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Abiodun Signs N1.054 Trillion Appropriation Bill Into Law

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L-R: The Deputy Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Latifat Bolanle: Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Hon. Musefiu Lamidi; the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon Oludaisi Elemide; Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun; his Deputy, Engr Noimot Salako-Oyedele and the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr Olaolu Olabimtan, during the signing of the Year 2025 Appropriation Bill at the Governor's Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, on  Monday.

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has signed the N1.054 trillion 2025 State Appropriation Bill into law.

The signing, which took place at the Governor’s Office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, on Monday was witnessed by the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, principal officers of the House, the Deputy Governor, and members of the State Executive Council.

After receiving the clean copies of the Bill, Governor Abiodun announced that his administration would, in the coming month, sign the partnership agreement with potential partners for the development of the Olokola Sea Port.

He said the government would also focus on the provision of more basic infrastructure with the signing of more Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with private corporate bodies in renewable energy, agriculture, and other sectors that would boost the State’s economy.

He said: “It is my pleasure to announce to you that in the coming month, we will be signing the partnership agreement with potential partners in our port development. The Olokola Port is back on track.

“In the coming year, you will see us signing more Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with private players in the areas of renewable energy, energy transition, and agriculture, particularly animal husbandry. We intend to join the league of those producing beef and pork, not just for domestic consumption, but for export.

“We will continue to provide more infrastructure, particularly roads, in every local government in the State. We will continue in our stride to provide the right infrastructure and the right situation to ensure that students in Ogun State learn in a conducive environment. We will continue to pursue our healthcare program in primary health care, secondary, and tertiary, and of course, our policy on ‘grow what you eat and eat what you grow.’ We are going to be more aggressive in the area of agriculture.”

While noting that his administration would be relentless in the pursuit of infrastructure that would engender more socio-economic development, Governor Abiodun revealed that emphasis on arterial roads like the Ijebu-Ode-Epe, Sagamu-Abeokuta, Atan-Lusada-Agbara, Ota-Abeokuta, and Ilaro-Owode roads had played important roles as they had helped to improve the State’s Internally Generated Revenue through the influx of more people and industries.

He acknowledged the difficulties people are going through due to the bold policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to pull the country out of the woods but maintained that his administration had risen to the occasion by providing needed palliatives to cushion the effects and help the people navigate the period.

“I want to assure you that we can only hope for more wins in the future. It has been a very difficult year for us all, not just as a state but as a country. Our President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, started his tenure with very bold reforms that have resulted in some unintended consequences that we must all endure so that we can have a country that is solvent,” he added

He appreciated members of the Assembly for the speedy passage of the Bill after due diligence and commended their high level of commitment to their constituents and the state, noting that their collaboration with the executive arm had led to the state growing in leaps and bounds.

Earlier, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide, noted that the speedy passage of the Bill was in keeping with the promise made to the governor when he presented the Bill to the assembly on the 4th of December this year, adding that no budget bill had been passed before Christmas in the past.

While appreciating the governor for the facelift given to the Assembly Complex, Rt. Hon. Elemide said his colleagues worked tirelessly to ensure that the budget was passed on time so as to keep the wheels of the state’s progress moving.

He assured the  governor that the Assembly would continue collaborating with the other arms of government to ensure that the people enjoy the dividends of democracy.

 

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BREAKING: Ex-presidential Spokesperson Okupe Dies

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Doyin Okupe

A former presidential spokesperson Dr Doyin Okupe is dead . He was 71 years old.

Okupe’s death was confirmed by family sources.

He served as a senior adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan and later as the Director-General of Peter Obi’s 2023 Presidential Campaign.

In December 2022, he stepped down from Obi’s campaign after a money laundering conviction.

He later resigned from the Labour Party after the 2023 general elections.

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BREAKING: Senate Suspends Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan Over Sexual Harassment Claim

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Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

The Senate  on Thursday suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghen for six months for violation of the Red Chambers rules following her allegation of sexual harassment.

Her suspension followed her dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio who she accused of sexual harassment.

“That the Senate do suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months for her total violation of the Senate Standing Rules (2023 as amended for bringing the presiding officer and the entire Nigerian Senate to public opprobrium,” Senate President Godswill Akpabio said on Thursday while reading out the recommendations of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct probing her claims.

