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Senate amends Electoral Act, includes Statutory Delegates in Party Congresses and Conventions

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5 days ago

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Senate in Session
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The Senate has altered the Electoral Act Amendment Bill and provided for the participation of statutory delegates in the conventions, congresses or meetings of political parties in Nigeria.

The expeditious consideration followed the suspension of relevant Senate Rules to pave the way for the First, Second and Third Reading of the bill same day.

Titled, “A bill for an Act to Amend the 2022 Electoral Act No. 13 and for other Related Matters, 2022 (SB 1002),” the proposed legislation was sponsored by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege (APC, Delta Central).

Statutory delegates include the President, Vice President, State and National Assembly members, Governors and their deputies, Chairmen of Councils, Councillors, National Working Committee of political parties, Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of political parties amongst others.

In his Lead Debate, Senator Omo-Agege said the amendment became necessary to correct an ‘unintended error’ in the Electoral Act signed by President Muhammadu Buhari this year.

This, he noted, would ensure the participation of both satutory and elected delegates in the conventions, congresses of political parties.

“As couched, Section 84(8) of the Electoral Act, 2022 does not provide for the participation of what is generally known as ‘statutory delegates’ in the conventions, congresses or meetings of political parties.

“The extant subsection only clearly provides for the participation of elected delegates in the conventions, congresses or meetings of political parties held to nominate candidates of political parties.

“This is an unintended error, and we can only correct it with this amendment now before us,” he said.

Seconding the motion, Senator Uche Ekwunife (PDP, Anambra Central) said the amendment would ensure that statutory delegates were not disenfranchised in the primaries of political parties to elect candidates for the 2023 General Election.

After the First and Second Reading of the Bill, Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi (APC, Kebbi North), moved for the suspension of Rule 80 (1) of the Senate State Order to allow for the clause-by-clause consideration of the bill by Committee of the Whole.

Speaking after the approval, Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan who presided over the session, explained that the move was an ’emergency effort to ensure’ that statutory delegates were not disenfranchised in the forthcoming primaries of political parties.

He said after the processes are concluded in both chambers of the National Assembly, the bill would be transmitted to the Executive for assent within the week.

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NISS hails Oyetola on security intervention, making Osun model of socioeconomic development in Nigeria

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17 hours ago

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May 15, 2022

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Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola
Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola
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…says govt’s genuine intervention across sectors incredible

The National Institute of Security Studies (NISS) has commended Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun for turning the State to a security asylum and a model of socioeconomic rejuvenation in the country through his social security interventions, genuine and purposeful leadership.
NISS also hailed the state government for the giant strides it has recorded in sustaining the status of Osun as the most peaceful State in the country despite its socioeconomic realities.
The Commandant and the participants of the Executive Intelligence Management Course (EIMC) 15 of the National Institute of Security Studies (NISS), Abuja, gave the commendations at the weekend in Osogbo.
Specifically, the Commandant, Ayodele Saheed Adeleke, spoke while addressing the people at the get-together dinner organised by the State in their honour.
The participants were in Osun for a one-week  study tour as part of the requirements of the Course.
The Participants  drawn from different security agencies in the country and beyond had come to Osun on Study Tour with the theme: “Global Climate Challenge: Prospects and Priorities for Economic Development and Conflict Resolutions in Africa,” as part of the Course requirements.
Speaking at the Dinner, Mr. Adeleke, extolled the state government for its huge investment in the security sector, saying “We have travelled round the entire state and we have seen several things. We must commend you and your team for the giant strides you have made in all sectors.
“Your government has taken security as topmost priority; you have continuously invested in the sector with the resultant effect on the peaceful atmosphere reigning in the nooks and crannies of the State.
“As we all know, security is the bedrock of socioeconomic development.
If there is no security, nothing can be achieved. It gladdens our hearts that your government has done a lot to change the face of Osun and you are still doing all to keep the State.
“Indeed, your record will speak for you. Whether they like it or not, Osun will continue to remain great and peaceful.
“Our presence here has further exposed us to so many good things you have achieved. We have been briefed on your tremendous support for security outfits and personnel and for this singular reason, we are ready to continue to support you in this regard to keep Osun safe.
“In the course of our tour, we were taken to some of the Primary Healthcare Centres revitalised and fully equipped by your administration. I have seen all you have done in the health sector. Even my village was not left out of this benefit.
“Our prayer is for God to continue to guide and protect you as you move the State forward”, he said.
In his brief remarks, Governor Oyetola thanked the members of the delegation for choosing the State and for taking the trouble to travel down to Osun on the need to proffer solutions to adverse effects of climate change in the country.
Oyetola who seized the opportunity to reel out some of his government’s interventions to ensure favourable climatic and atmospheric conditions in the state said several efforts had been made to keep Osun afloat despite the effects of the global climate change.
Governor Oyetola reiterated his administration’s commitment to continuing to champion the cause of the masses through the provision of quality, responsible and responsive leadership on all fronts.
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SANWO-OLU ASSURES LAGOSIANS OF ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY

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1 day ago

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May 14, 2022

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Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu,
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Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has assured Lagosians that the State will continue to sustain its enviable status as the fifth largest economy in Africa and also achieve its vision to become Africa’s model megacity as well as a global economic and financial hub that is safe, secure, functional and productive.

