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Tag: Dogara

  • National Assembly has helped stabilised Nigeria’s democracy – Dogara

    The Speaker of House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, said the National Assembly had made appreciable efforts in fulfilling its democratic obligations to Nigerians by paying particular attention to capacity-building.

    Dogara stated this on Thursday at the third matriculation of the National Institute of Legislative Studies (NILS)/University of Benin Postgraduate Programme at the National Assembly, Abuja.

    He explained that parliamentary capacity development was important to ensure balance of power among the branches of a democratic system – Executive, Legislature and Judiciary.

    He said that the trio constituted mechanism of checks and balances essential to sustainable progress and economic growth and development in the country.

    The speaker said that it was common knowledge in parliaments across the world that nothing hindered the delivery of the promise of democracy more than lack of capacity.

    He commended NILS/UNIBEN for the programmes designed to build capacity of legislative staff.

    He said that the knowledge imparted to participants would build a pool of competent staff and members to enhance international best practices in the discharge of their duties.

    “The point must be made that it is knowledge that animates parliaments all over the world while nothing stultifies the promise of democracy more than an intellectually hollow parliament.

    “By paying particular attention to capacity strengthening, the National Assembly has made appreciable progress in fulfilling its democratic obligations.

    “The capacity of the National Assembly to make laws, review existing laws and perform legislative oversight and representative roles has been significantly enhanced and the technical capacity of staff and legislative aides is progressively being strengthened and expanded.

    “These legislative responsibilities have become even more critical since the coming into operation of the 1999 Constitution as demonstrated by the robust role being played by the legislature in our democracy.

    “It is also in the movement towards an open society in which citizens participate more in matters of national importance, contribute in decision-making processes and demand greater accountability on the part of political office holders,’’ he said.

    Dogara congratulated the students and some of the icons of the legislature who were honoured with Fellowship of National Institute for Legislative Studies (NILS).

    He said that the fellowship award was in recognition of their contributions to the growth and development of the legislature in Nigeria.

    Those awarded with Fellows of NILS were former Presidents of the Senate, Joseph Wayas and Ken Nnamani, former Speakers of the House of Representatives, Ghali Umar Na’Abba and Aminu Masari.

    NAN

  • World Teachers’ Day: Dogara hails sacrifices of Nigerian teachers

    …Calls for improved welfare for teachers

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara has hailed Nigerian teachers for their service to the development of the Nigerian child, calling for opportunities of continuous training and retraining, improved remuneration and provision of requisite infrastructure and facilities for them to impart knowledge on students in line with global standards.

    In a press statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media & Public Affairs, Mr. Turaki Hassan, to mark 2017 World Teachers Day with the theme, ‘Teaching in Freedom, Empowering Teachers’, the Speaker stressed that empowerment of teachers remains a top priority in all education and development strategies.

    He also advocated for the security of the lives of teachers, expressing delight, for instance, that security in the North East had improved significantly which enabled teachers to resume work however, called on security agencies to provide adequate protection to all schools in the region.

    He, further, implored security agencies to step up security in schools to end the harrowing incidents of kidnappings of teachers and students.

    “Teachers are the most important people in the development of any individual and by implication the society, this confers a priority status on them which, sadly, has not reflected in their conditions of service or living standards.

    “It is, therefore, important that proper training, remuneration and provision of requisite infrastructure and facilities for teachers to impart knowledge on students in line with global standards are provided. Their salaries and allowances must be paid when and as due to encourage them to continue to put in their best in this all-important task that they carry out. This will engender improvement in the education sector of Nigeria and produce better-trained teachers, as well as finely baked graduates.

    “Security of our schools remain a priority. Thanks to the determination of the present administration and the bravery of our military troops, students and teachers in the North East can now go to schools freely in most areas.”

    “On our part, the House of Representatives will continue to pursue all measures that will promote the development, empowerment and security of the Nigerian teacher.

    This is evident in our timely response to issues between our teachers and the government that threatened to clog the wheel of progress of the education sector including increasing their retirement age from 60 to 65 years as requested by the leadership of the Nigerian Union of Teachers when they visited me a few months ago.

    The Speaker who had his post-primary training as a Grade II teacher said the House of Representatives will not relent in supporting legislative measures aimed at improving our education sector, including the welfare of teachers, to take it to a point where it can compete favourably with its global counterparts,”

  • NASS will ensure Nigeria is readmitted into EGMONT group – Dogara

    …Says Nigeria’s suspension from EGMONT group major setback for anti-graft war

    The suspension of Nigeria from the EGMONT group is a major setback for the Federal government’s fight against corruption, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has said.

