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Tag: Dogara

  • Melaye: Saraki, Dogara report Police IG to Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday met behind closed doors with the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki; and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara.

    The meeting was held inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja shortly after Buhari returned from his weekend trip to his hometown, Daura in Katsina State.

    At the end of the meeting, Saraki and Dogara told State House correspondents that they reported the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to the President over his handling of the case involving Senator Dino Melaye and his disdain for the National Assembly.

    They also said the meeting which was at the instance of the President discussed the issue of the 2018 Appropriation Bill still before the National Assembly, the recent invasion of the Senate during which the mace was taken away and the fallouts or Buhari’s recent visit to the United States of America during which he met the US President, Donald Trump.

    They, however, said the issue of the impeachment process being contemplated in the National Assembly over Buhari’s approval for the payment of $496m for fighter jets before he sought the approval of the Federal lawmakers was not discussed at the meeting.

    “We came on the invitation of Mr. President. He wanted to brief us on his trip to the United States and also the issue of the budget.

    “We also talked on the issue of concerns to us: the invasion of the National Assembly, which he showed great concern and he said action will be taken to investigate that,” Saraki said.

    When asked when the budget will be ready, Saraki said, “Hopefully, it should be laid this week. If it can be laid this week and passed early next week. We are hoping it will be laid this week.”

    Saraki said the President saw the invasion of the Senate as an embarrassment to the country and promised that the incident would be properly investigated because it was not just about the National Assembly but about the country.

    When asked what was being done to improve the relationship between the executive and the legislature, Saraki said the National Assembly had always been ready to support the Executive.

    “Our being here was the initiative of Mr. President to brief us on his visit to America and to engage in discussions and I think that is a good sign.

    “We, at the National Assembly, have always been ready to give all our support to the executive and we will continue to work along those lines.

    “As I said, the presidential system that we operate, we sometimes have the responsibility to check the excesses of the executive. So, there will always be times we will disagree but by and large, we will always work for the interest of Nigerians and always keep on moving on,” he said.

  • Just in: Saraki, Dogara meet Buhari in Aso Villa [Photos]

    Just in: Saraki, Dogara meet Buhari in Aso Villa [Photos]

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday met with Senate President Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara behind closed doors.

    According to reports, those at the meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, are Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba kyari, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, among others.

    At the time of filing this report, items on the agenda of the meeting, which started shortly after Buhari returned to Abuja from his hometown, Daura, in Katsina on Monday, were not made public.

     

  • May Day: Dogara speaks on minimum wage bill

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, on Tuesday said the House is ready to pass the minimum wage bill as the legislature awaits the executive to forward the bill for upward review.

    Dogara,in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mr Turaki Hassan, to mark 2018 Workers’ Day celebration, reiterated the desire of the House to provide a better life for workers.

    The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the Speaker said he was not unmindful of the struggles and hardship faced by Nigerian workers in their daily lives.

    According to him, this is why the National Assembly is committed to putting more resources in the hands of workers.

    He expressed optimism that the Federal Government Committee on Minimum Wage currently conducting public hearings across the six geo-political zones in the country, would soon conclude its assignment.

    He said that a new national minimum wage bill would be transmitted to the parliament by the President.

    “On behalf of the entire members of the House of Representatives, I want to use this occasion to, once again, underscore the importance of workers to the growth and prosperity of our dear nation, Nigeria.

    “We see the struggles you go through to survive on wages that can barely last through the first week of the month. “We see your dedication to doing your bit in ensuring that Nigeria continues to run effectively in spite of unfavourable conditions.

    “We commend your courage, your commitment to service and nation building and urge you to continue supporting government policies and agenda.

    “I assure you, on this occasion, that the National Assembly will give expeditious passage to the Minimum Wage Bill whenever it is transmitted by the executive and any other initiative that will promote the welfare of the Nigerian worker.

    “We will support it wholeheartedly,”

  • Dogara calls for the rescue of remaining Chibok girls, Leah Sharibu

    … harps on improved security in schools

    In commemoration of the 4th year since the abduction of Chibok Schoolgirls, speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has expressed sadness that all the abducted girls have not been accounted for, while urging the executive to intensify efforts towards providing adequate security to schools in the country.

