News
JUST IN: Senator Ningi Resumes Plenary After Three Months Suspension
The lawmaker representing Bauchi Central, Senator Abdul Ningi, has resumed his legislative duties in the upper chamber after a three-month suspension.
He was suspended in March over budget padding claims.
But on Tuesday, Ningi, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senator, was sighted at the National Assembly premises in Abuja being driven in his black Toyota Landcruiser Jeep.
Approaching the NASS gate, he stopped briefly to exchange pleasantries with journalists who were on the ground to welcome him back.
“Members of the press, thank you very much,” the excited lawmaker told them. “I got all your messages.”
When asked if he enjoyed his leave, the senator replied saying: “Very much.”
Recall Process
The senator was recalled on May 28, after a process was initiated by Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, who expressed regret on behalf of the suspended lawmaker. He pledged to assume full responsibility for Ningi’s actions, acknowledging the gravity of the suspension.
The senator’s conduct during the period of suspension has been a matter of scrutiny and debate within the legislative body.
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, announced the unconditional recall of Ningi after a brief plea by some lawmakers.
Akpabio emphasised the senator’s resourcefulness, and described him as a valued member of the Senate, adding that the decision to recall Ningi transcends religious and ethnic divides.
Ningi was recalled some two weeks to the end of his three-month suspension which is supposed to terminate on June 12, 2024.
History
On March 12, 2024, the Senate suspended Ningi over an allegation of N3.7trn padding of the 2024 Budget.
Ningi, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Bauchi Central Senatorial District, was suspended for three months after a long stormy session in the red chamber.
Akpabio, who had described Ningi’s offences as “grievous”, conducted a voice vote during which most of the lawmakers voted in support of Ningi’s suspension for three months.
Ningi’s Allegations
In an interview, Ningi claimed that the Federal Government was operating two versions of the 2024 budget, and that the N28.7trn Budget passed and signed into law by President Bola Tinubu was skewed against the North.
As a result, many Senators and the presidency pounced on Ningi, describing his claims as “far-fetched and unbecoming of a leader of his status”.
Ningi would later deny saying that the country was operating two budgets, however, insisted that only N25trn of the budget was tied to projects while N3.7trn had no project tied to it.
News
Ayo Fayose Gets Presidential Portfolio As REA Board Chairman
Fayose will head the board of REA, with Alhaji Ahmadu Abubakar and Engineer Ilyasu Ibrahim Makinta appointed as members and non-executive directors,” said Onanuga.
President Bola Tinubu has appointed the former governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, as chairman of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) Board.
The President also appointed Major General Junaid Bindawa as chairman of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission.
24 others were also appointed to 10 federal government agencies and commissions.
The appointments were contained in a statement issued by the presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, in Abuja.
According to the statement, “All the appointments take immediate effect.”
“Fayose will head the board of REA, with Alhaji Ahmadu Abubakar and Engineer Ilyasu Ibrahim Makinta appointed as members and non-executive directors,” said Onanuga.
News
BREAKING: ICPC grills Gbajabiamila over PFIPC scandal
According to Jiti Ogunye, Gbajabiamila’s counsel, the president’s chief of staff appeared at the ICPC headquarters on Monday, where he was questioned over the PFIPC controversy.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has interrogated Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff to President Bola Tinubu, over his role in the emergence of the controversial Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council (PFIPC).
According to Jiti Ogunye, Gbajabiamila’s counsel, the president’s chief of staff appeared at the ICPC headquarters on Monday, where he was questioned over the PFIPC controversy.
Details soon
(The Cable)
News
NBC Begins Training of Free -To- Air TV Installers
” We are doing it to ensure that they can properly track the NigComsat signal. We found out that installers are very critical to the success of the DSO project because we recently launched the DTH project. We are going DTT. We are going DTH. We are doing mobile App.”
•50 set-top box installers and technicians in Ibadan
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has commenced nationwide capacity-building exercise to prepare installers for the rollout of the country’s renewed Digital Switchover (DSO) programme.
The Head of the DSO Unit and Deputy Director of Public Affairs at the Commission, Mrs. Clementine Usman-Wamba, announced the development during training of more than 50 set-top box installers and technicians in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
According to her, broadcasters would be shut out of analogue broadcasting transmission by 2028, hence the need for the training of installers that are professionals to assist in the process.
She said, “We are actually here in Ibadan to train installers specifically to be part of the Digital Switch Over process.We are doing it in conjunction with Nigeria Communication Satellite Limited, (NigComSat). It is a joint outreach that we are doing here today.”
” We are doing it to ensure that they can properly track the NigComsat signal. We found out that installers are very critical to the success of the DSO project because we recently launched the DTH project. We are going DTT. We are going DTH. We are doing mobile App.”
She said that the installation of Free TV is to enable Nigerians to have access to many channels without subscription, noting that the NBC has embarked on the training of the installers of decoders and dishes nationwide for effective take off of the project.
CBN admits it opened domiciliary accounts for PFIPC agency
Naira Exchange Rates At The Parallel/ Official Market Tuesday, 21 July
Ayo Fayose Gets Presidential Portfolio As REA Board Chairman
Tech Expert, Zuckerberg trains with UFC champions, Adesanya, Alexander
Organ Trafficking: Ekweremadu bags 10 years in UK prison
SAINT OBI: Between his marriage and his death
-
News22 hours agoBIJAMIC College Charges Class of 2026 Graduates to Embrace Resilience, Learn from Thomas Edison
-
Sports2 days agoWho made the FIFA World Cup trophy?
-
News1 day agoSenegal President, Faye elected new ECOWAS chairman
-
Sports1 day agoFIFA To Review Hydration Breaks After World Cup Final – Wenger
-
Crime2 days agoStudents Killed as Troops Foil ISWAP Abduction Bid in Borno
-
Sports1 day agoBurna Boy shines in first-ever World Cup Halftime Show
-
News2 days agoBadejo-Okusanya Emerges NBA National President (2026-2028)
-
News1 day agoAbbas inaugurating today committee to investigate illegal PFIPC agency