    Hon Dogara said the National Assembly is working to ensure that the suspension placed on Nigeria is lifted within the shortest possible time.

    Speaking when he received in audience the Director General of Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering (GIABA), in West Africa, a unit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Col. Adama Coulibaly, who was accompanied by the Director of the NFIU Francis Usani in his office, the Speaker stated that Nigeria’s suspension was a rude shock because the APC government is committed to the fight against corruption.

    He said the fight against corruption cannot be successful without support and cooperation from other countries because in most cases proceeds of corruption are taken out of the country and kept in other jurisdictions.

    “No nation can survive as an island. It will take the collective cooperation by agencies different countries to combat both terrorism and corruption and said: “Unfortunately we are facing the two in Nigeria with the Boko Haram violence in the North East.”

    “It is impossible to fight terrorism and corruption without strong legal framework,” he added.

    He explained that there are two bills on anti-terrorism and anti-money laundering and mutual assistance on reparation of corruption proceeds that are pending before the House which will soon be passed into law.

    However, the Speaker explained that the House was yet to pass the Bill seeking to grant total autonomy to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit as forwarded from the Senate because there was the need to meet with key stakeholders and players to know their expectations so as to avoid expulsion of Nigeria from the group.

    Speaking earlier, Col Coulibaly said he was in Nigeria on advocacy visit on the hosting of GIABA statutory meetings slated for November in Nigeria and assess Nigeria’s application to join the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

    Col Coulibaly also urged Nigerian leaders to work to ensure that the country meets the minimum requirements and standards needed in order to be admitted into the FATF which will make it second African country to join the group after South Africa.

    He stated that the bills pending before the National Assembly should conform and comply to international standard.

  • Independence: Jonathan, Atiku, Saraki, Dogara, governors, others preach unity to Nigerians

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan, former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, Senate President Bukola Saraki, Speaker of the House of Reps, Hon. Yakubu Dogara and several governors in Nigeria, preached unity to Nigerians as the country celebrates its 57th independence anniversary on Sunday.

    None of us is as great as all of us – Jonathan

    In a message released by his spokesman, Ikechukwu Eze, the ex-President stressed that the country would surmount its challenges and emerge stronger.

    “As a nation we are moving on. On October 1, 2010, we celebrated our golden jubilee as an independent nation. Again, in January 2014, we celebrated our centenary. And, today, October 1, 2017, we are celebrating our 57th independence anniversary.

    “It may seem as though we are passing through insurmountable challenges, but I am very intimately aware of the can-do Nigerian spirit which will help us surmount our present challenges.

    “Let me also seize this opportunity to call for togetherness, oneness and accommodation for all. We must accept the fact that none of us is as great as all of us”.

    Nigerians would rather remain together to build a perfect union – Atiku

    Former Nigerian Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, has urged Nigerians to use the Independence Day celebration scheduled for Saturday as a time of sober reflection and also to thank God for the strides made so far as a nation.

    Mr. Abubakar, who said this via a statement issued by his media team, noted that despite numerous challenges, the nation was on a right path.

    ”On this October 1st, 2017, I congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari and all Nigerians on the occasion of Nigeria’s 57th Independence anniversary.

    There are those that may say we have very little to celebrate and I will respectfully disagree with them. In 57 years, Nigeria has faced many challenges, but we have overcome many of those challenges and made progress in multiple spheres of human endeavour,” he said.

    He noted though that there was still more to be done to achieve the nation of everyone’s dreams.

    ”A lot of work still has to be done to overcome the many challenges we still face as a nation including terrorism, the national question, sluggish economic growth, youth unemployment and a huge out of school population amongst our youth.

    We must continue to work together to surmount challenges threatening our unity – Okowa

    ”However, these challenges are not insurmountable. Thankfully, the prevailing sentiment is that we as Nigerians would rather remain together even as we make positive efforts to build a perfect union along the lines of the vision of our founding fathers,” Mr. Atiku said.

    Also, the Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, on Saturday felicitated with Nigerians on the 57th Independence anniversary with a charge on Nigerians to work against violence and all threats to the corporate existence of the country.

    In a statement in Asaba on Saturday by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Aniagwu, Governor Okowa admonished Nigerians to be proud of their country and desist from acts that are inimical to the continued corporate existence of the country.

