News

Crisis Hits Senate, Chief Whip Storms Out Of Session

Published

2 years ago

October 17, 2023

The crisis of confidence among Senators came to a head, on Tuesday, as the Chief Whip, Senator Ali Ndume, stormed out during plenary to protest the refusal of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to address alleged procedural errors.

In order to prevent the situation from degenerating further, Akpabio requested that his colleagues meet behind closed doors for further discussion.

Trouble started minutes after the commencement of the day’s session when the Chief Whip , Senator Ali Ndume ( APC Borno South ) , raised a point of order to draw the Senate President’s attention to alleged presedurial errors committed by him which were yet to be corrected.

Specifically, Ndume , referenced a motion on the need for re – opening of Nigeria – Niger Border which was moved by Senator Summaila Kawu ( NNPP Kano South ), which Akpabio allowed to be debated without first having the official title of the motion read as was the normal procedure.

Ndume, relying on Order order 51 of the Senate Standing Rules, requested that the Senate President should allow for the correction of any error made or observed during plenary .

He said, “This is the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guided by laws , rules and procedures . If in the course of proceedings at any session, errors are observed , they must be corrected before forging ahead with such proceedings…”

He had hardly completed expressing his thoughts when Akpabio interrupted by noting that, since he had ruled on issues raised , it can not be revisited. He subsequently ruled Ndume out of order.

Undaunted, another Senator, Sunday Karimi ( APC Kogi West ) , rose in defence of Ndume’s point of order by raising another point of order; but was equally ruled out of order by the Senate President.

In an attempt to douse the tension, which was reaching feverish pitch at this point , the Deputy President of the Senate , Jibrin Barau quickly raised order 16 , which requires a substantive motion to be moved by any Senator seeking to correct or review an earlier decision taken.

Akpabio sustained this order. This infuriated Ndume, who equally raised another point of order, specifically order 54 to seek for correction of the perceived error.

Again, Akpabio ruled him out of order without allowing him exhaust his line of thought.

At this point, Ndume had had enough, he picked his documents and a few other belongings and stormed out of the Senate Chamber.

His action which was obviously unexpected led the Senate into resolving to go into a closed session.

Incidentally, Ndume was the campaign manager for Akpabio during the race for Senate President in June.

This is happening at a time Senators are preparing to leave for Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital for retreat which begins on Wednesday.

Tension has been building up long before the Senate resumed from its long vacation in September.

There were speculations about moves to impeach the Seanate President and change the leadership.

This prompted the Senate Presodent’s Media Office to issue a statement dismissing the speculation as a figment of the imagination of the authors.

However, Senator Elijah Abbo, who was recently sacked by the judgement of an Appeal Court, issued a statement on behalf
of the powerful Northern Senators accusing Akpabio’s office of trying to pit them against President Bola Tinubu.

He, in fact, accused the Senate President’s Office of being the brains behind the alleged move against the Senate leadership.

There are momurs among Senators that Akpabio has been engaged in a series of gaffes which was allegedly adversely affecting the image of the Upper Chamber.

First, an announcement that money was as sent to their individual accounts for “the holidays,” then his “uncomfortable joke” about letting the poor breath.

VANGUARD

News

OAU Unveils Seven-foot Bronze Statue Of Chief Obafemi Awolowo

Published

4 hours ago

December 7, 2025

Editor

…Yemisi Shyllon, other dignitaries praise Awo’s commitment to humanity

A giant bronze statue of the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, was unveiled on Friday at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile Ife.

The statue, the worth of which was put at N120 million by the donor, has the sage dressed in his Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) attire. It is of a height of seven feet, which goes to 15 feet after the inclusion of the pedestal.

Speaking at the unveiling, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Adebayo Bamire, stated that the statue is a legacy project for the university.

Professor Bamire said the statue was a celebration of Chief Awolowo’s selfless service to humanity and expressed the appreciation of the university to the donor, Prince Yemisi Shyllon.

Prof Bamire noted that the life of Chief Awolowo should serve as a lesson for all to live for the good of the people.

“It is known that the soul of any civilisation, the very pulse of its humanity, beats strongest on its art, on its music, its literature, its visual splendour and its performances. This affirmation resonates with the Obafemi Awolowo University academic philosophy: ‘for learning and culture’—a culture of creativity and a creative culture.

“The donor of the statue, Prince Yemisi Shyllon, is a man whose name resonates across continents. He is Africa’s foremost art collector, an accomplished creative mind, a committed philanthropist of extraordinary vision and a relentless advocate for cultural advancement and one of the most remarkable cultural ambassadors of our time.

“For a university like ours, dedicated to the holistic development of mind and spirit, this example is a beacon. It reinforces our own commitment to ensuring that the sciences converge with the humanities, that innovation dances with tradition and that our graduates are as culturally literate as they are professionally skilled.

“This iconic piece will not only beautify our campus but also serve as a permanent cultural marker, reminding future generations of the ideals of leadership, service, excellence and intellectual courage upon which this university was founded,” the Vice Chancellor said.

Speaking, the donor of the statue, Prince Yemisi Shyllon, stated that the project was aimed at celebrating Papa Awolowo for living a purpose-driven life.

Prince Shyllon said conceiving the project and funding it was his own way of saying thank you to Chief Awolowo for the sterling leadership he gave his people and for showing what meaningful life meant.

