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Ugokwe Pledges To Restore Legislative Excellence And Accountability In Senate

From Chukwu David, Abuja Anambra Central Senatorial District aspirant for 2027 election, Prof. Jerry Ugokwe, has pledged to restore legislative excellence and accountability, if elected to...

Politics2 weeks ago

Ugokwe Pledges To Restore Legislative Excellence And Accountability In Senate From Chukwu David, Abuja 29/11/2025. Anambra Central Senatorial District aspirant for 2027 election, Prof. Jerry Ugokwe, has pledged to restore legislative excellence and accountability, if elected to the Senate. Ugokwe made the promise in a blueprint he marshalled out, comprising what he tagged “thematic pillars and eight action agenda” while declaring his intention to contest in the 2027 general elections. He observed that though the Legislature is the heart-beat of democracy in any society, yet public confidence in this important arm of government had declined in Nigeria due to some gaps between constituents and their lawmakers. According to him, Studies by the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) show that only 27% of Nigerians believe legislators effectively represent their constituencies. Under his first agenda which is to restore legislative excellence and accountability, Ugokwe, who served in the House of Representatives from 1999-2003, promised to sponsor and support bills that promote transparency, fiscal responsibility, and access to information. He also expressed his readiness to strengthen oversight mechanisms to ensure every kobo of federal spending in Anambra Central delivers visible results to his constituents, if elected into office. The former Nigeria’s Ambassador to Austria and Slovakia, promised further that he would promote the digitalization of the legislative process— to publish voting records, committee reports, and public hearings online. Ugokwe also promised that he would convene the Anambra Central Legislative Accountability Forum every quarter to brief citizens on his work at the Senate. The politician also assured that he would make youth empowerment and jobs creation one of his priorities, if given the opportunity to serve in the Senate in 2027. He lamented that over 60% of Anambra Central’s population was under 35, yet youth unemployment remained a major concern, with thousands of graduates underemployed or jobless. Other agenda of Ugokwe include: advancing education and human capital development and strengthening infrastructure and community development, saying that he would attract TETFund and UBEC projects for schools’ rehabilitation and e-learning facilities as well as attract Federal University of Medicine and Medical Sciences, among others. Also, the aspirant, who is a chieftain of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), said that he would give serious attention to promoting women’s inclusion and social welfare, observing that women form 52% of Nigeria’s population, yet their representation in governance remained below 10%. “I will advocate for gender equality and protection bills in the Senate, create a women’s empowerment fund for micro-businesses and rural cooperatives, support healthcare access for mothers, widows, and elderly women; ensure women’s full participation in constituency decision-making forums,” he promised. Other areas Ugokwe said that he would give priority legislative interventions if elected in 2027 include: enhancing security and peace-building; health, environment, and sustainable development and diaspora engagement and global partnerships. Prof. Jerry Sonny Ugokwe, in addition to being a politician, is an academic of great repute and former diplomat, who in June, 2023, became the first Professor of Governance and Legislative Studies at Nnamdi Azikiwe University’s Awka Business School. End

From Chukwu David, Abuja Anambra Central Senatorial District aspirant for 2027 election, Prof. Jerry Ugokwe, has pledged to restore legislative excellence and accountability, if elected to...

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Sugar Sweetened Beverages: Stakeholders disagree on higher Excise Duty Ignatius Okorocha ,Abuja Sharp disagreement ensued on Thursday among critical stakeholders in the Finance and Health sectors on move by the Senate to increase excise duty on Carbonated Sugar Sweetened Beverages (SSB) through amendment of extant law . The Senate Committees on Finance and Customs had pursuant to further consideration of a Bill seeking for percent levy of excise duty per litre of SSB , in discouraging consumption of high sugar by Nigerians , organized public hearing on the legislation . But at the public hearing chaired by the Chairman of Senate Committee on Finance , Senator Sani Musa ( Niger East), stakeholders disagreed by either supporting or kicking against the proposed legislation . Specifically, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare , Professor Muhammad Ali Pate in his submission , declared that his ministry supported the proposed bill which according to him, represents a progressive, evidence-based approach to public health financing. “We commend the Senate for proposing a bill that seeks to increase the excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and earmark part of the revenue for health promotion. “This measure demonstrates strong political will, aligns fiscal policy with public health goals, and provides sustainable financing for prevention programmes—critical steps toward achieving universal health coverage”, he said . He added by recommending to the committee to Increase the current SSB excise tax from ₦10 per litre to at least 20% of the retail price, in line with the World Health Organization’s recommendation, earmark or plough back at least 40% of the revenue generated to fund public health programmes specifically targeted at the prevention and control of diet-related non-communicable diseases. According to him, if we fail to act now, in 10 to 20 years , we will face a far higher burden of diabetes, hypertension, and other complications that will place even greater demands on our fiscal resources for treatment, saying ” Prevention is far more cost-effective than cure” . Though representatives from other stakeholders like the Nigeria Cancer Society , Diabetes Association of Nigeria etc , supported the proposed bill , but the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria ( MAN),The Ministry of Finance , Nigeria Employers Consultative Association ( NECA) etc, kicked against . MAN, represented by one of its Directors , Mr Adeyemi Folorunsho said the proposed law may lead to job losses in the manufacturing sector and called for restraint . He debunked the claim that consumption of SSB by Nigerians leads to diabetes, obesity and other related diseases . According to him, ” contrary to erroneous belief , Nigeria has the lowest rate of Sugar consumption in the world which is 8.3million kilogramnes as against 22.1million kilogrammes that it’s supposed to be . He advised the committee to adopt win – win engagement and approach for the proposed legislation . The Committee Chairman in his closing remarks , assured all the stakeholders that legislation that would be presented to Nigerians at the end of the day , shall be fair , transparent and people oriented

By George Mgbeleke Sharp disagreement ensued on Thursday among critical stakeholders in the Finance and Health sectors on move by the Senate to increase excise duty...

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