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UDA Abuja New Executive inaugurates Committees to realize it’s goals

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By Ignatius Okorocha
Barely two months after it’s election and inauguration, the new Executive of Uturu Development Association (UDA),Abuja Branch , had at its first meeting on  first Sunday of September, 2024, inaugurated four standing committees to pilot the affairs of the association with their terms of reference.
Speaking with the Publisher of Daily Echoes, Mr Ignatius Okorocha on the essence of creating the committees and their terms of reference Chairman of the Association, Comrade Jude Okejiri said,”
This is the first meeting of Uturu Development Association (UDA).
You will recall that during our election at our July meeting this year, I promised that I would create committees that will handle some developmental projects that will carry the Association to a higher level.
“To achieve this giant strides, we created four committees comprising: (a) Constitution Review committee.
(b) Launch,Award and Investment committee
(C) Committee on Spiritual matters
(d) Education and Employment committee.
“The import of creating the Constitution Review committee is to update our constitution. We need to upgrade our constitution to fit into the current economic situation in the country.
For instance, at our meeting today, a member raised the idea of upward  review of our monthly dues and packages for honouring members invitations based on the present economic realities in the country.
“And so, the Constitution Review committee will take a comprehensive review of the items in the constitution with a view to address areas that needed changes.”
Again speaking on the need to engage in membership drive of Uturu people in Abuja into the Association with a view to boosting membership of the association he said,” the essence of creating the Award and launching committee, is based on the present Executive’s proposal to have a Civic/Event Center in Abuja.”
According to the chairman,” it is our resolve that whatever we realized from the launch will be used to acquire a piece of land in Abuja for the Association.
“We need to have a permanent meeting place/Event centre in Abuja. We have stayed over 20 years in Abuja and as such owing a property here is  an ideal thing to do.”
Again,on the establishment of Education and  Employment committee, the chairman said,”We want to educate our children on the right courses to take in JAMB.
 “The country today doesn’t believe in certificates  rather they believe in Sabi-ficate. We want our children to be reading professional courses in the universities so that when they graduate, they can easily get employment.
“This is why we created education/ Employment committee to help our children read good courses that will help them get job easily.
“For instance,  the chairman of Education/Employment committee, assured us that the committee will  help us secure scholarships and employment for our people.”
Continuing he said, ” Why we created the committee on spiritual matters is not because we don’t belong to Christian denominations in Abuja but to  further draw us to God even as we gather here as children of God from Uturu town to  deliberate on welfare issues and matters that will develop our town, it will also widen our knowledge of God, and improve our relationship with one another.
“The task before the committee is to  nourish us spiritually and strengthen our relationship with each other.
All these form  part of our campaign promises and from the reports coming from the committees, there are indications  that we would get good results from their assignments.”
On the need to boost the membership of UDA, he said,”it is my firm believe that the results from the committees will not only  draw  Uturu sons and daughters living in Abuja to the Association but will make most of them to register with the  Association.
“Now, we are doing Nwerennayism and if anything happens to any of us or our relations, members will go for the condolence to the bereave families with a token sum of money.
“But when the amended constitution becomes operative, it will guide us on the  eligiblity of a member to receive benefits from the association.
“Again,we are embarking on zonal visits to all our zones aimed at boosting the membership of this association.
With this in mind, I want to assure you that by  the time we conclude our visits to the seven zones in Abuja, definitely our membership will grow higher.”
Also speaking with the chairman, committee on Launching and Award, who  doubles as Vice Chairman of the Association, Engr. Cornelius Agah he said ,” our task is to use the award and launching to get all the Uturu people in Abuja and our friends to support our task of acquiring land and building a befitting Event centre, Garden /meeting place  in Abuja for the Association.
“We want to use  this platform to identify and  recognize  Uturu sons and daughters in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and its environ who have distinguished themselves in politics,  industries, hotels, Education and other fields of endeavor.”
Engr. Agah further added,”We want to use this platform to unite and draw them close to the Association. This will  enable us have a befitting town-hall  for our gathering anytime we have meetings or special occasions that require the attention of all Uturu sons and daughters in Abuja to discuss the progress  of Uturu people in diaspora in particular and our town in general.
,”Secondly, we want to use the award ceremony to recognize our distinguished sons and daughters who have excelled in their field of endeavors.
“We also want to use the proceeds from the launching to buy land in FCT and develop it to our taste and use.”

