News
Project Development Agency bill scale second reading in Senate
A bill for an Act to establish the Project Development Agency (PDA) charged with the broad function of generating and catalyzing industrialization by carrying out industrial research from the laboratory stage to the pilot plant stage, and by rendering consultancy services to government, industry and individual, and for related matters, 2023 ( SB. 1097) has scaled second reading in the Senate on Tuesday.
The bill, sponsored by Frank Ibezim, Senator representing lmo North seeks to give Project Development Institute (PRODA) in Enugu State, South East (Federal of Science and Technology) that has been existing for over 43 years a legal backing to function optimally.
According to him, once PRODA have a legal backing it required, it would be very effective and reign out the right functions in research and development in the south east where they have lots of need to showcase natural products.
“For PRODA that has been established for 43 years, in Enugu, south east of Nigeria to function optimally, we have to give it a legal backing. So coming to Senate and realizing that it has no legal backing, l felt like, there is no reason why we should not give it a legal backing because once PRODA have a legal backing, it would be very effective and do right functions it ought to do.
“And you know the importance of research, and development, south east where we have lots of needs for us to showcase the natural products over there, PRODA was established all these years for it to do that and it has not been done optimally; that is why l came up with the bill to give it legal backing and make it to function.
“A lot of people were shocked to hear that PRODA do not have legal backing, so l have no dought that the Senate Chairman of the Committee on science and technology which I am also a member would be happy to do the necessary work to call a public hearing for all stakeholders to contribute to the bill for quick passage.
“And when it passed into law, it would be a research institute that would perform under international best practices. So it is apt and timely knowing the time we are in now, we need to recreate whatever thing we can do for our country technologically as Nigeria is bleeding and is affecting every aspect of it from the youth to the women and the elderly.
“A country where more than 70% of the citizens are 40 years and below, it means that we have a challenge of jobs. So PRODA, effectively would not only bring not just jobs but fast track the technology areas. There is need for us to understand that everybody would not go to University, but those that are not able to attend University should be able to do everything to enhance technology.
“So this is the better time to push for it because we are going to go for recess for the 2023 general election, but l can assure you that we would do all we can to speedy up the passage. The president of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan had told us that we need to do everything to ensure all the bills are passed.
“I also had a Federal Medical Center Okigwe (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (SB1100) that has passed first reading. We cannot overemphasized the importance of bringing the health facility in a place and l believe and always said it, that at least every senatorial district should have a federal medical center. We would do all we do can to fast track all the bills before we go for campaign and election.
“Tomorrow, l am very sure that the Federal Medical Center Okigwe (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (SB1100) will pass second reading, this is to show you how fast the Senate is going to fast track work” he stressed.
“PRODA formerly known as the Research and Production Department of the old Eastern Region, the Institute was the manufacturing engine room for the prosecution of the civil war for the defunct Biafra Republic.
“One of the most notable inventions of the institute during the civil war was the “ogbunigwe” bomb, a self-propelled rocket with an 8-kilometre range that could wipe out a company of enemy troops.
“After the civil war, it was renamed PRODA and enlisted as one of the 17 agencies under the Ministry of Science and Technology and pioneered the first made-in-Nigeria ‘car’, branded PRODA.
“The low-cost prototype was taken on a roadshow across the country. However, a functional version of the vehicle did not see the light of the day as the government later jettisoned the idea.
“After years of being in limbo, PRODA crept back into the consciousness of many Nigerians recently after the immediate past Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu, announced that by 2018 Nigeria would start the production of pencils. PRODA was the agency saddled with the responsibility of leading this “revolution.”
“But despite huge budgetary allocations, perhaps to kick-off the pencil production, the government has been unable to rouse the comatose agency from its deep slumber. The so-called pencil revolution is yet to start, and the agency is fast rotting away.
The Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has been summoned to the Nigerian Po,ice Force headquarters to face criminal investigation.
In a letter dated 4th April and signed by Commissioner of Police in Charge of Operations, Olajide Rufus Ibitoye, said he was directed by the Inspector General of Police to invite the Emir for questioning for violating Durbar ban.
A copy of the letter sighted by CAPITAL POST indicated that Sanusi led a Durbar processing to the Government House to pay homage despite the ban which the Police expressed security concerns.
The urged Emir Sanusi Lamido to appear on Tuesday,b8th April, 2025.
Sanusi reportedly led a procession in car as against the usual horses in which a 20-year old in the entourage was arrested and detained.
Senate President, Godswill Obot Akpabio has accused Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Elisha Abbo of being united I coordinated attacks against him lately.
He stated this following Natasha’s claims during a rally in her Kogi Central Senatorial District that he recruited the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello to assassinate her outside Abuja.
