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NASS Inaugurates New Media Forum

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NASS Inaugurates New Media
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The Management of the National Assembly on Wednesday, 15th May, 2019 inaugurates a New Media Forum under the aegis of National Assembly New Media Forum.

In the opening address delivered by Mr. Yemi Itodo, Chairman of National Assembly New Media Forum at the official Inauguration, he commended the 8th National Assembly for recording yet another great feat by inaugurating a Forum for online Journalists who are accredited to cover the activities of the Parliament. adsbygoogle || []).push({});

Itodo said, “At its inception, the leadership of the 8th Assembly in its wisdom, created an office for, and appointed Special Assistants on New Media to the Senate President and Honourable Speaker, in addition to existing offices such as Special Adviser on Media and Chief Press Secretary; for effective dissemination of information to the global world through the internet as well as liaising between the online media and their principals.

“Undoubtedly, this creation has greatly been of immense benefit to the 8th Assembly and was a great contributor to the success of this Parliament, in the face of increasingly digital and new media involvement. This trailblazing precedence, will also inform the leadership of the 9th Assembly on constitution of digital media handlers that would help set narratives for the Parliament in the next four years.

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“The Conference of Speakers of Commonwealth of Nations converged on Abuja in August, 2017, and issued a strong worded communiqué, that all member states should develop mechanism for e-parliament. This simply instructed that member states should as a matter of international standard, institutionalize the culture of reporting the activities of the Parliament through the internet or NEW MEDIA.

“Today, I’m happy that history is made! The management of the National Assembly under the digital clerk, Chief Mohammed Ataba Omolori, did not only establish the NASS TV which always gives the world instant view of the plenaries of both chambers; it also encourages #OpenNASS where members of the public through the harsh tag had had access to the budget of the National Assembly; as well as #NASSopenweek where the Civil Society Groups, Media and members of the public interface with lawmakers and learn about activities of the National Assembly. And here again, we are witnessing the formal Inauguration of the National Assembly New Media Forum.

“The essence of having a Forum such as this, is for easy coordination of Online Journalists within the National Assembly; vis-à-vis assisting the management in regulating the influx and activities of Online Journalists around the complex, with the view to checking quackery and fake Journalists.

“For a takeoff, the Forum has a membership strength of 31 Journalists drawn from reputable online media organizations with standard editorial organogram and membership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ). This is in addition to pending applications from members who are currently undergoing NUJ registration.

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“We are not unaware of teething problems associated with the birth of new babies, but with the support of the leadership and management of the National Assembly, this baby will not die but will grow to compete favourably with its peers amongst the comity of Nations.

“We therefore solicit the kind support of the management in allocating an office space where members could have access to strong internet facilities to file in their reports after plenaries or after briefing at the general press centres. It is also very important to us that, the clerks of various committees at both chambers be appropriately informed about our existence, so as to receive constant invitations to committee assignments, for the purpose of getting access to information, which is the fundamental reason why everyone of us is in National Assembly, in the first place. Other takeoff assistance from the management shall be greatly appreciated.

The forum also reiterate their sincere appreciation to the leadership pf the National Assembly, especially the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, and the Honourable Speaker, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara.

“Having said this, ladies and gentlemen, let me sincerely appreciate the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, the Honourable Speaker, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, the Clerk to the National Assembly, Chief Mohammed Ataba Omolori, the Directorate of Information and Publication, the Chairmen and Clerks of Committee of Media of both chambers, the National Assembly Press Corps and lawmakers and staff of the National Assembly; for their constant support for the online media and for making today a reality.

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“We shall strive to justify the confidence reposed on this Forum. We shall crave for professionalism, objectivity and integrity, while upholding the code of conduct and ethics of journalism, as we discharge our duties with utmost regard to the institution of the National Assembly and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”, Itodo concluded.

