JUST IN: Reps Finally Approves Direct, Indirect Primary In Amended Electoral Bill

The House of Representatives on Wednesday, reintroduced the rejected Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2021, and approved direct and indirect primary clauses as a mode of electing candidates by political parties for general elections.

FirstNigeriaTv recall that President Muhammadu Buhari had in December 2021 withheld his assent to the bill transmitted to him, citing the impracticality of the mandatory direct primary mode earlier recommended by the two Chambers of the National Assembly.

The rejection, however, compelled both the House and the Senate to reconsider the bill and vote to expunge the mandatory direct primary Clause.

Consequently, the Bill was reintroduced on Wednesday at the Plenary. While reconsidering the bill in the committee of the whole, the House unanimously passed the provisions Section 84(2) that accommodate direct and indirect mode of primaries.

Senate Okays Establishment Of National Rice Development Council

The Senate on Wednesday passed a Bill seeking to establish the National Rice Development Council.

The passage of the Bill followed the consideration of a report by the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development at plenary on Wednesday.https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?client=ca-pub-7007417018360777&output=html&h=312&adk=1021805134&adf=523006923&pi=t.aa~a.829776362~i.8~rp.4&w=375&lmt=1642608634&num_ads=1&rafmt=1&armr=3&sem=mc&pwprc=2278811032&psa=1&ad_type=text_image&format=375×312&url=https%3A%2F%2Fthewillnigeria.com%2Fnews%2Fsenate-approves-establishment-of-national-rice-development-council%2F&flash=0&fwr=1&pra=3&rh=280&rw=335&rpe=1&resp_fmts=3&sfro=1&wgl=1&fa=27&dt=1642609859922&bpp=6&bdt=1555&idt=-M&shv=r20220113&mjsv=m202201120101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3Dc7b0edbe1de5cc97-22671d8bedce0032%3AT%3D1642609686%3ART%3D1642609686%3AS%3DALNI_MZcWEad6ki3Q0ZQZBUCdLm6OS3q-Q&prev_fmts=0x0%2C375x312%2Cauto&nras=2&correlator=223095431567&frm=20&pv=1&ga_vid=1839812695.1637077137&ga_sid=1642609859&ga_hid=1457603485&ga_fc=1&u_tz=60&u_his=2&u_h=812&u_w=375&u_ah=812&u_aw=375&u_cd=32&u_sd=3&adx=0&ady=1616&biw=375&bih=635&scr_x=0&scr_y=0&eid=31063752%2C44750773%2C31064070%2C31060047&oid=2&pvsid=2636846746764746&pem=104&tmod=698&nvt=1&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fthewillnigeria.com%2Fnews%2F&eae=0&fc=1408&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C375%2C0%2C375%2C812%2C375%2C635&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&abl=NS&fu=128&bc=31&ifi=5&uci=a!5&btvi=2&fsb=1&xpc=M72VQuBIry&p=https%3A//thewillnigeria.com&dtd=6

Chairman of the Committee, Senator Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa West), in his presentation, said that the Bill seeks to establish a Council that would lead to a comprehensive development of the rice sector and the organisation of rice stakeholders to enhance local production of rice in Nigeria.

He explained that the establishment of the Council would transform the activities of rice farmers, rice processors, millers, researchers, marketers and other important stakeholders across the entire rice value chain, particularly the clusters of smallholder rice farmers and small scale millers spread all over the country.

Court Grants Nnamdi Kanu N1 Billion For Illegal Invasion

A High Court sitting in Umuahia, Abia State has ordered the federal government and the Nigerian Army to pay Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) the sum of N1 billion.

FirstNigeriaTV reports Justice Benson Anya gave the order on Wednesday while delivering judgement on a suit filed against the FG, the Army and others by Mazi Kanu.

Justice Anya, while delivering the judgement, also ordered the FG, the Army and others to tender an apology to the IPOB leader for the invasion of his house in September 2017.

The Umuahia High Court ruled that the invasion of Kanu’s house was illegal and that the FG and the Army violated the Fundamental Human Rights of the IPOB leader.

Lagos State Govt. Closes Down 6 lounges and night clubs

The Lagos State Safety Commission has said it sealed lounges and night clubs in Ikeja over the lack of compliance which is part of its 2022 Zero Accident Campaign (ZAC).

The Director General/CEO, Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr Lanre Mojola, stated in a statement in Lagos on Tuesday that ZAC is determined to ensure that all workplaces and public facilities are safe for all visitors and workers alike.

Mojola said that the action on some Bars, Lounges and Night Clubs became necessary due to their contravention of the State Government regulations despite several efforts to ensure compliance.