General News

Natasha: Senate passes vote of confidence in Akpabio  …..says sexual harassment allegation is before the court

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By George Mgbeleke
Satisfied with the way suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP Kogi Central) for misconduct and her sexual harassment allegation against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio
were handled, the Red Chamber on Thursday passed a vote of confidence in the leadership of the number three citizen.

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio

This followed a motion raised by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC Ekiti Central), under Orders 40 and 51 of the Senate Rules on the controversies created by the actions taken on the misconduct and alleged sexual harassment.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was suspended for violating the Senate Rules, had described it as an injustice and reported the matter to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, IPU of the United Nations on Tuesday.
Presenting the motion, Senator Bamidele stressed the need for clarity, adherence to legislative rules and a renewed focus on governance despite the heightened public interest in the matter due to allegations made by the Kogi lawmaker.
According to him, at no point between August 2023 and the present was the Senate informed of any sexual harassment claims, adding that the issue at hand was purely about disciplinary measures related to breaches of Senate rules.
“I want to make it clear that the matter referred to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges had nothing to do with sexual harassment.
“The Senate President did not preside over any case related to such allegations. What was addressed was a flagrant disregard for Senate rules and we followed due process as guided by the Constitution,” he stressed.
Senator Bamidele, who insisted that the Senate took the right decision to maintain order and uphold legislative integrity, refuted claims that the Red Chamber acted beyond its constitutional rights, noting that suspension remains the only alternative to anarchy within the chamber.
“It was never an issue before us that any member of us was sexually harassed and we hold on to that point. We need to put the events of the last two weeks and concentrate. There is work before us and we have done everything possible, ensuring that the electoral reforms and others have legislative expressions,” he added.
The Senate Leader was happy about the IPU’s reaction to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s report, saying the international body acted within its own rules, and that any statements made by the Senator in question at the IPU meeting were done in a personal capacity, not as a designated delegate representing Nigeria.
He said: “It was never an issue before us that any senator was sexually harassed. We need to move past the events of the last two weeks and focus on our legislative responsibilities. There is critical work before us, including electoral reforms, economic recovery, and tax reform bills.
“The 7th schedule of the 1999 Constitution is clear, and we all swore by oath that we will make laws for the good of this country. We swore to that oath and ensured everyone abides by that oath.”
The Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, who presided over the plenary session, said it was time to focus on the implementation of the 2025 budget already signed by President Bola Tinubu through legislative functions, especially since the sexual harassment allegation is now before the court.
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HOSTCON Youth Council hails Senator Ned Nwoko on his new  appointment

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Senator Ned Nwoko(right) and Emmanuel Fiawei(left)

HOSTCON Youth Council hails Senator Ned Nwoko on his new  appointment

By David Owei, Bayelsa

Youths of the Host Communities Producing Oil, Gas and Pipeline Impacted States Youth Council Of Nigeria (HOSTCON) have described as ” commendable” the appointment of the Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District of Delta State, Sen. Ned Nwoko as the Chairman, Senate Ad- Hoc Committee on Crude Oil Theft.

According to HOSTCON, the appointment of Sen. Ned Nwoko by the 10th Senate under the leadership of Sen God’swill Akpabio as a game-changer for the entire oil and gas value chain in the nation’s oil industry.

The Host Communities Producing Oil Gas and Pipeline Impacted States Youth Council Of Nigeria under the leadership of the National President, Comrade Emmanuel Fiawei Path finder, stated in a statement issued via electronic mail, that the Senator Ned Nwoko-led Committee will salvage the nation’s oil and gas sector and the economic woes of the country.

According to HOSTCON, ” it would never be business as usual for the saboteurs, both locally and internationally because he has already hit the ground running, and Nigerians would see what has never happened in the fight against oil and gas thieves no matter who they are.”

“As a round peg in a round hole, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Crude Oil Theft and Other Related Matters, his underground strategies would take these thieves by storm and surprise, and this would usher in lasting solutions in curbing the menace of crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and illegal bunkering activities in the creeks of Niger Delta region and the hinterlands.”

“The Senator Ned Nwoko we know, is a man of courage and master strategist, who has all it takes to rid the oil and gas sector of this ugly menace of sabotage by some devilish persons who have over the years stolen our common patrimony for their self aggrandizement.”

“We must say that Senator Ned Nwoko, a son of the Niger Delta understands the region so deeply and has broad knowledge about the nefarious activities of these plunders of our national wealth, and knows how to marshal out his strategies to change the ugly narrative in the oil and gas sector.”

” His appointment is highly welcomed by all and sundry and due to his pedigree and sagacity as a patriotic, detribalized, and true Nigerian leader who has distinguished himself in serving the nation with national conscience.”