    This, he said in a statement on the fourth year since the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls.

    He also called on the executive to intensify efforts for the release of Leah Sharibu, the Dapchi girl who was not released along with other abductees, reportedly for refusing to renounce her faith.

    Hon Dogara said, “It is unfortunate that four years after, all of our daughters have still not been accounted for. This underpins the need to take swift action when such incidents occur and to provide adequate security, not on a temporary basis but permanently, so that such tragedies can be prevented.

    “Nigeria has an alarming number of children out of school and if we genuinely want to solve this challenge, then we must make our learning institutions as safe and secure as possible.

    “One can only imagine the amount of grief that the parents of those whose daughters are yet to be rescued have to cope with on a daily basis. While we may offer words of support, the fact remains that nothing will put them in better spirits than to be reunited with their children.

    “I hereby call on President Muhammadu Buhari, as the father of the nation and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, to put an end to their sorrow by freeing their daughters from captivity.

    “We must also remember Leah Sharibu and her remarkable bravery and intensify efforts as a nation to bring her home. All others who were taken by these terrorists against their will must also be reunited with their people. The security of lives and property is the foremost function of government and we must fulfil this responsibility because the Constitution makes it binding upon us to do so.

    “We must ensure, as a nation, that attacks on schools and on our children are brought to an end; for there is no better way to safeguard the future than to guarantee access to education.

    “We will not forget the Chibok Girls and everything that they represent, and we in Parliament will not cease to push for their rescue.”

  • Saraki, Dogara vow to give joint response to Buhari’s veto of Electoral Act Amendment Bill

    The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, and Speaker of the House of Representative, Yakubu Dogara, have vowed to jointly give an appropriate response after President Muhammadu Buhari withheld his assent to the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.

    Spokespersons for the Senate President and Speaker, Yusuph Olaniyonu and Turaki Hassan, revealed this in a statement on Saturday.

    Contrary to reports that both National Assembly leaders are divided over the President’s position to the amended bill, Saraki and Dogara noted that they are working “in agreement on what to do”.

    Both leaders added that the move by the lawmakers to change the sequence in which elections are conducted was not personal but in the interest of the nation’s democracy.

    Presidential and National Assembly elections are always conducted (on the same day) before other polls, while the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections follow.

    The lawmakers have, however, amended the sequence such that the National Assembly polls would be conducted first, followed by the state lawmakers, and the governors while the presidential election should take place last.

    The development consequently sparked criticism in the country, as well as a division among members of the Upper House.

    Rejecting the proposal, President Buhari noted that the amendment to the sequence of the election in section 25 of the Principal Act might infringe on the constitutionally guaranteed discretion of INEC to organise, undertake and supervise all elections provided in section 16(a) of the constitution.

    The National Assembly leadership, on its part, maintained that both upper and lower chambers were working jointly to take the appropriate next step.

    Read the statement jointly signed by Saraki and Dogara’s spokesmen below:

    Our attention has been drawn to reports in a national daily insinuating that there was a disagreement between Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki and Speaker, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, over how both chambers of the National Assembly will react to the withholding of assent by President Muhammadu Buhari on the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.

    We wish to inform the public that there is no such disagreement between the two leaders, and indeed the two chambers of the National Assembly.

    “The Senate President and the Speaker, as heads of the two chambers of the National Assembly and representing the views of their colleagues, will want everybody to know that they are on the same page on what is the appropriate reaction to the President’s withholding of assent on the Electoral Act amendment bill.

    “There is no disagreement between the two chambers as well as their presiding officers. The leadership of the two chambers constantly hold discussions and are in agreement on what to do, how to do it, when to do it and why it must be done.

    “The issue at stake is not personal. It is about deepening democracy. It is about improving our democracy and the National Assembly is on firm constitutional and legal grounds to amend the law as well as make decisions in the manner they have been responding.

