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Tag: Senate

  • CDS reacts as Senate screens Acting COAS behind closed doors

    CDS reacts as Senate screens Acting COAS behind closed doors

    The Senate, on Wednesday, screened the Acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, behind closed doors.

    Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, Sen. Abdulaziz Yar’adua, before the screening, recalled that the Senate had, at its sitting on Tuesday, read President Bola Tinubu’s request urging them to confirm Oluyede’s appointment as Chief of Army Staff.

    Yar’adua commiserated with Oluyede over the death of the late Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja.

    He said that Lagbaja made significant strides in improving the welfare of the army and brought innovations, such as the Nigerian Army Aviation.

    “It is a known fact that the nation is currently bedevilled by multiplicity of security challenges requiring cogent and urgent solutions.

    “I want to use this opportunity to commend the gallantry of the officers and men of the Nigerian Army and the armed forces in general for the successes recorded so far in the war against insurgency and other criminalities within the country.

    “This they did to the extent that some of them laid their lives for that,” he said.

    Yar’adua said that the screening, therefore, tended to bring to bear Oluyede’s professional skills, experiences and expertise.

    This, he said, was based on his strategic knowledge and vision toward defending Nigeria from external aggression, maintaining its territorial integrity and securing its borders from violation on land.

    “Your abilities to offer proposals toward finding solutions to military funding and welfare of personnel will be of interest to this country,” the senator said.

    CDS hails NASS over speedy screening of acting COAS

    Meanwhile, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has commended the National Assembly (NASS) for the speedy screening of the acting Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede.

    Musa gave the commendation in a statement by the Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, on Wednesday in Abuja.

    The CDS, who witnessed the screening process in both chambers, said he was impressed with the manner in which the Senate and House Committees on Army conducted the process.

    He assured the National Assembly that Lt.-Gen. Oluyede would bring new vigor and his vast experience to bear in the fight against insecurity if confirmed as substantive Chief of Army Staff.

    Musa also pledged that Oluyede would build on the legacy of the late COAS, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.

    He described the prompt action of the NASS as patriotic and apt at this critical time.

    The defence chief reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) to securing the nation.

    “The AFN remains loyal to constituted authority in pursuit of its constitutional roles,” he said.

  • Nigeria needs to borrow more despite improved revenue by some MDAs, Edun tells Senate

    Nigeria needs to borrow more despite improved revenue by some MDAs, Edun tells Senate

    The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has said the Nigerian government needs more borrowings to fund its budget even though some Ministries, Departments and Agencies have surpassed their revenue target.

    Edun said this during an interactive session of the Senate Joint Committees on Finance and National Planning and Economic Affairs on the 2025-2027 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework/Fiscal Strategy Paper.

    According to him, the borrowing needs to be done productively and efficiently based on the Senate’s approval for proper funding of the budget.

    “The revenue effort has been good, but we still need to do better, and in the meantime, we still need to borrow productively, effectively and sustainably all in the name to invest in a Nigerian economy.

    “Not just infrastructure but also social services, health services, education and intervention in terms of social safety net to help the poorest and most vulnerable,” Edun said.

    Giving a similar reason, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu reminded the lawmakers that the borrowing plans contained in the N35.5 trillion 2024 budget, were primarily meant to fund the N9.7 trillion deficit.

    “Despite revenue targets surpassing by some of the revenue generating agencies , government still needs to borrow for proper funding of the budget , particularly in the area of deficit and productivity for the poorest and most vulnerable .

    “We a long term development perspective plan agenda 2050 aiming at GDP per capital of $33,000,” Bagudu explained.

    Giving a similar reason, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu reminded the lawmakers that the borrowing plans contained in the N35.5 trillion 2024 budget, were primarily meant to fund the N9.7 trillion deficit.

    “Despite revenue targets surpassing by some of the revenue generating agencies , government still needs to borrow for proper funding of the budget , particularly in the area of deficit and productivity for the poorest and most vulnerable .

    “We a long term development perspective plan agenda 2050 aiming at GDP per capital of $33,000,” Bagudu explained.

