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NSIP: Uwais’s claims, allegation spurious, scandalous – Reps

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Nigeria’s House of Representatives on Saturday reacted to the Special Adviser to President Muhamadu Buhari on Social Investments, Maryam Uwai’s comment against the lawmakers, saying it’s slanderous and unacceptable.

The lower Chamber insisted that its position on the implementation of the National Social Investment Program, the National Conditional Cash Transfer Programme was a good intention for the country.

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In a statement by the Spokesman of the 9th House, Hon. Benjamin Kalu which was made available to newsmen in Abuja stated that the insinuations that the 9th House of Representatives has sought to compromise the NSR and input the names of undeserving Nigerians as beneficiaries of the programs as incorrect by  Buhari’s Aide was an invective taken too far. push({});  

It said,  that insinuation in some media organisations that the 9th House labeled the NSIPs as a “failure and a scam”  are incorrect and untrue.

The statement reads in full: 

“Our attention has been drawn to the misleading and slanderous publications of Madam Maryam Uwais MFR and Sahara Reporters both published on April 8, 2020 regarding the implementation of the National Social Investment Programs (NSIPs), the National Conditional Cash Transfer Programme, including the development of the National Social Register (NSR). 

“The insinuations in the above mentioned publications that the 9th House of Representatives labeled the NSIPs as a failure and a scam are incorrect and untrue. 

“So also are the insinuations that the 9th House of Representatives has sought to compromise the NSR and input the names of undeserving Nigerians as beneficiaries of the programs. 

“The 9th House of Representatives under the leadership of the Speaker Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila acting upon complaints from Nigerians in 360 federal constituencies regarding the inadequate spread of the NSIPs, and also concerns that the NSR is outdated and does not reflect an accurate representation of the poor and vulnerable in Nigeria, intervened through a cordial interaction with the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq with the sole aim of ensuring and enhancing the delivery of service as well as the equitable distribution of the programs to the Nigerians most in need of them during this period of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Part of our concerns expressed at this meeting was the need to review and improve the outdated NSR as well as the methodology deployed in identifying the poor and vulnerable in the various communities in view of the complaints from several constituencies that they have not benefited from the programs. 

“An outcome of this meeting was an understanding per the Speaker’s proposition that a legislative framework is needed to maximize the efficiency of the NSIPs.

“We are aware that Madam Uwais has on certain occasions, including a TV interview on ChannelsTV’s Sunrise Daily programme, cited Section 14 of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act as providing an exemption by which the FG can refuse to reveal details of the NSIPs to the National Assembly. 

“This suggests a deliberate attempt by Madam Uwais to conceal information pertaining to the financial activities of NSIP from the elected representatives of Nigerians as we especially recall that she blatantly ignored a letter of enquiry from the House Committee on Public Account addressed to her in her capacity as Special Assistant to the President on NSIP dated August 6, 2019 with reference number HR/SCO5/52/XX/400 requesting a brief of the activities (including income and expenditure profile) of her office from the year 2014 to 2018.

“While stating categorically that the operations of the NSIP do not fall under the exemptions contemplated in Section 14 of the FOI Act, it is instructive to note that Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution vests exclusive powers of oversight on the legislative arm of government which also applies to any and all forms of government intervention programs, including the NSIP which is a disbursement of the nation’s funds appropriated by the National Assembly in the first place. 

“The powers of the National Assembly to investigate or request any information from the executive are vested by the Constitution and are not subject to the stipulation of the FOI Act.

“We must remember that the doctrine of checks and balances is an essential element of our constitutional democracy and once it is discarded our democracy becomes wobbly. 

“Therefore, the 9th House of Representatives frowns at any fake news or publication that seeks to cast aspersions on its intentions and commitment to the people of Nigeria in its exercise of constitutional duties.

“As the People’s Parliament and in the spirit and letter of Sections 14, 88 and 89 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (the Constitution), our priority remains to employ all legislative interventions to ensure the welfare of Nigerians in the face of the Covid-19 crisis and the economic hardship it has wrought on the poor and vulnerable among us”, the statement concluded. 



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HYPPDEC Donates Food Stuff, Clothing to Locals in Kogi to Tackle Cashless Policy Effect

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March 8, 2023

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By Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

The Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPDEC), on Tuesday, donated 400 bags of rice, 250 gallons of vegetable oil and some packaged women rappers to ten Local Government Areas in Kogi State under the agency to cushion the effect associated with the new cashless policy.

