News
Constitutional Review: Sanwo-Olu Calls For Fiscal Federalism, Special Status for Lagos
Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has said that the issue of a Special Economic Status for Lagos, considering its place in the national economy and the special burdens the state bore by virtue of its large population and limited land mass, was paramount on the list.
Sanwo-Olu said this while declaring open the South-West Zonal Public Hearing on the Review of the 1999 Constitution Review organized by the Senate in Lagos.
Sanwo-Olu further said that issues of Special Status for Lagos, State Police and Fiscal Federalism were priorities for stakeholders in the state in the ongoing review process of the 1999 Constitution.
According to him, the request for a Special Economic Status for Lagos was “by no means a selfish one, but one that is actually in the interest of every Nigerian and of Nigeria as a nation. adsbygoogle || []).push({});
”The progress and prosperity of Nigeria is inextricably linked to the progress and prosperity of Lagos State.
”A Special Status for Lagos State, therefore, must be a concern not only for the people of Lagos State alone, but for all Nigerians,” he said
He commended the National Assembly for responding to the concerns of Nigerians on the need to carry out a review the 1999 Constitution to reflect the current realities that we found ourselves as a nation.
”This is what true democracy is all about – the exercise of the sovereign will of the people, regarding how they are being governed and how they wish to be governed.
”The Constitution is the foundational body of principles defining our existence as a nation, and spelling out the rights and responsibilities of all elements and stakeholders.
”It is very necessary to subject that document to a constant process of review and updating, to ensure that it keeps up with changing times and contexts,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He noted that the need for the review of the 1999 Constitution had been a recurring subject of national conversation and clamour, with various groups of stakeholders desiring various particular outcomes.
Sanwo-Olu said that the constitutional amendment process would provide Nigerians the opportunity to express their minds on the issues that must be reflected in the Constitution.
He urged all to come to the exercise in the spirit of give-and-take, with a willingness to mutually compromise and avoid unnecessary tension and division along the way.
“This is what true democracy is all about, the exercise of the sovereign will of the people,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He said that this could be either by way of amendment to existing provisions or entirely a new provisions.
Earlier, Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege, Chairman, Senate Committee on Review of the 1999 Constitution, represented by Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, Chairman of the Southwest Zonal Committee, said that the Senate had decided to adopt a bottom-top approach to engage Nigerians in the process.
Omo-Agege said that the need to address topical issues like judicial and electoral reforms, local government autonomy and devolution of powers were sitting prominently on the agenda of constitutional amendment process.
“A constitution review represents a critical phase in our development and advancement as a nation,” he said.
He said that, as a living document, the constitution and to a large extent our constitutional democracy needed to be reviewed from time to time to take stock and plan for the future.
“We have a compelling duty to carefully address challenges to this nation and there is no better way to do it than through this constitutional amendment exercise,” he added.
He said that the Senate and its counterpart from the House of Representatives, had a herculean task of giving the people the constitution that would speak to the nation’s challenges.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two-day public hearing had in attendance senators from Ogun, Oyo and Lagos and various groups and workers’ unions, religious leaders, traditional leaders and civil society organisations, among others.
Author Profile
Latest entries
News2023.05.06Organ Trafficking: Ekweremadu, Wife, Doctor Sentenced To Various Prison Terms
AWF2022.09.21IIJ and Creativity Spark Foundation Throw 10 days Creative Writing Course
News2022.09.04Several Persons Trapped As 7-storey Building Collapses at Lekki
News2022.08.29Abba kyari; Justice Inyang Ekwo Dismissed Case For Lack of Merit – Counsel
News
Organ Trafficking: Ekweremadu, Wife, Doctor Sentenced To Various Prison Terms
The duo of Ekweremadu, former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, his wife Beatrice, and Doctor Obinna Obeta has been senenced to various jail terms for bringing a 21-year-old Lagos street trader to London to exploit him for his kidney.
A judge at The Central Criminal Court, [ Old Bailey], announced the sentence friday.
At a sentencing hearing on Friday, Ekweremadu was jailed for nine years and eight months, his wife Beatrice was sentenced to four years and six months imprisonment while Obeta received a 10-year prison term.
The sentencing follows their conviction in March for organ trafficking, The Ekweremadus’sick daughter, Sonia was cleared of any wrongdoing.
The jury said Ekweremadu, his wife and their doctor criminally conspired to bring the 21-year-old Lagos street trader to London to exploit him for his kidney.
The conviction is the first under the UK’s Modern Slavery Act 2015.