  • Senate confirms Omolola Oloworaran PenCom D-G

    Senate confirms Omolola Oloworaran PenCom D-G

    The Senate has confirmed the appointment of Ms Omolola Oloworaran as the Director-General (D-G) of the National Pension Commission (PenCom).

    This is contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the Head, PenCom, Corporate Communications, Mr Ibrahim Buwai in Abuja.

    He said that the confirmation follows the consideration and adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service at plenary.

    According to him, Omolola is poised to explore new frontiers in the implementation of the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) by sustaining pension assets on the growth trajectory,

    Buwai said that the aim was to ensure increased CPS membership and supporting coverage expansion initiatives.

    He said that the D-G was committed to the expeditious payment of retirement benefits while deepening the pension investment horizon for enhanced returns to contributors and retirees.

    Buwai said that the priority of her leadership at PenCom was to renew impetus on improved collaboration in the pension industry.

    He said that she had more than 20 years’ experience in the financial services industry, adding that she was also a strong advocate of innovation and process reengineering.

    Recall that she was appointed in July in acting capacity pending confirmation by the senate as required by the Pension Reform Act 2014.

  • Senate approves Tinubu’s fresh $2.2bn loan request

    Senate approves Tinubu’s fresh $2.2bn loan request

    Senate on Thursday at plenary approved the new external borrowing plan request  of $2.2billion dollars presented for consideration by President Bola Tinubu.

    The approval followed adoption of report of Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts. The report was presented by the Chairman of the Committee Sen. Aliyu Wammako (APC -Sokoto).

    President  Bola Tinubu had on Tuesday, Nov 19, in separate letters to both chambers of the National Assembly, requested for approval of $2.2 billion dollars external borrowing plan to part fund the  N9.7trillion deficit in the 2024 budget .

    Senate upon receipt of the request, mandated its committee on local and foreign debts to expeditiously ensure further legislative inputs on the request and report back within 24 hours .

    Presenting the committee ‘s report, Wammako said the presidential request was very necessary for approval.

    He said the loan request would be utilised for execution of ongoing projects and programmes in the 2024 appropriation act , saying that the projects were critical for national growth and development.

    ”It will contribute to the implementation of the debt management strategy, which seeks to reduce the cost of borrowing.

    ”It will lengthen maturity of the public debt stock ,free – up space in the domestic market for other borrowers and help increase Nigeria’s external reserves .”

    Wammako said Nigeria could raise all or part of the 2.2billion dollars through the issuance of Eurobonds in the International Capital Market ( ICM) .

    Wammako thereafter recommended as follows:

    ”That the Senate do approve the implementation of the new external borrowing of 2.2 billion dollars at the budget exchange rate of one dollars to N800 in the 2024 appropriation act and that the amount should be raised from one or more sources.

    ”Namely, issuance of eurobonds in the ICM, issuance of debut sovereign Sukuk in the ICM, and bridge, syndicated loans, subject to market conditions.”

    The report was thereafter unanimously approved via an affirmative voice vote.

    In his remarks after the approval, Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Jibrin Barau (APC-Kano), who presided plenary commended the Wammako led committee for a job well done.

  • Senate invokes Section 157 of 1999 Constitution for removal of CCT Chairman

    Senate invokes Section 157 of 1999 Constitution for removal of CCT Chairman

    The Senate on Wednesday invoked the provisions of Section  157 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended for the removal of Chairman of Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Umar.

    This followed adoption of a motion on “Invocation of Provision of Section 157(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic as amended for removal of the Chairman of CCT at a plenary on Wednesday.

    The motion was sponsored by Sen. Bamidele Opeyemi (APC-Ekiti) leader of the Senate.

    Opeyemi in the motion said that the CCT was saddled with sacred statutory responsibilities of maintaining a high standard of morality in government business.

    This, he said, was to ensure that the actions and behaviours of public officers conform to the highest standards of public morality and accountability.

    He said a statutory institution of such magnitude was expected to be an epitome of moral rectitude and should be seen to uphold virtues of integrity, probity and accountability.

    He, however, said the conduct of Danladi Umar, who is the Chairman of the Tribunal has fallen short of the requisite standard of a public officer to conduct the affairs of such a tribunal.

