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Why PDP Member-elect Hasn’t Been Sworn In – Abia Deputy Speaker
Published
1 year agoon
By
Editor
Deputy Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly, Austin Nmeregini, has explained why the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, member-elect for Aba North, Aaron Uzodike, has not been sworn in.
Recall that the Court of Appeal Owerri Division, which sat in Lagos, had on November 27, 2023, sacked the former member representing the constituency, Hon. Destiny Nwagwu of the Labour Party and declared Aaron as the duly elected member.
Since then, attempts by the lawmaker-elect to be sworn in by the Speaker, have been unsuccessful.
Uzodike and his party, the PDP, have argued that the Court of Appeal remains the final bus stop for House of Assembly electoral disputes, but his swearing in has been stalemated.
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Fielding questions from newsmen after declaring open a free medical outreach by the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, at Nkata Ibeku, weekend, the Deputy Speaker said that Uzodike would be sworn in as soon as the bottlenecks stalling the process were cleared.
“He will be sworn in as soon as all legal issues surrounding that case are settled.”
Declaring the medical mission open earlier, the Deputy Speaker commended NYSC for the patriotic initiative.
He said it would complement the efforts of Government to provide quality health care services for his constituents.
The Deputy Speaker urged the people to take advantage of the outreach to improve their health status.
Noting that “not only medication that enhances the health status”, the Deputy Speaker advised the people especially youths to abstain from the consumption of substances particularly hard drugs that could endanger their health.
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The Deputy Speaker who was one of the sponsors of the exercise, pledged his continued support for the outreach.
Speaking earlier, the State Coordinator of NYSC, Mrs Ufuoma Dick-Iruenabere, said the initiative under the Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD) programme of the corps, wis aimed at mobilizing corps medical personnel, alongside medical equipment and supplies “generously contributed by compassionate Nigerians to provide free medical services to underserved rural communities”.
She said that the exercise which was the first quarter HIRD outreach programme by NYSC in the state, was the corps’ own little way of giving back to its host communities.
The NYSC boss explained that the exercise was conducted in collaboration with the relevant health authorities in the state to ensure the safety and wellbeing of both corps members and beneficiaries.
Some of the beneficiaries, Mr Obioma Ogbonna, and Madam Josephine Nwoko, expressed their gratitude to NYSC for the gesture.
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News
JUST IN: Tinubu Begins 10-day Vacation, Departs Abuja For Europe
Published
57 minutes agoon
September 4, 2025By
Editor
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday commenced a 10-day vacation as part of his 2025 annual leave, the Presidency announced.
According to a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President will spend the 10-working-day vacation between France and the United Kingdom, after which he will return to Nigeria.
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Onanuga said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja today, September 4, to commence a working vacation in Europe, as part of his 2025 annual leave.
“The vacation will last 10 working days.
“President Tinubu will spend the period between France and the UK and then return to the country.”
Details later…

The National Youth Service Corps resumed payments for arrears on Wednesday, marking the first disbursement since the last payment on June 3, following a two-month break.
This payment relates to the new N77,000 monthly allowance recently approved by the Federal Government.
Recall that on April 5th, the Director-General of NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, assured that corps members who recently completed their service will receive the new N77,000 monthly allowance approved by the Federal Government.
Speaking during the Batch A 2025 Pre-Mobilisation Workshop in Abuja, Nafiu said, “Once funds are released to us to offset the arrears, we will pay them. Even our corps members who passed out recently will benefit. We have their bank details.”
READ ALSO:Release Corps Member’s Discharge Certificate, Falana Tells NYSC
He emphasised the government’s commitment, adding, “Nigerians should not fret about that because the government is both responsible and responsive to their needs.”
This development was confirmed by PUNCH, by a previously serving corps member who chose to remain anonymous, who said, “After waiting for two months, I didn’t expect to see another payment alert. But honestly, it’s not just about the money; it’s about feeling like our efforts actually count.
The payment of arrears, covering the period from July 2024 to March 2025, follows widespread frustration over delayed implementation after the Federal Government approved the allowance increase as part of its commitment to easing economic hardship for Nigerian youth.
News
FCTA Withdraws Park Licences, Directs Fresh Screening Of Operators
Published
15 hours agoon
September 3, 2025By
Editor
The Federal Capital Territory Administration has withdrawn all park licences in Abuja, directing operators to resubmit their documents for a fresh screening exercise, with a possibility of reallocation.
The Director, Department of Development Control, Murktar Galadima, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen on Wednesday, while explaining the reasons for the demolition of Boulevard Park, Maitama, Abuja.
The FCTA carried out the demolition of Boulevard Park in Maitama on Tuesday, over violations of park policies and distortion of the Abuja Master Plan.
Assistant Director, Department of Development Control, and Sector Head for Maitama and Wuse, Sherif Razak, explained during the exercise that the park, originally designated for recreational purposes, had been overbuilt and misused.
READ ALSO:FCTA Local Contractors Protest Non-payment Of N5.2bn Bills
He said the park had been converted to worship centres, revival grounds, and restaurants, operating under unhygienic conditions.
Galadima explained that the decision to withdraw park licenses followed a memo jointly submitted by the Directors of Parks and Recreation and Lands to the Minister of the FCT, highlighting several inadequacies and violations associated with parks management in the FCT.
He said the new directive offers park operators the opportunity to resubmit their documents to the Department of Parks and Recreation for review.
“If they meet the terms and conditions, they can be reallocated. Owners of parks should respond to the call, submit their documents, and if they meet the requirements, they will return to their parks,” he said.
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The Director stressed that the decision was not taken to deliberately witch-hunt park operators, but is part of efforts to restore order and compliance with existing policies.
“There’s nothing like witch-hunting. All park allocations have been withdrawn following a series of violations, and the Minister is at liberty to do whatever he wants to do with land in the FCT, parks inclusive,” he stated.
On the recent demolition of Boulevard Park, Galadima clarified that operators were duly notified before enforcement, pointing out that the park had long violated its terms of allocation, operating in direct contravention of recreational policy.
READ ALSO:JUST IN: FCTA To Take Possession Of 4,794 Properties Revoked Over Non-payment Of Ground Rent
“Boulevard Park was allocated for recreational purposes, but the activities taking place there are a total violation of the park policy in terms of operation. Boulevard has violated all the terms and conditions,” he said.
He noted that monitoring park operations was the primary responsibility of the Department of Parks and Recreation, adding that parks were expected to submit concept designs for approval before operations commenced. However, lapses in monitoring had led to widespread abuse.
“The FCT is a creation of law, and lawlessness will not be tolerated. The development of the city is guided by law, and every operator must comply with the terms and conditions of their allocation,” Galadima said.
He stated that a ministerial committee had been set up to review all allocations and uses of parks, to ensure they were serving their original recreational purpose.
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