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Tag: Yakubu Dogara

  • We have to part ways with judiciary if… – Dogara

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has urged the nation’s Judiciary to adhere strictly to the principles of separation of powers as enshrined in the 1999 constitution.

    Speaking during plenary Thursday, Hon. Dogara lamented that some persons were using some judges to gag the National Assembly, a situation he said will spell danger for Nigeria’s democracy.

    Hon Dogara stated that Nigeria is not a Banana republic and warned that if the Judiciary continues to cross the line, the National Assembly will be left with no option than to part ways with them.

    “We would part ways with the judiciary if it continues to gag the National Assembly. There are external forces pushing the judiciary to tackle the Legislature. Some persons somewhere are intimidating the nation’s Judiciary to gag the National Assembly.

    “We know that Nigeria is not Banana Republic and operates on basic principles such as rule of law and separation of powers, which states that none of the arms of government should gag the other.

    “Just as we cannot gag the Judiciary, we also expect same from them. We make laws and the Constitution only empowers them to interpret the laws, but for us to sit here and the judiciary tells us what we should consider and not consider and when to seat, then we are no longer practicing democracy.

    “The way the judiciary is going, nothing stops them (the judges) from coming tomorrow and saying the National Assembly should not sit. I don’t think it is us that is intimidating the Judiciary like is being alleged. It is some people that are intimidating them from somewhere else, to gag the National Assembly.

    “We have respected the Judiciary a lot and we expect same from them. When the Judiciary gets to the level they are now, that spells danger for our democracy. If they insist they must continue this way, we have to part ways.”

     

  • Why I support restructuring – Dogara

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, has expressed support for auditing and restructuring the existing federal system to give a sense of belonging to all Nigerians.

    He said that for true federalism to be achieved in Nigeria, a unique system of federalism that best suits Nigerian people and the local circumstances in the country must be created, in addition to having leaders who are visionary, selfless, prudent, intelligent and indefatigable and having integrity and honour.

    He said these while speaking on the topic, “Reforming the Nigerian Federation: Which Way Forward”, at the 3rd annual Political Summit organised by the Save Democracy Africa in Abuja.

    The Speaker noted that, “The talk of Nigeria’s success or genuine federalism can no longer hold waters giving the state of internal insurgencies, divisiveness, ethnic and religious schism witnessed in several parts of Nigeria. Efforts at wishing away the problem associated with Nigerian federation have only resulted into several tribal, ethnic and religious movements that have even metamorphosed into terrorist syndicates.

    “One can, therefore, no longer fold his arms but engage some of the issues that have confronted us as a nation and threatened the Nigerian federation. This forum provides one of the opportunities for such interrogation. Accordingly, I commend the organisers for bringing this issue to the front burner once again.

    “That Nigeria could survive despite predictions to the contrary by the World Powers not only portrays a ray of hope but also demonstrate that Nigerian Federation has come to stay.

    “It is therefore incumbent on us to fashion out our own type of federalism that is best suited to our people and to local circumstances. There should be genuine efforts to build the nation. Therefore ethnic, religious and sectional agenda should take back place. The essence of federalism is to foster unity and development. This has however, not been achieved.

    Consequently, the recruitment processes of our elective office holders are being re-visited in the Electoral Amendment Bill to ensure that the system is able to recruit the best at all strata of leadership. We need leaders who are visionary, selfless, prudent, intelligent and indefatigable and having integrity and honour.”

    He added that the current National Assembly has shown enough determination to ensure that the federation of Nigeria is managed effectively for the good of every citizen in its several initiatives to address imbalances.

    He also added that to take Nigeria to its pride of place, a reorientation of Nigerians to address the political and economic malaise they face must be addressed, along with every other possible measure to take Nigeria to where it rightly belongs among the comity of Nations given her huge and rich minerals and agricultural resources, and population.

    Hon Dogara stated, “There should be massive awareness to change the mindsets of the rulers and the ruled. This is where there is the need for proper education and awareness for both the rulers and the ruled. I challenge our tertiary institutions to break the disconnect between them and the political institutions and industries not only to fashion out the appropriate curriculum to drive this new orientation to confront our political and economic malaise but also to lead cutting edge research in providing correct local solutions to our diverse of problems.”

