TheNewsGuru

Tag: Senate

  • Senate plans national summit on farmers/herders clash

    Senate plans national summit on farmers/herders clash

    The Senate has resolved to set up an ad hoc committee to convene a national summit on herders/ farmers conflict in Nigeria.

    This followed adoption of a motion on matter of urgent importance on the “Urgent Need for Rehabilitation of Agojeju Odo,Ajokpachi, Bagaji, and Bagana Communities in Omala of Kogi following gunmen attack, by Sen. Isah Jibrin (APC-Kogi) at Tuesday’s plenary.

    Presenting the motion, Jibrin, said the area had been under recurring attacks by gunmen, leading to killings,   destruction of property  and farmlands.

    He said the attacks and killings had rendered many homeless with no means of sustenance.

    He said it was worrisome that Agojeju Odo, Ajokpachi Odo, Bagaji, and Bagana communities had  been ravaged recently by gunmen, rendering over 30,000 inhabitants of the communities homeless and leading to exodus of the people to other parts of the state.

    He said on April 5, gunmen allegedly invaded Agojeju Odo, Ajokpachi Odo, Bagaji and Bagana communities, killing 21 innocent residents, including women and children, in addition to unprecedented destruction of their farm produce.

    “Alarmed that on April 30, gunmen attacked Ajokpachi Odo community in Omala LGA, killing no fewer than three persons and rendering the entire community desolate, with no health facility to cater for the deteriorating health conditions of the survivors.

    He said the attacks had resulted in the killings of over 500 residents,  in addition to wanton destruction of public and private property worth hundreds of millions of naira.

    “The displaced persons have resolved to return to their ancestral homes but cannot afford shelters and have no means of sustenance,” he said.

    He also expressed worry that educational institutions in the communities had been destroyed, with many buildings and other facilities completely burnt down, thereby making it absolutely difficult for the children of the affected communities to access educational facilities.

    He expressed sadness that apart from destruction of schools, health centres were obviously non-existent to cater for the health needs of the affected communities as the few hitherto existing ones had  been lost to the hostilities.

    This, he said, had increased the rate of mortality in the affected communities.

    Jibrin said markets, business centres, shops and various business outfits in the affected communities had been completely destroyed.

    This, he said,  had resulted in an atmosphere of inevitable economic helplessness.

    Contributing, Sen.Victor Umeh (LP – Anambra) said the nation was yet to curb the problem of attacks in communities.

    “The attackers have no right to ravage any community, saying that actions should be taken for ranching of cattles in the country.

    “We must find a way of banning migrant grazing and apprehend and prosecute  killers.”

    Sen.Adams Oshiomhole (APC -Edo) called for  an ad hoc committee to organise public hearing to find a lasting solution to issue of farmers/herders conflict.

    Sen.Titus Zam (APC-Benue)said the farmers / herders conflict had defiled all solutions, advising that senate should enact an open grazing prohibition law.

    This, he said, would deter open grazing and encourage ranching of cattles. The Senate observed a minute silence for the departed souls in the communities.

  • Just in: Senate approves establishment of North West Development Commission

    Just in: Senate approves establishment of North West Development Commission

    The Senate, on Thursday, passed the North West Development Commission (NWDC) bill to address the challenges facing the seven states in the geopolitical zone.

    This followed the consideration and adoption of the report of the Committee on Special Duties on the NWDC (Establishment).

    The bill to establish the commission was sponsored by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I Jibrin and 20 other senators from the seven states in the North West geopolitical zone.

    Chairman of the committee, Sen. Shehu Lawan Kaka (APC, Borno Central) moved the motion for the presentation and consideration of the report, while Sen. Ireti Kingibe (LP, FCT) seconded it.

    Presenting the committee’s report, Senator Kaka said the intent and purpose of the bill are well structured and strategically streamlined for the socio-economic development of the North West geopolitical zone of the country.

    He added that the commission’s establishment would bring the federal government closer to the North Western states and meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people.

    He, therefore, urged the Senate to pass the bill.

    When the bill was put to vote by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I Jibrin, who presided over the plenary, the senators unanimously supported it.

    In his remarks, Senator Barau commended his colleagues for supporting the bill’s passage.

    When established, he said the commission would address the challenges facing the geopolitical zone and, by extension, the country.

    Describing the North West as the food basket of the country, he said the commission, when established, will work towards the restoration of infrastructure destroyed by Boko Haram insurgents and bandits in the region.

    ” So if we are serious about ensuring we have food and for food security to be attained in this country, we must provide the necessary infrastructure for all our key sectors to thrive well.

    ” This commission is needed. I commend you all for supporting this; no one said no. Everybody supported this idea. So, now we are pushing the Bill to the House of Representatives for their approval and then to Mr President for assent,” he said.

