Tag: #Abuja Nigeria

Felicia Asuquo,Abuja

In a bid to provide a legal framework for the establishment of the National Anti-Doping Organisation to coordinate and monitor the fight against drugs in sports in the country and regulate substances that can be consumed by athletes during sporting events,President Bola Tinubu has asked the Senate to consider enacting a bill that would prohibit Nigerian athletes from consuming substances that could enhance their performances during or after sporting competitions.

The bill which was titled” National Anti-Doping Bill 2024”was contained in a letter read by the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, who presided over the plenary.

The President said that the proposed legislation will regulate substances that can be consumed by athletes during sporting events and also provide a legal framework for the establishment of the National Anti-Doping Organisation, an organisation that promotes, coordinate and monitor the fight against drugs in sports in the country.

He went further to explained that the establishment of the agency was a requirement for Nigeria to achieve compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code, which is a core document that harmonises anti-doping policies, rules and regulations within sport organizations and among public authorities around the world.

Tinubu noted that the law will help Nigeria avoid the imposition of signatory consequences, inclusion of laws of hosting and participating rights at regional, continental and world championships or major athletic events.

Part of the letter read, “In accordance with the provisions of section 58 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, I forward herewith the National Anti-Doping Bill 2024 for the kind consideration of the Senate.

“The National Anti-Doping Bill 2024 seeks to create an administratively independent National Anti-Doping organization which is a cardinal requirement for Nigeria to achieve compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code and the international standard for code compliance by signatures.

“The enactment of this vital legislation will also help Nigeria avoid the imposition of signatory consequences, inclusion of laws of hosting and participating rights at regional, continental and world championships or major athletic events” Tinubu added.

The President however urged the lawmakers to consider the bill before the Olympic Games scheduled to hold in Paris between July and August for Nigerians to be part of the competition.

He said, “It is my hope that this submission will receive the humankind expeditious consideration of the distinguished members of the Senate of the Federal Nigeria for passage of the same to law before the Olympic Games starting in Paris in July 2024.

Edet Ukon

President Bola Tinubu says his administration is committed to unlocking the human and natural resource potential of Ogoniland, while ensuring the environmental and economic security of Nigerian communities.

The President stated this on Wednesday at the State House during a meeting with members of the Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers of Ogoni, Rivers State, led by King Samuel Nnee, Gbenemene Tai Kingdom and Paramount Ruler of Kpite Tai.

This was disclosed by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, in a statement made available to Channels Television.

He said that the President was responding to requests presented by the Ogoni leaders at the meeting, which was also attended by former Governor of Rivers State and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Nyesom Wike; the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Engr. Abubakar Momoh; the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Heineken Lokpobiri, and the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris.

Among the requests to the President is the resuscitation of oil and gas production in Ogoniland, which comprises the Eleme, Khana, Gokana, and Tai Local Government Areas of Rivers State.

“We must heal the wounds of the past. We must live and prepare for the future of our children, and we must be committed to uplifting the livelihoods of our people in a free Nigeria.

“This is all part of the healing process for the Ogoni people. There is equally the Ogoni clean-up programme that I inherited. That will be pursued diligently and honourably. The number of people that we will empower will increase as time goes on.

“I am glad that this meeting has emphasized peace and stability through the resuscitation of businesses in Ogoniland. Without these businesses, the recovery of this country will be adversely affected.

“Safety precautions, environmental and other challenges must be looked into, and we will certainly do that.

“My unwavering dedication to freedom for all people and the value of democratic governance has not diminished because I have been elected by the people, and I have to make the people the central focus of our governance of Nigeria,” the President stated.

Having appointed his Official Spokesperson and most recently, the Director-General of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) from the area, the President committed to deepening collaboration with Ogoni leaders to create mutually-beneficial economic opportunities for Ogoniland and Nigeria at large.

“I am ready to work with the Ogoni people and engage with the Government of Rivers State and the people of Nigeria to ensure that we give all of you a bright future in this country,” the President affirmed.

President Tinubu commended the former Governor of Rivers State and Minister of the FCT for his dedication to alleviating the plight of the Ogoni people.

“I share the same view about Ogoniland with the Minister of the FCT. He is very much concerned about the progress, peace, and stability of Ogoni people, and he has discussed this with me on a number of occasions, and I thank him for that,” the President said.

In his remarks, King Nnee commended President Tinubu for his numerous achievements within one year in office, highlighting the ongoing construction work on the Onne-Junction/Eleme-Junction axis of the East-West Road.

