Photo: A gallant Nigerian army combat pictured defusing landmines on a road in Borno

                                         

Rowdy session at House of Representatives following debate on bill to introduce immunity for National Assembly leaders

                                   

It was a rowdy session at the House of Representatives today after a bill seeking to provide immunity for the leadership of the National Assembly while in office, was introduced. The bill which is being sponsored by Leo Ogor, the minority leader of the house, is proposing an amendment to section 308 of the Nigerian constitution to allow the national assembly leadership enjoy immunity while in office. Presenting the bill to members of the house, Ogor said;   

"The amendment is straight forward but it needs some clear explanation. The amendment seeks to strengthen the national assembly. The leadership should be protected in the period they are in office.”

His opinion was immediately countered by the majority leader of the house, Femi Gbajabiamila, who argued that since the Senate was presently having some issues, discussing a bill on immunity clause for National Assembly members is ill timed.

“We must feel the pulse of the people. There is something about timing, timing in any piece of legislation is important. There are issues in the senate and I pray it’s resolved.”he said

At this point the house became rowdy. After calm was restored, the speaker of the House, Yakubu Dogara, said the bill would be sent to the special committee on constitutional review for proper scrutiny. He however passed the bill for second reading.

"I thank God for the gift of you" Kenneth Okonkwo writes as he shares more cute photos of his baby boy

                                              

Kenneth Okonkwo shared more photos of his baby boy, Kenechukwu on Instagram and wrote:
"God is Love. I thank God everyday for the gift of you. That's why Your name has to be Kenechukwu". See the photos after the cut.  

 

photos from Zahra and Yusuf Buhari's graduation

                                                       

President Buhari's children, Zahra and Yusuf Buhari, graduated from the University of Surrey, United Kingdom today July 12th. More photos after the cut   

            


  

 






 

President Buhari appoints co-convener of BBOG, Hadiza Bala Usman as MD of NPA

                                              



President Buhari has appointed co-convener of advocacy group, Bring Back Our Girls, Hadiza Bala Usman, as Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). Her appointment is effective July 11, 2016. President Buhari also appointed three persons as Executive Directors at the NPA.

They are: Mohammed Bello-Koko (Finance), Professor Idris Abubakar (Engineering) and Dr. Sekonte Davies (Marine Operations). 40 year old Hadiza Bala takes over from Habib Abdullahi. Until her appointment, Hadiza was serving as the chief of staff to the governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai.

THE BIGGEST QUESTION: Did Dino Melaye really threaten to beat Remi Tinubu?

                                 According to a report by Sahara Reporters, Senator Dino Melaye today threatened to beat up the wife of the National leader of APC, Bola Tinubu, Senator Remi Tinubu. Below is how they reported it...

"Shortly after that, Senator Dino Melaye (APC Kogi West) said in his remarks that the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, must be brought before the Senate to be thoroughly grilled and humiliated for charging the Senate leadership with forgery in court. Mr. Melaye called on the Senators in attendance to fight the presidency to a standstill. In his rant, he issued a wide variety of threats.

Recognized to speak, Senator Remi Tinubu (APC) Lagos Central said the Senate should not be reduced to a kindergarten where Senators could just issue childish threats, and called on Senators to close ranks and seek reconciliation amongst its members. That was when Melaye flew into rage, calling her names. 

"I will beat you up on this floor and nothing will happen,” he threatened. 

The statement caused a commotion on the floor as Senators in her support gathered to protect her. Senate Presient Saraki nodded as Melaye called mrs. Tinubu unprintable names according to Senators who intervened to save her from the rampaging Melaye. Leading the offensive in support of Melaye were Senators Danjuma Goje, Jibrin Barau, Isa Misau and Peter Nwaoboshi. A source told SaharaReporters there had been a series of meetings at the home of Senator Aliyu Wamakko (APC, Sokoto) to plot a total onslaught on President Buhari in the coming days.

In addition, the Senators held to be behind the current forgery trial were threatened by the like-minded Senators, with Melaye threatening to kill anyone who shows up in court to testify against Saraki and Ekweremadu.

The rancor between the Senate and the Presidency is expected to escalate leading to a summons to the new Inspector General of Police who will be forced to declare AGF Malami wanted if he refuses to show up at the Senate from there it was gathered that Senators opposed to Buhari would start impeachment proceedings against him.

Senators who spoke to SaharaReporters said the Senators supporting Saraki are united in crime and corruption because they’ve never had it so good, with over N260 billion padded into the budget in constituency projects, and sundry line items smuggled into the 2016 budget for their individual benefit.

There is, however, a seeming crack in Saraki’s camp as some members have already pulled out or reduced their open support for him due to his many scandals. Senator Ali Ndume (APC) Borno South, for instance, has fallen out with the Senate President because he was openly accused of being too close to Buhari and nursing the ambition of becoming the Senate President. Ndume was absent from today’s gathering.