“We also want to assure Nigerians that Senator Ned Nwoko’s 100 days in this saddle will end oil theft and would be resounding and reverberating because we have seen the handwriting already, and that it would bring about a stupendous growth and development of the oil and gas sector in no distant time as he had already commenced the job by leading a courtesy visit to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, seeking a partnership with the military to curb the menace, and also has set up and inaugurated a surveillance team for overt and covert oversight on oil facilities and institutions.”

“Interestingly, the committee has called for strengthening of intelligence-sharing mechanisms, surveillance operations and fostering of seamless inter-agency collaboration to dismantle the complex networks behind crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region and across the international borders.”

“Recently, he affirmed the The committee’s unwavering commitment and sense of patriotism in its resolve to implement watertight policies, deploy cutting-edge security technology, and ensure that those who undermine the national wealth are held accountable.”

“He also said that the task at hand transcends revenue protection; it is about securing the future, bolstering economic resilience, and creating an environment conducive for national progress.”

“0We want Nigerians to be confident about Senator Ned Nwoko because his track record based on his background as an international criminal lawyer. He has the expertise to ensure these thieves are brought to justice, and also his solid performance on the floor of the Senate and impact on his senatorial district is amazing as he has moved numerous life changing motions and bills been sponsored by distinguished Senator Ned Nwoko on the floor of the Red Chambers within the one and half years under the President Bola Tinubu ‘Renewed Hope’ mantra has drastically transformed the lives of his people.”

“Therefore at this juncture, the leadership of the HOSTCON YOUTH COUNCIL OF NIGERIA, under comrade Emmanuel Fiawei Pathfinder, National Exco, elders and Board of Trustees, throw our full weight behind Sen Ned Nwoko-led Ad hoc Committee on Crude Oil Theft and Other Related Matters.”

“We at HOSTCON, being the most critical umbrella body that is the ears, eyes, strength, energy and heart beat of the nation’s oil and gas producing communities in the creeks as well the strength and the life-wire of the nation’s economy will partner with the 10th Senate under the leadership of Distinguished Senator Godswill Akp, through the Chairman of the Senate Add-Hoc Committee on Crude Oil Theft, Sen Ned Nwoko, the Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District in Delta State to join hands together for us to foster a collective responsibility to salvage the economy of our dear country by all means from the hands of this sophisticated oil thieves in collaboration with their foreign counterparts in this illicit business bent to cripple out economy.”

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NAS seeks review of laws against gender-based discriminations and violence ..says gender-based biases at the homestead

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National Association of Seadogs—Pyrates Confraternity (NAS-PC) officials

By David Owei, Bayelsa

The National Association of Seadogs—Pyrates Confraternity (NAS-PC) has called for a review of laws mitigating against cases of gender-based discriminations and violence in the society.

The (NAS-PC), in conjunction with gender based advocacy groups including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Bayelsa State and the Do Foundation, however agreed that despite the needed review, there is the need of addressing gender-based biases at the homestead, noting that perpetrators of gender-based discriminations and violence are often fathers, brothers, and sons.

The Capoon of the Oxbow Marino Deck of the National Association of Seadogs—Pyrates Confraternity (NAS-PC), Engr. Adogbeji Egbonoje, while speaking during a state-wide radio discussion programme on Radio Bayelsa 97.1 FM, Yenagoa. This year’s theme, “For all Women and Girls: Rights, Equality and Empowerment, stressed that paying attention to how sons are raised and groomed would have a profound impact on how they relate with women as adults.

He emphasized the importance of addressing gender-based biases at the homestead, noting that perpetrators of gender-based discriminations and violence are often fathers, brothers, and sons.

He stressed that paying attention to how sons are raised and groomed would have a profound impact on how they relate with women as adults.

He also highlighted the significance of cultivating the mind of the girl child from infancy, instilling confidence in young girls as they venture into the world as adults,” This, he believed, would empower them to withstand negative peer pressures and chart their paths in life.”

Also speaking on the radio discussion programme, the National Assistant Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA),Barr. Ebiere Emmanuella and the Former Chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Bayelsa State, Dr. Dise Ogbise Goddy Harry also shared expert insights on the historical context of International Women’s Day, progress made in gender equality, and the importance of education and policy changes in addressing systemic barriers.

The two legal experts pointed out the the roles of organizations like FIDA and the NBA in supporting marginalized women and pointed out contending issues of workplace equality, women’s leadership, and the role of men as allies in the fight for gender equality.

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