“Your unspeakable dedication to service and empathy are the propelling forces behind your prompt response to our people’s yearnings which the past administrations have persistently promised and failed to meet,” he said.

According to the Paramount Ruler of Kpite Tai, previous administrations were unable to resolve the pertinent issues associated with the shutting down of oil production in Ogoniland.

He informed the President that the Ogoni people are prepared for the commencement of oil and gas production in Ogoniland with the potential unbundling of OML 11 – bearing an additional production capacity of 100,000 barrels per day and 120 million cubic feet of gas per day.

”This will contribute $5 billion per annum to Nigeria’s GDP on an asset that is currently owned 100 percent by the NNPCL.

“The people-driven vision of the Ogoni Economic Rebirth Project is the matter of the moment among our kith and kin. Our people’s hope is glowing with the expectation that the time to revitalize the economic nerves of our land is now.

“Ogoni people are gifted, peace-loving, and hospitable, and our children are making an impact across all sectors, as well as the oil industry, from where they are prepared to bring their expertise to bear for the good of our people and the entire country,” the monarch said.

……Gives I0 Days Deadline For Completion.

Emmanuel lkpeama.

In keeping with the established rules on compensation and the ideals of transparency of the renewed hope administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,the Honourable Minister for Works, Sen Engr Nweze David Umahi has constituted a committee to review the report on the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment in respect of compensation for section 1, Lagos- Calabar Coastal Highway project.

The committee which is made up of 19 members is required to interface with stakeholders and property owners that will be affected by the project with a view to recommending those who are entitled to receive compensation from Federal Government as required by law.

The Honourable Minister went further to direct that the committee should work strictly with the terms of reference, which is to verify and authenticate the list of those to be compensated and submit a report within 10 days with effective from 18th April 2024.

He said, “We are setting up a review committee to look at the work done by the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA,) and the works to be reviewed by this committee is very simple.”

“it’s just to interact with the property owners that are going to be affected, and then in the presence of the committee and the ESIA Consultant and the contractor, look at the compensation as enumerated to be paid, and where possible, you visit the site.

“We are using the federal rates to do our enumeration. I know very well that there is nobody that is ever enumerated that is ever satisfied with how much is to be paid, but we are bound by the law, and so we are using federal rates.”he stated

Senator Umahi while assuring that the exercise would be a seemless and timely payment of compensation on the Lagos- Calabar Coastal Highway project, noting that only those legally entitled to compensation would be shortlisted.

He said, “The moment the property owner signs, and then we have a form that we give to them to fill, and indicate the bank account; the moment that is done, within 72 hours, we authorize payment.”

“The contractor is going to be paying directly to all those who are affected, and this we are committed to doing. This verification will start Wednesday in Lagos, and of course, we have to make it very clear that 250 meters legally belong to the Federal Government. So if you have a title within these 250 meters and it’s not a title from Federal Government, then it is encumbrance, and only Mr. President can give a waiver if he feels so for the person to be paid.”he submitted.

The committee members that were constituted to reflect the different groups of stakeholders, include Lagos State Government, affected Local Government Areas Traditional Rulers, estate developers and residents, as well as professional bodies.

The committee members are as follows,. Engr (Mrs) Olukorede Kesha (FCW, Lagos State) – Chairman, Rep. of Director, Bridges and Design. – Engr Oladele Sola,Rep of Honourable Minister of Works. – Barrister Joseph Ekumankama,Engr Olufemi Dare. – FMW, Lagos,ESIA Consultant. – Dr. Eugene Itua, Rep 1 ESIA. – Suv. Popoola Lateef,Rep 2 ESIA. – Emmanuel Eneh, Rep. of Oba Oniru. – Mr. Yemi Stephen,Rep. of Oba Elegushi. – Mrs. Peju Omotayo,Rep. of Oba Ojomu of Ajiran land. – Hon. Jide Akintoye, Rep of Oba Onibeju of Ibeju – Mr Agbaje Adesegun,Rep. of Eti Osa Local Government. – Adeola Adetoro,Rep. of Ibeju Lekki Local Government.- Hon. Moruf Isah, Olawale Ojikutu (Min of Lands, LASG)-Secretary,Rep. Of LASG Surveyor General.- Moyosore Faji,Rep. Min of Physical Planning LASG. – Kunle Bello,Rep 1 Hitech.- Mr. Willie, Rep 2 Hitech.- Mr. Ashton and Rep DLS.- Mrs Igboko