7TH ASSEMBLY: TWO YEARS IN OFFICE, I RETURN THE GLORY TO GOD

I give God Almighty all the glory, honour and adoration for giving me another opportunity to be alive, hale and hearty to witness the 7th Assembly Second Legislative year; a smooth journey which started June 6, 2011 at the Federal House of Representatives.

My contributions so far as Hon (Comrade) Joseph Iranola Akinlaja at the hallowed chamber in the last 2 years have helped in entrenching robust debates, exciting motions, petitions, various constituency projects/empowerment programmes at the constituency level and quality legislation that had significantly impacted on the standard and quality of lives of our expectant people.

This medium plus other veritable platforms are the various channels of interaction, communication, and discourse with my constituents whom I primarily represent in the House of Representatives (Ondo East/West Federal constituency); the people of Nigeria on whose mandate I serve as Deputy Chairman Women Affairs; and the global community with which our dear country must partner to achieve our aspirations and destiny as a people united in strength, vision and purpose.

I am proud to be part of this sacred institution which has persistently shown strong commitment to rekindle the hopes of Nigerians especially the underdogs who now have a voice in our democratic institution and no longer treated with contempt or disdain. There is no gainsaying, therefore, that we have been elected to leadership at a most trying time; a period when the need to restore public confidence, set the agenda and machinery for legislative business, evolve best practices for public procurement, ensure judicious use of public funds, entrench transparency and accountability, unite our honourable members, and mobilise our energies towards the critical business of lawmaking and constituency representation.

I have a vision of a House of Representatives which shall once again be fondly referred to as the House of the Nigerian people, and thankfully we are living this dream. On this note special commendation must go to the Speaker of House of Representatives Rt Hon. Aminu Tambuwal for exhibiting unprecedented leadership qualities devoid of party influence, sentiments, bias, or ethnicity which truly represent the interest of ordinary Nigerians.

I use this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to my Governor, His Excellency Governor Olusegun Mimiko, my wife, children, personal aides, extended family, and the entire principled people of Ondo State for their unflinching support, prayers, advice and immense contributions to set this enviable tone in politics which in the last two years have made my work to be meaningful and stress free. I also thank members of the opposition too for their constructive criticism, this has keep me going which is the beauty of democracy. My glowing tribute also goes to the media for being robust in discharging their constitutional mandate, as the fourth estate of the realm. Thank you all and God bless.

Signed:
Emmanuel Ajibulu,
Legislative Aide to Hon Joseph Akinlaja on Media/Strategy.

APC leaders meet, Akande, El-Rufai may emerge Chairman, Secretary of party

Bisi Akande

The leaders of the fledgling association meet in Abuja.

Leaders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, met in Abuja and may decide on interim leaders for the yet to be registered political party. The meeting was ongoing as at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

Sources in the party said a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, and prominent member of the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, Nasir El-Rufai may emerge the National Secretary of the APC.

Similarly, the incumbent National Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Bisi Akande, may be picked to head the association.

APC is the product of the ongoing merger talks among CPC; ACN; All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP; and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, to which the Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, belongs.

Nasir El-Rufai

PREMIUM TIMES sources said the leaderships of the CPC and ACN have already nominated Messrs el-Rufai and Akande for the positions and forwarded their names to the ongoing meeting of the association’s leaders.

The Joint Inter-party Merger Committee, JIMC, had held a plenary session last week during which it resolved to mandate all the parties in the merger to nominate members for the interim management committee of APC.

The nominees will be considered at Wednesday’s meeting which was expected to be attended by the members of the National Working Committees of the merging parties and JIMC.

It is not clear who the All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, has nominated for the position of Treasurer, which was reportedly allotted to it.

PREMIUM TIMES learnt Mr. Akande’s emergence was not a smooth one as another senior member of the ACN and former foreign affairs minister, Tom Ikimi, also positioned himself for the top position.

More details of the meeting will be provided as they unfold.

Source: Premium Times

Full Report Of The Senate Committee On The Review Of The 1999 Constitution

The Senate Committee on the review of the 1999 Constitution Tuesday tendered its full report to the Senate. The report is a Bill for an Act seeking to further alter the provisions of the Constitution and for other matters connected therewith.

