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Tag: SENATOR NATASHA AKPOTI UDOAKHAN

  • Natasha moves to thaw frosty relations with Akpabio

    Natasha moves to thaw frosty relations with Akpabio

    Strong indications appeared, Thursday in Abuja that the frosty relation between Sen Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio had thawed.

    This follows an invitation extended to the latter to attend her project commissioning event.

    Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan had scheduled the inauguration of projects executed to the benefit of her constituents in Kogi Central to take place sometime next week and extended an invitation letter to the Senate President and other colleagues.

    The invitation from Natasha to fellow Senators , was contained in a letter personally signed by her and read in plenary by the President of the Senate .

    Natasha in the letter invited the entire Senators to join her in projects commissioning in Ihima Kogi State on Sunday to mark her second year in the Senate .

    ” The letter reads in part : ” In marking my second year anniversary as serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria , I wish to invite fellow Distinguished Senators to join me for projects commissioning in Kogi State”

    Meeting point for the event as stated in the letter , is Senator Natasha Akpoti – Uduaghan residence at plot 101 Jimoh Akpoti Street Ihima , Okene Kogi State .

    As announced by the President of the Senate , she added in the letter that for Senators traveling by Air for the event , Obajana Airstrip can be used for landing before proceeding to Ihima by road .

    Apparently pleased with the invitation, Akpabio after reading the letter , congratulated Natasha in advance , saying ” Congratulations in advance ” .

    Recall that the feud between the duo over seat re-allocation in the hallowed chambers of the Senate in February this year , snowballed into wider crisis and suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti – Uduaghan for six months by the Senate on the 6th of March this year .

    Uon her resumption from the six months suspension on the 24th of last month , Senator Natasha has been interfacing with Akpabio in plenary through contributions to proceedings.

    One of such instance was an additional prayer she made to resolutions adopted on Criminal Code Act ( Amendment) Bill , 2025, considered in the Senate on Tuesday last week ; but her letter to all Senators , read by Akpabio on Thursday, is the closest of all so far .

  • Senate commends Tinubu, Akpabio, NFIU, Others Over Nigeria’s Removal from FATF Grey List

    Senate commends Tinubu, Akpabio, NFIU, Others Over Nigeria’s Removal from FATF Grey List

    The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday passed a motion commending President Bola Tinubu for their roles in securing Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Grey List.

    The motion was sponsored by Senator Emmanuel Udende (Benue North East) and brought under Matters of Urgent Public Importance pursuant to Orders 41 and 51 of the Senate Standing Orders, 2023 (as amended).

    Senator Udende’s motion was titled, “Need to Commend the Executive, the President of the Senate, the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), and Other Stakeholders for Their Efforts in the Removal of Nigeria’s Name from the FATF Grey List,”

    Others mentioned for commendation in the motion were the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and key financial and anti-corruption agencies

    Presenting the motion, Senator Udende noted that Nigeria’s delisting by FATF was a major milestone reflecting the country’s success in addressing strategic deficiencies in its Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) framework.

    He said the development demonstrates Nigeria’s renewed commitment to transparency, accountability, and global financial integrity standards.

    Udende recalled that Nigeria’s previous inclusion on the Grey List had exposed the nation to increased international monitoring, reputational risks, and reduced investor confidence.

    He attributed the recent delisting to “extensive reforms and coordinated policy actions” implemented by the Executive, National Assembly, and regulatory agencies.

    The Senate, in its resolution, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, the NFIU and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)

    Others are the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and other stakeholders for their “tireless efforts” in strengthening Nigeria’s financial governance systems.

    Lawmakers expressed delight that the delisting has already boosted investor confidence and enhanced Nigeria’s credibility in the global financial community.

    They noted that Nigerian financial institutions would now enjoy smoother cross-border operations, improved remittance inflows, and reduced compliance costs.

    The Senate further observed that the development would have long-term economic benefits, including increased foreign direct investment, stronger regulatory stability, job creation, and enhanced trade competitiveness.

    In its resolutions, the upper chamber urged all relevant financial and law enforcement agencies to sustain the momentum by maintaining full compliance with international standards and preventing a relapse into the FATF Grey List.

    The Senate also mandated its Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes to intensify legislative oversight and policy reviews to further strengthen Nigeria’s anti-money laundering framework.