General News
Role Of State Assemblies To Success Of Constitutional Review, Critical – Kalu
From Terkura Vande, Makurdi
DEPUTY SPEAKER, Federal House of Representatives (HoR), Mr Benjamin Kalu, has noted that the role of Deputy Speakers of the State Houses of Assembly in the Constitutional Review was critical to the success of the process.
The Deputy Speaker, of the Green Chambers of the National Assembly (NASS), who is also the Chairman, HoR Committee on Constitution Review disclosed this during an interactive session with Deputy Speakers of the various Houses of Assembly, across the country.
Kalu who initiated the engagement with the Deputy Speakers, seeking their partnership in the ongoing constitutional review, insisted that their input to the success of the review was crucial.
While using the occasion to disseminate the Report of the Joint Committees of the Senate and HoR, on Constitution Review, he explained that the move was to keep them abreast of developments ahead of the debate by parliament.
The Deputy Speaker of the HoR, said: “On the constitution review, we would want to partner with you. I want you to have a first hand information of what we are doing.
“Since we started this process, we’ve always asked for Houses of Assembly to be involved. We want you to be part of the process.
“We will give you copies of this and also look at the electoral act. Duplicate it and give to members ahead of time. The Senate and House have done the last joint retreat, we will now debate it before the parliament. It has been hectic but eventually we’ve done it.
“We can find a way to partner together. I believe that this structure is going to be resourceful for the growth of democracy in Nigeria.”
Earlier in their separate remarks, the Deputy Speakers of Delta and Benue Houses of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Arthur Akpowhowho and Rt. Hon. Lami Danladi who spoke on behalf of their colleagues commended Kalu for his efforts aimed at giving the country a people-oriented Constitution.
Speaking specifically on the Reserved Seats for Women Bill, the Deputy Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly, BNHA, and Vice Chairman of the Forum of Deputy Speakers of Nigeria, Chief Mrs. Lami Danladi, renewed her call for the immediate passage of the Bill, that is currently before the National Assembly.
Lami, who doubles as the North Central Coordinator, Tinubu Support Organisation (TSO) 2027, maintained that the bill remains a national imperative aimed at correcting long-standing gender imbalances and ensuring that women come into political circle and participate actively in all electoral processes.
According to her, the bill is not just a legislation but a rallying point for inclusivity, democracy, and nation-building, where women with political ambitions to participate in politics can be accorded desired and equal opportunity to serve their country.
Lami, who represents Ado State Constituency, in the BNHA, insisted that passing the bill would bring Nigeria closer to international set standards on gender inclusion and also reflect its democratic values.
She said, “The Deputy Speaker HoR, Benjamin Kalu, has single handedly come out with this bill for special seats for women to enhance their participation in politics, which has actually encouraged them. This must be commended.
“We need more women in politics. I really appreciate the deputy speaker for the bill to reserve special seats for women. We need more women in politics and that is why we are advocating and pushing for the 35% affirmative action for women.
“This has to be implemented because we want more women in politics. If the law is passed and implemented, it would help many women who have political ambition to come into the political circle.
“Woman are scared to come into the political circle even when they are willing to. They are scared about how the men oppress them by not giving them space to vie for elective positions”, she observed.
She appealed to members of the national assembly, to make history by giving the Bill their full support and ensure that it is given speedy attention and passed into law.
Danladi, also commended the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu for championing the reserved seats bill as well as anchoring the cause of women in politics in Nigeria.
By Nick Ibe, Abuja
To cushion the harsh impact of rising living costs, the Federal Government has approved a N70,000 monthly transport intervention for public service workers across all levels for six months, beginning in November 2026, .
This was one of the outcomes of the conciliation meeting between the Federal Government and the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, in Abuja on Tuesday, following renewed pressure from organised labour over the rising cost of living, workers’ welfare and outstanding agreements.
The government also approved the payment of peculiar allowance arrears, effective from May 1, 2026, in three equal monthly instalments beginning in November.
The parties did not agree on the effective date for implementing the national minimum wage, but agreed that the Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee would be constituted and commence meetings immediately.
The resolutions were contained in a memorandum of understanding signed at the end of the meeting by the Director-General of Budget, Timi Yakubu; NLC President, Joe Ajaero; the Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Garba Abdul S.U.; and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi.
The document made public after the meeting was tagged: ‘Resolutions Reached at a Conciliation Meeting Held at Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment Between the Federal Government and the Leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress on Tuesday, 27th October, 2026’, outlined agreements on minimum wage negotiations, transport support, outstanding allowances, health workers’ remuneration, tax relief and hazard allowances for agricultural officers.
