Category Nigeria News

On Wednesday, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s supporters stormed the National Assembly complex.

This is when Senator Neda Imaseun’s Senate ethics committee will begin its investigation into Senators Natasha Uduaghan’s inability to follow the Senate’s rules.

Cans of tear gas were reportedly fired as the protesters gathered, but security forces prevented them as they regrouped and regrouped.

As they demanded that President Bola Tinubu step in, the protesters accused Godswill Akpabio, the president of the Senate, of silencing and demonizing women.

They claimed that there are human rights issues with allegations of sexual misconduct.

As plenary resumed after a one-week break, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi Central, and her husband, met in the Senate Chamber today.

Before she entered the chamber, her husband kissed her for a brief but loving moment before taking her place.

In her newly appointable seat, which has been the subject of a heated argument, the Kogi State senator took her place.

She accused Godswill Akpabio, the president of the Senate, of sexual harassment, sparking tensions within the chamber.

The Senate President refuted the claim and denied any wrongdoing. However, the controversy and allegation have prompted new concerns about the legislative body’s standards of conduct.

Senator Natasha’s gaze was on her as the plenary sat down, indicating that despite the ongoing controversy, she was ready to carry on her legislative duties.

Also read: Senate Over Seat Arrangement: Drama Develops

On Wednesday, protesters who supported the Kogi lawmaker stormed the National Assembly in preparation for the Ethics Committee to begin its investigation.

Natasha’s alleged failure to follow the Senate rules is the subject of an investigation by the Committee led by Senator Neda Imaseun.

Cans of tear gas were reportedly fired as the protesters gathered, but security forces prevented them as they regrouped and regrouped.

As they demanded President Bola Tinubu to step in, the protesters accused the president of silencing and demonizing women.

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.

Read more: Trade Minister of Nigeria Secures $50.8 billion in Investment Deals.

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.

READ ALSO: Fubara Receives 48 Hours to Present 2025 Budget Through Rivers Assembly

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.