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Bill to empower rural dwellers scales second reading in Senate

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The Senate on Wednesday passed for second reading, a bill seeking to empower poor Nigerians in rural areas with guaranteed income and jobs that would provide 100 days of paid work per year.

Tagged, ‘The Rural Employment Guarantee Bill, 2021, the proposed legislation was sponsored by Senator Mohammed Sani Musa (APC, Niger East).

Musa explained that the bill among others, seeks to provide livelihood security in rural communities by providing at least one hundred days of guaranteed wage employment in every financial year to every household whose adult member volunteer do do skilled manual work.

He said the bill when passed into law would empower rural poor through the processes of a rights-based law.

He said it would ensure a strong social safety net for vulnerable groups, strengthen the natural resource base of rural livelihood and and serve as a model of governance reform anchored on the principles of transparency and grass root democracy.

He added that the National Rural Employment Guarantee bill aims to reduce poverty by providing extra work for those who need it, while also providing empowerment and insurance when other sources of work dry up.

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Citing the Poor Employment Act of 1817 in Britain, and the New Deal Programs in the United States in the 1930s, Musa explained that the piece of legislation was similarly intended to be an intervention that makes government an employer of last resort.

He noted that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development would monitor the implementation of the scheme in association with state governments.

Contributing to the debate, Senator Smart Adeyemi (Kogi West), threw his weight behind the passage of the bill into law.

He said, having agencies backed by law to oversee the implementation of such schemes for the poor would ensure that they are not abused.

He said, “In our nation today, Mr. President, most of these palliatives that the present government has put in place has been abused, because you have a situation where names are duplicated.

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“It is even difficult for you to know those who are benefiting.

“The bill my brother is seeking, is for us to have a formal agency for social security that will take care of all employment problems and even health problems of people who are not gainfully employed. It must be holistic.

“This bill is good, the intention is good, but I think this bill must go further to make it a holistic solution to the problem of unemployment in our nation, so that it is not abused, and so that in every local government in Nigeria, you have an agency in charge that will take care of unemployment of our people.

“In having the law, we must also have the punitive measures in place for those who would abuse it, so that people will know that this bill is intended to alleviate the suffering of people, and by extension, Mr. President, guarantee security of our nation.

“Most of the people who are into crime today, is out of frustration of unemployment. We have a large number of people who are unemployed.

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“Today, we have up to two hundred universities and polytechnics producing graduates.

“So, I think we must advise our government. Progressive as this government is to palliatives, let us formalize these palliative measures by having a social security agency in every local government of Nigeria, and let us put a law in place to make sure that nobody abuses it.”

The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, referred the bill to the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development for further work after passing second reading.

The Committee which is chaired by Senator Abdullahi Adamu was given four weeks to report back to the Senate.

In a related development, the Smallholder Farmers (Protection) Bill 2021, also scaled second reading on Wednesday.

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The bill sponsored by Senator Muhammad Enagi Bima (Niger South) was also referred by the Senate President to the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development.

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Traveller Praises Enugu Air, Says Airline Has Made Enugu More Accessible

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A traveller who arrived in Abuja aboard an Enugu Air flight has praised the airline for its service, describing the flight as smooth, calm and comfortable despite unfavourable weather conditions.
The traveller, Wordshot Amaechi Ugwele, in a viral social media post said Enugu Air had become a source of pride for the South-East and had significantly improved connectivity between Enugu and other parts of Nigeria.
Ugwele said the airline’s expansion to destinations including Benin and Kano had made air travel more accessible to residents of the region.
He said, “Today, our people can also fly directly from Enugu to Kano, a travel convenience that would have seemed unimaginable not too long ago, until Enugu Air made it a reality.”
Ugwele also commended Enugu State Governor, Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, for what he described as his vision, meticulous planning and disciplined execution in driving development across the state.
According to him, the governor’s achievements in infrastructure, connectivity and economic transformation had contributed to Enugu’s emergence as one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing states.
He said the establishment and expansion of Enugu Air demonstrated the administration’s commitment to improving transportation and connecting Enugu with other parts of the country and beyond.

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Canada based Prophetess Sparks Controversy After Celebrating Mother-in-Law’s Death

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Prophetess Ezinne Nwanorue, a Nigerian preacher based in Canada, has sparked controversy online after appearing to celebrate the death of her mother-in-law in a social media post that has drawn widespread criticism.

The cleric shared the funeral poster of the deceased, Comfort Nwanorue, on Facebook on Monday, accompanying it with remarks in which she accused her late mother-in-law of being responsible for some of the challenges she had faced in the past.

Ezinne claimed she had endured years of spiritual attacks and persecution, saying she believed God had exposed those she held responsible for her struggles.

She also issued stern warnings to individuals she described as agents of evil, urging them to repent.

Her comments triggered a wave of reactions on social media, with many users criticising her for publicly expressing what they perceived as joy over the death of a family member.

The incident has also renewed public interest in Ezinne’s marriage to Franklin Nwanorue, which previously made headlines over a controversial fidelity oath he took before relocating to Canada.

Before leaving Nigeria, Franklin reportedly recorded a video in which he pledged to remain faithful to his wife, declaring that he should die if he ever cheated on her after relocating abroad.

However, Ezinne later accused her husband of violating the oath, alleging in a separate Facebook post that he had become involved with another woman despite his public declaration.