  • President Tinubu transmits anti-doping bill to Senate

    President Tinubu transmits anti-doping bill to Senate

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sought approval of the Senate for the 2024 National Anti-Doping Bill.

    Tinubu’s request is contained in a letter addressed to President of Senate, Godswill Akpabio and read at plenary on Thursday.

    Tinubu said the request was in accordance with provisions of Section 58(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended.

    “I forward, herewith, the National Anti-Doping Bill, 2024 for the kind consideration of the Senate.

    “The national anti-doping bill, 2024 seeks to create an administratively independent National Anti-Doping Organisation, which is a cardinal requirement for Nigeria to achieve compliance with the world anti-doping code and the international standard for code compliance by signatories.

    “The enactment of this vital legislation will also help Nigeria to avoid the imposition of signatory consequences inclusive of loss of hosting and participating rights at Regional, Continental, and world championships or major athletic events.

    “It is my hope that this submission will receive the usual kind expeditious consideration of the distinguished members of the Senate for passage of same into law before the Olympic fames coming up in Paris in July.”

    In a separate letter, Tinibu also sought the consideration and approval of Senate for supplementary statutory appropriation to the 2024 statutory appropriation act of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

    Tinubu in the letter said:
    “Following a review of the 2024 Statutory Appropriation of the FCTA, the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration has indicated that some critical projects were inadvertently omitted in the 2024 appropriation.

    “The capital projects are a vital component of the performance of the FCT, and shall significantly impact manpower and infrastructural development within the FCT.

    “In this regard, a 2024 Supplementary Appropriation to the 2024 Statutory Appropriation Act of the Federal Capital Territory Administration passed in March 2024, is hereby proposed.

    “I therefore forward the proposed supplementary appropriation to the 2024 statutory appropriation act of the FCTA and trust that it shall receive the expeditious consideration of, and passage by the Senate.

    “Please accept, Distinguished Senate President, the assurances of my highest regards,”Tinubu said.

  • Stop releasing funds to LG caretaker committees – Senate warns

    Stop releasing funds to LG caretaker committees – Senate warns

    The Senate has urged the Federal Government to stop further allocation of funds to caretaker committee-led local government councils nationwide.

    This followed the adoption of a motion  by Sen. Suleiman Kawu (NNPP-Kano) on Urgent Call on the President to Resuscitate Local Government System in Nigeria, at Wednesday’s plenary.

    “The challenges we face, persistent security threats, rural-urban migration, decaying infrastructure and widespread unemployment, demand bold action.

    “And we believe that empowering local government areas holds the key to unlocking a brighter future for all Nigerians,” he said.

    Moving the motion, Kawu said that the dream of achieving the objectives of the local government system encountered harsh realities.

    “Successive governments often eroded local autonomy, limiting their financial resources and control over decision-making.

    “Corruption scandals and mismanagement tarnished the image of some local governments, fueling public cynicism,” he said.

    The lawmaker also expressed worry that some governors played a crucial role in frustrating local government autonomy in Nigeria through constitutional alteration processes.

    “With limited financial and operational autonomy, local governments may  struggle to effectively address local security concerns like community policing initiatives and intelligence gathering.

    Contributing, Sen. Ahmad Lawan (APC-Yobe) said that local governments must be effective and must be guaranteed by the Constitution.

    ” I urge that we find a way of improving the capacity of those who run the local government system. Because I believe this requires devolution of powers.”

    Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu (APC-Abia) said that local government funds must be returned 100 per cent to the local government councils and improve the capacity of the people running the councils.

    Sen. Ifeanyi Ubah (APC-Anambra) said that to promote good governance in the country, “we must amend  Section Seven  of the 1999 Constitution.We need to amend so that we can start having values for democracy in our states.

    “A state like Anambra has not conducted local government election in the last 18 years.”

    In his remarks, the Deputy Senate President,  Jibrin Barau,  who presided over plenary said the motion was apt and in tandem with “the zeal of all senators to bring sanity to bear in the local government system.

  • Senate wants stiffer sanctions for job racketeering

    Senate wants stiffer sanctions for job racketeering

    The Senate says it plans to enact a law prescribing stiffer sanctions to stem job racketeering and disregard for the federal character principles in employment.

    The Chairman,Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Sen. Allwell Onyesoh, said this at a meeting with management of Federal Character Commission in Abuja on Tuesday.

    Onyesoh said that Nigerians were used to reacting to employment issues using emotion, without clarifying or carry investigation further on the issue around employment process in Nigeria.

    “It is something that is very dangerous, a simple statement like, oh this thing is out we are not getting it.

    ” There is job there, they are employing secretly, is enough to cause problem.

    “And the purview of FCC covers that, hence we felt it is proper to call them and sit down, dot the ‘I’ and cross the ‘t’, make every of their activities more transparent, more glaringly clear for people to see.