“Indeed, many people solely focus on material wealth, such as having cars, building and buying properties, buying private jets, jewelries and the many other worthless and selfish illusions of life, that are generally not meaningful to the real essence of human life,” he said.

He added that Chief Awolowo would be remembered forever for living for what was right and just even as he listed some of the enduring legacies of the sage.

Prince Shyllon pointed at “free education in the old Western Region, and other landmark projects such as the Cocoa House, Western Nigeria Television, Liberty Stadium, industrial estates, farm settlements and the Obafemi Awolowo University, among others” as worthy legacies left behind by Chief Awolowo.

Shyllon noted that the sage was a man who could be best described as an example of a person who lived a “meaningful life.”

He added that Chief Awolowo lived his life planting seeds for generations while leaving his indelible footprints on the sands of time.

He charged all to live the kind of life that would make humanity remember them for something positive, “just as Papa Obafemi Awolowo, who died 38 years ago.”

He stressed that the Holy Qur’an and the Bible preach the act of showing love to the needy, adding that all should not give to the needy for the purpose of getting anything in return.

“Life is full of emptiness. Awolowo lived a meaningful, purpose-driven life and planted seeds through his various selfless services to humanity before his exit. That is why he is celebrated every day since he died 38 years ago,” he said.

In his remarks, Chairman, African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, publishers of the Tribune titles, and daughter of Chief Awolowo, Dr Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, thanked Prince Shyllon for donating the statue.

She also appreciated the university for being receptive to the idea and for keeping the legacy of Chief Awolowo alive.

Ambassador Awolowo Dosumu, who was represented by the Editor, Saturday Tribune, Dr Lasisi Olagunju, noted that the project was a celebration of selfless service to the people which was what Chief Awolowo lived for.

“History is always there to reward selfless leadership and expose pretenders. We are here today in celebration of an uncommon man who died 38 years ago. This honour, this statue is a demonstration of what immortality means.

“Chief Awolowo gave his very best in the service of the people. We appreciate the donor, Prince Yemisi Shyllon, for the gesture and also appreciate the university for giving the right space for the erection of the statue. Good life is about services; what we are celebrating today is history’s reward for Chief Awolowo’s selflessness.

“Papa was one leader who believed that service to the people is a rent paid for the space we occupy in this world. The Awolowo family appreciates this monument and thanks the donor and the sculptor for doing a great job,” he said.

He urged students of the institution to learn from the life lived by Chief Awolowo and rededicate themselves to noble causes.

At the ceremony were principal officers of the university and other dignitaries, including Senator Babafemi Ojudu, who also said positive things about Chief Awolowo and the leadership he gave the Nigerian people.
(TRIBUNE)

News

FULL LIST: FG Selects 20 Content Creators For Tax Reform Education

Published

4 hours ago

December 7, 2025

Editor

The Federal Government has released a list of 20 content creators selected to support public education on Nigeria’s ongoing tax reforms.

The Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee issued the announcement, which was posted on Thursday by its chairman, Taiwo Oyedele, on X.

The list, titled “Top 20 Content Creators for Tax Reform Education,” was shared after the organisers received 8,591 nominations covering more than 200 creators.

The organisers said the selected creators will attend a special training session designed to deepen their understanding of the new tax laws so they can share clearer and more balanced information with their audiences.

They encouraged Nigerians to tag any creator on the list and ask them to confirm their interest by completing the acceptance form.

“If your favourite creator is on the list, tag or mention them and ask them to confirm their interest by completing this form: forms.gle/Ph49kSE4okDf6g….

“Deadline for acceptance is Monday, 8 December 2025.

“Tell us the areas of interest and key issues you’d like the training to focus on in the comments section.”

According to the announcement, the creators were ranked by their followership across major platforms. The top 20 include:

1. Financial Jennifer

2. Onlinebanker

3. Don Aza

4. Mary Efombruh

5. Baba Ogbon Awon Agba International

6. Perpetual Badejo

7. Personalfinancegirl

8. Tomi Akinwale

9. Emeka Ayogu

10. Aderonke Avava

11. Odunola Ewetola

12. Christiana Balogun

13. Mosbrief

14. Chidozie Chikwe

15. Zainulabideen Abdulazeez

16. Chinemerem Oguegbe

17. Oyagha Michael

18. Ayomide Ogunlade

19. Ayọ̀dèjì Fálétò

20. Vera Korie

News

Rufai Oseni Breaks Silence On Alleged Suspension From Arise TV

Published

5 hours ago

December 7, 2025

Editor

Arise TV presenter, Rufai Oseni, has debunked viral claims suggesting he was suspended from the station.

Oseni explained through a series of posts on X on Friday that he has been on planned leave from work, adding that the station had publicly announced the start of his leave weeks earlier.

He described the rumours of his suspension as unfounded fabrications circulated on social media and noted that verifiable information confirming his leave status had already been made available.

Oseni stated that he intends to resume his duties after completing his period of rest.

He wrote, “I was not suspended. The lies and fabrications are terrible. Social media na wa.”

In another tweet, he wrote, I have worked for about a year and I decided to go on leave. After I rest small I go return. I love you all.

“At the start of my leave on Thursday last two weeks , it was announced on TV I went on leave. Empirical facts Dey, so data bois that lied about suspension Una jam Zuma rock,” he tweeted.