    “We see that story and the insinuations contained in it as a mere distraction and unnecessary misrepresentation aimed at creating division in the Federal Legislature. The Senate President, Speaker and their colleagues urge members of the public to discountenance the report.

  • Buhari meets Saraki, Dogara behind closed doors

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday met behind closed doors with principal officers of the National Assembly (NASS).

    The meeting which was at the instance of the leadership of NASS was coming barely 48 hours after the President’s rejection of the Amended Electoral Act Bill sent for his signature by the Assembly.

    The non-passage of the 2018 appropriation bill by the National Assembly was also said to be one of the top items on the agenda of the meeting which commenced at about 9.10p.m.

    President Buhari had on Nov. 7, 2017, laid the 2018 budget proposals before the NASS with the hope that the appropriation bill might be passed on or before the end of 2017.

    However, the lawmakers had accused some cabinet ministers of failing to appear before them to defend their ministries’ budgets.

    Those attending the meeting include the Senate President Bukola Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara, Senate leader Ahmad Lawan and other principal officers.

    Others attending the meeting are Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha and Chief of Staff to the President, Mr Abbas Kyari.

    The two Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, Mr Ita Enang and Kawu Sumaila were also in attendance.

  • Dogara salutes Osinbajo at 61

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has felicitated with Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo on the occasion of his 61st Birthday anniversary, describing him as a man who epitomises humility, intelligence and patriotism.

    In a congratulatory message he personally signed to mark Professor Osinbajo’s 61st Birthday Anniversary, Dogara extolled the virtues of the Vice President and saluted his unalloyed loyalty, dedication and commitment to the Nigerian project.

    “You have demonstrated abiding faith in the unity and growth of this great nation, and exhibited unwavering loyalty. You have not left anyone in doubt about your impeccable leadership qualities and capacity to diligently handle matters of national interest, development and progress,” Dogara said.

    “ As a legal luminary of great repute and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, you have brought your vast knowledge, character, pedigree and experience to bear in the discharge of the functions of your office as the Vice President and driver of the nation’s economy, the results of which are very visible, impacting and reassuring”.

    ” On behalf of the leadership and the entire members of the House of Representatives, I heartily wish you a happy 61st birthday celebration while praying God Almighty to continue to keep you in good health and bless you with many more years in service of the nation”.

  • Rann: Attacks on humanitarian workers, repugnant, barbaric – Dogara

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara has condemned the callous attack on humanitarian workers in Rann, Borno State.

    In a statement on Saturday in Abuja, Dogara described the attack as another low in the inhuman, repugnant, callous and barbaric acts of the Boko Haram terrorists.

    “It is saddening that people, who have been sacrificing to save lives, and offer succour to our people in the North East are now targets of blood thirsty terrorists.

    “We condemn this in the strongest terms as it is against all rules of engagement in conflict zones all over the world.

    “We appeal to all humanitarian agencies not to be deterred by this new dimension of violence by the insurgents,” Dogara said.

    The Speaker urged security agencies to also provide adequate protection for humanitarian workers in the region.

    Meanwhile, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Caretaker Committee, has sympathised with the government and people of Borno over the attacks.

    In a statement issued by his Spokesman on Saturday in Abuja, Mr Mukhtar Sirajo, Maikarfi also expressed his condolences to the International Organisations over the incident.

    Makarfi described the attack as cowardly, saying that innocent people were made soft targets, including those engaged in rendering humanitarian services.

    He stressed the need for security agencies to intensify the fight against the insurgency in that part of the country as it had lingered for too long.

    The party chieftain appealed to aid agencies in the country not to be deterred by this incident but be further emboldened by it.

    He said it would send a message to the insurgents that the agencies would not be deterred on their commitment to rendering humanitarian services.

    Makarfi urged security agencies to ensure that no stone was left unturned in their efforts to rescue all abductees.

    “A better approach is needed in the fight against the Boko Haram, which should include tightening of security in all the affected areas.

    “Boko Haram cannot be said to have been defeated until every inch of Nigerian territory is rid of it and people therein return to their legitimate pursuits without any fear,” he said.