The sentencing comes after pleas from multiple prominent personalities and institutions, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Other petitioners included both chambers of the National Assembly, the Chairman/CEO, Nigeria in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Erewa Dabiri, and the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC).
After months of a pre-trial, the trial commenced on January 31, 2023 and lasted about six weeks, culminating in a guilty verdict against Ekweremadu, Beatrice, and Obeta.
Author Profile
Latest entries
- News2023.05.06Organ Trafficking: Ekweremadu, Wife, Doctor Sentenced To Various Prison Terms
- AWF2022.09.21IIJ and Creativity Spark Foundation Throw 10 days Creative Writing Course
- News2022.09.04Several Persons Trapped As 7-storey Building Collapses at Lekki
- News2022.08.29Abba kyari; Justice Inyang Ekwo Dismissed Case For Lack of Merit – Counsel
News
Reps Seek UK Government Clemency for Ekweremadu
The House of Representatives has write to the government of the United Kingdom seeking mercy in sentencing the embattled Ike Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice.
This is contained in a resolution reached following a motion moved by Toby Okechukwu, a lawmaker from Enugu State.
A UK court found the duo guilty of conspiracy of organ harvesting of another Nigerian. The Ekweremadu couple will be sentenced in the coming days.
Moving the motion, Okechukwu said diplomatic intervention in this kind of case is normal.
“It is a common practice in international relations for nations, including the UK, to seek relief for their citizens involved in situations such as that of the Ekweremadus,” he said.
Speaking on the motion, Femi Gbajabiamila, the Speaker of the House, said intervention by the House is not a justification for the charges against the Ekweremadus. He urged the UK government to consider Ekweremadu’s years of public service.
Consequently, the House resolved to urge the UK government and the court to temper justice with mercy in sentencing Ekweremadu, his wife and the doctor.
Also, they urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to take all diplomatic steps and other necessary interventions regarding the travails of the Ekweremadu family.
Author Profile
- 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.
Latest entries
- News2023.05.03Reps Seek UK Government Clemency for Ekweremadu
Sports2023.04.22Banja Luka Exit: Djokovic said hopeful of hitting top form on clay
News2023.03.08FUL College of Health Sciences: FMC Lokoja Turns University Teaching Hospital
News2023.03.08Nigeria Labour Congress Seeks Cordial Relationship Wth Government
News
HYPPDEC Donates Food Stuff, Clothing to Locals in Kogi to Tackle Cashless Policy Effect
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.
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.
“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.
Author Profile
Latest entries
News2023.03.08HYPPDEC Donates Food Stuff, Clothing to Locals in Kogi to Tackle Cashless Policy Effect
News2022.05.30Activist Tasks Youths On Active Participation In Politics
Politics2022.05.302023: CSO Seeks for Adequate Security, Active Youths Participation in Politics
News2020.10.01Nigeria @ 60: Bello Promises More Democracy Dividends, Vows To Sues Fraudulent Workers
Organ Trafficking: Ekweremadu, Wife, Doctor Sentenced To Various Prison Terms
Spread the loveThe duo of Ekweremadu, former Deputy Senate President …
Reps Seek UK Government Clemency for Ekweremadu
Spread the loveThe House of Representatives has write to the …
Banja Luka Exit: Djokovic said hopeful of hitting top form on clay
Spread the loveThe world number one tennis player, Novak Djokovic …
HYPPDEC Donates Food Stuff, Clothing to Locals in Kogi to Tackle Cashless Policy Effect
Spread the loveBy Joseph Amedu, Lokoja The Hydroelectric Power Producing …FUL College of Health Sciences: FMC Lokoja Turns University Teaching Hospital
Spread the loveBy Joseph Amedu, Lokoja The Federal Medical Centre …
Nigeria Labour Congress Seeks Cordial Relationship Wth Government
Spread the loveBy Joseph Amedu, Lokoja The National President of …
2023: “Tinubu Championing Modern democracy with power of delegation” – Senator Kalu
Spread the loveChief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor …
Xmas: Ajia Felicitates with Christians, Solicits For Prayers Over National Challenges
Spread the loveThe Peoples Democratic Party, PDP House of Representatives …
2023 Elections: Why CBN Cashless Policy is Raising Dusts
Spread the loveThe Coalition of National Civil Society Organisations (CNCSOS) …
Federal Workers Give Federal Government A 14 Days Utimtum On Wage Increase
Spread the loveThe Federal Workers Forum, FWF has appealed to …