Politics
Insecurity: Sen Kalu calls for decisive measures, says situation shouldn’t be Politicised
By. George Mgbeleke
Alarmed at the spate of escalating insecurity in parts of the country, Abia North Lawmaker, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has called for urgent steps by the Government to end the ugly scourge.
In the light of the prevailing situation, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on South-East Development Commission advocated for the investment of additional resources to the security agencies.
Kalu stressed that for the nation to tackle its insecurity challenges, the issue must be addressed without Politics but its current realities which he said is deteriorating.
The former Senate Chief Whip stated this on Monday in China via a video posted on his social media page calling for decisive measures to end the scourge.
Reacting to recent alarm raised by Borno State Governor Zulum over the deteriorating security situation in his state in which he said that some part of the state has been lost to insurgents, Kalu pointed out that if nothing is done urgently, the state including the Southeast may be lost totally to Terrorists.
Specifically, the former Abia Governor frowned at the politicising of insecurity in the country which he credited to Political leaders in the country. Kalu asserted that security is a very serious issue which should not Politicised.
Kalu also urged Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris not to downplay the issues raised by the Borno State Governor but rather intimate the President about the true situation of security in the country.
He said;”The minister of information is doing his job but Professor Zulum is right, I am almost from Borno State. If the Federal Government doesn’t take the right step in Borno State and South East those areas might collapse.
“I want to believe Professor Zulum that the security situation is deteriorating every day so we need to step up, especially in the Southeast.
“Our Southeast Governors are doing their best to fight insurgency. I would like the Federal Government to step up security in the Southeast because it’s a gateway for people transporting goods from the ports and Refineries.
Kalu also called for an end to the verbal squabble between the Minister and Governor saying that for the situation to be solved President Tinubu needed to be told the truth.
He said;”For me Professor Zulum and the Minister don’t need to argue , these are fundamental issues if we don’t tell President Tinubu the truth the place will be ungovernable.
“So it is better we tell him the truth on the condition of the insecurity situation in Nigeria. Our Nigerian army has been doing their best and I congratulate them especially the Chief of Army Staff , the Inspector General of Police and other security Chiefs for all the efforts that they have been putting in.
“The Federal Government needs to invest more resources and equipment and attention to Borno State and the South East. We cannot play politics with insecurity , we should take the art of Governance very seriously.
Urging the Minister to consult extensively with the Nation’s security Chiefs before making any statement, Kalu commended the efforts of the President and the Nation’s security Chiefs.
He said;
“No Governor or President wants his people to die so I urge the Minister for information to step down some of the statements he is making about insecurity and should also consult the Chief of Army Staff and the Inspector General of Police.
“The National Security Adviser has also been on top of his game but people should stop making statements without consulting the security agencies.
“The DSS will continue to provide information. I believe Tosin is very capable, he is a young lad who is capable. We can rid all these criminals away and build our economy to be strong , let us stop Politics and concentrate on the economy of Nigeria, President Tinubu has done his best let’s support him to build our economy together”.
By Our Correspondent
Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt Hon.Tajudeen Abbas has dissolved all Ad-hoc Committees of the House in the excercise of his powers under the Standing Rules of the 10th House of the apex legislature-the National Assembly
This is contained in a statement issued to newsmen by the Clerk to the House Mr.Sidi Ibrahim in Abuja
It reads: “I am directed by the Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., GCON, to inform all Honourable Members that all Ad Hoc Committees of the House stand dissolved with immediate effect.
“”This directive is sequel to earlier announcements urging Ad Hoc Committees to conclude their assignments and submit their reports in line with the Rules and established practice of the House. Following those announcements, only two Ad Hoc Committees sought and were granted extension of time in compliance with Order Eighteen Rule 5 of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives. The two-week extension granted has since elapsed”.
The release further stated that for the avoidance of doubt, Honourable Members are reminded that Ad Hoc Committees are temporary Committees of the House established for specific and time-bound mandates. They are not intended to subsist indefinitely beyond the purpose and period for which they were constituted.
In accordance with Order Eighteen, Rule 11, Paragraph 5, of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives which provides for “Limitations as to time of Reports”, Committees are required to submit their reports within the time allotted. Having exceeded the time allotted, the continued existence of the Ad Hoc Committees is no longer tenable.
Consequently, with effect from Friday 28th August 2026, all Ad Hoc Committees of the House stand dissolved; and activities being carried out in the name of such Committees shall cease forthwith.
The Chairmen of the affected Committees are directed to forward all outstanding reports, working documents, records, and other materials relating to their assignments to the Office of the Clerk, House of Representatives for safekeeping,
The release added that the Honourable Members are kindly requested to take note and ensure strict compliance, please.
Politics
Niger govt partners Islamic Bank to Begin large-scale solar power project to develop Rural Communities
By Uthman Baba-Naseer,Minna
Rural communities in Maikunkele, Bosso Local Government Area of Niger State, including Dama, Mararaba, Gusase, Jimbuipi and neighbouring villages, are set to witness significant development as the Niger State Government, in partnership with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), moves to commence a large-scale solar power project with a generation capacity of 100 megawatts.
Representatives of rural communites
The development was disclosed during a stakeholders and community engagement meeting organised by the International Human Rights Commission Relief Fund Trust (IHRC-RFT), with support from the New Niger Development Project and the Bosso Local Government Council.
