The leadership of the 10th Senate has again altered its legislative calendar, shifting the resumption of plenary sittings from September 23 to October 7, 2025.
The postponement was conveyed in an internal memo signed by the Chief of Staff to the Senate President, Chinedu Akubueze.
The shift in date has raised eyebrows within the National Assembly as it extends the chamber’s annual recess by another two weeks.
While no official reason was given, sources said that the delay was intended to allow lawmakers to fully observe the Independence Day celebrations on October 1.
In the memo titled “Notice of Shift in Plenary Resumption Date,” Akubueze also apologised to the senators for the belated information.
It read, “This is to respectfully inform Distinguished Senators that the resumption of plenary sitting of the Senate, earlier scheduled for Tuesday, 23rd September, 2025, has been shifted to Tuesday, 7th October, 2025.
“Any inconvenience this short notice may cause is deeply regretted. Distinguished Senators are kindly invited to note the postponement and adjust their schedules accordingly.
“Thank you for your kind understanding, and God bless.”
The Senate had adjourned plenary on July 24 for its annual recess. At the time, Senate President Godswill Akpabio justified the move as an act of “chamber reciprocity,” since members of the House of Representatives had also embarked on a break in line with the legislative calendar.
With the latest adjustment, critical debates and pending motions—including oversight inquiries into government spending and executive appointments—will remain on hold.
The PUNCH
- After injury-plagued years, Dembele wins 2025 Ballon d’Or
Category: Sport
Source: DP
Excerpt: Ousmane Dembele, once injury-hit at Barcelona, won the 2025 Ballon d’Or after scoring 35 goals to lead PSG to a domestic double and their first Champions League title.
Image: Dembele while receiving the Ballon d’Or award
Ousmane Dembele moved from Borussia Dortmund to Barcelona in 2017 for an initial fee of €105m (up to €147m with add-ons). The 20-year-old had just helped Dortmund win the German Cup in May 2017, scoring the opening goal in the final.
Barcelona gave him Neymar’s old No.11 shirt and hailed him as a future star. He made a memorable debut by creating a goal as a substitute, but in his first La Liga start he tore a hamstring and missed roughly four months.
Injuries and setbacks
At Barcelona, Dembele’s career was marred by frequent injuries. He still won three La Liga titles and two Copa del Rey trophies with the club, but he never secured a regular place.
Reports by renowned sports platform, FourFourTwo, note that over his six seasons at Camp Nou he suffered at least 14 muscle injuries, spending about 784 days on the sidelines.
Dembele later admitted that he wasn’t lucky for three or four years with injuries during his time in Catalonia. Frustration grew as each recovery was followed by another setback.
By summer 2023 Barcelona decided to move on, selling Dembele to Paris Saint-Germain for about £43.5m and ending his six-year stint at the club.
Resurgence at PSG
Dembele rebounded strongly after joining PSG in 2023. In the 2024–25 season he scored 35 goals in 53 games and helped PSG to a domestic double and a first-ever Champions League title.
He netted 21 goals with eight assists in 29 league appearances and was crucial in Europe, adding eight Champions League goals and decisive strikes in knockout rounds. His performances earned him the 2025 Ballon d’Or, which he won ahead of Barcelona’s rising star Lamine Yamal.
After the award ceremony in Paris, Dembele was visibly moved. “What just happened to me is incredible. I’m speechless. It’s been an amazing season with PSG. I’ve experienced incredible things, and I’m a little nervous; it’s not easy,” he said.
He called receiving the trophy “truly exceptional”, especially getting it from Ronaldinho, and thanked PSG’s president and staff as “a wonderful family” for their support.
He also praised coach Luis Enrique as “like a father” for helping him rediscover top form.
The PUNCH