    Okowa said: “On behalf of Government and the people of Delta State, I congratulate Nigerians on the occasion of the 2017 Independence Day celebration on October 1, 2017. Our people have enjoyed democracy since 1999 and appreciate better, the inherent gains of democracy, as respect for human rights and the rule of law. As Nigerians, we must continue to work together to surmount the challenges threatening to destabilise our budding democracy and undo the gains achieved in the past 18 years.”

    Nigeria will continue to make progress – Wike

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has also felicitated with Nigerians on the 57th Independence Anniversary, urging all Nigerians to be committed to building bridges of peace and development.

    He congratulated all Nigerians on the successful celebration of the 57th Independence Anniversary, noting that despite the challenges of nationhood, Nigeria will continue to make progress.

    In a message issued by his aide on electronic media, Simon Nwakaudu, Governor Wike declared that the government and people of Rivers State will continue to work for a united Nigeria.

    He stated that the state is not part of any agitation for secession, pointing out that Rivers people are committed to one, indivisible Nigeria.

    Obaseki urges Nigerians to live peacefully and be broad-minded

    Obaseki asked Nigerians to use the occasion of the celebration to embrace unity and peaceful co-existence.

    The Edo governor said the joy of being independent people could not be qualified as it was capable of bringing limitless freedom and a high sense of self-worth. He pleaded with Nigerians to remain broad-minded, accommodating and living with one another peacefully, irrespective of our diversity.

    He pleaded with Nigerians to remain broad-minded, accommodating and living with one another peacefully, irrespective of our diversity.

    Let’s continue to work for peace, stability —Saraki

    Saraki called for peaceful co-existence among Nigerians, just as he congratulated the country for sustaining her status as a united and progressive country.

    In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, the Senate President urged Nigerians, irrespective of creed and tribe, to continue to work for the peace, unity and stability of the country.

    He called on political, traditional, religious and business leaders to close ranks in order to initiate and implement ideas and strategies that would further develop the country and increase the standard of living of the citizenry, saying the task for a greater Nigeria is a collective responsibility of every citizen, just as he enjoined every citizen to believe in the project Nigeria and pray for peace and progress of the country.

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, in his own message, emplored Nigerians to be patient and optimistic, as the country would surely overcome her challenges.

    Ekweremadu said: “I am an optimist. As a matter of principle, I prefer to see the positive sides of life without also overlooking the problems also.

    At 57, we have no doubt had our challenges as a nation. But we have also made progress. We survived a civil war to remain one country.

    Nigeria would only attain greatness in an atmosphere of peace —Dogara

    Dogara said that unless Nigerians shunned sectional sentiments and promoted national interest, the country would not achieve true independence.

    In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, the Speaker noted that Nigeria would only attain greatness in an atmosphere of peace, unity and stability.

    We can surmount our challenges if we collaborate, confront them – David Mark

    A former Senate President, Senator David Mark called for a renaissance spirit among Nigerians as a panacea to the current socio-economic and political challenges, just as he acknowledged that Nigerians are passing through difficult times.

    In a message signed by his Media Assistant, Paul Mumeh, Mark, who enjoined Nigerians to shun mundane issues such as ethnicity or religious differences that tend to create disharmony, said,”

    We can surmount our challenges if we collaborate and confront them in a more determined, focused and honest manner”

    We must restructure the country’s present governance architecture – Anayaoku

    Chief Emeka Anyaoku, a former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, said Nigerians should celebrate 57 years of existence as a sovereign country but a must resolve to deal effectively with the challenges, some of which are existential, facing the country”.

    Anyaoku said in his statement: “The undeniable reality of the current state of affairs in Nigeria is that the country since the civil war has never been as divided as it is now in the face of armed insurgency in the North East, a threat of secession by some elements in the South East, rampaging Fulani herdsmen wreaking havoc in parts of the country, militancy in the Niger Delta, an economy just recovering from recession and incalculable damage being done to the country’s development by massive corruption.

    To effectively tackle these challenges and put our diverse country on the road to political stability and its deserved development, we must move from our present nominal to a true federalism, in other words, we must restructure the country’s present governance architecture.

  • Nigeria @57: Dogara preaches peace, says ‘together we can achieve Nigeria of our dream’

    …Says Nigeria will overcome challenges, become stronger

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has stressed the need for Nigerians to strengthen the bond of unity and cohesion as a people of common interest and destiny in the process of nation building.


    This is contained in a goodwill message to mark Nigeria’s 57th Independence Anniversary, issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan.


    The Speaker who noted that Nigeria would only attain greatness in an atmosphere of peace, unity and stability, also enjoined the citizens to shun every harbinger of hate, division and violence.


