of the Department of Mass Communication, has been expelled. The student was expelled alongside Genesis Osaro, another student who provided the stick with which Gloria Ajayi, the victim, was beaten. It is understood that the trio are 100-level students of Mass Communication. In the statement, the varsity management reiterated its “zero tolerance for all forms of indiscipline” within the school premises.   “Miss Opemiposi Precious BOLAJI with Matriculation No. 10232, a 100L Mass Communication student who was beating her colleague with a stick and threatening to inflict bodily harm on her for allegedly destroying her 3-year old love affair with her boyfriend was found guilty of misconduct and flagrant breach of her matriculation oath and consequently EXPELLED with immediate effect,” the statement reads in part. “Miss Genesis OSARO, a 100L Mass Communication student with Matriculation No. 10257, who provided the stick with which Gloria AJAYI was beaten, was found guilty of misconduct (as an accomplice) and flagrant breach of her Matriculation oath and consequently EXPELLED with immediate effect. “Miss Gloria AJAYI, a 100L Mass Communication student with Matriculation No. 10295, who was seen being beaten in the viral video but did not retaliate or engage in fisticuffs with her tormentors, was EXONERATED. “The duo of Miss Mistura Eniola ADEJUWON with Matriculation No. 10435 and Miss Precious Oluwapelumi OLANREWAJU with Matriculation No. 11126, who gleefully recorded the video and posted on social media were WARNED and advised to always report such incident to the Directorate of Students’ Affairs and the Security Unit of the University rather than excalating it on social media. “Mr. Olawale AJEWOLE, a 200L Mass Communication student with Matriculation No. 6021 was EXONERATED for making efforts to lock Miss Gloria AJAYI inside a room to prevent further beating. “The University will like to reiterate its zero tolerance for all forms of indiscipline and avowed commitment to fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all members of the University community. We encourage anyone who witnesses or experiences any form of harassment, abuse or violence against any student to report it immediately to the appropriate authorities.”

  The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reviewed its directive on the repatriation of export proceeds by international oil companies (IOCs). In a circular on May 6, CBN said IOCs can repatriate 50 percent of their export proceeds immediately or when required, while the remaining 50 percent can be used to settle financial obligations in Nigeria. The circular was signed by Hassan Mahmud, director, trade and exchange department. On February 15, the apex bank placed a limit on transfer of proceeds from crude exports by IOCs to offshore parent company accounts. CBN said the transfer of funds by the IOCs has an impact on liquidity in the domestic foreign exchange market. The financial regulator directed banks to only transfer 50 percent of repatriated export proceeds, on behalf of the IOCs, to their parent company offshore accounts — with the remaining 50 percent repatriated after 90 days. However, CBN has clarified that within the 90-day period, IOCs can use the balance to settle financial obligations such as petroleum profit tax, royalty and domestic contractor invoices. “The initial 50% of the repatriated proceeds can be pooled immediately or as at when required. Banks may submit the request for cash pooling ahead of the expected date of receipt, supported by the required documentations, for approval by the Central Bank of Nigeria,” the apex bank said. “The 50% balance of the repatriated export proceeds could be used to settle financial obligations in Nigeria, whenever required, during the prescribed 90-day period.” CBN said the IOCs can also utilise the balance for cash calls, domestic loan principal and interest payments, transaction taxes (including Nigerian Content Development NCD) Levy), education tax, and forex sale at the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market.

