Group urges Senate not to play politics with Lagos status

Senator Oluremi Tinubu

A socio-political group, the Lagos Future Group has called on senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to put sectarian politics aside and treat the bill seeking special status for Lagos State with all the merits it deserves.

Reacting to the decision of the senate to drop the bill during their plenary session on Wednesday, the group in a statement signed by its president, Mr. Seyi Bamigbade reiterated the strategic economic importance of Lagos to Nigeria.

The statement had it that it is crucial for the Federal Government to support Lagos financially in order for the state to be able to provide the needed infrastructure, befitting of a world class mega-city.

“The bill sponsored by Senator Oluremi Tinubu should not be taken as something to play politics with. Lagos is a state where every ethnic group and every region in the country is highly represented.

“It is the economic nerve centre of Nigeria and as such, the city must be cared for in a special way; because whatever affects Lagos will have over-spilling effects on the entire country.” the statement read.

The group appealed to the senate to reconsider its decision on the bill, saying it is in the interest of the country to grant Lagos a special status and support its developmental drive considering its strategic importance to the country.

The senate had on Wednesday rejected a bill seeking to make special provisions for federal grants to Lagos State.

The bill sponsored by Oluremi Tinubu, a senator representing Lagos central at the upper chamber, sought one per cent of federally generated revenue as special grant for Lagos State in view of its status as the former Nigeria capital and its socio-economic significance.

Most of the senators who spoke at the plenary kicked against the bill and it was later rejected via a voice vote.

Comments

Court grants Fani-Kayode N50m bail

Fani-kayode sandwiched by EFCC officials Justice James Tsoho of the Federal High Court Abuja on Thursday granted a N50m bail to former spokesman of the Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode. Fani-Kayode was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a five-count charge of money laundering to the tune of N26m. Fani-Kayode is the sole defendant in the fresh charges numbered, FHC/ABJ/CR/140/2016. The EFCC accused the defendant of diverting 26 million Naira allegedly received from the ONSA while Sambo Dasuki was in office. The anti-graft agency also accused him of handling the said N26 million without going through financial institution as required under the Money Laundering Act. The embattled former minister is already facing 17-count charge of money laundering before the Lagos Division of the court, along with a former Finance Minister; Nenadi Usman, Danjuma Yusuf and a firm; Joint Trust Dimension Nigeria Limited. They were charg...

Houthis Claim Attack on Central Israel in Response to Gaza ‘Massacres’

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has taken a concerning regional turn as the Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility for an attack on central Israel. The group announced this as part of their escalating response to what they describe as "massacres" in Gaza amid the Israeli military’s operations in the strip. Details of the Attack The Houthis, a Shiite militant group with ties to Iran, declared that they launched missile and drone strikes targeting Israel. While the exact impact of these attacks remains unclear, reports suggest that Israel’s defense systems intercepted several threats over its airspace. This marks a significant escalation as the Houthis widen their involvement in the conflict beyond their typical operations within Yemen and neighboring Saudi Arabia. The Houthis’ Justification In their statement, the Houthis framed the attack as retaliation for Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which they characterized as indiscriminate bombings resultin...

Fire: UniJos Senate convenes emergency meeting on Monday

Fire at the University of Jos Library University of Jos is to convene an emergency senate meeting on Monday to review the level of damage done to the institution by the Saturday night inferno. The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sebastian Maimako, disclosed this on Sunday after inspecting areas affected by the incident. The fire, which lasted for more than six hours, destroyed the Library Complex that equally houses the faculties of management and social sciences. The fire also destroyed examination scripts, books and very crucial materials. Consequently, the vice-chancellor said “the Senate will meet tomorrow (Monday) to take a decision about the unmarked examination scripts that were burnt.” On the cause of the inferno, Maimako said investigation had commenced, adding that “nothing has been confirmed yet. We are still investigating.” The vice chancellor said the school was already working with federal authorities toward establishing a main fire station since the mini fire station in t...

Global Naija Info

Search This Blog