     

  • ‘Stop blame game, take responsibility for Dapchi girls abduction’ Dogara tells police, army

    Speaker of House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, on Tuesday, asked security agencies to take responsibility for failing to stop the abduction of 110 schoolgirls in Dapchi, Yobe, on Feb. 19.

    He said that the buck-passing between the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force was unacceptable.

    In a statement by Mr Turaki Hassan, his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Dogara said rather than trading blames, the security agencies should strengthen inter-agency collaboration towards rescuing the girls.

    He said that the statements credited to the Army and the Police in which they tried to exonerate themselves from any culpability in the unfortunate abduction of the girls from their school were highly condemnable.

    “This is unacceptable and the House of Representatives, and indeed Nigerians, will hold the security agencies responsible. They all bear responsibility for this unfortunate incident.

    “The traumatic experience of the Chibok abduction which is still fresh in our minds should have served as a warning signal to security agencies to provide adequate protection to all schools in the North-East,” Dogara said.

  • Low interest rates key to growth of Nigeria’s economy – Dogara

    Low interest rates key to growth of Nigeria’s economy – Dogara

    …Seeks provision of soft loan for young entrepreneurs

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, has said that unless interest rates on loans in Nigeria are reduced to make funds accessible to more Nigerians with investible ideas, the nation’s economy will continue to rely on investors from other countries to make it grow.

    Speaking at a briefing on Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (EGRP) by the Federal government’s economic team led by the Minister of National Planning at the National Assembly, Speaker Dogara said the government must ensure that more Nigerians dominate the economic sector to propel growth, lamenting that the present situation where Nigeria has to source funds from foreigners to push national projects and create job opportunities is undesirable and must be addressed by encouraging more economic activities through availability of funds.

    He said, “Granted the way the Nigerian economy is structured and organised, is it possible for people who have investible ideas to have access to funds to be able to invest, or do we continue to rely on monies flowing in from other jurisdictions to our country?

    ‘The cost of funds in Nigeria is too high. What can we do about this? Honestly speaking, if the young people who are leaving university each year will be able to access funds at single digits, some of them may not even bother about the jobs that we are talking about. They will be able to pursue ideas and dreams that they have and those dreams may lead to generation of the jobs that others are seeking.

    “I have said this over and over again, what is it that we can do as a government to bring down interest rates in this country so that people can access these funds and develop the economy? I do not know where we are going to get 404 billion dollars from, for instance, in Nigeria, I don’t know where. I don’t even know if we can raise 12 billion dollars from private sector in this country, except we rely on outsiders. But the point is that we should dominate the space ourselves and the only way we can do that is to bring down interest rates. I do not know how we can escalate this discussion or in what manner we can achieve this, but it is something we cannot run away from.”
    He went further to commend the executive for carrying the legislature along in its initiatives aimed at revamping the economy, while reiterating that the National Assembly will continue to partner the executive to seek ways and means to improve the economy, including how to put capital in the hands of Nigerians to create wealth and attain their dreams and aspiration.

    Hon Dogara also noted that for the first time, “we have a body consisting of the executive and the legislature working together on the ease of doing business and in this parliament, there were times we passed laws within the space of a month and I said we have turned to a particular parliament, I don’t want to mention the name, that can pass a law within hours but it is just because we are interested in working together to deliver the promise of democracy to our people, which is life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
    The speaker expressed optimism that the plan of the executive will be fully implemented, saying that Nigeria has never been short of ideas and visions to move forward but has been held back by lack of implementation of the many ideas that were conceptualised.

    “In Nigeria, we have never lacked vision, we have had people who have seen vision 2020, so many development plans have been drawn but the problem has been implementation and all of us gave the charge to the minister that it wasn’t just enough to conceptualise this vision on paper but at least we must have a statement that will lead to the implementation of this wonderful plan and I am happy that today we are talking about the implementation of the plan and we have a very smart team that has decided that we shouldn’t just learn from experience by trying our hands on so many things and then we only learn when we get our fingers burnt, but that we have decided that we will learn from the experience of others,” he stated.