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LG Autonomy: Respect Supreme Court judgement, Akpabio tells govs
Akpabio
IduwiniVoice
LG Autonomy: Respect Supreme Court judgement, Akpabio tells govs
Akpabio
— Impossibility has become reality – Speaker
— LGAs emancipated — AGF
By Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Abuja
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, advised state governors on Thursday to respect the Supreme Court judgement that granted autonomy to the 774 local government areas in the country.
This is as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Trajudeen Abbas, has described the judgment as an impossibility that has become a reality.
Speaking to State House correspondents after meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Akpabio said, “Recall that the request was placed before the courts by the AGF because the Federal Government, through President Bola Tinubu, feels strongly about separation of powers and the need for autonomy of all arms of governments.
“And so for us in the legislature, the Supreme Court has spoken, and we have no option but to abide by the Supreme Court ruling.
“So, I will just call on all states of the federation to respect what the Supreme Court has done, and then we will go back to the legislature and see where we can dot the i’s and cross the t’s to ensure full implementation.
“Because you know the words of the Supreme Court are like the words of the king, they cannot go down to the ground without implementation.
“So I think this is a great day for democracy, and I congratulate the president for this initiative. And I know that all Nigerians now know that local government administration is an arm of government meant for the grassroots, and their money should be for the grassroots.
“And definitely, local governments can now undertake projects on their own. So it’s a great day for democracy and the beginning of great things to come.
“What will you be telling governors who seem not to conduct elections at local government level?
“I have seen the judgement; I will study the judgement. But at the same time, I advise there should be an impartial election at the local government level so that all the political parties can participate.
“At the moment, there’s a lot of lethargy and nonchalant attitude by many political parties whose parties are not in power at the state level, they hardly partake in local government elections because of the perceived bandwagon effect and all that.
“So, it’s a great thing that the Supreme Court has done the needful, and now we have to go back and think, working with the AGF’s office and the parliament to see how we can ensure that there’s real election at the LG levels.
“I think once that is done, everybody will have confidence. It’s progress for democracy, and that is how it should be. So we congratulate the justices of the Supreme Court, and we in the parliament are determined to make sure there’s enforceability.”
Describing the judgement as an impossibility that has become a reality, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Trajudeen Abbas, said, “The members have been very happy because history has been made. This is an issue that has been before the parliament for the past twenty years.
“All the constitutional amendments that were so far carried by the National Assembly, one aspect of it has always been local government autonomy—how to make the LG work independently.
“Today, that impossibility became a reality; everyone is happy, and we are looking forward to LGs that will work functionally and that will be able to work on their own and extend goodwill to their own people undisturbed by the excesses by the state governors.”
On his part, the Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, said, “Naturally, one will be happy, should be happy; Nigerians are happy about it.
“I call it local government emancipation judgement because it has really emancipated the local government from the shackles of the past, and I hope that local government officials will look at it as an opportunity to develop their various local governments.”
On how to ensure compliance with the part of the judgment that requires state governments to conduct elections for government areas, he said:
“The ball is in the court of the governors; let us see what they will come out with, but the judgment is clear as to what they should do; the judgment is clear as to what consequences will be attached to failure or refusal to follow the judgment of the Supreme Court, which takes immediate effect.”
© Culled from Vanguard News 2024
By: Divine Perezide
The Imo State Government has introduced a new education policy prohibiting graduation ceremonies for Kindergarten, Nursery, and JSS3 students, alongside a ban on the yearly replacement of textbooks.
According to a memo dated August 15, 2025, and signed by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Bernard Ikegwuoha, only Primary 6 and Senior Secondary School 3 (SSS3) learners will now be allowed to hold graduation events-reflecting the structure of Nigeria’s 6-3-3-4 education model.
“The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is committed to providing quality and functional education to all students. Henceforth, graduation ceremonies and parties for Kindergarten, Nursery, and JSS3 students are hereby abolished,” the memo stated.
In a further move to ease the financial burden on parents and streamline academic consistency, the policy also mandates that approved textbooks must now be used for at least four years. This change is expected to allow siblings to reuse educational materials and prevent yearly replacement costs.
Violations-including frequent textbook changes or deviation from the approved list-are strongly discourage, The Guardian Nigeria reported in a related news.
Prof. Ikegwuoha emphasized in the directive that these reforms aim to reduce exploitative practices, foster learning continuity, and ensure focus remains on academic achievement rather than celebratory
By: Divine Perezide
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has arrived back in Nigeria following his participation at the Sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Geneva, Switzerland, and a short vacation in London. He touched down at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, in the early hours of today, around 4 a.m.
In a statement upon arrival, Akpabio explained: “At about 4 a.m. this morning, I landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport from London. While abroad, I attended the Sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Geneva from July 29 to 31, before proceeding to London for a brief vacation.”
Reaffirming his commitment to the Nigerian people, the Senate President assured that the legislature would resume with renewed energy. “Nigerians can expect vibrant legislative activities when we reconvene. Our delegation made a strong impression at the global parliamentary forum in Geneva. Together with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, we ensured Nigeria’s voice was well represented,” he said.
Akpabio further pledged that the National Assembly would continue to pursue meaningful collaboration with the executive and judiciary to advance the collective interest of citizens.
News
Great Loss As Family Announces The Painful Passing Iduwini-borne Billionaire Prince, Presley Gere Iyalahga
By: Miracle Palakia
Odimodi, Delta State – The Iyalahga and Diepregha families, Odimodi, Aghoro, and the entire Iduwini Kingdom in Delta and Bayelsa States, breaks silence on the painful loss of their son, Prince Presley Isele Gere Iyalahga, Billionaire businessman and Chief Executive Officer of Preslyn Group of Companies, who passed away on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at the age of 48.
Prince Presley was an illustrious son of two distinguished families: His Royal Majesty Gere J. Iyalagha, (Igbedikuru-II), the late Ibenanawei of Iduwini Kingdom, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, and the late Regent of Iduwini Kingdom (Delta & Bayelsa States), High Chief Diepregha Akpotelemor of Gberigberi-Idumu Quarters, Aghoro-I Community, Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The former President of the Iduwini National Youth Council for Peace and Development was a respected businessman and community leader, who’s untimely demise has thrown his family, friends, associates, community, and Kingdom into deep shock and sorrow. He’s survived by his beloved wife, Princess Preye Presley Iyalagha, and six children.
The families made known the development to newsmen on Saturday, August 16th, in a statement jointly signed by Mr. Oroupade Oweibe and George Diepregha for the families and his son, Prince Peremobowei Presley Iyalagha, for the children.
According to the statement, funeral rites will take place on Friday, August 29th, 2025. At 10 a.m., the body will depart Warri via Millar Jetty to his compound in Odimodi for a brief Funeral Service, lying in state, interment.
IduwiniVoice can report that Prince Presley Iyalagha’s passing marks not only the loss of a vibrant Royal entrepreneur but that of a leader in Iduwini Kingdom and Ijaw nation. His memory remains deeply cherished by the lives he touched and all who knew him.