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Tag: Abbas Tajudeen

  • Abbas mourns ex-Senate president Lawan’s mother

    Abbas mourns ex-Senate president Lawan’s mother

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has commiserated with a former President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, over the death of his mother, Hajiya Halima (Baba) Ibrahim.

    Speaker Abbas, while describing Hajiya Halima as a successful mother, said she was a worthy example of womanhood going by the significant roles she played in her lifetime.

    The Speaker said it is painful and devastating for one to lose his mother, especially at a time her wise counsel is highly needed.

    Senator Lawan’s mother, aged 86, passed on Saturday at her residence in Gashua town, Bade Local Government Area of Yobe State.

    The Speaker, while commiserating with the immediate past President of the Senate, who represents Yobe North Senatorial District, noted that Senator Lawan’s mother lived a life worthy of emulation, especially by the female folk.

    He prayed for the repose of her soul, urging Senator Lawan to take solace in the fact that his mother lived an impactful life.

    Signed:

    Musa Abdullahi Krishi, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

  • Nigeria’s resolve to achieve SDGs remains undaunted – Speaker Abbas

    Nigeria’s resolve to achieve SDGs remains undaunted – Speaker Abbas

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has said Nigeria is committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), stating that the resolve is undaunted.

    Speaker Abbas stated this at the ongoing P20 Summit in New Delhi, India, while speaking on ‘Accelerated Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Nigeria.’
    The Speaker stated that Nigeria’s dedication to the SDGs extends beyond mere rhetoric.

    He recalled that in 2015, Nigeria embarked on a comprehensive transition strategy from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to the SDGs, which sought to build on the gains made from 2016 to 2020, scaling up implementation between 2021 and 2025 and accelerating progress between 2026 and 2030.

    The Speaker also recalled that Nigeria established the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs (OSSAP-SDGs) in January 2016. “The Office has contributed immensely to institutionalising the SDGs in Nigeria by implementing strategic initiatives and programmes,” he said.

    According to him, Nigeria has conducted independent country-led evaluations of SDG-3 (quality health and well-being for all) and SDG-4 (inclusive education and lifelong learning for all).

    He further recalled that Nigeria also sponsored United Nations’ Resolution A/77/L.64, which focused on enhancing voluntary national reviews through country-led evaluations.

    He said the resolution was backed by multiple countries, including Russia, China, Jamaica, Senegal, and South Africa, underscoring Nigeria’s international influence, and commitment to robust mechanisms for monitoring SDGs progress worldwide.

    Other notable efforts by Nigeria, Speaker Abbas noted, include playing a central role in the global launch of the Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF).

    “This sustainable financing plan solidifies Nigeria’s dedication to achieving the SDGs,” he said, adding that the country had also developed an Integrated Sustainable Development Goals (iSDGs) Simulation Model, a locally tailored analytical framework and a policy simulation tool for the SDGs at the national and sub-national levels.

    This innovation, he said, facilitates the alignment of the national development strategies with the SDGs, enabling the government agencies to allocate resources towards SDG realisation efficiently.

    The Speaker also stated that Nigeria has actively engaged in Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) to demonstrate transparency and commitment, presenting evidence-based reports at the United Nations High-Level Political Forum (UNHLPF) in 2017 and 2020.

    Speaker Abbas said these reports spotlight the policy frameworks and regulatory mechanisms carefully crafted to embed the SDGs within the national policies, plans, and programs. Importantly, he noted, state governments across Nigeria have set up analogous SDG offices, typically nested within their Ministries of Budget and Economic Planning.

    He said: “Nigeria’s journey towards the realisation of the SDGs has been significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which strained healthcare systems, diverted resources from other health priorities, and disrupted routine healthcare services, leading to setbacks in achieving goals related to maternal and child health, infectious diseases, and access to healthcare.

    “The economic fallout from the pandemic, including job losses and income inequalities, has pushed many people into poverty and food insecurity, making it challenging to achieve these SDGs. It also negatively impacted education, gender equality and climate action, among others.

    “However, our resolve to achieve the SDGs remains unshaken. Our approach emphasises inclusivity, ensuring that no Nigerian is left behind. Expanding upon legislative interventions, it is imperative to highlight the establishment of SDG committees in the National Assembly to advance the integration of the SDGs into our legislative processes and actions.

