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Senate urges FG to include LGs’ representatives in Account Allocations Committee

By Our Reporter
Senate on Tuesday urged the federal government to ensure that one representative of local government per state and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Area Councils are included to represent their interest in the Federation Account Allocations Committee, FAAC.
The Red Chamber, which also resolved to communicate the resolution to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy as the chairman of FAAC for his urgent information and necessary action, sought the concurrence of the House of Representatives.
These followed a motion on the “Urgent need to alter the composition of Federation Account Allocations Committee, FAAC by including representatives of local governments and Area Councils”, sponsored by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Jibrin Barau (APC Kano North) during plenary.
Presenting the motion, Senator Barau said that the representatives of the states had always represented local government councils at the FAAC, but declared that in light of the current position of the constitution, as interpreted by the Supreme Court, it has become imperative that representatives of local government councils per state and Area Councils be nominated to represent their interest in FAAC.
The Deputy Senate President, who spoke through Senator Jibrin Isah (APC Kogi East), noted that the local government councils, established by Section 7(1) of the 1999 constitution, as a third tier of the Federation, are entitled as such and by Section 162(3), to share directly in the Federation Account Allocations as benefitting entities.
He added that “the Supreme Court has further recognized that the approach of a direct payment to the local government councils will achieve the intention and purpose of the constitution and accord with the smooth running of the system of paying the local government councils their allocations from the Federation Account.”
“The Supreme Court has also pronounced to the effect that paying the local government councils through the states of the Federation has not worked, therefore, justice demands that local government councils allocations from the Federation Account should henceforth be paid directly to the local government councils,” he informed.
Senator Barau went further that “Section 5 of the Allocation of Revenue (Federation Account, etc) Act 1981 prescribes the membership of the Federation Account Allocations Committee, FAAC to be only representatives of the federal government and state governments to the exclusion of the third tier of government, i.e local government councils”, adding that”this provision of the Act is no longer consistent with the current interpretation of Sections 162(5) and (6) CFRN 1999 as recently determined by the Supreme Court in its judgment of July 2024.”
He, therefore, said it has become imperative to urgently harmonize the provisions of Section 5 of the Act with the Constitution and its current interpretation by the Supreme Court.
All the senators who who contributed to the motion commended its sponsor and advised that it should be brought as a bill so that it could be processed and passed into law.
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2nd Phase Leaders Complete Training on Leadership and Mediation – Gen. Elaye Lauds Otuaro’s Visionary Drive

By David Owei,Bayelsa
The 2nd Phase Camp Leaders’ training on “Leadership, Alternative Dispute Resolution and Mediation”, sponsored by the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), has successfully come to a close Friday on a commendable note.
The intensive leadership-building initiative, held under the distinguished leadership of the Administrator of the PAP, High Chief Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro, aimed to equip leaders with practical skills in peacebuilding, mediation, and conflict resolution—critical tools for sustaining peace in the Niger Delta region.
Reacting to the successful completion of the programme, General Elaye ThankGod Dollar Slaboh, National Chairman of the Third Phase Presidential Amnesty Programme, alongside his national leadership, congratulated the participants for their commitment and active engagement throughout the training.
General Elaye commended Dr. Otuaro for his visionary leadership and strategic direction, which is rapidly changing the dynamics of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, shifting it towards human capital development and long-term peace.
He emphasized that such initiatives are essential for reinforcing grassroots leadership and consolidating the peace already being enjoyed in the region.
> “This training is not just a success for the 2nd Phase; it is a win for the entire Niger Delta. The wisdom of High Chief Otuaro in investing in leadership and conflict resolution will continue to bear fruit,” General Elaye stated.
The Presidential Amnesty Programme continues to champion developmental engagements that bridge gaps, empower beneficiaries, and promote sustainable peace in the Niger Delta.
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Regional Development Minister,Engr Momoh bags Awards

Regional Development Minister,Engr Momoh bags Awards
By Our Correspondent
Minister of Regional Development, Engineer Abubakar Momoh has been conferred with two Awards by the Institute of Professional Economists and Management Policy (IPEPM) tagged ‘ Excellent Leadership Award and Professional Doctorate Fellowship Award”.
Receiving the Awards today in his office, Engr. Momoh, expressed profound gratitude for the recognition and reiterated that true governance is about leaving a lasting legacies.
He further said “My track record speaks for itself and is a testament to the awards I have received “.
He used the opportunity to commend the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his visionary leadership and resilience in ensuring the holistic development of the country.
According to him, the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Regional Development is a bold step to integrate all Regional Development Commissions under one coordinated umbrella.
The Ministér said that the recognition bestowed upon him further reinforces his commitment to service and to impact mankind.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation who is the Executive Secretary/ National Coordinator of the Institute, Dr. Musa Aliu Yakub Okhumeode, said the courtesy visit was to present the prestigious Awards in recognition of his exceptional leadership and contribution to regional and national Development, as well as to seek partnership in strategic training programmes.
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Minna Lack of Sensitisation responsible for transporting small arms and light weapons to criminal gangs-Enanch and offi officials

By Uthman-Baba Naseer,Minna
The Zonal Director, North Central, National Centre for Small Arms and Light Weapons Mr Abdul Adamu Enenche made the submission during a visit to the Niger State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ in Minna.
Of recent, many Nigerians have been apprehended with cache of arms and ammunitions meant for delivery to bandits, kidnappers and other criminals.
This has raised questions as to why some individuals will willingly allow themselves to be used as couriers of illegal weapons to criminals.
The Zonal Director, National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, Mr Abdul Adamu Enenche said lack sensitisation on dangers of such acts and intelligence from people are contributing to the spread of arms.
He observed that porous or poorly managed borders and activities of local fabricators who manufacture guns are other sources of weapons proliferation that the Centre is trying to address.
Mr Adamu Enenche who solicited the support of members of the NUJ to enable the Centre to achieve its objectives, promised to synergize with other sister agencies.
The Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ, Niger State Council, Comrade Abu Nmodu expressed optimism that there would be great reduction of criminal activities once the issue of small arms are resolved.
Comrade Nmodu urged the Centre to be open for collaboration with the Union especially in the area of training members on it’s activities.
Across section of members of the Union who spoke on the occasion stressed the need for the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons to deploy officers of the Centre to the grassroots for easy intelligence gathering.
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