Some of the highlights of the report include the provision for a procedure for enacting a whole new constitution, adoption of a single six (6) year tenure for President and Governors, creation of first line charge for State House of Assembly, State Independent Electoral Commissions, Auditor-General of the State, and the Attorney-General of the State; the separation of the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation from the Minister of Justice as well as the Attorney-General of State from the Commissioner of Justice amongst others.

See full report below:
1. 7TH SENATE- REPORT OF SENATE COMMITTEE ON THE AMENDMENT OF THE 1999 CONSTITUTION

 View Full Version Below:
7TH SENATE- REPORT OF SENATE COMMITTEE ON THE AMENDMENT OF THE 1999 CONSTITUTION

2. 7TH SENATE- CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT BILL


Source: Thewillnigeria.com

"Opon Imo": Aregbesola Has Set an Unprecedented Record

With the Opon Imo (Tablet of Knowledge) initiative which is to be distributed to over 150,000 students, the Osun State Government is prudently saving N8.2 billion that could have been spent on purchase of books on an annual basis.

I understand the tablets are uploaded with the e-version of all the subjects being offered in secondary schools incorporating different textbooks and lesson notes as well as past questions and answers on the West African Examinations (WASSCE), National Examination Council (NECO) and the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s ingenuity on secondary school education is capable of equipping students and helping them to come out in flying colours during both internal and external examinations. This is phenomenally unprecedented in the annals of the nation’s quest for quality education, a drive to improve learning skills, enhance educational status and general advancement of Nigeria as a nation.

Our caring Governor has invested in knowledge and human capacity development by extension this will ultimately help to secure the future of these kids to play significant roles in nation building. Governor Aregbesola is running an unusual government and setting a record that would need prayers for anybody to beat in Osun.

I am proud to be part of this history that is aimed at improving on the quality of life and education of our children. We shall continue to identify with him and to compliment his noble effort towards the uncommon, enviable and unbiased transformation. He is my mentor and am learning very fast. Posterity will surely judge him right. Without mincing words Osun is richly blessed under Aregbesola's administration.

Hon Rotimi Makinde,
Representing Ife Federal Constituency,
Deputy Chairman Human Rights Committee (House of Reps).

United States Places $23m Bounty On Shekau, AQIM Leaders

BOKO HARAM LEADER, MALLAM ABUBAKAR SHEKAU

The American government on Monday June 3rd, 2013 placed a bounty of US$23 million for information leading to the capture of five leaders of radical Islamic groups operating in Africa and spreading terror in West Africa.

Boko Haram’s leader, Mallam Abubakar Shekau, got the highest bounty of $7m. The Boko Haram is responsible for a series of terrorist attacks in northern Nigeria targeting both civilian, military personnel and establishments.

A statement posted on the USDOS Rewards for Justice Website gave 1965, 1969 and 1975 as date of birth used by Shekau. A further description of Shekau listed him as tall, slim and dark, with Yobe, Nigeria, as place of birth.

Shekau’s ethnicity was listed as Kanuri and is believed to speak Arabic, Hausa, Fulani and Kanuri.

His aliases include Abu Bakr Skikwa, Imam Abu Bakr Shiku, Abu Muhammad Abu Bakr Bin Muhammad Al Shakwi Al Muslimi Bishku, and Abubakar Shakkau.

The US is also targeting the Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) with the bounty. The one eyed AQIM leader in Algeria, Mokhtar Belmokhtar has a $5m bounty on his head.

Another AQIM leader with a $5m bounty on his head is Yahya Abou Al-Hamman, while $3m was placed on the heads of Malik Abou Abdelkarim, a senior fighter with AQIM, and Oumar Ould Hamaha, the spokesman for Mali's Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO).

Governor Aregbesola’s ''Opon Imo'' project exposed!

Opon Imo scholars

Opon Imo students

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DOES THIS ENHANCE OTHER OPPORTUNITIES OR IS THIS A MISPLACED PRIORITY?

The Opon Imo project is one component within an integrated, robust and exciting education reform programme currently going on, in the State of Osun, Nigeria.

Convinced that the people are her best asset, Osun under Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s administration is committing unprecedented resources to radically improve of the education sector and provide our country an inspiring reform model. Opon Imo is an innovative fraction of this effort.

The reform programme entails the following:

O SCHOOL project, where around 100 model schools are being built.