    “In recognition of the pivotal role of the OSSAP-SDG, we have consistently increased budgetary allocations to empower and enable effective coordination and oversight of SDG-related initiatives. Additionally, constituency projects by lawmakers necessarily incorporate SDG-aligned initiatives and projects.”

    While noting that one of the key roles of parliament is law-making, the Speaker noted that Nigeria recently passed the Out-of-School Children Commission Act 2023, aimed at addressing educational disparities, promoting access to quality education for all and preserving cultural and religious practices.

    In addition, Speaker Abbas noted that the 10th House had created committees for people with disabilities, women affairs, and youth development in the House of Representatives to demonstrate Nigeria’s commitment to vulnerable and marginalised groups.

    “To foster bi-partisanship and cross-party collaboration, we have ensured that the Committees on SDGs, Women Affairs, Youth Development and more are led and deputised by members across party lines,” he said.

    Speaker Abbas also noted that the National Assembly enacted the Climate Change Act, the first Parliament in Africa to take such a measure, towards mitigating the negative effects of climate change.

    He said: “Also, to facilitate the implementation of the SDGs, the Nigerian Government created the National Climate Council, which regulates climate change issues in the country.

    “All these measures, therefore, show that Nigeria remains steadfast in its commitment to the SDGs, with a strong emphasis on inclusivity and equitable development. Through comprehensive measures and ongoing collaboration, we aim to achieve these vital global goals and create a more sustainable and prosperous future for all Nigerians by 2030 and beyond.”

    Signed:

    Musa Abdullahi Krishi, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

  • Nigeria lost N16.25 trillion to crude oil theft in 11 years- Speaker 

    Nigeria lost N16.25 trillion to crude oil theft in 11 years- Speaker 

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas has revealed that  Nigeria has lost out $46 billion, N16.25 trillion, due to c inrude oil theft between 2009 and 2020.

    The Speaker started this while inaugurating the Ad-hoc committee to investigate crude oil theft and loss of revenue yesterday at the National Assembly complex, Abuja.

    According to the Speaker, crude oil thief has been one of the worst criminal activities in the country adding that the menace has drastically hampered the growth of the country’s oil production.

    The Speaker ,however expressed shock that critical agencies in the oil and gas sector such as the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, as well as the Ministry of Petroleum Resources have failed to honor the invitation of the Ad-hoc committee.

    The Speaker was represented at the inuguration by the Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Upstream, Hon. Al Hassan Ado Doguwa who further observed that if drastic action are not taken to address the oil thief, then the country may be thrown into a deeper fiscal crisis because of dwindling revenue from the oil and gas sector.

    The speaker cited some data from the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), the Speaker said Nigeria’s oil production declined from 2.51 million barrels per day in 2005 to 1.77 million barrels per day in 2020.

    He said “NEITI reports also show that 619 million barrels of crude valued at $46 billion were stolen in the period 2009-2020”, adding that “Nigeria has continually failed to meet its daily production quota as set by the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).”

    Abbas explained further that “recently, Nigeria’s OPEC quota was reduced from 1.742 million barrels per day to 1.38 million barrels per day. Yet, the country is still struggling to meet this quota as daily production output was 1.184 million barrels per day and 1.249 million barrels per day in May and June 2023 respectively.

    “On average, current daily production output is a far cry from the budget assumption of 1.69 million per day. The implication is clearly manifest in the economic crisis that the country is facing.”

    While saying that the nation faces a major fiscal crisis, the Speaker said that global recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine has continued to cast a cloud of uncertainty on the oil and gas industry in the country.

    He said “While the average international price for Brent crude oil has hovered slightly above the set benchmark price since January, Nigeria’s daily oil production has performed poorly due to a number of reasons.

    “It is common knowledge that investment in the oil and gas sector has declined in the past few years owing to global financing constraints and the overall response to energy transition considerations.

    “However, we must agree that the greatest challenge to optimizing crude oil production in Nigeria is the grand scale oil theft that has plagued the sector for the past 2 decades.