The meeting, held at the Bosso Local Government Secretariat, brought together traditional rulers, community leaders, representatives of the state government, project coordinators, consultants and other stakeholders to deliberate on the proposed solar project and its expected impact on the host communities.
Speaking at the engagement, a member of the Board of Trustee of the International Human Rights Commission, Alhaji Mohammed Awaisu Wanna, assured residents that the organisation would continue to engage the relevant authorities to ensure that the concerns of the affected communities were adequately addressed.
He said the government and relevant authorities were expected to provide essential infrastructure and social amenities capable of improving the living conditions of residents in the affected communities.
According to him, the IHRC-RFT initiated the stakeholder dialogue after coming across protests and concerns raised by some residents on social media over fears that the solar project could be installed without adequate consideration for the needs and welfare of the host communities.
He explained that the purpose of the engagement was to provide clarification, address the concerns of the residents and create a platform for constructive dialogue between the communities, government and other stakeholders involved in the project.
Wanna urged residents to view the proposed solar project as an opportunity to attract development to their communities rather than as a threat to their livelihoods.
He particularly appealed to youths in Gusase to remain calm and support the project, stressing that its successful implementation could bring significant economic and social benefits to the area.
“There is no need to protest against the project when it is capable of bringing development closer to the people. What is important is for the communities to engage with the government and the relevant authorities to ensure that their legitimate concerns are addressed,” he said.
Also speaking, Chairman of the New Niger Development Commission (NNDC), Alhaji Mustapha Bida, disclosed that the proposed solar power project was an initiative of the Islamic Development Bank aimed primarily at supporting agricultural development and improving economic activities in the benefiting communities.
Bida said the IsDB had made provisions for the development of essential infrastructure and amenities that would have a direct impact on the lives of residents.
He listed some of the proposed interventions to include the provision of boreholes, healthcare facilities, schools and other social amenities designed to improve the wellbeing of the communities.
According to him, the provision of the amenities forms part of the development component of the project and demonstrates the commitment of the Islamic Development Bank to ensuring that host communities also derive tangible benefits from the investment.
He added that the New Niger Development Commission would play a supervisory role in the implementation of the project, particularly in ensuring that the interests of the benefiting communities were taken into consideration.
Bida further assured the youths and other critical stakeholders that the Niger State Government, under the leadership of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, remained committed to taking development to rural communities across the state.
He said the siting of the solar project in Maikunkele was consistent with the government’s efforts to expand infrastructure, promote agricultural development and improve access to electricity in rural areas.
The stakeholders at the meeting called for continued consultation and dialogue throughout the implementation of the project, stressing the importance of ensuring that the host communities were adequately carried along and benefited from the development.
The proposed 100MW solar project is expected to contribute to electricity generation while supporting agricultural and other economic activities in the benefiting communities.
By Dabod Owei
The Convener/Chief Executive Officer of the Africa Blue Economy Roundtable (ABER), Dr. Piriye Kiyaramo, has commended the Governor of Bayelsa State, Sen. Douye Diri, for hosting two fishermen rescued from São Tomé and Príncipe and for formally handing them over to Ambassador Carlos Manuel Moreno, the country’s Ambassador to Nigeria.
The fishermen, Mr. Pedro Mateus and Mr. Isnaic Dafonseca, were rescued eight days ago by residents of Agge, a coastal community in Ekeremor Local Government Area, after they strayed into Nigerian waters while fishing. They were subsequently handed over to the Bayelsa State Government by the Chairman of Ekeremor LGA, Hon. Isaac Onniye.
Speaking during the handover ceremony at his country home in Sampou, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, Governor Diri said:
“First, I thank God for a day like this. Our brothers from São Tomé and Príncipe who lost their way while on their fishing expedition have been found here in Bayelsa State.
Let it be on record that this is the second time we are receiving our brothers from São Tomé and Príncipe. The last time was in Brass LGA, and this time in Ekeremor LGA, both coastal communities on the Atlantic Ocean. I keep saying that all three senatorial districts of Bayelsa lead to the Atlantic Ocean.
I thank God for the lives of these two gentlemen. They are now healthy. I also commend the prompt response of the Embassy. As soon as the Chairman of Ekeremor LGA informed us that our African brothers had been at sea for about eight days and strayed into Nigerian waters, precisely Bayelsa, I directed that they be brought to Yenagoa.
For me, every citizen, no matter how lowly or highly placed, is important. We must treat every person with the equity and equality they deserve. I now officially hand them over to you, so that the bond and friendship between Nigeria and São Tomé and Príncipe, and specifically Bayelsa, will continue to grow from strength to strength.”
The Governor was joined by Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy; Mrs. Faith Zibs-Godwin, Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy; Mr. Irorodamie Komonibo, Acting Chief of Staff, Government House, Yenagoa; and other top government officials.
Ambassador Carlos Manuel Moreno was accompanied by Ms. Jerushah Danboyi, Executive Secretary of the Embassy of São Tomé and Príncipe.
Dr. Kiyaramo described the gesture as a clear demonstration of Bayelsa’s commitment to African solidarity, maritime safety, and the core principles of the Blue Economy.
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