Sanwo-Olu gave the assurance at the Year 2022 edition of the Punuka Annual Lecture with the theme:
“Taxation of the Digital Economy: The Challenges and Prospects for the Nigerian Economy”, held recently at Metropolitan Club, Victoria Island.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, represented by the
Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Rabiu Olowo, reaffirmed Lagos State’s commitment to improving the ease of doing business through the development of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) and ensuring overall prosperity for every citizen.

He averred that the Lagos State Government will continuously seek ways of improving revenue generation through a tax system that is modern, efficient and effective, noting that it is in this regard that the present administration considers the lecture timely and relevant.

Sanwo-Olu said the State faces major challenges in taxing income/profit accruing from e-commerce and digital activities as the transactions more often than not transcend borders, while the contracting entities usually do not have a fixed base (tax residence rule) in the State.

Explaining that the trend has made it difficult to trace, track and establish taxing rights over the huge profits made by multinational enterprises and individuals, the Governor said the inability to garner the requisite tax income from such e-commerce businesses is detrimental to revenue collection/generation.

According to him, the emerging trend requires laws to regulate their operations, just as monitoring will also help to establish the economic presence of these entities for tax purposes.

Mr. Governor reiterated that the State is always open to ideas, strategies and ways to effectively and comprehensively improve tax administration processes and procedures in line with emerging trends in the digital economy towards maximising its revenue generation capacity.

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EndSars: Osun govt compensates Police brutality victims, presents cheques of N53,290,000.00

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3 days ago

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May 12, 2022

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Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola ,presenting cheque to one of the beneficiaries
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…Our quest is to redress past wrongs, set our society on the path of true healing — Oyetola
The Government of Osun on Thursday presented cheques of N53,290,000.00 as compensation to victims of police brutality in the State.
The State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, affirmed that the motive was a deliberate quest to redress the wrongs of yesterday and set the State on the path of true healing.
He said the gesture was a further testament to the commitment of the State Government to peace, fairness, unity, justice, equality, and indeed, the rule of law.
Governor Oyetola, in compliance with the directive of the Federal Government, constituted the Judicial Panel of Inquiry against Police Brutality, Human Rights Violations and Related Extra Judicial Killings.
The Panel, which was headed by the retired Judge of the High Court, Hon. Justice Akinwale Oladimeji, was charged to look critically and painstakingly into cases of assault, illegal arrest, killings, brutality and other forms of rights abuse by the officers and men of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigerian Police.
Oyetola further said the presentation of the cheques to the victims was a fulfilment of the financial component of the recommendations of the Panel and that the state had also, in adherence to directive to States, submitted the report of the Panel to the Federal Government.
The Panel had in its report recommended the sum of N53,290,000 as compensation.
Presenting the cheques to the victims as recommended by the Panel and approved by the State government, Governor Oyetola reiterated the  Administration’s commitment to continuously maintain peace, guarantee the security of lives and property of the citizens and advance the course of the security agencies through the provision of state-of-the-art security architecture.
Oyetola who appealed to the citizens to continue to be law abiding and always demonstrate the virtues of Omoluabi ethos that the State is known for, said the State would spare no effort to create an ambience of peace and tranquility for the citizens across the nooks and crannies of the State.
“Today’s occasion should therefore be regarded as a deliberate quest to redress the wrongs of yesterday and set our society on the path of true healing.
“Our decision to pay compensation, which ordinarily is not the responsibility of the State, since the Police is not directly under our control, is a further testament to the commitment of our Administration to peace, and the rule of law.
“Let me however reiterate here that the list of all those that have secured judgement debts have been passed on to the federal government for necessary action, in line with the recommendation of the Panel.
“As an administration, we understand that no society can truly progress where the reign of injustice, inequality and lawlessness is encouraged to thrive.
“On behalf of the Government and our people, I passionately appeal to all those who are justifiably aggrieved for the wrongs meted to them in one way or the other to forgive and allow the next chapter of true and sustainable healing to open up for the good of all.
“I assure you that we are committed to supporting the Nigeria Police Force in fully implementing relevant reforms that would enable it play its role of maintaining law and order.
“Today’s event is a further testament to the commitment of our Administration to peace, and the rule of law. As citizens and officers of the State, let us reciprocate this  gesture by continuing to relate with each other with the highest mutual civility, respect and understanding in the interest of sustainable peace and development.
“I salute the leadership of the Civil Society Organisations and youths for their understanding and tolerance over the years. I assure you that we will never let you down as a government in ensuring that we secure your future.
“On behalf of the Government and People of Osun, I express immense gratitude to the Hon. Justice Oladimeji-led Judicial Panel of Inquiry against Police Brutality, Human Rights Violations and Related Extra Judicial Killings for their impeccable services to the State”, he said.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the Panel, Justice Akin David Oladimeji, extolled Governor Oyetola for deeming it fit to compensate the victims despite the lean purse of the State.
Oladimeji who described the gesture as a right step in the right direction noted that the decision would further register confidence in the minds of the people.
Speaking after receiving their cheques, some of the victims, who narrated their ordeals at the hands of police, expressed their profound gratitude to the Governor for the kind gesture, saying he has indeed demonstrated that he is people’s Governor.
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