O MEAL project, free daily lunch meal for 254,000 elementary year 1 – 4 kids.

O UNIFORM project, standardization of school uniform for 750,000 students.

A centre of excellence pedagogical institute for teacher capacity development. Building of 9 Vocational Education Centre for Skills development.

The Opon Imo Project.

As can be noted Opon Imo is not a standalone, out of context initiative. It is a complementary, and modernist attempt to use the latest global technology , to give OSUN students a competitive advantage in the learning process. This is in line with the current practice of the most progressive states and countries in the world.

For pointers in this direction , please see:

Tablets for Education in UK Classrooms http://bit.ly/166bJD7

Tablet for Education in Thailand http://zd.net/10jEG6p

Tablets for Education in Turkey http://bit.ly/192bhEo

Education Tablets by Google http://zd.net/180chdc

Education Tablets by Apple http://bit.ly/11WbI3c

WHAT IS THE VISION BEHIND THIS PROJECT?

* To democratize access to learning.

* To complement current education reform.

* To help senior secondary school student better prepare for School Leaving ?Examinations.

* To use technology as a silver bullet to the learning problem in Osun.

WHY TABLET PC AND NOT A TRADITIONAL PC?

Opon Imo students

* Allows for mobility of student and tool.

* It is the most cost effective option given all variables

* Access to alternative powering – as it can now be powered in school and home

* It is a novel idea. It makes it even more aspirational for the user and community

* It gives the idea of a personal touch and thus aids personal studying opportunities any time of day

HOW DOES IT CONCISELY TACKLE PROBLEM WITH EDUCATION IN THE STATE?

* Unprecedented access to learning content.

* Huge cost saving in Text books procurement for the State.

* Access to updated information and trends by both the teachers and students.

HAS THE COUNTRY’S ELECTRICITY CHALLENGES BEEN TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION?

Opon Imo scholars

The Mobile nature of the Opon Imo device allows for flexibility in powering. It can be charged either in school or at home or both. In addition, communal Solar Chargers will be provided in schools to allow the students access to power.

The Electricity status of the country was a big consideration in the creation of this custom made tablets. The availability of recharge options and ease of recharge were carefully and strongly considered when approving this project.

WILL STUDENTS BE ABLE TO USE THIS TOOL?

The project was conceived for the Students; the technology was built to enable the Students; the success indicators are the Students! To further ensure there are no surprises with the results; a cultural and educational engagement program is being put in place to assess the acceptance of the Students and Teachers of the Tool; the acceptance and ease of use by the student, the relief and hope this brings to the parents and more so the motivation it gives to the teachers is an encouraging indicator that this Tablet of Knowledge is here to stay.

HOW WILL THIS INITIATIVE BENEFIT THE STATE?

* COST SAVINGS – There is already a Cost savings of around N8.4b by using the digital alternative versus paper textbooks. This is also a great aid for the parents of students who are in the Public Schools as they can refocus a large chunk of their income

* TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AND ADAPTATION – This initiative will enable knowledge transfer via the use of cutting edge technology. Technology will easily be used and consumed by the arms and people of the state and this will bring a lot of progress to the individual and State.

* INDUSTRIALISATION – Of the 150,000 tablets to be distributed to students, 100,000 of these will be produced in a factory to be built in the State, in conjunction with Opon Imo foreign technical partners. With this development, it is believed that, many industries and businesses will easily find the State of Osun adaptive for their projects and business. This blows wide open the opportunities that can be explored in the State given the growth and adaptation of Science and Technology at all levels.

* IMPROVED EDUCATIONAL ACCESS FOR STUDENTS – For the Student of Public Schools, the sky becomes their limit. They now have access to their lesson notes, past question papers and much more resources necessary for their mental growth and also virtual exam environment that gets them ready and ensures they excel.

* IMPROVED EDUCATIONAL RESULTS AND PROSPECTS – Given the allowance of the use of modern state-of-the-art curriculum and education materials via the use of relevant apps, the success prospect of every child has climaxed in many ways.

HOW MUCH WILL THIS COST THE STUDENTS?

OPON IMO is Free for all Senior Secondary Students in Public School

HOW WILL PRIVATE STUDENTS BENEFIT FROM THIS?