    “We want to open up the space,” Onyesoh said.

    He said that the essence of the federal character was to create unity, fairness and equity.

    “You can’t have that if someone is feeling rejected, feeling not carried along.

    “You must put some sanctions, if you want things to work, we are considering stiffer penalties, there must be consequence for everything.

    ”This is one of the few committees that derives it’s power from the constitution,” he said.

    Earlier, the Executive Chairperson, FCC, Dr Muheeba Dankaka, said that the issue of job racketeering was new to the office.

    She also appealed to the committee to help the commission toward upscaling its budget , given the enormous responsibility of the commission.

     

  • Breaking: Senate proposes death penalty for drugs offender

    Breaking: Senate proposes death penalty for drugs offender

    The Nigerian Senate Thursday amended the clause 11 of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act to a death sentence on conviction.

    Prior to the amendment, clause 11 of the NDLEA Act reads, “Any offence for a person who has no lawful authority to do so, engages in the importation, production, manufacturing, processing, growing and planting of cocaine, heroin, LSD or any other drugs of similar nature. The offence is punishable on conviction with a sentence of life imprisonment”.

    However, the Senate while considering the report of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Right and Legal Matter and Drugs & Narcotics on the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024, uttered the punishment on conviction.

    The Senate therefore amended that the punishment on conviction of the offence shall be death.

    This resolution was sequel to the presentation of the report by the committee’s chairman, Senator Monguno Mohammed Tahir, where 46 sections/clauses of the NDLEA amendment bill were read in the red chamber.

    The Senate had resolved into the Committee of Whole for a clause by clause consideration of the amendment bill.

    On clause 11, Senator Ali Ndume argued that if the importation, production, manufacturing, processing, growing and planting of cocaine, heroin, LSD or any other drugs of similar nature must be reduced to the barest minimum, a stiffer punishment must be placed on the offenders.

    Senator Ndume recommended that such offence should be punishable by death. The amendment was thrown into voice vote with the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, representing Senator Godswill Akpabio who briefly stepped out of the plenary, slammed the gavel for the “Hi”.

    In a swift reaction, Senator Adams Oshiomhole questioned the amendment, saying caution must be taken when it comes to the issues of life and death.

    While insisting that the voting be retaken with the Senators indicating their hands and proper counting be done, Senator Oshiomhole argued that he owns his constituents a point of duty to represent them in all decisions of the Senate.

    Senator Jibrin, seating as Chair waved off the former governor’s observation.

    The report of the Committee and amendment made during the plenary were adopted accordingly. The bill was read the third time and approved.

    The Senate President, while commending the Committee chairman and the members, said the bill will serve as deterrent to would-be offenders.

  • Senate probes non-completion of Abuja Centenary City project

    Senate probes non-completion of Abuja Centenary City project

    The Senate has set up an ad hoc committee to investigate factors impeding the completion of the Abuja Centenary City project after 10 years.

    The senate resolution followed adoption of a motion at the plenary on Tuesday.

    The motion titled ” Urgent need to revive and complete the stalled Centenary city Project Abuja to realise its economic and development potential” was sponsored by Sen. Yisa,Oyelola (APC- Kwara South)

    Oyelola in his lead debate said the Abuja centenary economic city project commenced in 2014 through a public-private partnership to develop a modern city n the mold of Dubai.

    He said the project was earlier designed to commemorate the 100 years of Nigeria’s amalgamation celebration.

    According to him, the original vision for the project was for it to serve as a potential economic hub with plans to create over 150,000 construction jobs.

    Oyelola said the project was also designed to create 250,000 permanent well-paying Jobs, residential accommodation for over 200, 000 residents, and facilities to attract over 500,000 daily visitors.

    He said the original estimated investment for the project stood at 18.5 billon dollars as at 2014.

    According to him, the centenary city was also designated as a free trade zone under the regulatory oversight of the Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), without prejudice to other statutory agencies like the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Abuja Investment Company (AIC) and Abuja Infrastructure Investment Centre (AIIC).

    He expressed concern that the project has been stalled for almost 10 years since its commencement.

    He expressed worry that the project had recorded developmental estimates of less than seven per cent of road construction and other critical infrastructure.

    This, he said was contained in the independent investigation assessment of Nov. 2023.

    The Kwara senator said the report fell drastically short of expectations of the original vision of the project’s conception.

    He said reviving and completing the  project would have great benefit for Nigeria, including job creation,and increasing Nigeria’s profile as an attractive destination for foreign direct investment, tourism and overall national development.

    Sen.Isa Jubril,(APC-Kogi) in his contribution said that there was need for the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Finance to look out for investment bankers to take over the completion of the project.

    Sen. Ali Ndume (APC-Borno) said it would be a cheering news and good report if the senate could facilitate the completion of the project, given the several uncompleted estates in the FCT.