    He also identified the pedestals upon which Nigerian Federation has thrived over the years as multi-party system that allows wider participation in the political process, equity distributive principles of revenue from the Federation Account, states creation, special intervention programme to address specific problems where there are genuine cases of imbalance, marginalisation and injustice such as NDDC and NEDC, growing synergy and improved communication between the National Assembly and the Executive, the judiciary, practice of federal character in the composition and conduct of public institutions at state and federal levels.

    The speaker also identified some emerging issues in Nigeria’s federation political gerrymandering, corruption and nepotism, state creation and boundary delimitation, electoral boundary manipulation that discriminates against voters on account of tribe, language, religion, or related status.

    “The same is also true of boundary adjustments, state creation and Local Governments in Nigeria. The minority tribes have complained of being short-changed. The issue of fiscal federalism and resource control. The allocation of revenue in Nigeria is presently heated as there are always allegations and counter-allegations of manipulations against the federal government by states. There are also allegations of zero allocation to local governments by states despite very clear constitutional provisions. In addition, there has been complaint of total neglect of the states that generate the revenue as such the derivative formula has been very contentious. There is over concentration of powers and responsibilities on the federal government. There are several responsibilities that can better be handled by the states. The power sharing between the Federal Government and the states will have to be revisited and the issue of the autonomy of local governments in Nigeria which state Houses of Assembly keep voting against,” he further stated.

    Hon Dogara, therefore, stressed the need to fashion out our own type of federalism that is best suited to our people and to local circumstances, with genuine efforts to build the nation, the need for proper education and awareness for both the rulers and the ruled, awareness and re-orientation on the issue of political gerrymandering, and vesting the responsibility of delineating constituencies to the Boundary Commission as is the case in several countries like Britain.

    He added, “The issue of resource control must be properly addressed. The communities where those resources are found should be adequately compensated. The Host Community Bill initiated by the House of Representatives on the Oil and Gas industry will be a test case. The call for resource control may by implication have a semblance of territorial devolution.”

    The speaker noted that since assumption of the 8th House of Representatives, they have engaged the executive (mostly ministers and heads of parastatals) in several sectoral debates at plenary and have enacted cutting edge legislations in emerging, reviewed over 300 laws with the hope of bringing them in tune with modern realities and has been guided by the need to adjust our political, social and economic system to meet local circumstances and engraft the existing laws to conform.

     

  • Why social unrest looms large in Nigeria – Dogara

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has attributed lack of opportunities as a contributory factor to social unrest in Nigeria.

    The Speaker made this known while receiving a delegation from the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria in his office.

    He said the inability of many young, talented and gifted Nigerians to access funds to take their dreams to reality has led to their involvement in activities that are detrimental to the growth and development of the society.

    He, therefore, challenged the banking sector to contribute to the fight against violence, terrorism and sundry acts of criminality by providing opportunities to Nigerians to pursue dreams that will yield positive outcomes.

    “When citizens are alive, they are free but they are excluded from pursuing their dreams and realising them, they cannot be said to be enjoying the promise of democracy.

    “Unfortunately, that is the biggest challenge of our democracy in Nigeria and it is giving birth to other challenges that are even threatening the entire democratic architecture and that is lack of opportunities and we see that manifesting in violent crimes, in terrorism.

    “Most of the people doing this, the young people are involved in kidnapping, sundry acts of criminality. If they had opportunities where they can release their latent energies or potentials, they would have definitely be doing other things for the benefit and good of the system and not joining the coalition of the enemies of open society,” he said.

    He urged the bankers to take a very in-depth look at the possibility of reducing their bank rates to encourage small and medium businesses in the country to thrive as this would lead to strengthening of the democratic architecture of the country and enable Nigerians to enjoy life, liberty and pursue what makes them happy.

    Hon Dogara expressed confidence that with the commitment of bankers, reduced interest rates can be achieved, while assuring that the House is committed to the ease of doing business in Nigeria.

    “To be candid, when you borrow monies from banks to fund businesses, especially in Nigeria, it is like you are signing your cheque to poverty because in some cases, you struggle with the interest, not even the principal, and years and years, you have not been able to sort it out and once you run into any misfortune, banks are even like in a rush to ensure that you either pay or they close it on you,” he said.

    Earlier, the President and Chairman-In-Council of the Institute, Professor Segun Ajibola, commended the speaker for promoting the ease of doing business in Nigeria through the passage of landmark bills, including the Collateral Registry Act, by the National Assembly.

     

  • How banking practices stifle business growth in Nigeria – Speaker Dogara

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has called for action to be taken concerning prevalent banking practices which have adverse effects on business growth and entrepreneurship in Nigeria.

