Category Nigeria News

The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions has been given a restraining order from the Federal High Court in Abuja, which forbids them from disciplining Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Following an ex parte request made by Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team, Justice Obiora Egwuatu made this decision on Tuesday.

The senator’s altercation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio on February 20 likely led to the filing of the application.

The written address and the twenty-five (25) paragraphed Affidavit supporting the Motion Ex-parte and the Affidavit of Urgency, both submitted by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, an adult, female, Christian, and a citizen of Nigerian territory, were all filed at the Registry of this Court.

After hearing the arguments made by M. J. Numa, M. J. Zakari, B. J. Tabai, Tijanni Jimol, and Miss M. C. Bekee, the Court is instructed to grant the requested reliefs.

“And the Court’s reasonings and conclusions are as set forth in the body of the Bench Ruling, having delivered its Bench Ruling in open court.” It is hereby ordered as follows: 1. The Plaintiff/Applicant is authorized by this Honourable Court to serve the 2nd to 4th Defendants/Respondents with the Originating Summons and all other accompanying procedures in this case by substituted means, such as by posting same on the premises of the National Assembly or publishing same in two national newspapers.

” 2. Following the events that occurred at the 2nd Defendant’s plenary on February 20, 2025, pursuant to the referral by the 2nd Defendant on February 25, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction, an Order of Interim Injuction is issued by this Honourable Court.

“3. The First- and Fourth Defendants are instructed by this Honourable Court to file a request for cause within 72 hours after receiving this order from the court, restraining them from carrying out the alleged investigation against the Plaintiff for alleged misconduct without according her privileges as required by the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, as amended by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As amended), the Senate Standing Order 2023, and the Legislative Houses

According to Persecondnews, the Kogi senator and Senate President Godswill Akpabio squared off on February 20 over seating arrangements in the chamber.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has officially joined Nigeria. &nbsp,

With the addition of the European Union and the European Investment Bank, there are now 77 total EBRD shareholders, which includes 75 national shareholders.

Nigeria applied to join the bank in April 2024, and the EBRD’s board of governors approved it in May 2024.

Following the EBRD’s 2023 Annual Meeting in Samarkand, where an amendment to the Agreement Establishing the EBRD was approved, this membership was made.

The amendment, if approved by the majority of EBRD shareholders, allows the bank’s operations to gradually expand to sub-Saharan Africa and Iraq.

Nigeria could become a recipient country after the amendment becomes effective, according to an EBRD statement. Nigeria would be able to use the EBRD’s financial resources and policy support, promoting sustainable development, as a beneficiary.

Nigeria’s finance minister Wale Edun and the country’s coordination minister of the economy, Wale Edun, expressed optimism about this partnership by stating that the EBRD’s membership strengthens our commitment to sustainable growth, sustainable infrastructure, and a greener economy. This partnership is in line with our plan to reform the economy and demonstrate our commitment to creating jobs through innovation and investment.

Odile Renaud-Basso, president of the EBRD, stated, “I’m very happy to have the Bank as a shareholder of the country, Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa. As we prepare to launch our activities in sub-Saharan Africa this year, this is a landmark moment for the EBRD. Our goal is to use our expertise in developing the private sector and engaging in policy dialogue to promote Nigeria’s long-term economic growth given the country’s enormous economic potential.

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• By combining investment, advisory initiatives, and policy reforms, the EBRD is determined to promote economic transitions. Its efforts place a premium on sustainable change and private sector development, leaving a long-lasting positive legacy.
• The bank is continuing to advance its goal of creating greener, more inclusive, and more digitally integrated economies across its operating areas while maintaining its current emphasis on Ukraine.
• Each of its shareholders contributed to the company’s core funding, which is made up of capital.

The EBRD’s Board of Governors, which has overall authority over the Bank and sets its overall strategic direction, represents each shareholder individually.

EBRD is a global leader in terms of climate finance, funding green energy projects, and promoting sustainable growth.

Ash Wednesday, which officially annonces the start of the Lenten season, is being observed by Christians around the world along with their counterparts around the world.

Lent is one of the Christian liturgical calendar’s most significant times. Prior to Easter’s celebration on April 20, the 40-day season is dedicated to penance, fasting, prayer, and almsgiving.

Lent is a 40-day period of reflection, sacrifice, and spiritual preparation that Jesus Christ spent in the desert during.

