News
States Reject Local Government Autonomy
States in Nigeria have turned down the Federal Governments efforts to grant financial autonomy to the 774 Local Government Areas across the Federation. This was occasioned by the State Houses of Assembly’s refusal to grant concurrence to the passage of the Bill by the National Assembly.
This was disclosed by the National Assembly, Tuesday afternoon, during plenary. The house wondered why only 35 scaled through at the various State Assemblies out of 44 Constitutional Amendment Bills forwarded to them for concurrence.
The Nigerian Senate while urging the remaining 9 State Houses of Assembly that are yet to forward their resolutions on the Constitution Amendment to do so without delay, directed the Clerk of the House to transmit the 35 that have so far received concurrence in accordance to section 9(2) of the Nigerian Constitution to President Muhammadu Buhari for assent.
According to the Senate, the Houses of Gombe, Kebbi, Jigawa, Oyo, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kwara, Plateau, and Taraba states are yet to transmit their resolutions on the Construction Amendment whose process now has exactly 4 months and 5 days to the end of the tenure of the 9th National Assembly.
IduwiniVoice recall that the National Assembly had severally lamented the delay by the State Assemblies to hear and resolve on the Amendment Bills sent to them over 10 months ago, in March 2022.
This is not the first of it’s kind as previous National Assemblies including the 8th Assembly led by Senator Bukola Saraki had made efforts at amending the 1999 Constitution to carry onboard the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians in line with contemporary realities.
IduwiniVoice recall also that, only 12 of the 17 bills sent to the State Houses of Assembly for concurrence in a similar exercise by the Saraki-led 8th Assembly were favoured by the State Assemblies while 5, including the Local Government Autonomy Bill, were rejected.
With less than five months to go, can the 9th Assembly which expressed optimism at bequiting a better Constitution by repealing and amending those rejected bills and more on assuming office in June 2019 meet up? Or it will as well fail to deliver like the many others before it.
HIGH CHIEF SUNNY GBEGHA JP CELEBRATES DAUGHTER’S ACADEMIC MILESTONES
By: Daire Perez
Okija, Anambra State – Father and community leader, High Chief Sunny Gbegha JP, the Egbakarewei of Iduwini Kingdom, Delta State, has expressed immense joy and gratitude to God as his daughter, Miss Gbegha Tamarauikiye Favour, successfully completed notable academic milestones at Madonna University, Okija.
Miss Favour graduated with a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) Degree in Banking and Finance, earning an impressive Second-Class Upper (2.1) classification. Going a step further in her academic pursuit, she has also obtained a Master of Science (M.Sc.) Degree in Banking and Finance from the same institution.
This has received warm reactions from family and friends with many congratulating the young lad. I a message filled with joy, High Chief Gbegha described his daughter’s achievements as a testament to hard work, discipline, and divine grace. He noted that her academic excellence brings honour not only to their family but also to the wider community.
Community members, friends, and well-wishers have continued to congratulate Miss Favour for her outstanding accomplishments, celebrating her as an inspiration to young scholars across the region.
IduwiniVoice joins in this congratulations to our shining young lady.
(c) IduwiniVoice
By: Divine Perezide
Former leader of Burutu Legislative House, Rt. Hon. Joseph Alubeze, has expressed heartfelt birthday felicitations to the his former boss and leader, Rt. Hon. Julius Gbabozor Pondi, Member Representing Burutu Federal Constituency and the Chairman, House Committee on the South-South Development Commission.
In his congratulatory message, Alubeze described Pondi as an astute leader whose antecedent smarcks of nothing but people-oriented service and dedication that continue to inspire many within and beyond the Constituency.
“Happy Blessed Birthday to you, my Dear Leader, Rt. Hon. Julius Pondi – Member Representing Burutu Federal Constituency and Chairman, South-South Development Commission,” he started.
He prayed for renewed wisdom, strength, and greater achievement for the federal lawmaker as he marks a new year. “May this new year of yours be filled with wisdom, strength, and greater accomplishments as you continue to serve with dedication and grace,” he added.
Hon. Alubeze, a former leader of Burutu House wished his principal Pondi, whose was his predecessor, many more fruitful years in good health, acknowledging his commitment to the advancement of the South-South region and the nation at large, closing his message with a heartfelt best wishes to the celebrant on his special day.
News
Good News: Presidential Amnesty Office Commences Second Phase of Laptop Distribution to Scholarship Delegates
By: Divine Perezide
Abuja – The Otuaro-led Presidential Amnesty Office, popularly known as PAP, has commenced the second phase of laptop distribution to its scholarship beneficiaries across Nigerian Universities for the 2024/2025 academic year.
According to a statement signed by Mr. Igoniko Oduma, Special Assistant on Media to the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, the initiative is part of efforts to enhance learning and research amongst students under the programme.
The exercise, which began following the directive of the Administrator, Chief (Dr.) Dennis Otuaro, makes a continuation of the first phase carried out between April and May 2025, during which over 663 final-year scholarship beneficiaries received laptops.
Dr Otuaro explained that the decision to promoting academic excellence and research productivity. He noted that the gesture also fulfills a promise he made to students during his tour of partner Universities in 2024.
“The laptops are intended to aid the beneficiaries in their studies and research activities” Otuaro state, urging the students to use the devices responsibility and to justify the Federal Governmtent’s modest investment in their education.
He also advised the beneficiaries to remain focus on their academic pursuit and avoid behaviours that could undermine their future prospects.
Reaffirming his administration’s objectives, Dr. Otuaro said the PAP will continue to achieve academic succes, contributing to the socio-economic advancement of the Niger Delta region.
He expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his consistent support for the programme, describing it as a demonstration of commitment to bridging the human capital development gaping the region.
Dr. Otuaro further urged the youths and people of the region to reciprocate the President’s gesture by supporting his administration’s policies and programmes.
He reaffirmed the PAP’s dedication to consolidating on its achievements in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration.
(c) IduwiniVoice