    Speaking at the launch of a book on banking reforms by a member of the House of Representatives Dr. Bode Ayorinde, representing Owo/Ose Federal Constituency, Dogara highlighted issues such as high lending rates and difficulties in accessing loans; and compared prevalent practices in the country with what is obtainable in other climes.

    “The challenge in the banking industry in Nigeria is such that it is organized in such a way that it creates buoyancy and development in other jurisdictions, not in Nigeria. I have had cause to say this before, that unless you have assets or equipment, there is no way you can take loans or access loans from Nigerian banks to do the business. If you are not careful in taking loans from Nigerian banks, one will just end up in the poverty gap.”

    “I don’t think our citizens are supposed to do their businesses with money they already have in their pockets. Businesses elsewhere are executed by loans by the banking industry in those countries. I don’t know why the interest rate in Nigeria is so high. What is it that we can do to lower the cost of funds in Nigeria, so that our young men, women and entrepreneurs can risk taking money from our financial institutions in order to realize their dreams?”

    He queried the likelihood of success of business reforms in the country, in light of the fact that loans remain largely inaccessible to those who most require such financial aids to grow their businesses.

    “I love the fact that the Vice President is chairing the council on the ease of doing business in Nigeria but in dealing with most businesses, you are forced to ask what business are we doing? How do we fund these businesses?”

    The Speaker, who lamented that the political will to tackle the challenge has been lacking, called on all stakeholders to work together to strengthen the various institutions within the country in line with international best practices.

    “That has been the challenge, from the point of view of the Executive down to the Parliament, the political will to address this has not been there. And the answer has always been that just one opinion cannot solve the issue, all hands need to work at it. We cannot afford to continue having weak institutions in Nigeria, not after so many years of having balance.”

    “So I believe that concerning some of these borrowing voyages such as been embarked upon recently can be avoided by applying the required formulas that work even here in Nigeria. The sharp parallel that is drawn between the practice here in Nigeria and the practices in over 20 other jurisdictions of the world.”

    The event also had in attendance the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo and the governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu.

     

  • Technological advancement key to ending youth unemployment – Dogara

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara has said that Nigeria cannot expect to excel as a nation if it does not match words with action in science and technology development.

    While pledging the commitment of the House to supporting the growth of science in the country, he added that it is innovation that dictates the country that leads, and is key to ending youth unemployment.

    Speaking at the Technology and Innovation Expo 2018 in Abuja on Friday, Dogara stressed the importance of scientific development and said that it also provides an avenue to tackle youth unemployment, which has been a perennial challenge to successive administrations in Nigeria.

    He stated, “If we think that we can continue to pay lip service to innovation and still excel as a nation, we will be deceiving ourselves or we will be expecting something that was never the case, never has been and never will be.

    “There is no way in the contemporary world that the destinies of nations can be secured without the needed advances in science and technology. As a matter of fact, this should be the most important national focus because whatever it is that you have as a nation, whether it is the wealth that is buried beneath the surface of our land, you need science and technology to bring it out.”

    The speaker also urged young people to be innovative, as it remains one of the most effective ways of attaining global recognition and effectively managing resources.

    “When we talk about science and technology, we are talking about innovation. Thankfully, innovation involves nothing new because all that we need to innovate with is already here with us. Innovation involves arranging old things in new ways and I guess some of the participants today can attest to that. It’s thinking about things that are not working and even things that are working, and how to improve on them.

    “Any nation that out innovates you can outcompete you in the modern global space so as a nation, we have every reason to devote attention to events like this. I can tell you there’s no better way that we can rein in resources in terms of money than to innovate. When you innovate, it’s like a light that attracts the entire world to you.”

    Citing an example with agricultural breakthroughs in Israel, Dogara urged young people to attain technological feats which will speed up the pace of development in the country and pledged the commitment of Parliament to ensuring adequate funding for science and technology.

    “I’m particularly impressed, for instance, if you take the area of agriculture in the nation of Israel. Even the United Nations said that Israel, though a desert nation, is the most agriculturally efficient nation on earth. Just because of innovation, so many people go to that desert nation to learn how to farm.

    “I want to commend this initiative and say that as members of the National Assembly, we pledge our support. We will continue to put the funds there for our teeming young people to innovate and to be candid, if we innovate, the crisis of unemployment facing us in this nation will be brought to an end.”

