News
Ndume Declares For Senate Presidency, Releases 10-Agenda
Former Senate leader and Senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume has declared interest to contest for the office of the Senate President in the 10th Assembly and release a 10-point agenda.
Ndume is the first among those justly for the office of the Senate President to release an agenda for the Senate and the Nigerian people.
Ndume who had an unsuccessful bid to be the Senate President in the 9th Assembly, urged Nigerians especially his political party to allow lawmakers to select their leaders because of the fairness of the office.
According to Ndume, as one of the ranking lawmakers, he deserves to take a shot at the contest adding that his colleagues will decide on the floor.
In the 10-point agenda, Ndume said he will put Nigeria and Nigerian interest first.
“The Senate President should be one not first among equals. Work harmoniously and interdependently with the executive and the Judicial Arms of Government without undermining the principles of Separation of Power; make new laws and review existing ones to meet the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians. Especially, A. Security and welfare of Citizens, B. Job Creation, C. Economic and Infrastructural Development, D. Fight against Corruption, G. Education, H. Political inclusion/ Power devolution, E. Business and Entrepreneurship development, and F. Health Care Development.
Other items in Ndume’s 10-point agenda are: Amend and review existing tax laws to:- Generate more income, Block leakages; ensure transparency through open accountability with full participation of all Senators; Protect and improve on welfare, rights and privileges of National Assembly Workers, inculcate es-spirit de-corps in order to utilize the experiences of former members by engaging them as consultants to members and Committees in order to tap from their experiences, set a timeline for confirmations, passage of Bills especially budgets and executive requests and Pass the Constituency Development Bill to ensure transparency, equity, fairness, efficiency and effectiveness of Constituency Projects.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Ndume who confirmed his interest to vie for the office of the Senate President in the 10th Assembly, said it is subject to the position of the party and the fairness of that position.
“Subject to the position of the party and the fairness of the position of the Senate President, I intend to throw in my hat to the position of the Senate President. It is for my colleagues to decide.
“Many people have been saying that I am quiet about vying for the office of the Senate President. I have declared my interest now. The party did not take a position on zoning during the presidential election.
“It will be very fair because I was one of the people that advocated for the zoning of the office of the president to the South.
“The Senators will decide who will lead them. We went through the election and won the election. The position of the Senate should not be zoned.
“Femi Gbajabiamila as a speaker came from the same region as the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. Allow the Senators to decide on who best to lead them.
“If we are copying the American system, as the most senior senator, I will become the Senate President. Let the 109 senators decide who will lead them,” Ndume said.
The Troops of Sub-Sector 4, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, ambushed bandits and neutralised three of them off the Kaduna-Abuja highway.
Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations, 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Lt-Col. Musa Yahaya, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Wednesday in Kaduna.
Yahaya said, “In a well-coordinated operation on Tuesday, troops of Sub-Sector 4, Operation FANSAN YAMMA successfully neutralised three Violent Extremists and Insurgents (VEIs) in an ambush at an area near Ngwagi Hill, Gwagwada Community, off the Kaduna – Abuja highway in Chikun LGA of Kaduna State.”
The spokesman said that the success of the operation was based on acting on credible intelligence that the VEI was sighted near Ngwagi Hill.
He said that troops were immediately deployed on long-range fighting patrol to the likely road-crossing point of the insurgents.
According to him, the troops got to the location at about 5.30 p.m. on the same date. They successfully launched the ambush, which effectively neutralised three armed members of the criminal group.
“During the operation, troops also recovered a cache of arms and ammunition, including two AK-47 rifles, eight AK-47 rifle magazines, 374 rounds of 7.62mm x 39 special ammunition and 88 rounds of 7.62mm x 54 NATO ammunition.
Other items recovered were one Infinix mobile phone, medical supplies, clothing, and dry rations, ” Yahaya said.
He said the operation’s success was a testament to the troops’ high fighting morale and combat efficiency.
“This achievement is also due to the effective collaboration between the military and intelligence agencies, which provided credible intelligence that informed the operation.
He said the General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Nigerian Army, and Commander Sector 1 Joint Task Force Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Maj.-Gen. Mayirenso Saraso, commended the troops for their resilience and successful conduct of the operation.
He charged the troops not to relent on their oars until all criminal elements operating in the Division and the Sector’s area of operational responsibility were neutralised.
NAN
Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has flagged off the commencement of the Kabala Costain to Aliyu Makama Link Dual Carriage Road, a project abandoned by the previous administration after completing only 30 per cent.
The Governor, who performed the ceremony near the Kabala Costain link bridge on Wednesday, said that his administration has already mobilized the contractor to ensure that the remaining 70% of the project is completed in record time.
“This road is a vital artery that will connect the vibrant communities of Kaduna South to Kaduna North Local Government Areas.
“It is more than an infrastructure, but a lifeline, channel for commerce and a pathway to opportunity,” the governor said.
He added that the road would also serve as an alternative route for long-distance travellers, enhancing easy movement from the northeastern and northwestern parts of the country to the Federal Capital Territory and beyond.
Sani recalled his campaign promise to construct 50 kilometres of road in all 23 local governments.
“In the past 20 months, our administration has initiated over 78 road projects across Kaduna State, covering a total of approximately 775 kilometres.
“These projects are not just numbers; they represent the dreams and aspirations of our people. We are steadily fulfilling our promises to the good people of Kaduna State. We are simultaneously transforming rural and urban poor communities that have often been overlooked,” he added.
The Governor praised the state’s people for maintaining peace, emphasizing the nexus between peace and development.
“I want to commend the people of Kaduna State for the prevailing peace in the state. We have not experienced any ethno-religious crisis in the last 22 months. This is a testament to the resilience and determination of our people,” he said.
Speaking earlier, the Managing Director of Kaduna State Roads Agency, Dr Abdullahi Ahmed, disclosed that outstanding debts related to the completed portion of the project totalled N2.2 billion.
“I am pleased to announce that Governor Uba Sani has already approved and mobilised the contractor with more than 50 per cent of the funds to complete this great project,” he said.
Ahmed explained that the project was initially abandoned due to significant geological challenges, including poor soil conditions and waste deposits.
“However, Governor Sani has ensured that the contractors are adequately mobilized to overcome these challenges,” he added.
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
In their dedication to ensuring zero dose, the African Health Budget Network (AHBN) has appealed to mother’s and caregivers in Sokoto State to always prioritize child immunization always.
Making the appeal in a signed press release as part of their commitment to the ongoing International Women Day’s celebration, AHBN) State Focal Person,
Umar Garba Kadi, said vaccines are safe and protect children from preventable diseases.
Garba Kadi who also appreciated Sokoto State government for it’s support to ensuring meeting a zero dose, however, appealed for more commitment and support to make immunization more appealing and accessible especially for parents and caregivers at the rural areas.
Continuing, Kadi said,
“The observance of the International Women Day, is draw attention to the importance of women and the critical roles they play generally. And in line with that, we want to also use the avenue to send a reminder of the importance of prioritizing our children’s health.
“We therefore, urge all mothers and caregivers to ensure their children receive all recommended vaccines,” Garba Kadi advised.
Talking on the mission of African Health Budget Network, the Sokoto State Focal Person, Garba Kadi re-affirmed that it is dedicated to advocating for health budget transparency and sustainability and ensuring all children receive life saving vaccinations.