At the rally on Tuesday 1st April, 2025 which was monitored by CAPITAL POST in Lokoja, Natasha accused the former Governor Yahaya Bello, having been contacted late in the night of March 12, 2025 to orchestrated ‘recall and assassination’ of her outside Abuja.
Natasha said she has intelligence reports that when she is killed in her Constituency, “it will look as if it’s her people that killed her.”
Though Bello was yet to issue a statement debunking the allgations or otherwise, Senate President on his part denied the allegation and described it as falsehood and inflammatory.
Reacting in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publici, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh on Friday, Akpabio accused former Senator representing Adamawa North Senatorial, Elisha Abbo of toeing the similar part of blackmail, saying barely 24 hours later, on April 2, 2025, Elisha Abbo appeared on Arise Television to revive a previously withdrawn claim that Senator Akpabio “manipulated the judiciary” to secure his removal from the Senate.
The statement said: “Nigerians will recall that Mr. Abbo, in 2023, publicly retracted this same accusation and tendered an apology after acknowledging that his claims were founded on incorrect assumptions.
“His removal from office was the outcome of a constitutionally grounded judicial decision by the Court of Appeal, which independently determined that he was not duly elected to represent Adamawa North.
“In a further twist, Mr. Abbo also alleged that he was denied his entitlements by the Senate President. This, too, is categorically false. Entitlements such as salaries and allowances are processed strictly through administrative and legal procedures.
“The Senate President does not and cannot unilaterally approve or deny such requests. Any delays or rejections would have been based solely on due diligence and compliance with established protocols.
“The timing, tone, and striking similarity of these coordinated attacks point clearly to a politically motivated smear campaign. These individuals—backed by undisclosed interests—appear united in a desperate effort to undermine the credibility of the Senate and its leadership and intended to distract from their own personal and political shortcomings and failings.
“Senator Godswill Akpabio remains undeterred. As a statesman devoted to national unity, institutional integrity, and the rule of law, he will not be distracted by malicious falsehoods or inflammatory rhetoric.
“Regardless of the necessity for legal redress, formal letters of demand, seeking immediate public retractions, apologies, and compensation for reputational harm, are underway to be served on both Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Mr Elisha Abbo.
“We call on the Nigerian public in particular and the International Community to reject these baseless and provocative narratives. The Senate, under Senator Akpabio’s leadership, remains focused on its constitutional mandate: to promote legislative excellence, safeguard democratic values, and deliver meaningful progress for the Nigerian people”, the statement concluded.
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has expressed heartfelt sympathy over the demise of Hon. Suleiman Muhammed, the Kogi East Zonal Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a condolence message to the family of the deceased and members of the APC in Kogi state, described the sudden passing of the APC Zonal chairman as a loss not only for the party in Kogi East but the entire APC family in the state.
According to the Governor “The late Hon. Suleiman Muhammed was a man of peace, humility, and one who demonstrated commitment to the service of the state and the APC as a party. He carried the aspirations of his people with dignity; his leadership was widely respected and his contributions deeply valued within and beyond the APC in Kogi East”.
“He was instrumental in strengthening party cohesion and promoting inclusive dialogue. His presence in every party engagement brought stability and thoughtful leadership to our consultations in the zone.”
Governor Ododo further noted that Hon. Suleiman’s calm temperament, sense of fairness, and ability to listen distinguished him as a unifying figure in the party.
The Governor also extends condolences to the family of the deceased, the leadership and members of the APC in the state, the people of Dekina local government area and the entire Kogi East Senatorial District.
He prayed that Almighty Allah (SWT) forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljanatul Firdaus.
The late APC zonal chairman who served as the APC coordinator in Odu Ward 2 before becoming the zonal chairman of the party in Kogi East died at the age of 45 and has been laid to rest according to Islamic rites.
-
Security1 week agoNew Commissioner of Police in Niger, Elleman sends strong warning to criminals
-
News7 days agoAbia: LG Chairman, Iheke accused of using soldiers to detain IRS agent, claims Governor Otti’s support
-
News21 hours agoSenators Natasha, Abbo unite in peddling dangerous falsehood against me – Akpabio
-
News1 week agoKogi Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo salutes Tinubu at 74
-
News5 days agoKogi government bans rallies ahead of Natasha’s homecoming slated for Tuesday
-
News1 week agoPlateau LP stakeholders endorses Barr Gyang Zi’s defection to APC
-
News6 days agoIran may secure a deal before Trump’s deadline – or face Israeli strikes in Tehran – analysis
-
News1 week agoAkpabio pays historic visit to office of SA to President on Senate Matters