Gist Arena

T he Federal Government of Nigeria has declared Monday, October 2nd, public holiday to commemorate Nigeria’s 57th Independence Anniversary. Nigeria gained freedom from colonial masters on October 1, 1960. Minister of Interior, Lt Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (Rtd), who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, congratulated Nigerians on the anniversary and urged them to sustain the collective efforts towards maintaining and strengthening the unity of Nigeria. Dambazau emphasized Government’s commitment to promoting national unity, economic growth and political development on democratic principles. According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Engr Abubakar Magaji, the minister noted that in the past 57 years, Nigeria has made a lot of progress and positive impact not only on its citizens but also on human development globally. He enjoined all Nigerians to remain steadfast in the love and care of t...

T he war of words between the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, and Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-corruption (PACAC), Professor Itse Sagay (SAN), has continued unabated with both men resorting to derogatory words. Sagay who reacted to his being labelled by the APC’s leadership as a “quintessential rogue elephant,” described Oyegun as a “come and chop’’ politician. The APC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, had in a statement last Monday labelled Sagay as “Rogue Elephant,” adding that in his sheer arrogance, the PACAC chairman forgot that it was impossible for him to call out the leadership of the party as “weak” and “unprincipled” without indicting the president, who is the leader of the party. The party also denied that it’s leadership is not comprised of most unprincipled group of people” who are “encouraging and accepting rogues” in the party as alleged by the president...

W elcome to a new Legislative day in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu took the official prayer and led the chamber into today's proceedings. Senator Abdullahi Adamu moved for the approval of votes and proceedings of Tuesday, 26th September, 2017. Senator Theodore Orji seconded. OATH Senator Andrew Uchendu representing Rivers East Senatorial district replaced Senator Sekibo due to Court ruling took the Oath of Office. ANNOUNCEMENT Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu made announcements and welcomed people who were present in the gallery to observe Plenary. PETITIONS Senator Abaribe laid a petition regarding 348 employees at Micheal Opkara University who were recently dismissed by the new Vice Chancellor after proper employment in 2015. Senator Matthew Urhoghide laid a petition from his constituent member against National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). Senator Olarenwaju Tejuoso laid M...

T he presidency has waved aside claims that a certain cabal had taken over the presidential villa, sidelining the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo since the return of President Muhammadu Buhari from London. While revealing that Osinbajo remains Buhari’s closest confidant, the presidency described the allegation as a recycled hate campaign. This was contained in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the president on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu. He said, “To begin with, it is absolutely nonsensical and absurd to write that in one week of the President’s return, the Vice President has been sidelined. Quite to the contrary, the Vice President remains the confidante and the closest adviser to the President. “He has attended all the President’s engagements all through the week with the exception of two: one, the VP was away to Taraba State and two, the Juma’at Muslim prayer because he is a Christian. “It is difficult to understand what anyo...

S enators from the South East on Tuesday met with President Muhammadu Buhari over the tension generated in the region as a result of the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB. The Senators, who were led by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu said the South East zone was shortchanged by the current Federal Government. Addressing State House Correspondents after the meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Ekweremadu said they had fruitful discussion with the president over pressing issues affecting the South East. The Deputy Senate President stressed that the South East is of the option that dialogue remains the best bet in addressing some of the issues affecting the region. According to Ekweremadu, “For us from the South East, we believe that dialogue is better than any other form of engagement. “So, we decided to visit the President and present to him some of the concerns of the South East including the issues of roads, genera...