    He said it was worrisome that the senate has been inundated with series of petitions and allegations of corruption, misconduct against the Chairman through the Senate Committee on Ethics Code of Conduct and Public Petition.

    This, he said, had necessitated the 9th Senate to invite him to a series of its investigative hearings in order to unravel circumstances surrounding those allegations.

    According to him, Umar appeared before the committee only once and thereafter avoided subsequent invitations.

    He expressed concern over the alleged Umar’s absenteeism from office for more than one month, without permission and recuse to his position.

    He also expressed worry over the preponderance of corruption allegation , misappropriation and physical street brawl with a security man in the FCT vis-a-vis his current investigation by the EFCC, ICPC and the DSS.

    “All these are tantamount to acts of negligence and gross misconduct, unbecoming of a Chairman of such. reputable Tribunal.

    “Aware of the series of overwhelming allegations against the Chairman, President, Tinubu forwarded the name of Mr. Abdullahi Usman Bello to the Senate for confirmation as the new Chairman of the Tribunal.

    “And at the plenary sitting of the Senate on July, 4, his appointment was duly confirmed, hence the need for the erstwhile chairman to vacate the office for the substantive chairman to officially resume office.

    “Recall that by virtue of the provisions of section 157 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended,

    “Mr President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, acting on an address supported by two-thirds majority of the Senate praying that he be so removed for inability to discharge the functions of the office whether arising from infirmity of mind or body or any other cause or for misconduct.”

    Opeyemi said the invocation of the afore-mentioned constitutional provision in this circumstance, seems to be the only way out to safeguard the sacred image of the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

    This, he said, was in line with the resolve of the 10th Senate to uphold the rule of law and sustain the ideals of corporate governance structure in Nigeria.

    He said the eventual removal of Umar from office would pave the way for the official resumption of Bello as the new substantive Chairman of the Tribunal.

    Contributing, Deputy President of Senate, Sen.Barau Jibrin (APC-Kano) said the decision to invoke section 157 (1) to remove the CCT Chairman from office was a unanimous decision of the senate,adding that 84 senators endorsed his removal.

    Chief Whip of the Senate,Sen. Mohammed Monguno(APC-Borno) collaborated with the Deputy President of the Senate, saying that the senate had met the constitutional requirements to effect the removal of the CCT Chairman.

    President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio in his remarks said the senate had formed the quorum to effect the removal.

    He said opportunities had been presented to Umar to defend himself but he never showed up.

    Akpabio said his activities was unbecoming of a public servant having fought with a lady at plaza.

    Akpabio mandated the Clerk of Senate, Mr Ben Akabueze to communicate to President Bola Tinubu resolution of the Senate for necessary action.

  • Senate ready to approve Tinubu’s N1.77tn loan request within 24hrs

    Senate ready to approve Tinubu’s N1.77tn loan request within 24hrs

    President Bola Tinubu has requested the National Assembly for approval of N1.767tn loan already captured in the external borrowing plan for implementation of the N28.7trillion 2024 budget.

    President Tinubu who made the request in separate letters read in Senate and House of Representatives during plenary on Tuesday, said if approved, the loan will be used to part-finance the budget deficit of N9.7tn for the 2024 budget.

    The Senate President , Godswill Akpabio after reading the letter , mandated the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign to work on the request and report back within 24 hours .

    “The Presidential request for $2.2billion , equivalent of N1.767trillion loan is already enshrined in the external borrowing plan for the 2024 fiscal year .

    ” The Senate Committee on Local and foreign debts , should therefore , give the request expeditious consideration and report back within 24 hours .

    The president has also forwarded the Medium Term Expenditure Frame work (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) for 2025- 2027 to both the Senate and the House of Representatives .

    In giving the request expeditious consideration , Senator Godswill Akpabio after reading the letter containing it , mandated the Senate Committee on Finance , National Planning and Economic Affairs to consider it at committee level and report back in one week.

    Key parameters in the 2025 – 2027 MTEF/FSP documents needed for consideration and approval of the proposed N47.9trillion 2025 budget are ÷ $75 oil price benchmark per barrel, Daily Oil Production of 2.06 million barrels , Exchange Rate of N1,400 to $1 and targeted GDP Growth rate of 6.4%..

