The house of representatives has asked the federal government to suspend implementation of the Samoa Agreement.

The house has also resolved to investigate the agreement signed by the federal government on June 28.

The green chamber passed the resolution following the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Sani Madaki, the minority whip, and 87 other lawmakers.

The agreement recently sparked controversy following reports that some lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) provisions found their way into the pact.

WHAT IS SAMOA AGREEMENT?

According to the European Council, the Samoa Agreement is the overarching framework for European Union (EU) relations with African, Caribbean, and Pacific countries.

The agreement serves as a new legal framework for EU relations with 79 countries, including African, Caribbean, and Pacific countries.

The agreement covers six priority areas, which are democracy and human rights; sustainable economic growth and development; climate change; human and social development; peace and security; and migration and mobility.

The agreement was officially signed on November 15, 2023, by the EU and its member states and Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS) members in Samoa, a country in Oceania.

Nigeria did not sign the agreement initially, as the federal government said it was still studying the pact.

The new agreement replaces the Cotonou Agreement, which was signed in 2000.

The signing of the agreement has been dogged with claims that it seeks to compel developing nations to support LGBTQ agitations.

The claims have been established to be false.

Mohammed Idris, the minister of information and national orientation, clarified that the federal government ensured that the agreement did not contravene the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and other extant laws.

The government has also explained that the agreement is strictly for the economic development of the country — as against claims that it contains provisions for same-sex marriage.

THE DEBATE

Moving the motion, Madaki said the agreement violates the nation’s law on LGTBQ and same-sex marriage.

Supporting the motion, Ghali Tijani from Kano, said the house should reject the Samoa Agreement in its “entirety”.

Bello Kumo, majority whip, said the federal government should rescind the signing of the agreement and tender an apology to Nigerians.

Kingsley Chinda, minority leader who is a co-sponsor of the motion, said the movers of the motion were not approving or condemning the agreement.

He asked his colleagues not to be “judgmental”, adding that the motion was calling for an investigation.

The lawmaker said the federal government should have carried lawmakers along before signing the agreement.

“The problem is lack of information. We were not carried along,” he said.

Julius Ihonvbere, majority leader, told his colleagues that “there is no portion in the agreement that supports LGBTQ”.

As Ihonvbere spoke, his colleagues interrupted, shouting “no” in unison.

NIGERIA’S ANTI SAME-SEX LAW

Nigeria’s Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Act (SSMPA) passed in 2014 prohibits LGBT rights and criminalises marriage between people of the same sex.

Nigeria’s legal position on same-sex marriage was what fuelled the uproar that followed its signing of the Samoa Agreement.

Big Brother Naija reality show star, Doyin David, has stated that she goes into a relationship for companionship and not for marriage.

Doyin made the disclosure during her latest interview with media personality, Olufemi Daniel.

Speaking about her relationship and perception, she explained that marriage is not important to her.

“I never really date to get married but to have a good time and I date for companionship, whether it leads to marriage or not.

“I mean sex is part of companionship, but it is not the major reason I’m dating. I date for companionship and not for marriage, so I’m fine if it doesn’t lead to marriage, we had a good time. I’m fine with life partnership if a marriage does not come.

“At the end of the day, what is marriage? Is it about signing papers? It is not important, and I am not trying to talk down on the marriage constitution.

“Companionship is important to me. So I just want to have someone who is my person for the rest of my life, so it’s not important to be legally married,” she said.

Music executive Ubi Franklin has revealed that he’s still in love with his estranged wife, actress Lilian Esoro.

The former artiste manager disclosed this during a recent interactive session with fans on Instagram.

A curious fan asked, “Are you still in love with ur son[‘s] mom, the most beautiful Lilian?”

Franklin replied, “Oh yes! We have a son together and love will always live there.”

He also revealed that he has plans of remarrying while responding to another curious fan.

The fan asked, “Do you have plans of remarrying?” to which Franklin replied, “100 per cent.”

Franklin and Esoro got married in 2015 and separated a year after welcoming their son.

Esoro first filed for divorce in a Lagos High Court, and it was denied. Franklin then filed in Abuja, and after years of back and forth in court, their marriage was officially dissolved on 28 January, 2021.

The Senate has urged President Bola Tinubu to urgently address the food insecurity across the nation.

This prayer followed a motion moved by Sunday Karimi (APC, Kogi West) and co-sponsored by Ali Ndume ( APC, Borno South) at the Tuesday plenary.

The motion titled, “Urgent Need to Address Food Insecurity and Market Exploitation of Consumables In Nigeria,” noted that in the last few months, the price of goods and household consumables have been on an abysmal rise in the country, leading to a high rate of inflation, weakened buying power, and general worsening of living conditions of the vast majority of Nigerians.

Karimi further noted that the latest data by the National Bureau of Statistics shows that “food inflation in the country skyrocketed to 40.66 per cent on a year-on-year basis, a significant increase from the 24.82 per cent recorded in May 2023.