    The Speaker also congratulated those who won awards and various prizes and urged them to strive hard to actualise their full potential. He commended the minster for science and technology, whom he described as a “round peg in a round hole”.

     

  • International Women’s Day: Reps commit to push for women’s progress

    As the world marks the 2018 International Women’s Day, speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has assured Nigerian women of the commitment of the House of Representatives in ensuring that goals targeted at women’s empowerment and inclusion are actualized.

    In a statement issued to commemorate the 2018 International Women’s Day, the speaker said the House is in tune with this year’s theme; Press For Progress, as it has steadily been involved in activities and ventures that will promote upliftment of women in Nigeria.

    He added that his leadership is aware and working to gradually eliminate challenges that have impeded gender parity in Nigeria, including lack of access to education, poverty and repressive cultural norms and called on stakeholders to join the legislature to bring an end to gender-based discrimination in the country.

    “The plight of the average Nigerian woman is one we are all familiar with. From childhood, many are denied education and subjected to other conditions which limit their aspirations. Many cultures also enforce practices which are detrimental to women’s health and overall wellbeing. As a nation, we must collectively seek to put an end to all forms of discrimination against girls and women,” Dogara said.

    He further emphasized the importance of women’s inclusion in politics and governance, as well as the importance of having a society built on the tenets of egalitarianism.

    “As the world presses for progress, Nigeria must not be left behind. We must completely eradicate discriminatory norms and usher in a new era of egalitarianism. All citizens should be considered equal before the law, and women are no exception.

    “We need policies which will enhance the political representation of women, so that they are empowered to influence laws and contribute to key decision making processes. Nigerian women are intelligent and resourceful and we must, as a matter of duty, create an enabling environment in which there are no systemic barriers to attaining their full potential.

    ‘The House of Representatives under my leadership has ensured that, irrespective of the fact that the number of female parliamentarians is way lower that that of their male counterparts, every one of them is either a chairperson of a committee or a deputy. a few exceptions occur where the lawmakers joined the House after the committees had already been constituted. The idea behind this, among others, is to put them in a position where they can fully exploit their potentials and to empower the Nigerian women.

    “The House also voted largely in favour of Constitution amendment bills seeking to ensure balanced representation of women in governance,” he said.

     

  • #DapchiGirls: Stop the blame game, Dogara tells Army, Police

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has asked security agencies to take responsibility for failing to stop the abduction of 110 schoolgirls in Dapchi, Yobe State, adding that the buck passing between the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force is unacceptable.

    In a press statement, Hon Dogara said rather than trading blames, the various security agencies should strengthen inter-agency collaboration and intensify efforts towards rescuing the girls.

    “The statements credited to the Army and the Police in which they tried to exonerate themselves from any culpability in the unfortunate and embarrassing abduction of innocent girls from their school in Dapchi , Yobe State, is 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 serve as a warning signal to security agencies to provide adequate security protection to all schools in the North East.

    “I want to use this medium to console the parents of the abducted girls and the entire Dapchi community over this unfortunate incident. I also urge all Nigerians and people of goodwill from all over to pray for the safe return of the girls”.

     

  • Reps to test run e-voting in proceedings after SE dev. bill commotion

    Reps to test run e-voting in proceedings after SE dev. bill commotion

    The House of Representatives may commence a test-run of e-voting method in its legislative procedures.

    Deputy Majority Whip of the house, Mr Pally Iriase (Edo-APC) gave the hint while speaking with newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja after the chamber’s plenary.

    The resolution of the resolution to adopt e-voting ostensibly stemmed from the controversy that trailed the rejection of the South-East Development Commission Bill by the house on Thursday.

    It would be recalled that it was difficult for the Speaker of the house, Mr Yakubu Dogara, to ascertain whether the “nays’’ or the “ayes’’ had majority when he put the motion on the bill to voice vote.

    It was at the second voting that the rejection of the bill was clear as majority of the members voted against it.

    Iriase said that e-voting would replace the regular voice vote being currently applied and forestall future controversies in the house, explaining that the method would promote accountability and transparency.

    “Arrangements have been perfected for electronic voting to ease the process and ensure more accountability and transparency.

    “We will be dealing with the modernisation of the process of law-making toward e-parliament.

    “What has been done is to get experts who have concluded their work and the test-run is going to start on Wednesday,’’ he said.

