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Senate ‘ll Promote Progressive Governance, National Development – Akpabio

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The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio

 

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio has reiterated the commitment of the Senate under his leadership to progressive governance, economic empowerment, and national development.

Akpabio stated this in his acceptance speech after his investiture as a Fellow of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers in Lagos on Friday.

According to Akpabio, “the Senate’s commitment to progressive governance, economic empowerment, and national development remains unwavering. And I assure you that this honor will not be taken lightly. If anything, it will only spur me to work harder, to push further, and to serve better.

“I stand before you today deeply honored, profoundly humbled, and immensely grateful. To receive the Honorary Fellowship of this distinguished institution is not just a privilege; it is a testament that there are values we hold dear—the values of service, excellence, and unwavering dedication to building a stronger, more prosperous Nigeria.

Akpabio noted that, “for over five decades, the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers has stood as a beacon of professionalism, integrity, and nation-building. You are the silent architects of Nigeria’s urban transformation, the custodians of our nation’s physical wealth, and the guardians of the principles that sustain our economy—accountability, due process, and strategic planning.”

“Your work ensures that our cities are well-planned, our investments are secured, and our future is built on a solid foundation. Without you, the skylines of Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt would remain concepts, not realities. Without you, businesses would struggle to find the confidence to invest, and without you, the dream of homeownership for many Nigerians would remain just that—a dream.

“So today, as I receive this honor, I do so not as an individual, but as a representative of the Nigerian Senate, as a servant of the Nigerian people, and as a voice of the Nigerian people. I also know that leadership is about legacy. Therefore, I dedicate this award to the 10th National Assembly and the great people of Nigeria, who have entrusted us with the sacred duty representing them in the governance of this country..

“This recognition is not just a celebration of what has been done, but a call to action for what must be done. It is a charge to lead with renewed vigor, to continue to fight for policies that will make housing more affordable, land administration more transparent, and infrastructure more sustainable.

“It is a call to ensure that Nigeria’s land and property assets are managed with the efficiency, integrity, and foresight that will secure our economic future.

“To my brothers and sisters in the real estate and valuation profession, I say—your work is critical to Nigeria’s development. And we, in government, are listening. The policies we craft, the laws we enact, the reforms we champion—all must align with the vision of a Nigeria where economic growth is not just a statistic, but a reality that uplifts every citizen.

“To the leadership of NIESV, I thank you again for this recognition. To the distinguished guests here today, I thank you for your presence. And to the Nigerian people, I reaffirm my commitment to you—because in the end, governance is about service, and service is about people.

Politics

Governor Adeleke is not Joining ADC Nor Aligning with Anyone in ADC- Spokesperson

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Gov Ademola Adeleke of Osun state

By David Owei, Bayelsa

Governor Ademola Adeleke is not defecting to African Democratic Congress (ADC) nor aligning with anybody within the ADC ahead of the 2026 state elections, his Spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed has disclosed.

Responding to media publication and enquiries, the Spokesperson affirmed that Governor Adeleke remains in Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and is going to win, with wide margins, the 2026 governorship elections on the platform of the PDP.

The statement reads further: “Our attention has been drawn to news reports and media enquiries about the imminent defection of Governor Adeleke to the ADC or alignment with ADC big wigs ahead of the 2026 governorship race. There is no truth in those publications and speculations.

“First of all, we, the PDP Osun, have already adopted and endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election, so there is no alliance with ADC.

“Secondly, Governor Adeleke has no alliance with anyone in ADC. He remains in PDP, will run in PDP, and needs no alliance with ADC to win with a wide margin in 2026.

“The Osun electorate supports Governor Adeleke because of his impressive performance since he came to office. That good work is still ongoing and Osun people are committed to sustaining the delivery of good governance by re-electing Governor Adeleke in 2026”, the Spokesperson was quoted as saying.