Making the presentation to Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State at the Lugard House, Lokoja on Tuesday, a Board Member of HYPPDEC, Alhaji Isah Ozi Salami, said that the gesture is part of the agency’s intervention in times of natural disaster or any hardship situation on citizens.

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Salami expressed the commitment of HYPPDEC in tackling the prevailing economic hardship on Nigerians as a result of the Cashless Policy.

“We owe it as a duty to take adquate care of the people in the 10 Local Government Areas belonging to HYPPDEC communities in Kogi

“Our concern under the present economic hardship is to alleviate the sufferings of the people within HYPPDEC communities in Kogi” Ozi Salami told Governor Bello.

He commended Governor Yahaya Bello for the provision of logistic supports that have facilitated smooth operation of the agency in Kogi.

He also told the Governor that HYPPDEC will soon begin the construction of 50 housing units in Kogi for resettlement of last year’s flood victims in riverine communities.

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“I appreciate Governor Bello’s magnanimity in providing land for the housing project. The Governor is expected to perform the foundation laying ceremony of the project” Ozi Salami disclosed.

The Chief of Staff to Governor Bello, Jamiu Asuku who received the food stuff on behalf of his boss, hinted that Kogi will key into HYPPDEC’s intervention initiative in the areas of provision of food and security of lives and property for citizens.

Governor Yahaya Bello appealed to HYPPDEC to focus more on Ibaji Local Government Area in its intervention programme as a result of the bad terrain of the area.

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FUL College of Health Sciences: FMC Lokoja Turns University Teaching Hospital

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March 8, 2023

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By Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

The Federal Medical Centre Lokoja, is now University Teaching Hospital for Federal University College of Sciences following the approval by President Mohammadu Buhari

The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Lokoja, Prof. Akinwumi Olayemi disclosed this at a joint press conference on the upgrade held at the Adankolo Campus of the University on Tuesday.

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The Chief Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre Lokoja, Dr. Olatunji Alabi who was in attendance at the joint press briefing, said that the FMC Lokoja had the infrastructure, manpower to serve as a Teaching Hospital.

According to the Vice Chancellor, the President in a letter of approval signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, said: ” I am directed to refer to your letter dated 10th February on the upgrade and takeover of FMC Lokoja to a Federal Teaching Hospital, 2023. adsbygoogle || []).push({});

” I wish to convey the approval of President Mohammadu Buhari‘s approval for the upgrading of the Federal Medical Centre Lokoja to a Federal Teaching Hospital, Lokoja”.

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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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Nigeria Labour Congress Seeks Cordial Relationship Wth Government

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March 8, 2023

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By Joseph Amedu, Lokoja

The National President of the apex Labour body in Nigeria, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comerade Joe Ajaero is seeking for cordial relationship between the Organised Labour and the three tiers of Governments all over the country.

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Comerade Joe Ajaero, while commissioning the newly built Kogi NLC Secretariat under the leadership of Onu Johnson Edoka in Lokoja on Monday made the call .

The NLC Boss who was represented by the General Secretary of the union, Emmanuel Ogwaja, noted that peaceful relationship between the labour organisation and the government would no doubt entrench productivity of the national workforce.

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Ajaero said that no “meaningful development can take place in an atmosphere of rancour and misunderstanding between labour and government. adsbygoogle || []).push({}); ”

He commended the unity amongst the various unions in the state, stressing that when workers unite, their struggles would not go in vein.

He further lauded the achievements of the NLC leadership in Kogi state, under Comerade Onu Johnson Edoka.

In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC) in Kogi State, Comrade Onuh Edoka disclosed that the project was soley executed through the union’s initiative and funding and no Government in power can seal it’s secretariat for whatever reasons.

According to him, numerous challenges were encountered during the building project, as the union got little support from stakeholders in the State.

“No government can come out and close this Secretariat if workers embark on strike. This Secretariat belongs to us. The Government offered little support in building of our Secretariat. We know what is happening in other states where NLC secretariat was built by the State Government, so we are careful that is why we went all out to source for fund to build NLC secretariat by ourselves with little support from Government”

Edoka, who will be handing over to a new Executive of NLC this week appreciated Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello for his support towards ensuring that NLC in Kogi State has their own Secretariat for over 30 years of their existence.

He, however, used the medium to also commend the Auditor General of Local Government, Alhaji Usman Ododo for his support in the completion of the Secretariat.

Edoka appealed to Kogi Workers to always support NLC towards achieving their goal in the State.

Author Profile

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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