    President Tinubu in another letter to both chambers of the National Assembly , sought approval for Social Investment Programme Amendment Bill

    The proposed amendment aims to strengthen the framework for implementing the government’s social welfare programmes, ensuring greater transparency and efficiency.

    He explained further that the amendment seeks to designate the National Investment Register as the primary tool for targeting beneficiaries of social investment initiatives. This measure, he said, would ensure that welfare programmes are data-driven and deliver effective social protection to Nigeria’s most vulnerable citizens.

    “The amendment will make our social and welfare programmes more transparent, efficient, and impactful in addressing the needs of vulnerable Nigerians,” he said

    He further noted that the request was made in accordance with Section 58(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and urged the Senate to give the bill urgent consideration.

    The proposed amendment, if passed, will improve the management and delivery of social investment programmes, enhancing their capacity to combat poverty and inequality across the country. The Senate has referred the bill to relevant committees for review and is expected to deliberate on the proposal in subsequent sessions.

    This development indicates that the Tinubu’s administration is committed to leveraging technology and data to optimize the impact of its social welfare initiatives.

  • HERITAGE! Ali Ndume begs senate to allow Ubah’s widow replace him as senator

    HERITAGE! Ali Ndume begs senate to allow Ubah’s widow replace him as senator

    Borno South Senator Ali Ndume has appealed to this colleagues to support the widow of late Ifeanyi Ubah to replace her husband as the senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District.

    Ndume made the appeal on Tuesday during the valedictory session organised by the Senate in honour of the late senator.

    Mr Ubah, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), died at the age of 52 in a London hospital after a brief illness in July. He defected to the APC from the Young Progressives Party (YPP) in October 2023 and declared his interest in contesting the Anambra 2025 governorship election.

    Until his death, Mr Ubah was the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Downstream. Kano South Senator Kawu Sumaila has since been appointed to replace him. During the valedictory service, Mr Ndume appealed to his colleagues to ensure that the late Mr Ubah’s widow replaced her husband to continue the senator’s legacies.

    The Borno senator recounted that some deceased senators were succeeded by their wives and relations.

    In contrast, others became members of the upper chamber under the influence of their husbands and fathers.

    He appealed that this should be extended to Mr Ubah’s widow. “It happened before. Chuba Okadigbo was a great politician. When he died, years after, his wife, the widow Margery, sitting around here.

  • Senate to increase EFCC budget allocation

    Senate to increase EFCC budget allocation

    The Senate Committee on Anti-corruption and Financial Crimes has expressed determination to increase budgetary allocation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)  to effectively carry out its anti-graft obligation.

    The Chairman, Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, Senator Emmanuel Udende, said this when he led the committee members on an oversight visit to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, on Monday.

    The committee chairman said in honesty, the EFCC required more funding.

    “When the EFCC chairman is telling you that he needs a software that will tackle virtual and fraudulent cryptocurrency trading, valued at about N3.4billion, then, you will understand why they need more funding.

    So, they really, really need a lot of money. What you can do is that through budgeting processing, you will be able to also increase their budget,” Senator Udende stated.

    He also said that the EFCC deserved a percentage of its recoveries to assist its operations just like the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) gets a certain percentage of its seizures too.

    “Like customs do, they are entitled to a percentage of whatever they get for the year. And if we do it to EFCC, we will be able to work from the proceeds of crime that they recover,” he said.

    Olukoyede had earlier called on the National Assembly to support the agency  by increasing its allocation in the 2025 budget by 300 per cent.

    He said that this was to enable it acquire requisite state of the art technology to fight illicit financial flows, economic sabotage.

    According to him, one of the agency’s greatest challenges is inadequate funding, the agency will need about 300 per cent increment of its 2024 budget to carry out its duties effectively

    He also sought the cooperation of the lawmakers in terms of changing the negative perception of Nigerians about  the agency.

    The chairman also stated that the EFCC is currently investigating the extractive industry and very soon, indicted persons will be charged to court.

