The Senate on Thursday announced the replacement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as Chair of the Committee on Diaspora and NGOs, naming Senator Aniekan Bassey, who represents Akwa Ibom North-East, as her successor. The decision, disclosed during plenary, came without an official explanation, though Bassey is expected to assume his new duties with immediate effect. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, had only assumed the Diaspora Committee role in February 2025 following an earlier reshuffle that saw her removed from the Senate Committee on Local Content.
The announcement forms part of a minor reorganisation of Senate committee leadership, though its rationale remains unclear. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s removal marks her second displacement from a chairmanship role in under a year, raising quiet speculation among political observers. Her replacement, Senator Bassey, brings experience from previous legislative roles and is expected to steer the committee’s work on matters concerning Nigerians abroad and civil society organisations.
In another significant development, the Senate urged President Bola Tinubu to assist, on compassionate grounds, in paying ₦200 million in compensation to the family of two-year-old Ivan Omhonrina, who was tragically killed during a botched NDLEA operation in Asaba, Delta State. The call followed a petition submitted by Senator Neda Imaseun, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics. Ivan was fatally shot on July 13, 2023, as NDLEA officers reportedly opened fire during a raid, hitting the child as he returned home from school. The incident triggered public outcry and demands for justice.
During plenary, lawmakers condemned the incident in strong terms, describing it as a painful example of avoidable brutality by security forces. They unanimously called on the NDLEA to take full responsibility by covering the total compensation demanded by the family. In honour of the slain toddler, the chamber observed a minute of silence, reaffirming its commitment to justice and the need for accountability within law enforcement. The Senate further directed its Committee on Legislative Compliance to monitor the implementation of the resolution and submit a report within two months.