Metro

Senate Committee Passes Vote of No Confidence on Abdullahi Attah Led FCT-IRS

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  • …Says in decent socitey he should resign for being incompetent
  • … Improper management of FCT IRS will lead to collapse of infrastructure, social amenities in FCT – Senator Abubakar Kyari
The Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory, FCT on Thursday (today) passed a vote of no confidence on Alhaji Abdullahi Attah led FCT Internal Revenue Service over poor performance. adsbygoogle || []).push({}); adsbygoogle || []).push({});
The Chairman, Senate Committee on FCT, Senator Abubakar Kyari had on Tuesday 30th March announced the adjournment of the deliberation on 2021 budget proposal of FCT IRS till Thursday 1st April over discrepancies found in documents presented before the committee.
However, on Thursday the committee expressed its dissatisfaction over the performance of FCT IRS under the leadership of Attah.
Senator Kyari said the National Assembly approved N3.5 billon for the agency in order to run its affairs and recruit about 400 staff but unfortunately, despite the availability of the fund, only about N700 million was utulized without recruitment.
He said the committee had instructed the leadership of FCT IRS not to rely on Federal Inland Revenue Service for collection of revenue for the agency but to their surprise, the agency still proposed N1 billon for FIRS as 2 percent cost of collection.
The committee members also wondered why FCT internally generated revenue will be lower than some states like Ogun State instead of competing with a state like Lagos.
Kyari said improper management of FCT IRS will have negative impact on FCT which without doubt will result in collapse of infrastructure and social amenities in Abuja, the nation capital.
Kyari while addressing journalists after the budget deliberation and a closed door session with members of his committee said the resolution of the committee will be formally forwarded to the FCT IRS Board, FCT Minister and Minister of State for FCT.
Earlier, in his welcome address today, Kayari reiterated that the Senate Committee on FCT under his leadership shall be transparent, courageous, fair and will always be guided by the constitution, rules and parliamentary convention.
Attah while appearing before the Senate Committee on FCT today presented N2.715,200,305 as personnel costs, N4,627,637,914 as overhead costs, N1,610,000,000 as capital expenditure for 2021 fiscal year. The agency is also proposing about N74 billon as IGR of FCT for 2021, the target the lawmakers said is below their expectation.
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Abdulrahman Obaje
Abdulrahman Obaje
Prince Abdulrahman Obaje is a Media and ICT Consultant, Journalist, online marketer, social media strategist, Mathematician and Computer Scientist based in Abuja, Nigeria. He is the Founder and the Publisher of The Informavores!. You can reach me on +234 805 939 5252 or send i-witness report directly to me on news@informavores.com.ng.
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There would be Improved Budgetary Provisions For Physical Planning – Aliyu

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fct minister of state dr ramatu tijjani aliyu
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Federal Capital Territory, FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ranatu Tijjani Aliyu, has assured members of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, that efforts would be made for improved budgetary provisions in 2021 budget in view of the critical roles town planners play through review and implementation of physical plans for satellite towns, urban renewal, and other levels of planning interventions. adsbygoogle || []).push({}); adsbygoogle || []).push({});

Aliyu, who gave this commitment when members of the topmost management of the planning profession paid her a courtesy visit, recently,  also stressed that recent flooding in most parts of the territory could have been avoided if town planners were actively engaged in the physical planning of satellite towns and settlements.

The minister who is also a town planner by profession frowned at the conflicts of roles between physical planners and engineers and other allied professionals, saying “this is an era to redefine the essence of town planning in Nigeria”. 

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According to her,  “How can town planning not be given prominence and engineering takes precedence? And this what we faced as a professional body. The flooding which is unexpected is as a result of neglecting town planners. Perhaps, it is an opportunity for town planners to also sit together and see how they can salvage the situation. 

“However, in the FCT and with the approval of the FCT Minister, we set up an adhoc committee of town planners to go round the city to see what has been done and what is left undone. This is because if we continue to do the same thing again and again, we should not expect different result. I can tell you proudly that in the past, powers were usurped and realities are now telling on us. This is an era to redefine the essence of town planning in Nigeria”.

She, therefore, appealed to members of the National Assembly to assist the profession for improved budgetary provisions for the implementation of physical plans for satellite towns and urban management.

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Earlier in his remarks, the leader of delegation and National President of  Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, Tpl. Lekwa Ezutah, commended the minister for what he described as “demonstrated passion and commitment to the course of physical planning” in Nigeria particularly in the Federal Capital Territory since assumption of office as FCT Minister of State.

