The Senate, on Tuesday, warned President Bola Tinubu against illegal spending and advised him to seek a supplementary budget for its Compressed Natural Gas initiative.

The Senate through its Committee on Gas, led by Senator Jarigbe Jarigbe, urged the executive arm of government to expeditiously present a 2023 Supplementary Budget to the National Assembly to kick start the Compressed Natural Gas project.

This request came barely 48 hours after President Bola Tinubu announced measures to cushion the pains of fuel subsidy removal on Nigerians.

The lawmakers insisted that the law was against extra-budgetary spending.

He said, “The noble initiative would ameliorate the hardship of the citizens. Also, the President needs to come up with a supplementary budget to enable the government to fund the gas value chain, including the provision for CNG infrastructure and CNG vehicles.”

He also stated that the workshops and training for CNG adoption would need to be funded.

“The President should not embark on extra-budgetary expenditure because it would be inconsistent with the provisions of the law.”

Jarigbe stated that the National Assembly, under the leadership of the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, was poised to support the lofty programmes of Tinubu.

He said a 2023 supplementary budget would be most appropriate, instead of the ‘Ways and Means’ approach of the previous administration, which had remained a major issue of contention in the Central Bank of Nigeria.

In his Independence speech, the President explained that he would ensure that the hardship of Nigerians was alleviated.

Tinubu had said, “A Nigeria where hunger, poverty and hardship are pushed into the shadows of an ever fading past.

“We have opened a new chapter in public transportation through the deployment of cheaper, safer CNG buses across the nation. These buses will operate at a fraction of current fuel prices, positively affecting transport fares.

“New CNG conversion kits will start coming in very soon as all hands are on deck to fast track the usually lengthy procurement process.”

He said his administration was also setting up training facilities and workshops across the nation to train and provide new opportunities for transport operators and entrepreneurs.

Chicago State University, United States of America has released to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar the academic records of President Bola Tinubu.

The CSU released the documents to Atiku on Monday in compliance with the order of a United States District Court in Northern District of Illinois.

In ordering the CSU to release Tinubu’s academic record, a US district judge dismissed the President’s objection.

The judge ruled: “For the foregoing reasons, the court overrules President Tinubu’s objections to Magistrate Judge Gilbert’s recommended ruling, and therefore, adopts the ruling in full.

Mr Atiku’s Application is, therefore, granted. In light of the pending Supreme Court of Nigeria deadline, represented to the court as October 5, 2023, and based on CSU’s representations that it is ready to comply with the discovery requests and produce a witness, the court sets an expedited schedule for completion of discovery.

Respondent CSU is directed to produce all relevant and non-privileged documents in response to Requests for Production Nos. The Rule 30(b)(6) deposition of CSU’s corporate designee must be completed by 5:00 p.m. CDT on Tuesday, October 3, 2023. Given the October 5, 2023, filing deadline before the Supreme Court of Nigeria, the court will not extend or modify these deadlines.”

In the CSU documents, which went viral late Monday night, the institution responded to Atiku’s four requests.

Responding to Atiku’s request for “A true and correct copy of any diploma issued by CSU in 1979 to Mr Tinubu,” the US varsity said: “CSU does not, in the ordinary course, keep copies of student diplomas, and after the diligent search cannot locate a copy of the original diploma it prepared for Mr Tinubu in 1979, hence, has no documents responsive to this request.”

Atiku intends to use the CSU academic record in pursuit of his appeal at the Supreme Court where he is challenging Tinubu’s victory in the February 25 presidential election.

But Tinubu’s legal team has argued that the documents would be of no use at the Supreme Court.

***Renews call on labour to shelve planned strike

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has congratulated Nigerians as they celebrate the country’s 63rd Independence Anniversary, saying the country will be great again.

While calling on fellow citizens and compatriots to keep hope in the country alive, the speaker said doomsayers and pessimists would soon be disappointed.

Despite the myriad of challenges facing Nigeria, Abbas noted that the country still has the prospect and potential to reclaim its leadership position in the comity of nations, especially with its abundant human and natural resources.

He also urged the organised labour – Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress – to shelve the plan to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike on Tuesday over issues bothering on welfare.

“Embarking on a nationwide indefinite strike at this time would do the country no good. Rather, it would only aggravate the situation at hand, the Speaker said, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi, on Saturday.

“The organized labour should reason with the Federal Government and put the strike on hold by cooperating with the authorities so that all issues would be resolved amicably.

Recall the speaker had on Tuesday cautioned against the strike, noting the consequences on the already ailing economy.

Again, he called for a return to the negotiating table by the leadership of the unions, noting that continued dialogue with the government would achieve greater and long-lasting results.

He also decried the brain drain being suffered by the country, stating that only Nigerians can rebuild their country to make its pasture greener.

“I urge young Nigerians to be more patriotic, using their talents and skills to develop their country.

“With the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the introduction of revolutionary policies and programmes, the government stands a better chance of winning the confidence of not just the youth but all citizens of the country,” he said.

While calling for support and prayers for the tiers and arms of the government at all levels, Abbas expressed optimism that the future is bright for Nigeria and Nigerians.

“The 10th House’s readiness is to accelerate the consideration and passage of legislation that will aid the growth and development of the country,” he said.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, on Wednesday, called for global peace and harmony on the occasion of the Eid-el-Maulud.

Tuggar, in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Alkasim Abdulkadir, prayed for peace and security in Nigeria, most especially in the Economic Community of West African States and other parts of the world going through conflicts and strife.

He said, “The lesson from the life of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) is one of inspiration to be pious and humane.

Tuggar noted that the prophet’s qualities such as his dedication to love and humility, are significant in today’s world.

He prayed that the celebration would bring peace and tranquility to the country and the world at large.

“His dedication to love, compassion, humility and teaching tolerance are needed in these times. May the occasion of Eid-el-Maulud bring our country and the entire world peace and tranquillity. Have a wonderful celebration,” the minister said.