    Hon Speaker equally said the House is aware of several efforts by past – administrations to address the menace of crude oil theft with a number of task forces, special committees, and investigative panels set up in the past, each with a wide range of findings and recommendations.

    He said “NEITI provides yearly updates on the amount of crude oil stolen or lost through sabotage. Yet, the menace of oil theft has continued unabated despite the enormous resources already committed to addressing it.”

    In his address at the occasion, the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Alhassa Usman Rumrum, said the volume of losses occasioned by oil theft in the country and its associated impact on the economy is completely unacceptable and cannot be tolerated by any government that sincerely loves its citizens.

    According to him, “The way and manner this act of sabotage and breach on our national security and sovereignty is carried out daily makes a caricature of our pride as a nation and even a mockery of the acclaimed status of our armed forces.

    “It is an affront to government and its institutions, which must be tackled without further delay.

    “It is in the light of these that the House constituted this committee and is determined to bring this ugly trend to an end otherwise there may be no future for our remaining children who have not yet “Japa” to other countries in search of survival.

    “To members of the armed forces/security agencies, all Nigerians in the various states, host communities and even in the diaspora who are involved in this practice, I challenge you all to have a rethink. We have no other country to call our own, let us therefore not push this madness to a point of no return where we may find nowhere to run to.”

    The Chairman of the Ad-hoc Commitee also commended the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the courageous steps so far taken to rebuild the country, Rumrum said “These efforts will be in vain unless we make a resolute statement and send a powerful message through both words and actions, declaring that oil theft and all form of hydrocarbon unaccountability will not be tolerated under this administration.

    “Only then can our people confidently and joyfully embrace a renewed sense of hope and purpose”.

  • We’ll ensure women’s proper representation in governance – Speaker Abbas promises

    We’ll ensure women’s proper representation in governance – Speaker Abbas promises

    …says 10th House to reintroduce gender bills, review constitution on women’s seats in parliament

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has said that the 10th House would do everything within its powers to ensure women get proper representation in politics and governance.

    Speaker Abbas also stated that achieving improvement in women’s participation in governance should be seen as an important aspect of sustainable national development.

    He spoke in Abuja on Wednesday while addressing participants at the International Conference on Women in Governance, organised by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS).

    Abbas, while lamenting the slow pace of gender mainstreaming in politics and governance, cautioned that not speeding things up to catch up with the rest of the world would mean that Nigeria stands the risk of missing out on the all-important aspect of development.

    Speaking on the Gender Bills that failed during the 9th Assembly, Speaker Abbas said they would be reintroduce in the current 10th House.

    He said: “Let me assure Nigerians, and particularly women, that the 10th House of Representatives will do everything possible within the legislative powers of the House to ensure women’s proper representation.

    “I understand the frustration of women following the rejection of the Gender Bill in the 9th House of Representatives. That bill failed to pass because of the challenges of finding modalities for its success. But the 10th House will be revisiting the Bill as part of our Legislative Agenda, and we believe that working together with the women and stakeholders, we should be able to have a law that will benefit the women and all Nigerians and improve governance in Nigeria.”

    The Speaker noted with concern that “with barely six years and just one more general election cycle before 2030 (when the SDGs should have been attained), Nigeria stands the risk of missing out on this all-important aspect of development.

    “Nigeria’s lagging progress in political inclusion for women is not comforting. While many countries around the world have made significant strides in this area, Nigeria seems to be falling behind. It is even more embarrassing considering that other African societies, facing similar challenges and traditional practices, have managed to move ahead.

    “Gender equality, especially the political inclusion of women, is a critical issue worldwide, and Nigeria is no exception. Despite progress made in recent years, very significant gender disparities persist in various aspects of our society. Women and girls still face challenges in accessing education, healthcare, economic opportunities, and political representation. Discriminatory cultural norms and practices, limited access to resources and decision-making processes, as well as violence against women, contribute to these inequalities.”

    He said the United Nations recognised the need to address these problems when it introduced the Millennium Development Goals, which was later changed to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), for achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls as fundamental aspects of sustainable development.

    “While we have made commitments towards achieving the SDGs through various national policies and programmes, women and girls in Nigeria continue to face significant barriers to participating in decision-making processes across various sectors, including politics and the economy. This is in spite of their substantial numerical strength in the general population and as voters,” he said.