This will be available for the students of Private Schools at a purchase fee.

WHAT IS THE STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT IN THIS?

Everyone in the State of Osun is a Stakeholder. It is a project we are all committed to and are jointly motivated to see it succeed. The list is extensive and we have categorized under the following headers:

- Teachers

– Students

- Parents

- Community leaders.

WILL TRAINING BE AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS?

Yes; a cultural and educational engagement program is being put in place to assess the acceptance of the Students and Teachers of the Tool; the acceptance and ease of use by the student, the relief and hope this brings to the parents and more so the motivation it gives to the teachers is an encouraging indicator that this Tablet of Knowledge is here to stay.

WHAT ARE THE CONTENT FEATURES?

* 56 Text books covering 17 subjects

* 17 tutorial questions for the 17 subjects

* 1000 past questions

* 6 extra curricular subjects

* Educational Games

IS THERE AN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN?

Yes, there is a practical project schedule! Opon Imo is being project managed by a competent team from a foremost consulting Nigerian Company – Phillips Consulting.

HOW WILL THE DEVICE BE POWERED?

It can be charged. The tablet can be powered at home or in school. There is a communal solar charger option for charging the tablets in public schools.

CAN THIS DEVICE WITHSTAND THE NIGERIAN ENVIRONMENT?

Opon Imo was designed and built taking into account the evolving elements of our environment. It is noteworthy that the tablet ships with a water and fire proof pouch.

The Charging adaptor also comes with a fuse to protect the device from typical surges.

DOES THE DEVICE HAVE INTERNET?

The current version of Opon Imo has Internet deactivated to prevent the distraction this may cause to students at this level of education.

In addition, the Internet does not drive Opon Imo content, because of the unstable nature of current data networks in our country and the huge data requirements the device would have had.

As such, content is domiciled strictly on the Tablet.?This approach Is a Nigerian adaptation, that is believed to be suitable for developing Nations where internet connectivity can still be a challenge.

IS THERE A SUPPORT PLAN FOR THE SYSTEM?

The Support System is quite extensive:

First Level Support at School Level: Teacher (Opon Imo Ambassador).

Second Level Support: 9 Support Centers; one at each Federal Constituency.

Third Level Support: Factory Support in Osogbo.

HOW OFTEN WILL THE CURRICULUM BE UPDATED?

There will be an update mechanism at the support center level. The frequency of curriculum update will be defined by and subject to the policy of the state on refreshing study content.

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE TABLET WHEN A STUDENT PASSES OUT?

Opon Imo usage is to be recycled among students that graduate into the Senior Secondary Schools. As such, upon graduation from Senior Secondary School, students are to collect their school-leaving certificate in exchange for their Opon Imo.

ARE THERE ANY KNOWN HEALTH HAZARDS TO OPON IMO?

Opon Imo is a safe learning tool. There are no known hazards.

Culled from OMOJUWA.COM

Alhaji Dangote, 6 Others Bag Honorary Citizenship Of Arkansas, USA

Seven Nigerians were among 17 personalities citizens awarded honorary citizenship of the state of Arkansas in the U.S., each with a key to the city of Little Rock, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

Gov. Mike Beebe of Arkansas also proclaimed May 30 of every year as Nigeria Day, which was celebrated with a spectacular display of fireworks.

The certificate for the proclamation was handed over to Prof. Ade Adefuye, Nigeria’s Ambassador to the U.S., who was represented by Mr Baba Garba of the Consulate General of Nigeria in Atlanta.

The recipients of the awards are Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the President of Dangote Group; Sir Joseph Arumemi-Ikhide, the Chairman of Arik Air, Gov. Rabi’u Kwankwaso of Kano State; Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, and Prof. Tajudeen Gbadamosi, a former lecturer of University of Lagos.

Others are Prof. Ade Adefuye, Prof. Julius Okojie, the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC); Chief Temitope Ajayi, the Coordinator of Nigerian American Agricultural Empowerment Programme (NAAEP); Mr Robert Brunner, the Vice President America’s Arik Air International and Mr Kester Ifeadi, the Managing Director of Contemporary Group Ltd.

Beebe and Mark Stodola, the Mayor of the City of Little Rock, presented the awards during the Nigeria-Arkansas Economic Development Forum on Saturday.