    ” May I use the occasion of this year’s Independence Anniversary to urge us all to reflect on those things that unite and bring us together as a people, and shun individuals and groups with divisive tendencies.”


    ” At this time, more than any other, we must adopt the right strategies and utilize the advantages of our diversity to our benefit as well as blend our differences for positive outcomes in the process of building the Nigeria of our dream.”


    The speaker also enjoined Nigerians to eschew ethnic, religious and sectional chauvinism and come together as one people and ” one nation bound in freedom, peace and unity” as encapsulated in the country’s National Anthem.


    “True independence will continue to elude us until and unless we attain independence from tribalism, sectionalism, primodialism, religious extremism, partisan political bigotry, materialism, corruption and ancillary forms of retrogressive tendencies that threatened to consign us to the forgotten age.”

    The Speaker also assured that the House of Representatives will continue to provide the needed legislative framework that would further galvanize the people and unite the nation as well as help fine solutions to the country’s socio-political challenges, urging the citizens not to moan in despair, as the country would surely come out stronger from its current challenges.

  • Flooding: House will soon pass climate change commission bill – Dogara

    Flooding: House will soon pass climate change commission bill – Dogara

    …Commiserates with Benue flood victims

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, has condoled with the government and people of Benue State over the flooding that has displaced over a hundred thousand people in the state and destroyed properties in 12 local government areas.

    The Speaker also expressed deep sympathy for all the victims who lost their livelihoods, homes, business, farmlands, and families of those who died in the unfortunate natural disaster.

    He disclosed that the House is in the final stages of providing legal framework to address natural disasters caused by the effects of climate change.

    “I sympathise with the government and people of Benue State over the loss caused by the floods that ravaged their homes, farmlands and businesses and displacement of over 100,000 people from their homes.

    “This is one flooding too many and emphasises the urgent need for targeted solutions to the problems affecting our environment.

    “The House of Representatives has already gone far in this regard, with a Bill for the Establishment of an Agency dealing exclusively with Climate Change issues”

    He further enjoined “National Emergency Management Agency, Ecological Funds Office and other relevant government agencies to urgently come to the aid of Benue State and the victims”.

  • Eid-El-Kabir: Saraki, Dogara, Tinubu preach peace, prayers for Buhari

    The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara and national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu have all tasked Muslims and Nigerians in general to live peacefully and continue to offer prayers for President Muhammadu Buhari’s final recovery as they mark the 2017 Eid-El-Kabir celebrations today.

    In a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, the Senate President urged Nigerians, irrespective of their faith, to pray for the country’ greater glory.

    He stated that the Muslim festival which falls on Jummat day (Friday) is unique as it carries a dual promise that all prayers offered during the Eid and Jummat have a double assurance of bringing Allah’s blessing to Muslim faithful and their country.

    The statement reads: “It is significant that the Eid-El-Kabir and Jummat will be celebrated in one day. This tells us that all prayers offered during this solemn day will no doubt command double mercies of Allah towards us all.”

    Saraki called on Islamic faithful to seek Allah’s grace for the peace, unity, security and economic development of the country.

    Saraki also enjoined Nigerians to pray for the good health of the President, God’s guidance for all in positions of authority, including the private sector.

    He said: “This is a time we must be our brothers’ keeper by sharing our worldly goods with them. This is a time we must pray for our leaders, especially President Muhammadu Buhari and all those saddled with the responsibilities of leadership at all levels in our country.

    “With prayers, I have no doubt that God will inspire and guide our leaders to initiate and sustain policies and programmes that would guarantee peace, security, economic growth, political stability and social cohesion in our nation.”

    Saraki urged Nigerians to pray for a strong rebound of the economy, saying that the positive effects would trickle down to individual homes and help citizens to realise their goals and aspirations.

    He said: “Therefore, I call on all our brothers and sisters, fellow Nigerians, to be law abiding and support the present administration in its bid to tackle the problems of insecurity, unemployment, corruption and underperforming economy.”

    In a similar goodwill message, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara admonished Muslim faithful to promote unity and tolerance, which are crucial for peaceful coexistence.

    In a statement by his media aide, Mr. Turaki Hassan, Dogara said that Nigeria could only fulfill its great potential with the promotion of unity, peace, security and stability by the citizenry.

    He stressed the need to show greater respect and love for one another.

    The Speaker said: ”This is a moment for sober reflections. I enjoin you to use the period to uphold the spiritual benefit of the celebration by extending a hand of friendship and solidarity across all divides.