    Olukoyede, who lamented the effects of corruption on the general activities in Nigeria, said EFCC would investigate government agencies, who corruptly divert budgetary allocations to other things or outrightly embezzle the funds.

    He announced that the commission had been granted access to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System to monitor and track all disbursements and ensure proper utilisation.

    While seeking the cooperation of the senators in carrying out the agency’s duty, Olukoyede said the EFCC would also be monitoring their constituency projects.

    “We now have a relationship with the Accountant General’s Office. We have been given access to the IPPIS. We want to monitor the releases and track where the money goes.

    “So, I am pleased to inform you, distinguished members of the Senate, that we will be monitoring your constituency projects. I hope you will cooperate with us.

    “There will be no problem. We will monitor the allocation, and I believe you will also help us champion this cause,” he said.

  • Senate moves to repeal Act establishing NBTE

    Senate moves to repeal Act establishing NBTE

    The Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund is considering repealing the Act establishing the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to realise its objectives.

    Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Muntari Dandutse said this when he led members of the committee on an oversight visit to the Board’s office in Abuja on Thursday.

    While noting the importance of the board to the technological development of Nigeria, Dandutse said that the Senate would look into amending the obsolete laws governing NBTE.

    “We will look at repealing the laws that will make them realise the objectives of innovation in a modern set up.

    “We are going to look into the challenges and address them. We want to partner with you. We need to address young Nigerians to be self employed.

    “It’s only through these polytechnics we can have technical students who can achieve a very robust innovation in making Nigeria great in terms of engineering”.

    The Executive Secretary of NBTE, Prof Idris Bugaje, said that the Board was established in 1977 adding that it supervises, accredits and regulates over 700 institutions, 156 polytechnics and 145 monotechnics.

    He disclosed that Sokoto state and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were the only states yet to have federal polytechnics.

    “Sokoto is only the state in Nigeria without a federal polytechnic. We appreciate it so that Sokoto will also have a federal polytechnic.

    “We are proposing that FCT has a federal polytechnic in Gwarinpa. A draft has already been given to the minister and it will soon go to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and from there to the Senate.”

    He also noted that the struggle to upgrade NBTE to a national polytechnic commission has started.

    “We look forward to support from this Senate Committee,” Bugaje said.

  • 3 years after, body of ex-Senate president set for burial

    3 years after, body of ex-Senate president set for burial

    The body of the former president of the Senate, Dr Joseph Wayas, who died on November 30, 2021 would be committed to Mother Earth on November 30, three years after his demise.

    This was disclosed at a news conference by Dr Dorn-Cklaimz Enamhe, Secretary, Central Planning Committee for the burial of late Wayas on Thursday in Calabar.

    Wayas, who died in a London hospital at the age of 80, was brought to Nigeria on July 10, 2024 after over two years in a United Kingdom morgue.

    He was born in 1941 in Obanliku; served as the president of the Senate from 1979 to 1983 during the Second Republic.

    Enamhe, who appreciated Gov. Bassey Otu, a member of a group known as: Who is Who in Northern Cross River Forum, and some individuals for repatriating the body of Wayas, called on all those who admired him to join in honouring him.

    According to him, the governor of Cross River has assured them that no elder statesman or leader from Cross River, who died abroad would be left in a foreign land, his remains must be brought to his ancestral home.

    The secretary of the committee said the committee had to work with various authorities in Nigeria and  the Nigerian High Commission in the UK to ascertain the authenticity of the body.

    “When we brought the body back, his wife and children assessed it critically and confirmed that it was their father, so, as I speak to you the body is that of the former president of the senate.

    “Unfortunately the body has been kept this long due to issues and disagreement among members of his family.

    “We had to wait for these issues to be resolved and as of today, they have been resolved, that is why we are going ahead with the burial,” he said.

    He also appreciated the media for constantly reminding the whole nation that the body of the former president of the senate was yet to be buried.

    Mr Nsa Gil, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Cross River, said the funeral would be held at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar and later in the deceased home town in Bassang, Obanliku Local Government of Cross River.

    He added that there would be many dignitaries, including Mr Goodwill Akpabio, the current President of the Senate, among others.