Christians are prepared for Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday by a period of penance, reflection, and fasting.

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Christians who observe Lent typically make a commitment to fast, or give up something, such as smoking, watching TV, swearing, or a food or beverage like sweets, chocolate, or coffee, during the six weeks of self-examination and reflection. Some Christians practice a Lenten ritual that involves studying the Bible and praying more frequently to draw nearer to God.

On Fridays, strict Lent observers frequently choose to eat fish instead of meat. These spiritual practices aim to build up the observer’s faith and foster a closer relationship with God.

Ash is distributed in the Catholic Church to remind the faithful that they are dust and that they will be returned.

The practice of blessing ashes made from palm branches that were blessed on the previous year’s palm Sunday and placed on the foreheads of participants is what gave the name Ash Wednesday.

The Supreme Court’s decision, which was delivered on February 28, 2025, is still being heard by the Rivers State Government.

The Rt. Hon. Governor Siminalayi Fubara was given a 48-hour ultimatum to present the State’s budget for the year 2025 by the Martins Amaewhule-led assembly during its session.

The governor’s office, the deputy governor, and the Accountant-General’s office were informed in a letter addressed to the Speaker of the House that neither the document had received as of the close of business on March 4. The document was signed by Dr. Tammy Danagogo, the secretary to the state government.

However, the letter did not name any individuals who would be the Rivers State House of Assembly’s speaker.

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Governor Siminalayi Fubara recently addressed Danagogo about the state broadcast on March 2 and reiterated his commitment to upholding the rule of law.

The Governor, according to him, promised the people of Rivers State that his administration would follow the court’s orders in the best interests of the state despite any individual opinions regarding the Supreme Court’s decision.

Further, the government further disclosed that the government’s legal team is still awaiting a certified accurate copy of the decision and promised to act accordingly right away.

I hereby refer to you to a letter dated March 3, 2025, which we discovered on social media, and inform you that:

We are yet to receive the letter as of the work’s conclusion on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. The letter has not been sent to the governor’s office, the deputy governor’s office, or the state’s accounting office.

“Sir Siminalayi Fubara, Governor of Rivers State, please, recall that His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, Governor of Rivers State, stated clearly in a broadcast on Sunday, March 2, 2025, that he will uphold and follow the Supreme Court’s orders in accordance with the rule of law and the interests of the state’s citizens.

Olusegun Obasanjo, 88, was criticized by President Bola Tinubu for his “controversial” behavior on his 88th birthday, while eulogizing his country’s contributions.

The former statesman is referred to as an “extraordinary leader” whose contributions to Nigeria’s development are unwavering in a statement signed on Wednesday.

Obasanjo’s frequent, if occasionally contentious, interventions in national affairs have helped shape public policies and control leaders, according to Tinubu.

Former President Obasanjo’s frequent interventions in national affairs have influenced public policies and provided a check on leadership, according to the former president.

The former president is still gaining strength at 88. I ask that God Almighty grant him more years so that the country and Africa can continue to benefit from his wisdom and experience, Tinubu said.

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Tinubu also praised Obasanjo’s leadership and commitment to promoting peace, progress, and national unity, and asked for the former leader’s strength and wisdom.

The former President has a long-lasting impact on both domestic and international affairs, according to Tinubu. He added that Obasanjo was a “broker and a troubleshooter” who had won him respect in Africa and the world through his advocacy for conflict resolution and governance.

The President claimed that Col. Philip Effiong, the commander of the Biafran Army, gave him the instrument of surrender in 1970, citing Obasanjo’s significant contribution to the end of the Nigerian Civil War.

In addition to praising Obasanjo’s leadership following the assassination of General Murtala Muhammed in 1976, Tinubu also praised his support for democracy by overseeing the transition to civilian rule in 1979.

“General Obasanjo took crucial decisions that had a significant impact on the lives of many Nigerians. He consistently demonstrated a selfless commitment to national harmony, peace, and advancement as the head of state.

Pope Francis, who is recovering from a pneumonia infection, had a good night’s sleep, according to the Vatican’s report on Wednesday, but Francis will miss Lent, the start of the most significant Catholic religious season.

The 88-year-old, who has been in Rome’s Gemelli hospital since February 14, “rested well overnight” and woke up shortly after 8 a.m. (0700 GMT), according to a morning medical bulletin for the pope.