     

  • NASS committed to making laws to improve business environment – Dogara

    NASS committed to making laws to improve business environment – Dogara

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, has assured that the National Assembly will act on legislations that will improve Nigeria’s business environment.

    Dogara gave the assurance on Monday in his remarks at the one year anniversary of National Assembly Business Environment Roundtable (NASSBER) in Abuja.

    He commended NASSBER for the successes it had achieved over the last one year, saying that the group’s efforts would lead to robust and responsive private sector.

    “Looking back the last 12 months, NASSBER is but a success story of novel synergy, dialogue and engagement between the legislature, development partner, the private sector, the bench and citizens.

    “The National Assembly will continue to play a central role not only in governance but also ensuring that we deliberate and act on frameworks that will improve Nigeria’s business environment.

    “This we will do through the review of relevant legislations and provisions of the constitution.

    “A little over a year ago when NASSBER was inaugurated, we were very confident it was the right step to take if we were indeed committed to bringing our economy out of recession, and stimulating long term economic growth.’’

    Dogara urged members of the NASSBER Committees to provide the strategic guidance needed to move the roundtable initiative forward.

    He added that they were on course to having the law as a proactive instrument to promote development and, therefore, influence and change present realities.

    The speaker congratulated DFID ENABLE project, the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), and the Nigerian Bar Association – Session on Business Law (NBA-SBL) for their service to the nation through the project.

    He said that the outcome of their efforts will lead to an agile private sector that could respond to global opportunities.

    “As a result of this effort, I am more confident that our economy would attract ‘agile private sector that can innovate and respond to global opportunities’ as contemplated in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) of this government,” he said.

    The speaker also commended the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, for demonstrating leadership and an unwavering commitment to the NASSBER process.

     

  • We appreciate your commitment to deepening our democracy, Dogara tells EU

     

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara has commended the European Union (EU)’s decision to include Nigeria among the seven countries that makes up its new commission.

    The Speaker spoke on Monday when he received the delegation from the EU parliament at the National Assembly on Monday.

    According to the Speaker: “The European Union has displayed an unwavering commitment to deepen Nigeria’s democracy by selecting it to be among seven countries that make up its new commission”.

    Dogara said the above was in addition to many other interventions by the EU, “which is helping to promote democratic culture in Nigeria”.

    He stated, “I want to also note with pride, that of the agreements that you have with other nations, about seven of them in total as you reeled them out, only two nations are in Africa and Nigeria is one of them. That shows commitment by the EU to enhance the growth of democracy in Nigeria.

    “Obviously, we are the largest democracy in Africa, so that was a wonderful decision and we can only but reciprocate.”

    Commending the EU Parliament’s interest in Nigeria’s democracy, the speaker noted that deepening democracy goes beyond the ballot, because it was what happens after the ballot that matters.

    He added that, as part of efforts to deepen the quality of the nation’s democracy, Nigeria was already working on the shortfalls observed by the EU in the 2015 elections through bills that were before the National Assembly.

    Dogara maintained that democracy is not just about elections because elections have produced dictators in the past but the people must always work to protect and deepen democracy.

    Leader of the EU Parliament delegation, Mr Santiago Fisaf, while speaking earlier, disclosed that the EU had started a new commission dealing not only with federation election but capacity building, and had chosen Nigeria as one of the seven countries to participate.

    He explained, “a special agreement between a few countries to interact with us and to help each other with best practices in different parliaments. There are only seven countries in the world that we have this agreement with: Ukraine, Maldova, Georgia,Tunisia, Yemen, Peru and now, Nigeria.

    “That means that Nigeria is the only country in south Sahara and Tunisia, in Africa.

    “The aim of this Committee is to build special relationships between the parliaments, institutionally and also for exchange Senators, Members of the House of Representatives, staff, young politicians and political parties. And to exchange ideas and problems and see how we can solve them.”

    Earlier, Vice President of Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), and facilitator of the meeting, Sen. Kabiru Gaya, informed the speaker that the EU delegation held a thorough interaction with chairmen of some Committees in the House of Representatives.

    He said, “Honestly, we have learnt a lot from the discussions we had with them and also benefitted a lot from the EU discussions. Chairmen of the Committees of the House of Representatives include that of National Security and Intelligence, Public Accounts, Intergovernmental Affairs, Human Rights, Inter-Parliamentary Affairs and Human Rights.

    “These are members of the team that had discussions with the EU Parliament on many areas of collaboration and observations made earlier in the 2015 elections.”