As of the time of filing this report, Franklin Nwanorue and other members of his family had yet to publicly respond to Ezinne’s latest social media post.

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Nnamdi Kanu Terminates Ifeanyi Ejiofor’s Legal Representation, Withdraws IPOB Mandate

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The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has formally terminated the services of his longtime personal lawyer, Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, directing him to stop representing him, his family or IPOB in any capacity.
In a letter dated July 22, 2026, and written from the Sokoto Correctional Centre, Kanu said Ejiofor’s engagement as his personal legal representative had previously been terminated verbally, adding that the latest letter served as formal written confirmation of the decision.
Kanu also withdrew any authority previously granted to Ejiofor to act for or represent IPOB, insisting that the lawyer no longer had any express, implied or ostensible authority to speak or act on behalf of the group.
Citing Section II, Subsection A of the IPOB Code of Conduct, Kanu said the power to appoint, suspend or dismiss principal officers rests exclusively with the IPOB leader unless expressly delegated.
He argued that no individual, committee or former office holder acting outside the provisions of the IPOB Code of Conduct could validly appoint or retain legal representatives for the organisation.
Kanu directed Ejiofor to immediately stop making public statements, granting interviews, issuing press releases or publishing social media posts on behalf of him, his family or IPOB.
He also instructed the lawyer to stop presenting himself as his legal representative or that of IPOB in any court, forum or public space, and to take the necessary legal steps to withdraw from any pending matters in which he remains counsel of record.
See also: Nnamdi Kanu engages new legal team as terrorism trial begins today
In the letter, Kanu warned Ejiofor against disclosing or misusing confidential information obtained during their lawyer-client relationship.
“Accordingly, I hereby place you on formal notice that you are not authorised to disclose, publish, communicate, exploit, or otherwise use any confidential or privileged information acquired in the course of your retainer, whether directly or indirectly, for any purpose whatsoever, except as required by law or by order of a court of competent jurisdiction, without my express written authorisation.
“Any unauthorised disclosure or misuse of privileged information may constitute professional misconduct and may give rise to disciplinary proceedings before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, as well as any other remedies available under the law.”
Kanu further cautioned that any breach of client confidentiality or unauthorised disclosure of privileged information could amount to professional misconduct and attract disciplinary proceedings before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), in addition to other legal remedies available under Nigerian law.
I tightened the language, removed repetition and improved the flow while retaining the substance of the original report.

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Rescue Operations Ongoing After Three-Storey Building Collapses in Oko

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Rescue operations are ongoing following the late-night collapse of a three-storey building known as Elite Five Star Lodge, located beside Tonimas Filling Station in Amokpala, Oko, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The building collapsed on Sunday night, July 26, 2026, trapping some occupants beneath the rubble.

According to the Anambra State Police Command, a police-led joint security team was immediately deployed to the scene following a distress report.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Monday.

Ikenga said, “On receipt of the distress report, the police, in collaboration with other security agencies, immediately mobilised to the scene, secured the area to prevent further danger, and coordinated rescue efforts.

“The Anambra State Fire Service and the Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) also responded promptly and joined in the rescue operation.

“The Command notes that rescue operations are ongoing to reach other persons who may still be trapped, as the number of casualties or affected persons cannot yet be confirmed.

“Also, some injured victims have been rescued from the debris and evacuated to a hospital in Oko, where they are currently receiving medical attention.

“To this end, members of the public, especially residents in the area, are urged to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information, and stay away from the scene to allow emergency responders unrestricted access.

“Further updates will be communicated as more verified information becomes available.”

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Oji River College Gets N127.1bn for 393 Empowerment Projects — Tracka

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The Federal Cooperative College, Oji River, Enugu State, has been allocated 393 empowerment projects valued at N127.1bn in the 2026 Appropriation Act, according to civic technology organisation, Tracka.

The allocation is part of N947.70bn earmarked for 2,579 empowerment projects across the country, with Tracka raising concerns over transparency and accountability.

The organisation said the projects were spread across 184 implementing agencies, including institutions whose statutory mandates do not ordinarily cover empowerment programmes.

The Federal College of Horticulture, Dadin-Kowa, Gombe, received 216 projects worth N88.1bn, while the Federal Cooperative College, Ibadan, was allocated 94 projects valued at N36.9bn.

The National Agricultural Development Fund received six projects worth N89.5bn, including N89.09bn for the Renewed Hope Fertiliser Support Programme.

Tracka said only 70 of the 2,579 empowerment projects had clearly identified locations, making it difficult for citizens and oversight bodies to track implementation.

The projects include buses, tricycles, motorcycles, electric vehicles, sewing machines, fertilisers, vocational equipment and grants.

Overall, N962.83bn was earmarked for SUVs and empowerment projects, comprising N15.13bn for 39 SUVs and N947.70bn for the empowerment programmes. Tracka said the amount exceeds the combined N960.27bn allocated to seven federal ministries.

The organisation warned that poorly designed empowerment schemes could become channels for political patronage, while calling for greater transparency and accountability.

Its concerns come amid rising government borrowing. The Federal Government has increased its 2026 borrowing plan to N29.20tn, while total spending is projected at N68.32tn against revenue of N36.87tn, leaving a deficit of N31.46tn.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, Dr Muda Yusuf, warned that rising deficits and debt could threaten Nigeria’s fragile economic stability and create a risk of a debt trap.

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