Politics
Nigerian Senate passes Bill seeking the establishment of the South East Development Commission.
The commission is to be charged with the responsibility of receiving and managing funds from the Federation Account for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads, houses, and other infrastructural damages suffered by the region as a result of the effects of the civil war.
The Red Chamber took the decision while considering the bill’s clauses at its Committee of the Whole, chaired by the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
The House of Representatives, on December 21, 2023, at its Committee of the Whole, chaired by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who is also the sponsor of the bill, unanimously passed it for a third reading and sent it to the Senate for concurrence.
The commission, when established, shall, among other functions, “conceive, plan and implement, in accordance with the set rules and regulations, projects and programmes for the sustainable development of the South East states.
The areas of intervention will include transportation including roads, health, education, employment, agriculture, industrialization, housing and urban development, water supply, electricity and telecommunications.
Other functions include, “tackling ecological and environmental problems that arise from the extraction and mining of solid mineral, exploration of oil mineral in the Southeast states and advise the Federal Government and the member states on the prevention and control of oil spillages, gas flaring and environmental pollution; liaise with the various solid mineral extraction and mining companies and oil and gas prospecting and producing companies on all matters of pollution prevention and control; and execute such other works and perform such other functions which in the opinion of the Commission are required for the sustainable development of the South East States and its peoples.”
n his remarks after the Bill was passed, Akpabio noted that once the Bill becomes law, it will bring development and the region’s fears will be addressed.
Akpabio said, “It’s a very important bill passed by this 10th Senate. This bill addresses all the fears of our brothers and sisters from the South East. I want to say congratulations.
“I pray this commission will bring a lot of development to the South East and we will assist you to stop any form of agitation and bring peace to your region. When harmonised, it will address the fears of the southeast.”
With the passage at both chambers, a conference committee will be set up to harmonise differences before it will be transmitted to the President for his assent.
The Senate had on Wednesday, passed for second reading, bills seeking for the establishment of the South West Development Commission and North Central Development Commission.
Senator Gbenga Daniel in his lead debate for the South West Development Commission Bill, said the commission would be charged with responsibilities among others, to receive and manage funds from the Federation Account, including donations and gifts, for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of infrastructural damages suffered by the region and to tackle ecological, environmental and other developmental challenges and for related matters.
Senator Abba Moro, in his presentation, said the proposed North Central Development Commission will catalyse the development of the array of potentials of the North Central as well as address the gap in the infrastructural development of the region and related matters.
May 21, 2019
Sahara Reporters, New York
News
Governor Wike is accusing Sarham of running a massive oil theft in the state as well as sending troops to assassinate him on the 15 of February 2019.
Jamil Sarham, general officer commanding 6 division of the Nigerian army, has said Nyesom Wike Offered him billions of Naira in bribe to compromise the governorship elections in the state.
Aminu Iliyasu, the division’s spokesman, Sarham said governor Wike decided to witch hunt him when he turned down the offer.
Governor Wike is accusing Sarham of of running a massive oil theft in the state as well as sending troops to assassinate him on the 15 of Febuary 2019.
Denying the allegations, Sarham said: “Wike’s resentment against me is based on my choice of professionalism and integrity over the billions of naira offered me by the Rivers state governor to compromise the 2019 general election,” the statement read.
“My refusal to be bought over and the rejection of the hefty offer is the genesis of Wike’s hatred and vociferous criticisms of me.
“On the mischievous accusation against Maj. Gen. Sarham of leaking proceedings of State Security Council meetings to criminals in Rivers State, Mr. Wike knows well that Maj.-Gen. Sarham is not a member of the Rivers State Security Council, neither has he ever approached the gates of Rivers State Government House, since his assumption of office as the GOC, 6 Division.
“Mr. Wike only came face-to-face with Maj. Gen. Sarham on the 15th of January, 2019, during the 2019 Armed Forces Remembrance Day parade at Isaac Boro Park, Port Harcourt.
“The Nigerian Army wishes to challenge Wike to provide the public with any evidence of such meetings, with Maj. Gen. Sarham in attendance. Wike’s allegation against Maj.-Gen. Sarham’s selfish involvement in illegal oil bunkering is another reckless, spurious and mischievous accusation.
“Hence, Headquarters of 6 Division wishes to request the Rivers governor to take the most civilised way of putting up a petition to the relevant authorities, to make a point.”
Culled from Sahara reporters archive
Vice-President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja, Nigeria, to attend the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, holding in New York, United States of America.
This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media and Communications (Office of The Vice President), on Sunday in Abuja.
Ekwutosblog reports that the session will hold between Monday, September 22 and Sunday, September 28.
Nkwocha said Shettima, who is representing President Bola Tinubu, at the global event, would deliver Nigeria’s national statement and join other dignitaries at the UN high-level general debates, among other side events.
He revealed that the vice-president would announce Nigeria’s new Nationally Determined Contributions, NDCs, under the Paris Agreement at this year’s UN special event on climate.
The Vice Chairman of Badagry West Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Lagos State, Princess Oluremi Nutayi Ajose, has died two months after assuming office.
Reports from the ancient town of Badagry confirmed that the late council vice chairman died on Saturday, sending shockwaves through the local political and traditional communities.
Ajose, who was sworn in on July 27, 2025, alongside the LCDA Chairman, Hon. Rauf Ibrahim Kayode Yemaren, and five councilors, were inaugurated by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in Lagos.
Family sources confirmed her death, disclosing that her remains have been deposited in a morgue.
Princess Ajose was the daughter of His Royal Majesty, Oba Oyekan Possi Ajose, the Alapa of Apa Egun-Awori Kingdom, further deepening the grief within the royal household and across the community.
Ekwutosblog recalls that Oluwakemi Rufai, Councillor for Ward C1 in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area, also died on August 13, barely two weeks after being sworn into office.
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