“The current market price of food items such as beans, maize, rice paddy, yam, tomatoes, and onions which initially rose by about 40% after the removal of petroleum Subsidy has now increased to over 100% to 300% without any attributable reason for the increase in prices.”

He added, “Although insecurity in food-producing regions, bad roads, increase in the cost of transportation attributable to the removal of fuel subsidy and depreciation of the value of naira, are possible factors that have contributed to the increase in price of food items, household commodities, and consumables; the percentage of increase in cost of transportation and some under factors listed above, is significantly less than the percentage increase in the current prices of goods all ever the country.”

Karimi lamented that “there is a general attitude of ‘Get Rich Quickly’ or ‘Get Rich By All Means’ leading many Nigerians to jettison “being their brother’s keeper” and exploiting one another to make abnormal profits: This attitude has been justified on the basis that many political Class Technocrats, and Corporate Elites and Corporate Elites have helped themselves with Public Funds without any repercussions in law, Nigerian traders have thus resorted to Price Gouging to maximize profits.”

Karimi further stated that there are reports that farming communities in the border regions with other vountries, “prefer to sell their food items abroad (to these neighboring countries), rather than domestically(to the hinterland), thereby increasing local food insecurity.

“All efforts made by the current Federal Executive to arrest the consistent increase in food inflation have not yielded the desired results, there is a need to be more pragmatic about addressing food insecurity, curbing herder farmer crises, kidnapping for ransom, and Terrorism, and ensure the development of a viable National Commodity Board to regulate the price of grains and ensure the elimination of artificial contributions to food and commodity inflation in Nigeria.”

In his contribution, Ndume lamented that this was the first time Nigeria was listed as one of the countries battling food insecurity.

He said, “In their many publications, they say Nigeria is likely to experience the highest session of food insecurity globally.

“Currently, there are four countries including Sudan and some others that are facing very serious insecurity. Nigeria is added to this list this year by the International Rescue Committee as one of the spots for food insecurity action against hunger. World Food Program also indicated that over 32 million people are expected to face a critical hunger crisis and emerging levels between June and August.

“I don’t know about some other colleagues, but there in the North, we have started seeing it visibly. This is the first time we are experiencing this level of hunger. It’s the first time Nigeria is being listed as one of the countries with food insecurity.”

In his comment, the Senate President, GodsWill Akpabio, noted that the food insecurity followed the insecurity that had ravaged the country.

The Senate, thereafter, urged the Federal Government to address the food crises across the country.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has warned Nigerians against paying for electricity distribution infrastructures such as transformers, cables or poles.

In a statement shared alongside a video on X on Tuesday, NERC emphasised that consumers should not be coerced into purchasing transformers, cables, or poles, as this responsibility lies squarely with the distribution companies.

The statement reads, “Is your distribution company expecting you to buy transformers, cables, or poles? Don’t! It is the DisCo’s obligation, not yours!” NERC stated emphatically.

The regulatory body urged consumers to report any coercion or delays in providing necessary materials by the distribution companies.

The statement added, “Report any coercion to purchase, or delays in providing these materials to NERC for prompt action.”

NERC assured the public of prompt action upon receiving such complaints.

To facilitate this, NERC said it has established a dedicated email and phone number for reporting issues related to network investments.

“A dedicated email and phone number have been set up to address issues relating to investments in the network as follows: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 07074865354.”

Super Eagles player, Olanrewaju Kayode has dragged his wife, Ezinne Dora before an Abuja High Court to seek dissolution of their union, citing irretrievable breakdown of the marriage.

Additionally, Kayode is demanding N1 billion in damages from the founder of Salvation Proclaimers Anointed Church (SPAC Nation), Tobi Adegboyega, for emotional trauma, financial loss, and loss of goodwill due to an alleged adulterous affair with Ezinne.

The plea, detailed in a cross-petition dated July 1, follows months of public accusations between Kayode and Ezinne who got married since 2013 but have accused each other of infidelity, fraud, and domestic violence.

Ezinne initially filed a petition on March 20, alleging that Kayode had made baseless accusations of infidelity and witchcraft against her and her mother, and attempted to evict her from their matrimonial home.

She sought the dissolution of their marriage and custody of their three children.

In his cross-petition, Kayode asserted that Ezinne had multiple affairs throughout their marriage, naming her and Adegboyega as respondent and co-respondent, respectively.

He alleged that Ezinne conspired with an ex-lover, Ugochukwu Igboanugo of Zloc Constructions Limited, to seize control of property documents from his business ventures.

“The Cross Petitioner personally paid for several choice properties and instructed the realtor to prepare the transfer documents in the name of the Company DE-J-S Concept Limited,” the court document states.

“Unknown to the Cross Petitioner, the Respondent has connived with the said Ugochukwu Igboanugo and collected all the property documents and has been solely and personally collecting rent proceeds from the properties, expending same on her amorous relationship with the Co-Respondent to the Cross Petition.”

Kayode further claimed that Ezinne spent the rental income from these properties on her relationship with Adegboyega and has neglected the educational and mental well-being of their children, engaging in romantic and sexual discussions in their presence.