Governor Adeleke urges PDP members to forge ahead with the ongoing strengthening of the party structures across all levels to prepare for fresh victory next year”, the statement from the Spokesperson concluded.

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INC rejects bill granting exclusive co-chairmanship to Ooni, Sultan

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Second Vice Chairman of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Chief Alabo Nengi James

By David Owei,Bayelsa

The umbrella body of Ijaw Elders, the Ijaw National Congress (INC) has rejected the Bill in the Senate seeking to permanently elevate the Ooni of Ife and Sultan of Sokoto as the exclusive Co-chairmen of the Traditional Rulers Council.

The INC said the move would be at the expense of apex traditional rulers from other ethnic nationalities and geopolitical divides.

The Second Vice Chairman of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Chief Alabo Nengi James (OON) said, in a statement on Sunday in Odi, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government area of Bayelsa State, the proposal is a continuos infringement on Traditional Rulers in Nigeria.

Alabo Nengi James describes the provision of the Bill as unacceptable and against the Rights of the indigenous People across tribes, Religion, Culture and Customs.

He said the Bill should be reviewed to include clauses such as No permanent Chairmanship for Sultan and Oni only must be allowed in the ongoing bill being discussed in the Senate.

He advocates that the National Assembly should allow the National Council of Traditional Rulers to Appoint their Leadership themselves, rotationaly and based on Federal Character.

“Include the Role of Traditional Rulers into the Constitutio and No Traditional Ruler from another tribe or religion is superior to another.”

“The National Assembly should Step down the Provocative and dehumanizing offensive Bill that will cause a serious rift and breach of peace in Nigeria.”

Chief James called the attention of the Senate President, Rt. Hon. Godswill Akpabio, urging him to immediately step down what he termed a “highly insensitive and dangerous bill.”

He emphasized that traditional rulers across the country must be given equal recognition and should be allowed to choose their national leadership through internal mechanisms that reflect rotational leadership and the federal character system.

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Politics

Alleged Deportation of Nigerians in Ghana: Sen Aniekan urges Nigerians to remain 

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Senate in session in the chamber
By George Mgbeleke
The attention of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)  has been drawn to a disturbing video on social media showing a protest by some Ghanaians calling on the authority to send Nigerians back to Nigeria alleging that their behaviours and attitudes were not in conformity with the norms of Ghana.
In a statement,Chairman Senate Committee on Senate Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) Senator Bassey Aniekan, “the widespread indignation against Nigerians living in Ghana and branding them as criminals should be condemned by all.”
He reiterated that Nigerians are hardworking people and not criminals as purported  and are good ambassadors wherever they find themselves.
He added that while not denying the fact that there may be some bad individuals amongst them, the generality of Nigerians he stressed, are peaceful and law abiding people.
Furthermore, he pointed out the long standing relationship and partnership, the two countries have had over the years emphasizing that Ghana and Nigeria are brothers and  in the spirit of ECOWAS and regional integration, should continue to live in peace, stressing that dialogue has proven countless times to be a tool for peace and should be deployed.
The Senate Committee Chair on Diaspora and NGOs appealed for calm and urged Nigerians living in Ghana to exercise restraint, avoid provocation restraint, of any sort and to resist reprisal attacks as the issue is being handled.
Senator Aniekan confirmed that he had received reports that the issue is being addressed at the diplomatic level by the Minister of State Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu.
He cautioned against the use of inciteful words by individuals on both sides, as  such statements are capable of aggravating the problem and further putting pressure on an already tensed atmosphere.
Senator Bassey Aniekan, also advised Nigerians to disregard the videos trending on line that Nigerians’ shops and properties are being destroyed by Ghanaians as there is no evidence to buttress such claims.
The Chairman applauded Ghanaian and  Nigerian High  Commissioners for their efforts to control the situation, adding that the Minister of State, Foreign Affairs , has also been in touch with Ghanaian authorities and had taken some pro- active measures to put the situation under control.
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