  The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has ordered its members in the state House of Assembly to commence impeachment process against Governor Siminalayi Fubara. APC’s impeachment call is coming barely 24 hours after Governor Fubara said the House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Rt Hon Martin Amaewhule, is not recognised by law. Chairman of the APC in Rivers State, Chief Tony Okocha, said in a press conference in Port Harcourt on Tuesday that the impeachment process was necessary because the governor “has insulted the sensibility” of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who waded in to resolve the lingering crisis in the state.   APC said the impeachment process was necessary in view of the Governor’s blatant refusal to honour the peace agreement initiated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu between Fubara and the Minister of the federal capital territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, some months ago and his recent declaration of the lawmakers’ seats vacant. Recall that on Monday, Governor Fubara had declared, for the first time since the commencement of the crisis, that the APC lawmakers do not exist in the eyes of the law, adding that “those group of men who claim that they are Assembly members, they are not existing…their existence and whatever they have been doing is because I allow them to do so. If I don’t recognize them, they are nowhere”. The back story Recall that Vanguard reported that Fubara, and the State House of Assembly have been at each other’s throat over the passage of the Amended State’s Procurement Bill. The Assembly, at its 173th Legislative Sitting, overrode the assent of Governor Siminialayi Fubara, to pass the Rivers State Public Procurement (Amendment) Bill, 2024 into Law. Amaewhule’s led assembly, took the decision to override the Governor after the governor allegedly withheld his assent. But, the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, criticised the attitude of the members of the state legislature towards his administration, saying the members would cease to exist as legislators if he so decides. The House had passed the Rivers State Public Procurement (Amendment) Bill, 2024 on the 26th of March, 2024 and transmitted same to the Governor for assent, but the housed claimed that the Governor had declined assent. Speaking on the Bill which was represented by the Majority Leader, Hon. Major Jack and debated upon by Members, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, reiterated the essence of the Bill, noting that it would secure taxpayers’ money and ensure that taxpayers’ money are not spent on frivolities and twisted contracts. Amaewhule regretted a situation where contracts awarded without legal backing and the State being governed in a dictatorial manner. He added that despite all the malfeasance, the House would continue to uphold the Laws of Rivers State and the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as altered; stressing that if the Governor, Sir. Siminialayi Fubara, continue in this manner, the House would at the appropriate time take more stringent measures. According to him, the House cannot stand aloof and watch the Governor continue to breach the Laws of the State in a tyrannical manner. However, the governor of the state, Fubara in quick reaction said: “Those group of men who claim that are Assembly members are not Assembly members, they are not existing.”   Fubara said the lawmakers are only existing based on his interest on the Abuja peace accord initiated by President Bola Tinubu. Fubara, who spoke while addressing a delegation of political and traditional leaders from Bayelsa State, who visited him in the Government House, Port Harcourt, to seek and end to the political crisis in Rivers State and an improved relationship between both states. Those in the delegation included the first Military Governor of old Rivers State, Alfred Diete-Spiff, who is the Traditional Ruler of Twon Brass in Bayelsa State, other Traditional Rulers, former Commissioners, former Governor of Bayelsa State and Senator representing Bayelsa West, Henry Siriake Dickson, former State and National Assembly members and PDP executives. Fubara told the delegation that despite wielding state powers which he can deploy to achieve his aim, he has continued to act as the big brother in the face of intimidation and unwarranted attacks. He revealed that he had always been present at any meeting that was called to resolve the crisis in the state but after each meeting, he was met with a new dimension of the crisis from the opposing side. He said: “Those group of men who claim that are Assembly members are not Assembly members, they are not existing. I want it to be on record. I accepted that Peace Accord to give them a floating. That is the truth. “There was nothing in that Peace Accord that’s a constitutional issue; it’s a political solution to a problem. And I accepted it because these were people that were eating in my house, these were people I have helped paid their children’s school fees when I wasn’t even a governor. So, what is the thing there? “We might have our division but I believe that one day, we could also come together but it has gotten to a time when I have to make a statement that they are not existing. Their existence is me allowing them to exist. If I de-recognise them, they are nowhere. I want you to see the sacrifice I have made in allowing peace to reign in our state.”

  Motorists queue up for petrol at a filling station in Abuja on Monday, April 29, 2024. Photo: ChannelsTV/Sodiq Adelakun As the nationwide supply and distribution of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol continues to improve, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has cautioned against panic buying, saying it has over 1.5 billion litres of products in stock. A statement issued by the company’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye in Abuja on Tuesday, said the 1.5 billion litres equals 30 days of product sufficiency. The company said it had monitored filling stations across several states, including Lagos and the FCT, and has noticed that fuel queues have since thinned out, “a development that will keep improving daily in other states,” the statement added. The national oil company said it is also collaborating with relevant downstream agencies, such as the Nigeran Midstream & Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), labour unions in the sector, and security operatives, to address hoarding and other unwholesome practices. The development comes after a fresh round of petrol scarcity hit the country two weeks ago, forcing pump prices to increase to between N610 at most stations belonging to the Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), and as high as N800 at the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) stations. Black marketers and racketeers also seized the opportunity by jerking prices as high as N1200 per litre.