The meeting followed an earlier conciliation session held on October 22, 2026, convened by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment to address disagreements between the government and organised labour.
On the transport intervention, the document stated, “That transport intervention of Seventy Thousand Naira (N70,000) commencing from November 2026 would be paid across all levels for a period of six months.”
The agreement trails high transportation costs and the prices of other essential goods following the removal of the petrol subsidy in May 2023, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Organised labour has repeatedly demanded measures to ease the economic pressure on workers, including reductions in petrol prices, improved wages and the implementation of outstanding welfare agreements.
The memorandum also noted the NLC leadership’s concerns about the government’s handling of its demands.
Addressing the disagreement, it stated that the NLC leadership “expressed concern over the Federal Government’s attitude towards the above issues.”
It added that the Federal Government, in response, “stated that it fully respects the right of the Congress to advocate for improved working conditions for Nigerian workers, and is genuinely trying to address every aspect of it through a structured intervention.”
On the national minimum wage, the parties agreed that the Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee would be constituted and commence meetings immediately.
However, the effective date of implementation remained unresolved.
The document stated, “It was agreed that the Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee would be constituted and commence meeting immediately. It should however be noted that there is a disagreement on the effective date of implementation.”
The disagreement leaves a key issue outstanding despite the commitment to begin negotiations without delay.
The national minimum wage became a major issue in 2024 when the Federal Government and organised labour negotiated an increase in the statutory minimum monthly wage from N30,000 to N70,000. The new rate was subsequently enacted into law through the National Minimum Wage Act.
The latest agreement refers to further discussions and the implementation date of the national minimum wage but does not provide details of the specific proposal under consideration or when the parties expect to conclude the negotiations.
The agreement indicates that while the government has approved some financial interventions, other workers’ demands remain subject to further negotiations, administrative verification or decisions by relevant government bodies.
“Trump… Please bring my son back to me. I am begging you for mercy.” And what Trump did when he heard those words… may bring tears to your eyes.
Her name was Malphine. She was 95 years old. A mother who had spent years waiting. Hoping. Praying. And one day… she finally got the chance to meet Trump. And stood before him. With all the strength she had left. And spoke the only words in her heart. Please. Bring my son home.
And Trump looked at this 95-year-old mother. Held her hands. And gave her a promise. I will bring your son home.
And Malphine held on to that promise. The way only a mother of 95 can hold on to something. When hope is all she has left.
Days went by. Weeks went by. And then one morning… the news finally arrived. Her son Marc was coming home. After years away. After years inside a foreign prison. After years of a mother waking up every single day, wondering whether she would ever get to hold her child again.
He stepped off that plane. And returned home. And when Marc’s feet finally touched American soil… Trump was there. In person. To welcome him. To embrace him. To look him in the eyes and say… welcome home. America has not forgotten you.
And in that single embrace…
Trump showed the world something that no speech and no rally could ever truly express: That America cares about its people. Wholeheartedly. Unconditionally. And never gives up fighting for them.
And today… I sat thinking about that story. And remembered every harsh word I had ever spoken about this man. Every judgment. Every doubt. Every moment I chose to look away. And I felt something I can hardly describe. Deep shame.
Because Malphine trusted Trump at 95 years old. With all the hope she had left. And he helped bring her son home.
Today… this is the side of Trump that so many people may never take the time to see.
Not the Trump in the headlines. Not the Trump on the rally stage. Just a man. Who listened to a 95-year-old mother pleading for her son. Worked to help answer her prayers. And personally showed up to welcome him home.
If this story touched your heart today… let God and every American reading this feel your .
And tell me honestly, in your own words — after reading this… can you still speak badly about President Trump? Because I truly find it difficult to do so. Not anymore. Not after hearing this story.
Sons of Liberty. Maga Movement
–Calls for NSCDC reforms, compensation for victims
By Son Tertsea, Abuja
Dehydration was cause of the death of the detained miners, the panel constituted to investigate the deaths of alleged illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Niger State Command, has stated.
The chairman of the committee, Jonathan Kure, while presenting the report to the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in Abuja on Tuesday, , said the miners suffered acute respiratory failure.
He also corrected the earlier reports that 37 miners died in custódy, saying 33 miners were confirmed dead.
He said the miners collapsed after calling for water and were ignored by the personnel of the NSCDC.
He added that the detention room was overcrowded and poorly ventilated.
He said the miners were illegally arrested and detained, stressing that they were all detained beyond the legally allowed period.
Part of the panel’s report called for a total reform of the NSCDC as well as solicited compensation for the victims.
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