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Bill to contain environmental pollution in Nigeria Scales Third Reading in Reps

A bill seeking to enhance the protection of the natural environmental in Nigeria, especially from activities of crude oil exploration has scaled third reading in the House of Representatives.

The bill titled, “A Bill for an Act to Amend the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency Act, 2006; and for Related Matters (HB. 351)” sponsored by Hon. Livinus Makwe is intended to amend the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA)(establishment) act of 2006.

Hon Makwe who represents Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) while enumerating the details of the amendment to the NOSDRA Act stated that the new act when it eventually becomes law will: “Introduce 2.5% statutory deduction from Ecological Fund annually as funding for the agency for procurement of oil spill response equipment and materials, management of oil spill disasters and remediation of impacted sites arising from 3rd party interference such as vandalism, oil theft, etc
“Provide statutory power for the agency to charge adequate fines and penalties in line with present day realities and also to serve as deterrent to offenders and ensure strict compliance with existing environmental legislation in the petroleum sector.
And provide that “the governing board be expanded to include [specific] important and relevant agencies like NIMASA instead of Ministry of Transport, Nigerian Civil Aviation Agency (NCAA) instead of Ministry of Aviation, Nigerian Environmental Society, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association Nigeria.”
According to the lawmaker, other areas of the NOSDRA act that is affected by the new amendment include to “Give the agency power to enter premises with a court warrant and the responsibility to inspect records of integrity tests of pipelines and storage assets of oil companies to ensure that they are fit for purpose.”
The amendment now also provides “that NOSDRA has responsibility to monitor the process of decommissioning and abandonment to ensure that there is spillage in the course of the exercise.”
With the scaling of third reading in the House, the bill will now await final legislative actions including concurrence in the Senate before being presented to the President for assent.

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First Lady Oluremi Tinubu extends RHI food outreach to vulnerable households in Kogi

The Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has reaffirmed the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI)’s commitment to supporting Nigerians, particularly women, youths and vulnerable groups in Nigeria.

Speaking on Monday at the Government House in Lokoja, Kogi State, while donating food items to vulnerable groups, Senator Tinubu, represented by the Wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, highlighted the impact of the RHI Food Outreach Scheme in addressing food insecurity and improving livelihoods.

She noted that RHI has successfully distributed assorted food items to vulnerable households in eight states so far, including the FCT, Cross River, Edo, Ekiti, Gombe, Kano, Kwara, and Nasarawa, with Delta and Oyo set to benefit next.
The First Lady also emphasized that, through the RHI Social Investment Scheme, the initiative is collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Environment to establish environment and climate change clubs in secondary schools and climate change societies in tertiary institutions with the aims of promoting a clean and healthy environment for all citizens.
She noted that RHI’s Economic Empowerment Plan will provide a ₦250,000 grant to 200 Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWDs) to help recapitalize their businesses.
Senator Tinubu stated that the programmes align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to enhance the well-being of Nigerians, particularly vulnerable groups. She urged beneficiaries to make good use of the food items to support their families.
She also commended Hajia Sefinat Usman Ododo, Wife of the Kogi State Governor and State Coordinator of RHI, for her exceptional efforts in coordinating the initiative’s programs within the state.
Earlier in her remarks, Hajia Sefinat Ododo welcomed the First Lady to Kogi state and assured that the food items would reach their intended beneficiaries, emphasizing that the support would greatly alleviate hardship for many households and pledged her commitment to ensuring fair distribution.
She also expressed the unwavering support of Kogi women for President Tinubu’s administration and praised Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s continued efforts in uplifting lives through RHI.
In his address, Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo appreciated Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu for her support through the RHI saying Kogi State was one hundred percent in support of the Tinubu administration.
The Governor highlighted some of his achievements in youth and women empowerment, and provision of a food palliatives, noting that he will continue to provide the leadership as a servant leader to make Kogi resources work for the people and further grow the economy.
The RHI Food Outreach Programme is part of RHI’s broader efforts to combat poverty and food insecurity across the nation.

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Bill establishing College of Vocational, Technical Studies, Ikire, Osun State passes second reading in Senate

The bill for an act to establish Federal College of Vocational and Technical Studies, Ikire in Osun on Wednesday passed second reading at the Senate.

The sponsor of the bill, Senator Oyewumi Kamorudeen representing Osun West, in a lead debate stated that the bill will improve career and technical education, saying it will make trainers to be better equipped to face the challenges of modern time.

He explained that establishing a Federal Vocational and Technical college in Ikire, will address the growing need for specialized, middle-level skills needed in the workforce in Nigeria.
According to the lawmaker, “The institution will provide opportunities for young people to acquire necessary vocational skills that are needed for employment in the labour market”,
Sen. Kamarudeen emphasis that the bill if pass it will also help to promote economic growth and reduce unemployment.
The lawmaker stated that “the college when established It will provide opportunities for young people to acquire necessary vocational skills that are needed for employment in the labour market.
“This will help to promote economic growth and reduce unemployment. The Technical and Vocational institution established by this bill will provide acceptable certificates in middle-level Technical training education expertise” he said.
“As a country, we must as a matter of priority, encourage technical skill acquisition to align with the global paradigm shift especially now that Artificial intelligence is taking over human activities in the labour market. This will also minimize youth restiveness and other social vices in the country”.
Meanwhile, the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio referred the bill to the committee on Education (Basic and Secondary) for further legislative input and report back in four weeks.

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Gov. Ododo salutes Adaba brothers’ legacy in public service

Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has paid glowing tribute to Chief Patrick Adaba, the former Deputy Governor of Kogi State, and Dr Tom Adaba the pioneer Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), who both passed on few weeks ago.

During separate condolence visits to their families in Abuja, Governor Ododo acknowledged their outstanding legacy of public service and their significant contributions to the development of Kogi State and Nigeria at large.

At the residence of the late Chief Patrick Adaba, Governor Ododo acknowledged the late Chief Patrick Adaba for his selfless service to the government and people of Kogi State whom he served as Deputy Governor between 1999 and 2003.
Similarly, while visiting the home of the late Dr. Tom Adaba, Governor Ododo described him as a trailblazer whose pioneering role in Nigeria’s broadcasting industry has inspired generations of media practitioners within and outside Nigeria.
He praised the Adaba family for raising two exceptional children whose impact and service to the nation remain invaluable and indelible.
Governor Ododo emphasized that Kogi State and Nigeria will deeply miss the Adaba brothers, given their immense contributions to public service and national development.

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