    Speaker Abbas, however, commended both the last and the current administrations for laying a policy foundation by approving a new gender policy that would span 2021 to 2026, which sets new minimum standards expected to be attained by the Nigerian government in order to meet the mandate for gender equality, a policy which he said the Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration has adopted and is implementing.

    “It is gratifying that the new administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is making conscious efforts to align with the new gender policy, especially with the number of women appointed into the new Executive Council and it is hoped that future appointments will take further steps to expand the inclusion of women in the governance process.”

    Speaker Abbas also lamented the low level of support given to women by the electorate during elections, pointing out that having 3.91 percent of 469 seats in the National Assembly occupied by women was nothing short of abysmal.

    The Speaker called on the male gender to do more within their spheres of influence to enhance women’s participation in politics and governance, saying that since it is men who usually shut the doors, they should make efforts at opening them.

    “What this means is that men must lead the drive for women’s inclusion in governance; after all, it is men who shut the door. They have to open it and allow the women to enter. This is the import of the growing awareness across the globe of the need for men to lead the charge for the expansion of the governance, political and development space for the greater accommodation of women.

    “On our part as Members of the Legislature, the 10th House of Representatives set up a Legislative Agenda Committee, which has captured the issue of women prominently. The House will be looking forward to taking a position on the review of the Constitution and the electoral laws, with the possibility of increasing the number of seats in the legislature for women in subsequent elections.

    “The legislature will work with the leaders of political parties to find a model, looking at other countries with high women’s representation, that will best suit the Nigerian political culture and ensure that women are properly represented in the legislature and other arms of government.”

    Signed:

    Musa Abdullahi Krishi, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

  • Finally, Speaker Abbas unveils 134 Standing Cttees, as House adjourns till September

    Finally, Speaker Abbas unveils 134 Standing Cttees, as House adjourns till September

    …as ex-governors Ibori, El-rufai children bag juicy committees

    The Speaker House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas has announced names of chairmen and deputies of 134 Standing Committees for the tenth House of Representatives.

    Abbas disclosed the constitution of the Committees and the various chairs on Thursday at plenary.

    Some first timers got very juicy committees like Rep. Odianosen Okojie got Committee on Petroleum Resources, Rep. Mohammed Bello El-rufai – Committee on Banking Regulations while Rep. Ibori-Suenu Erhiatake got Committee on NDDC, Rep.. Regina Akume committee on NAFDAC, Rep. Ikenga Ugochinyere who got Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) among others.

    Ranking members Like Rep. Frederick Agbedi Chairman Committee on FCT Area Councils and Ancillary Matters, Rep. Bob Solomon got Capital Market Institutions, Rep. Abubakar Bichi was appointed Chairman Appropriations Chairman, Rep. Rep. Babajimi Benson, Defence Chairman, Rep. Wole Oke Committee on Judiciary, Rep. Bamidele Salam is Chairman Public Accounts Committee, Rep. Awaji Abiante – Urban Development and Regional Planning,
    of the G7 group who were in the speakership contest also got committees.

    Rep. Muktar Betara, was appointed Chairman on FCT, Rep. Yusuf Gagdi Committee on Navy, Rep. Idris Ahmed Wase Chairman Federal Character while Rep. Miriam Onuoha – TETFUND and Other Services, Aminu Jaji got Ecological Fund and Sada Soli got Committee on Water Resources.

    Some Principal Officers of the 9th House were also appointed committee chairmen. Former House Leader Alhassan Doguwa was appointed Chairman Petroleum Upstream, Former Deputy House Leader
    Peter Akpatason – Communication.

    Others are Rep. Adamu Tanko – Diaspora; Rep. Okonta Chris – Climate Change; Rep. Chris Ogene – Renewable Energy; Rep. Bello el-Rufai – Banking Regulations; Rep. Ibrahim Bukar-Ibrahim – Rural Electrification.

    Speaker Abass earlier in his speech to mark the end of this session’s assembly said all members have equal status and directed the committees chairman to carry all colleagues along in their legislative businesses.

    The speaker explained that it is not possible for all members to be committee chairmen.