    The senate in its further resolution specifically tasked the committee to review the original public private partnership agreement and recommend amendment if necessary.

    This, it said was to facilitate smooth and expeditious completion of the project within the define timeframe.

    It also urged the Federal Government to prioritise the revival of Abuja centenary city project by providing appropriate support and resolve the regulatory issues.

    It urged the government to address any other impediments, given its beneficial potential to the economy and people of Nigeria.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ad hoc committee has the Deputy President of Senate, Sen.Barau Jubrin as Chairman.

    Other members of the committee includes Senators Solomon Adeola,,Titus Zam, Aminu Tambuwal, among others.

    President of Senate,Godswill Akpabio urged the committee to turn in report of the investigation in four weeks

    The Centenary City in Abuja is a private sector driven project that was launched to mark the 100th anniversary of Nigeria by Jan. 1, 2014.

    The ambitious project is expected to cost 18 billion dollars ( N2.4tr) and take 10 – 15 years to complete.

    It was to be built to model global smart cities like Dubai, Monaco and Singapore.

  • World Press freedom day- Give Climate Change reporting top priority – Akpabio charges media

    World Press freedom day- Give Climate Change reporting top priority – Akpabio charges media

    The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Obong Akpabio, has charged Nigerian media practitioners to accord special attention to reporting climate change issues.

    Akpabio’s advice was contained in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh to commemorate this year’s World Press Freedom Day.

    Speaking on the theme of this year’s celebration, “A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis”, Akpabio charged the media to make conscious efforts in setting a climate change agenda and engage in aggressive education of the people about the environment and the negative effects of climate change.

    “The theme for this year’s World Press Freedom Day is in sync with the global attention accorded to issues of environment and as the conscience of the society, it behooves the media to be deliberate in their reportage of climate issues.

    “Environment and climate are life and we must be part of the conservation of the environment for humanity to thrive before we talk about politics and related issues”.

    The Senate President noted that the world was faced with the issue of global warming, which Nigeria is also not immune from, adding that, the media could do a more in public enlightenment and education for the understanding of every citizen.

    Akpabio, however, celebrated the Nigerian journalists for their sacrifices despite working under inclement conditions promising that the 10th National Assembly will always stand for a free press in the country.

    “On behalf of the Senate and the National Assembly, I wish to congratulate all media practitioners, especially those who have put their lives on the line in pursuit of truth and justice.

    “The 10th National Assembly is committed to all that will strengthen press freedom and we will not condone anything that may trample on the rights of journalists”

  • Senate adjourns plenary until May 7

    Senate adjourns plenary until May 7

    The Senate has adjourned plenary until May 7 to allow for further refurbishment of its chamber.

    The Senate had resumed on Tuesday, after the Easter and Sallah breaks in the chamber, but was faced with some minor operational challenges, especially poor audio quality in the chamber.

    Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau who presided over the session said the Senate would adjourn until Tuesday, to allow for finishing touches on the chamber to rectify the problem.

  • Just In: Senators quarrel over sitting arrangement in renovated Chamber

    Just In: Senators quarrel over sitting arrangement in renovated Chamber

    The first day of Senate’s plenary in the rearranged Chamber on Tuesday, was marred by quarrels among Senators over sitting positions .

    Excitement of holding plenary proceedings in the renovated chamber first enveloped the session at the beginning, but trouble started when the President of the Senate , Godswill Akpabio started reading names of Senators who marked their birthdays during the forty days recess.

    Specifically , Senator Sahabi Alhaji Ya’u ‘ ( APC Zamfara North) , angrily stood up from the seat allocated to him to complain on it , to the Leader , Senator Micheal Opeyemi Bamidele ( APC Ekiti Central) ,

    His complaints to the Leader which started on hushed tone, aggravated to shouting match between the two and consequently sparked reactions from other Senators and eventually degenerated into rowdy session .

    During the rowdy session which lasted for about 30mins , Senator Ya’u angrily pointed his finger at the Leader , complaining that the Seat , allocated to him at far right of the chamber was not befitting, being a ranking Senator who held principal position of Deputy Minority Whip of the Senate during the 9th National Assembly.

    The verbal counter punching between the Leader and Senator Ya’u , festered further when Senator Danjuma Goje ( APC Gombe Central ) , joined them.

    Goje also complained to the Leader , that ranking Senators were not well positioned in the sitting arrangement .

    However, in a trouble shooting move , the President of the Senate , called on the Leader and aggrieved Senators surrounding him , to approach the Chair , which they did , and eventually paved way for Akpabio to read his welcome address.

    After Akpabio’s welcome address , an emergency executive session was called for by the leader apparently to diffuse the bottled anger among Senators over sitting arrangement .

    Details shortly…