The Super Eagles player has also requested the custody of their children, asserting that Ezinne is unfit due to her alleged actions.

The court has adjourned the case to September 24, 2024, for further hearing.

The Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Ishaq Oloyede, has warned tertiary institutions in the country, particularly universities, against giving admission to underage students.

Speaking on Tuesday in Lagos at the opening of the seventh biennial conference of the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State-Owned Universities in Nigeria, Oloyede warned that such an act is illegal.

He also cautioned that apart from underage admission, all other forms of illegal admission must also be stopped.

Speaking on the theme of the conference, “Effective University Governance: Role of Stakeholders,” the JAMB Registrar said that for the sake of accountability, data protection and integrity of the nation, this act needed to stop because anything that was irregular was illegal.

He also recounted an experience involving a 15-year-old pupil who applied for a postgraduate course outside the country.

“About two months ago, I received a letter from an European country to confirm if a student actually graduated from a particular university because she is 15 years old and applied for postgraduate course.

“They question they asked me is “Is this possible in Nigeria.

“I had to call the Vice Chancellor of the institution and he confirmed the student graduated from the university but was not admitted by JAMB.

“He had to include that he was not the VC at the time the student was admitted,” Oloyede said.

Oloyede also warned against the illegal admission of diploma students.

“Also illegal admission of diploma students needs to stop because last year, we admitted 9,000 diploma students; I was alarmed that about 3,000 students came from a particular university.

“Everyone of us should be accountable because all these acts can damage our education system,” Oloyede said.

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu on Tuesday announced the creation of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.

The President announced while inaugurating the Renewed Hope Livestock Reform Implementation Committee, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

But President Tinubu did not mention the name of the Minister for the new ministry as it is expected that he has to forward the name to the Senate for screening and confirmation if it’s a new nominee.

Present at the Inauguration were the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume, the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila amongst cabinet members.

Recall that President Tinubu on 15th September 2023, approved the establishment of the Presidential Committee dedicated to the reform of the livestock industry and the provision of long-term solutions to recurring clashes between herders and farmers in the country.

The setting up of the committee was a sequel to the submission of a report from the National Conference on Livestock Reforms and Mitigation of Associated Conflicts in Nigeria.

The Ministry of National Defense of Niger and the U.S. Department of Defense announced on Monday the end of the first phase of the withdrawal of U.S. forces and equipment from Nigerien territory.

The announcement was made at the signing ceremony of documents transferring American rights to the Nigerien army at Air Base 101 in Niger’s capital of Niamey.

Transferring American rights to the Nigerien army at Air Base 101 in Niger’s capital of Niamey was in the presence of American ambassador Kathleen FitzGibbon and other civil and military personalities of the two countries.

According to Colonel Mamane Sani Kiaou, the chief of staff of the Niger Army, the agreement calls for the removal of all American military assets in Niger.

The agreement calls for the removal of all American military assets in Niger “including those in Niamey, Agadez, Ouallam and Diffa by Sept. 15.”

After removing forces and equipment from Air Base 101, the United States will focus on withdrawing from Air Base 201 in Agadez City.

“Nigerien and U.S. officials will work to ensure a safe, orderly and responsible withdrawal,” he added.

American troops had announced their official departure from the African nation by Sept. 15.

The Foreign Minister of Mali, Abdoulaye Diop, has reaffirmed his nation’s decision to permanently withdraw from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Naija News reports that leaders from Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have decided to depart from ECOWAS earlier this year, establishing their own confederation on Saturday.

A day after the leaders of ECOWAS gathered in Abuja, they selected the presidents of Senegal and Togo to facilitate discussions with the three countries in the Sahel region.

However, amid attempts at reconciliation by the organization, Diop expressed opposition to the idea of requiring visas for citizens of the three nations to travel within ECOWAS.

It is worth noting that the decision of the three nations to leave ECOWAS was partly motivated by their belief that France was interfering with ECOWAS’ operations and not offering sufficient assistance in the fight against jihadist groups.

Diop, however, mentioned Mali’s willingness to continue working with ECOWAS during a late Monday interview on the state-run ORTM.

“Our heads of state were very clear in Niamey when they said the withdrawal of the three countries from ECOWAS is irrevocable and was done without delay, and from now on we must stop looking in the rear-view mirror”, Diop said on Monday.

He added that Mali remains “open to working with our neighbours and other organisations with which we share this space.

“We will have to maintain discussions with others in order to move forward, but I believe that the path we have embarked upon is not reversible.”

Diop stressed that the creation of a confederation was only one stage of the process, adding that “the vision is to work towards a federation of the three states”.

ECOWAS has indicated that the three nations are required to adhere to a one-year deadline for their departure, yet the juntas assert that their exit is imminent and will occur without any postponements.

This move has sparked worries about the impact on the region’s ability to freely trade and travel.

“If visas are re-introduced, we will be proven right in the sense that some ECOWAS officials have not abandoned the old methods of frightening and blackmailing people”, said Diop.

“In an integration process, there are gains and losses for everyone, but we must work to minimise the impact on our populations”, he added.