The Safety Commission boss said that the lack of fire extinguishers, poor hygiene and housekeeping, lack of safety signages and inadequate parking spaces had caused traffic gridlocks and other safety infractions identified by the Commission. He further reiterated that similar enforcement exercises would take place across the State as the Lagos State Safety Commission continues to discharge its duties.

Troops neutralize 3 terrorists, free 8 citizens in Kaduna

Kaduna State Government on Tuesday said troops engaged some bandits in Chikun, Igabi and Giwa Local Government Areas, killing three of them.

The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan, made the disclosure on behalf of the government in a statement he issued in Kaduna.

Aruwan, who did not give details of the encounter and the date of the incident, also said eight kidnapped victims where rescued in Chikun Local Government Area.

According to him, military authorities had reported the incident to the state government, adding that troops engaged and repelled the terrorists during an operation. The Commissioner quoted Gov. Nasir El-Rufa’i as expressing gratitude to the troops for their brave efforts during the encounter.

Buhari Guarantees Nigerians Better Prices For Rice

President Muhammadu Buhari has urged Nigerians to exercise some patience as the growing food production in the country, especially expansion in rice farming, will eventually bring down prices of food, making it more affordable for all.

The President spoke on Tuesday at the official commissioning ceremony of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)/Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) Rice Paddy Pyramids at the Abuja International Trade Fair Complex.

A statement issued by Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, quoted his Principal, said more than 4.8 million smallholder farmers across Nigeria have been supported by Anchor Borrowers’ Programme, with increase in production of 23 agricultural commodities including maize, rice, oil palm, cocoa, cotton, cassava, tomato and livestock.

The President explained that the large margins in the business of rice had also encouraged more people to show interest in investing in agribusiness.

FG Commends NCC Commitment To Enhancing Digital Skill In Youths

The Federal Government has applauded the commitment and dedication of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) towards enhancing digital skills development among youths, through implementation of various Information and Communication Technology skill acquisition programmes.

Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, gave the commendation during the inauguration of a Digital Nigeria Centre (DNC), a project executed by the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), an arm of NCC, at the Ijesa Muslim Grammar School, Ilesa, Osun State recently.

Representing President Muhamadu Buhari at the event, Aregbesola commended the NCC for timely and thorough implementation of the project, saying he was confident that the project will promote the connection of public secondary schools to broadband internet in Ilesa community and ultimately equip beneficiaries with 21st century skills.

On the sideline of the commissioning, Aregbesola also announced the establishment of President Muhammadu Buhari N100 million Technology Fund for Youth Empowerment, to nudge the emergence of world class technology experts. The Minister of Interior stated that the Fund targets 2,000 youths in the next two years, who will be provided with devices for training in different areas such as software development and design, amongst others.

Senate To Speed Up Action On Electoral Bill – Lawan

Senate President Ahmad Lawan on Tuesday assured that the red chamber would expedite action on the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2021, having concluded all consultations on the President’s observations.

FirstNigeriaTV recalls that the Senate had postponed discussions on the consideration of the response of President Muhammadu Buhari on the Electoral Act 2010 (Amendment) Bill 2021 in December last year.

Lawan, in an address delivered at the start of plenary to welcome Senators back from the Christmas and New Year holiday, on Tuesday, said the postponed discussions became imperative to enable the chamber to consult with its counterparts in the House of Representatives and their constituents, respectively.

According to him, the chamber would expeditiously look into the Electoral Bill having concluded all the needed consultations on the President’s response.

Buhari’s Campaign Coordinator Pasali Is Dead

The Coordinator, President Muhammadu Buhari Campaign Organisation (BCO), Alhaji Danladi Pasali, is dead.

Pasali died on Tuesday afternoon in an Abuja hospital, after a protracted illness.

His younger brother, Ali Pasali, confirmed the development in Jos, Plateau state capital. “Our brother Alahij Danladi Garba Pasali, has just died in a private hospital in Abuja”, he said.

Late Pasali was President Buhari’s chief campaigner, during the 2015 and 2019 general elections. He was also until his death the National Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association (IPMAN). He is survived by one wife and many children.

Senate Implore FG To Immortalise Former Interim President Ernest Shonekan

The Senate has asked the Federal Government to Immortalise the former Head of the Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan.

The directives followed a motion titled, “Passage of Chief Ernest Shonekan, GCFR, (May, 9th 1936 – Tuesday, 11th January 2022)” and sponsored by the Senate leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, All Progressives Congress, APC, Kebbi North.

FirstNigeriaTVhad reported that the former President died on Tuesday, January 11, 2021. He was 89.

The Senate had observed a minute silence in honour of the late Shonekan, just as it has resolved to send a delegation to condole with the Shonekan family, the Government, and people of Ogun state.