Natasha invites Akpabio, others to project launch in Kogi

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi Central, has extended an invitation to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and her colleagues for a project commissioning ceremony in her constituency — barely two months after her suspension was lifted.

During Thursday’s plenary, Akpabio read Akpoti-Uduaghan’s letter to members of the Senate.

In the letter, the senator said the event, slated for Sunday, November 2, in Ihima, Kogi State, would commemorate her second year in office.

“In marking my second-year anniversary as a serving senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I wish to invite fellow distinguished senators to join me for project commissioning in Kogi state,” the letter reads in part.

She noted that the assembly point for guests would be her residence at Plot 101, Jimoh Akpoti Street, Ihima, Okene, Kogi State.

Akpoti-Uduaghan also mentioned that lawmakers arriving by air could land at the Obajana airstrip before proceeding to Ihima by road.

After reading the letter, Akpabio congratulated her on the milestone.

Akpoti-Uduaghan and Akpabio had a public disagreement earlier in the year during a heated exchange over seating arrangements in the Senate. The Kogi senator later accused the Senate President of sexual harassment — an allegation Akpabio denied.

On March 6, the Senate suspended Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months after adopting the report of the committee on ethics, privileges and public petitions. She returned to plenary on September 24 after serving the suspension and has since resumed full participation in legislative duties.

Earlier this month, on October 18, she attended a legislative retreat organised by the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development. On Thursday, she also sponsored a bill seeking the establishment of a National Centre for Autism and six zonal centres across Nigeria to promote early diagnosis, research, education and care for persons with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).