    “Also imbibe the spirit of sacrifice and obedience to the higher authority as exemplified by prophet Ibrahim and upheld by Prophet Mohammed.”

    Wishing the Muslim faithful a blessed and peaceful celebration, Dogara reiterated his call for sustained prayers for the leadership of the country at all levels.

    He said: “This is an opportunity for us to reflect and pray for our nation, and to pray for our dear president for God’s guidance and good health.

    “And pray for all those in leadership positions so that God in his infinite mercy will continue to guide them as they steer the affairs of the country.”

    The former governor of Lagos State and National leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu also urged Nigerians to submit to the will of the almighty and pray for the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in his Sallah message to Nigerians.

    The administration, he noted, has a mission to move Nigeria out of the woods and that the purpose for which the government set out must be accomplished for the benefit of all.

    “As we pray during this period, let us remember President Muhammadu Buhari and his administration in our supplications so that the government may fulfill its appointed mission by uplifting us as a nation unified in vision, direction and purpose”, the former Lagos State governor said in his Sallah message.

    The message reads: “Today is Eid-el-Kabir. I congratulate Muslims in Nigeria and across the world for this festival.

    “Prophet Ibrahim demonstrated his submission to Almighty Allah as exemplified by his readiness to sacrifice his only son. This is reason we celebrate the Eid.

    “To mark the Eid faithfully, we must celebrate it in the same spirit of submission to the will of Allah that prophet Ibrahim showed.

    “This is what the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) told us to do. This is what we as Muslims must do and do without fail.

    “Our devotion to Allah must manifest itself in how we treat our fellow man. If we are truly devoted to the will of Allah, then we must also be devoted to the wellIbeing of our neighbour.

    “This occasion calls for peace, compassion, justice and tolerance. It calls for us to adhere to principles and causes greater and nobler than our own self interests. It asks us to work and strive for the betterment of community and country.

    “It is these traits that must order our daily lives and our relationship with one another.”

    “May Almighty Allah accept all our devotion and take it as an act of Ibadah.”

     

  • Dogara applauds D’Tigress for FIBA AfroBasket victory, qualifying for World Cup Tournament

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, has hailed the national female basketball team, D’Tigress, on their victory over Senegal in the 2017 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket tournament in Mali and for qualifying for the 2018 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Spain.

    The Speaker praised the doggedness of the team, for putting up an excellent performance in the final of the 2017 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket tournament last Sunday.

    He noted that their victory portrays the spirit of determination of Nigerians, who are known to make outstanding successes, even in the midst of daunting challenges.

    “I salute members of the glorious team and urge them to hold on to this winning spirit. We are aware that our sports men and women are faced with enormous challenges but wish to assure that the House of Representatives will not relent in its effort to improve the welfare and working conditions of our sportsmen.

    “We, as a parliament, will support you in all ways we can as you prepare for the forthcoming FIBA World Cup,” he stated.

     

  • Speaker Dogara felicitates with Sultan at 61

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has felicitated with the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammed Sa’ad Abubakar III on the occasion of his 61st Birthday Anniversary.
    In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Turaki Hassan, the Speaker described the Sultan as a man of peace who has used his position to build bridges across religious and cultural divides.
    ” His Eminence has over the years endeared himself to all segments of the society for demonstrating both in words and in deeds that he is a true man of peace by always preaching unity, mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence among the diverse ethnic and religious groups in Nigeria”.
    While paying tribute to the traditional ruler for using his position both as the Sultan of Sokoto and as President- General of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria to preach and promote unity in diversity and build bridges of love, peace and friendship, Dogara prayed that the Sultan’s reign will continue to witness remarkable socio- economic development of his subjects, the Sultanate, Sokoto State and the nation.

  • Dogara welcomes Buhari, urges Nigerians to pray for full recovery

    … Says ‘you can always count on our support’

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has welcomed President Muhammadu Buhari back to the country after three months of medical vacation in the United kingdom.

    In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media & Public Affairs, Mr. Turaki Hassan, the Speaker, expressed gratitude to almighty God for granting the President healing and journey mercies back home.

    Dogara, noted that the President’s recovery and safe return home attests to the healing power of God owing to the fervent prayers of Nigerians who prayed day and night for the President.

    It is now time for us all to continue to pray for the President for the perfection of the healing and divine rejuvenation to enable Mr. President steer the affairs of the Nation in the right direction.

    On our part, the House of Representatives, wish to assure Mr. President of our determination, support and commitment towards delivering on our promises to the Nigerian people as members of the same government. Mr. President can always count on our support in this regard.