From Fred Itua, Abuja
Senate has directed its Committee on Foreign Affairs to investigate alleged omission of Bayelsa State from the list of ambassadorial nominees.
The directive followed a point of order raised by Senator Emmanuel Paulker at plenary, yesterday.
The three-term lawmaker said his constituents drew his attention to the omission, shortly after the list was read in the Senate on June 9.
Paulker described the omission as a violation of the constitution, which gave credence to federal character.
“Few days ago, Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, read the communication of President Muhammadu Buhari on the floor regarding ambassadorial nominees.
“As we left the chamber, my staff and colleagues were inundated with calls which drew their attention to the fact that no nominee from Bayelsa State was on the list. I thought it was not true but, as I went through the list myself, it confirmed the fears expressed by our constituents,’’ Paulker said. The lawmaker explained that records showed there were two deputy directors in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who qualified to be on the list.
He said while some states had up to three nominees, Bayelsa was not represented at all and called on the Senate to communicate the Presidency on the omission so that justice would be done.
In his remarks, Saraki urged the committee to investigate the claim and report back to the Senate within the shortest possible time.
“In line with our rules, Paulker discussed this matter with me. I am happy that the chairman of the committee is here; they will take a look at the matter,’’ he said.
On June 9, President Muhammadu Buhari sent a list of 47 career foreign service officers as ambassador-designates to the Senate for consideration and confirmation.
Kidnappings: Akwa Ibom monarchs cry to Buhari for protection
From Joe Effiong, Uyo
Monarchs in Akwa Ibom State have run to President Muhammadu Buhari for safety, arising from threats to their lives and members of their families over oil spill compensation by oil companies.
There are 31 paramount rulers each per local government area in the state; but, the most threatened are those from the oil producing local government areas in Akwa Ibom South (Eket) senatorial district, where three paramount rulers have, so far, been abducted between 2010 and this year.
At the moment, whereabouts of paramount ruler of Esit Esit, Edidem Ubong Peter Assam, remain unknown.
Gunmen allegedly kidnapped Edidem Assam, alongside his pregnant wife and four children. The monarchs said though his wife, who gave birth in the kidnappers’ den has been released after 15 days, Assam’s whereabouts is still unknown.
Consequently, the monarchs, in an appeal to President Buhari, signed by Essien Udim, Okuku Cosmas Akpan representing Ikot Ekpene senatorial district; Edet Akpan Inyang of Itu, representing Uyo senatorial district; Offong Odiong Akpan, of Oron representing Eket senatoral district and Obong Afaha Emmanuel, secretary of the forum, asked the president “to look into the issue of oil spill from 1998 to 2016 as they affect the Niger Delta region, holistically.”
Narrating their plight, the monarchs said “the major polluters (two oil companies names withheld) have consistently refused to handle the menace of oil spill and compensation in accordance with internationally acceptable standard in the oil and gas industry.”
They said due to the refusal, paramount rulers and other community leaders have been exposed to accusations and counter-accusations, attacks and abductions by their subjects who believed that the oil company had paid compensation to the communities but was embezzled or diverted by the paramount rulers.
Appealing to the president to investigate the whereabouts or otherwise of the alleged 2010, 2012 and 2014 oil spill compensation money believed to have been released by the oil company, the royal fathers commended the president for instituting a legal action on an oil company over the Bonga oil spill.