Despite efforts by some senators to reduce the suspension period to three months, the Senate, in a majority vote, sustained the initial decision

However, the lawmakers ruled that the suspension could be lifted or reduced if she tenders a written apology.

“For the Senate to consider lifting this suspension or reducing the tenure of the suspension, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan shall submit a written apology to the Senate before her reconsideration by the Nigerian Senate,” Akpabio said at the Red Chambers on Thursday.

It, however, agreed that her aides’ salaries be paid.

“The aides of Natasha are not Natasha,” Senator Orji Kalu said while calling for an amendment to the sanctions. “It would be wrong for this Senate to deprive these aides of their allowances.”

Following her suspension, the Kogi Central lawmaker was escorted out of the chambers by the Sergeant-At-Arms, but before she left she declared that “this injustice would not be sustained”.

Her suspension was recommended by the committee which found her guilty of a violation of the Senate’s rules after its investigation.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker’s suspension is the culmination of weeks of claims and counter-claims between her, Akpabio, and the Senate.

This controversy began on February 20, 2025, after a seating arrangement dispute with Senator Akpabio. Thereafter, Senator Natasha accused the Senate president of sexual harassment and alleged abuse of office.

She submitted a petition on the floor of the upper lawmaking body on Wednesday. But the Senate Committee on Public Conduct, Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions headed by Neda Imaseun (Edo South) dismissed her claims. It declared her petition “dead on arrival,” owing to what it described as a breach of due process and legal limitations.

According to the committee, the senator personally signed the petition, instead of getting someone else’s endorsement, thus rendering it “invalid”.

Senator Natasha, hours after that, re-submitted her petition. However, on the same day, the Imasuen-led committee recommended her suspension for the violation of the Senate rule, a move ratified by the Red Chambers.

It recommended, in addition to her six-month suspension, the locking of the Kogi Central lawmaker’s office; barring her from the National Assembly during the suspension, and stopping her salary and that of her legislative aides.

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How Ex-immigration Boss Died

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David Shikfu Parradang

The police in the Federal Capital Territory have faulted a report that former Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Mr. David Shikfu Parradang, was kidnapped and killed.

Instead, the police confirmed that he was found dead in a chair inside his hotel room in Abuja after receiving a female guest.

Parradang was discovered dead a day after checking into the Joy House Hotel, Area 3 Junction, by a concerned friend, a military officer, who arrived with hotel staff to check on him.

In an official statement titled, “FCT Police Respond to Misreported Death of Retired Comptroller General David Parradang,” issued by SP Josephine Adeh, PPRO, the police provided details of the incident, emphasizing that there was no case of kidnapping or assassination.

“On March 3, 2025, at approximately 12:00 PM, Mr. Parradang arrived at Joy House Hotel, Area 3 Junction, driving a black Mercedes Benz. He checked into the hotel, paying ₦22,000 for a one-night stay.

Shortly after checking in, he requested that a hotel attendant escort a female guest to his room. The lady left the hotel premises around 4:00 PM on the same day.

Mr. Parradang did not leave his room afterward. Around 4:00 AM on March 4, 2025, a friend, who is a military officer, concerned about his wellbeing, traced him to the hotel.

Upon arrival, the hotel receptionist and the officer proceeded to his room, where they found Mr. Parradang deceased, seated in a chair.

The Durumi Police Station was notified, and officers quickly arrived at the scene to secure the area, take photographs, and collect relevant evidence to preserve the integrity of the investigation.

His body has been transferred to the National Hospital for further examination, while hotel staff are cooperating with police investigations.

The police also confirmed that efforts are ongoing to locate and arrest the female guest who last visited him.

The FCT Police Command has urged the public and media to avoid spreading unverified reports suggesting that the former NIS boss was kidnapped or assassinated.

“We urge the public and media outlets to refrain from spreading unverified information, including claims of kidnapping, that may incite fear or panic.

“The FCT Police Command is committed to conducting a thorough investigation to uncover the circumstances surrounding Mr. Parradang’s death and ensure justice is served.”

The police said that updates would be provided as the investigation progresses.

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