    He said: “Nonetheless, I am not unmindful of the fact that in spite of the painstaking efforts of the Selection Committee in setting up these committees, not everybody will be satisfied in terms of choice of committees.

    “I particularly carry a very heavy burden to appreciate members for their unanimous endorsement of my aspiration to lead this House. However, it is practically impossible to make every member a Committee Chairman or Vice Chairman. But, let me remind you that there are limitless opportunities within the House, and I assure you that we will provide these opportunities for every member desirous of service to so do.

    “While the outcome may not be perfect, favourable and satisfactory to all, I have no doubt that the Selection Committee has done what could be considered to be in the best interest of the House and nation. It is, therefore, proper and fitting, at this juncture, to express my gratitude to members of the Selection Committee for their sacrifices and commitment in the constitution of the committees we are inaugurating today.

    “My dear Colleagues, you would recall that the leadership of the House has consistently assured members of its resolve to be fair to all, irrespective of political leanings and affiliations. There are no grade ‘A’ nor the so-called ‘juicy committees’ as some erroneously often think. Every committee of the House enjoys equal status, powers and privileges as mere working groups to discharge the mandate given to us by our constituents”.

    The House adjourned for its annual recess to resume in six weeks time.

  • Reps constitute panel to screen Service Chiefs

    Reps constitute panel to screen Service Chiefs

    The House of Representatives has constituted an ad-hoc committee to screen the recently appointed Service Chiefs.

    Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, PhD who announced the setting up of the panel on Tuesday at plenary, said all the eight principal officers of the House from the majority and minority parties would be part of the ad-hoc committee.

    Speaker Abbas also announced the immediate past Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Hon. Babajimi Benson, as the Clchairman of the committee.

    The Majority Caucus has Hon. (Prof.) Julius Ihonvbere (APC/Edo) as Majority Leader; Hon. Abdullahi Ibrahim Halims (APC/Kogi), Deputy Majority Leader; Hon. Bello Usman Kumo (APC/Kebbi), Chief Whip; and Hon. Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga (APC/Kogi) as Deputy Chief Whip.

    The Minority Caucus equally has Hon. Kingsley Chinda (PDP/Rivers) as Minority Leader; Hon. Aliyu Sani Madaki (NNPP/Kano), Deputy Minority Leader; Hon. Ali Isa (PDP/Gombe), Minority Whip; and Hon. George Ozodinobi (LP/Anambra) as Deputy Minority Whip.

    The appointees billed for screening by the committee are the new Chief of Defense Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff and Chief of Air Staff.

    President Tinubu had on 19th June, 2023, approved the immediate retirement of all Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service and Advisers, and subsequently appointed their successors.

    The President had conveyed the nominations to the National Assembly via a letter dated 5th July, 2023, which was addressed to President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio; and Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, PhD.

    Among them were Mallam Nuhu Ribadu as National Security Adviser; Maj.-Gen. C.G Musa as Chief of Defence Staff; Maj.-Gen. T. A. Lagbaja as Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral E. A. Ogalla as Chief of Naval Staff; Air Vice Marshal H.B. Abubakar as Chief of Air Staff; DIG Kayode Egbetokun as Acting Inspector-General of Police; and Maj.-Gen. EPA Undiandeye – Chief of Defense Intelligence.

    The President consequently communicated the appointments to the Senate and the House to seek their confirmation by the National Assembly.

    The president’s letter read: “In compliance with the provisions of Section 18(1) of the Armed Forces Act. CAP A20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, I am pleased to present, for confirmation by the Senate/House, the four nominees listed below as Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs for the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “Maj. Gen. C.G Musa, Chief of Defence Staff; Maj. Gen. T. A Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral E. A Ogalla Chief of Naval Staff and AVM H.B Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff.

    “The Senate/House of Representatives is invited to note the current security situation of our country which requires concerted efforts of both the legislature and the executive to ensure a well-protected nation. This informed the review of our Defence Architecture and appointment of new leaders to work in synergy with one another to achieve the level of optimal performance expected of the military.

    “While I hope that the request will receive the expeditious consideration and confirmation of the House of Representatives, Please accept, Rt. Hon. Speaker, the assurances of my highest consideration.”