While appreciating the efforts at creating the Directorate of Physical Planning in FCT Satellite Towns Development Department  (STDD), he implored the Directorate of Physical Planning be given the full latitude to exercise its functions instead of being subsumed under the Directorate of Engineering Services of the STDD, noting that such step would promote effective delivery of services by the Directorate.

“We have observed that the FCT is in dire need for planners at all levels to facilitate organised development and achievement of the intents of the New Urban Agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals and the provisions of the Nigerian Urban and Regional Planning Law.

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“We recommend an aggressive manpower hunt for professional planners into the services of FCTA, provide adequate equipment for enforcement and improve the capacity of planners through training and retraining programmes either locally or international programmed,” he stressed.  
Ezutah, however, pledged the Institute readiness to be part of providing affordable housing for rural dwellers in the Federal Capital Territory.  

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Aliyu donates Salary To Secure Release Of 5 Inmates In Kuje

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Federal Capital Territory Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu
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Federal Capital Territory Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, has forfeited her May salary to secure the immediate release of five inmates who could not pay for their fines at the Kuje Correctional Service. adsbygoogle || []). push({});  

In a statement issued by the minister and signed by Austine Elemue, S.A Media To FCT Minister of State, in.Abuja, said the minister who made the donation while felicitating with the inmates as part of activities to celebrate this year’s Sallah day said the donation would further go a long way to decongest the Correctional Service already overcrowded with inmates in view of COVID-19 pandemic.  

Aliyu who assured the inmates that the FCT Administration would take further legal steps to see to the decongestion of the Kuje Correctional Service, however, described the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, as a God fearing man and a man with the heart of gold who believes in good governance.  

In her words: “I will not only support the reduction, but I will also lend my voice in the reduction of prison inmates by picking up some bills. I will carry out the campaign and speak to well meaning Nigerians because you cannot leave the burden of good governance to government alone.  

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“We know that some of you are awaiting trial, we know that some have not been tried at all, but provided there is law, we will not be lawless. We will go by the law and get in well meaning Nigerians and pay up the fines. This will also go a long way to reduce the number besides government pronouncements.  

“Government pronouncement as we all know does not come easily in every nation. If government pronouncement comes very easily, then definitely, the name correctional centre will be misplaced. We know Mr. President recently spoke our minds when he spoke about the need to decongest our prisons.  

“And I know my Minister, a God fearing man, and a man with a heart of gold, he will certainly sent message across. God willing, FCT Administration will make moves to decongest our prison based on merit. I in my own capacity, I stand here personally on this Sallah day, I want to donate my salary for the release of 5 inmates”.  

Aliyu affirmed that the Correctional Service has been positioned to refine the inmates in the rebuilding of a better society, noting that they could make the best out of the experiences gained at the service.  

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“There are times in our life that we erred, but to err is human, and to forgive is divine. There are times in our life that we are put to test, sometimes, we passed the test, sometimes we failed the test. For various reasons, we might have found ourselves at the correctional centre. But you know what, you can make the best out of it.  

“As we appreciate you, we pray for you to come out to be a better citizens that will give us a Nigeria of our dreams. Somebody else cannot give us Nigeria of our dreams and you cannot give us Nigeria of our dreams from outside, you can only give us Nigeria of our dream from within and I know you are already at the preparatory stage. When you leave here either by amnesty or whatever pronouncements, you can only become better citizens,” Aliyu stated.  

Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Comtroller of Correctional Service, FCT Command, Mustapha Illiyasu Atta, while commending the minister for her visit, however, expressed displeasure over the number of inmates awaiting trial, revealing that 70 percent of the inmates are awaiting trial list.  

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Atta, also used the occasion to reveal that the Kuje Correctional Service with a capacity of 560 inmates, now accommodates no fewer than 866 inmates, while appealing to relevant authorities to work towards the decongestion of Correctional Service.    

Items donated include 250 packs of cooked jollof rice, 500 bottles of soft drinks, 500 bottles of table water, 1000 face masks, 50 bags of rice, 50 cartons of spaghetti and 100 cartons of indoomie noodles.  

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