The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Deputy Senate President

  • Xenophobic attacks: Senate to send delegation to S/African parliament

    Xenophobic attacks: Senate to send delegation to S/African parliament

    …Rejects calls to severe relations

     

    The continuing xenophobic attacks on Nigerians living in South Africa took centre stage Tuesday in the Senate.

    The upper chamber after over one hour deliberation of the contentious issue, resolved to dispatched a “powerful” parliamentary delegation to South African parliament to express the displeasure of the Nigerian parliament over the attacks.

    The lawmaker however turned down the prayer for the Nigerian Government to reconsider its diplomatic ties with South African.

    Senator Rose Oko (Cross River North) and three others presented a motion on “Resurgence of xenophobic attacks and extra-judicial killings of Nigerians in South Africa.”

    The Oko specifically asked the Senate to ask the Federal Government to reconsider Nigeria’s diplomatic ties with South Africa if the ugly incidents of the attacks of Nigerians do not stop.

    The prayer was rejected as some of the Senators contended that the ripple effect of such action would be overwhelming.

    Senate President, Abubakaer Bukola Saraki, noted that the government could no longer fold its hands and allow its citizens to be attacked and killed.

    Saraki said that henceforth, Nigerian ambassadors in other country’s would be given specific assignments to defend the dignity and rights of Nigerians living abroad.

    The Senate President said that the Senate would work to ensure that funding for foreign missions are increased.

    Saraki said: “I want to thank the mover of the motion and those that have contributed. This attack has become one too many. We must put a stop to these attacks. We must take the bull by the horn. That is why we have resolved to meet with the South African parliament.

    “We must be seen to be defending the dignity of Nigerians abroad. We need to screen the ambassadorial nominees to ensure that they protect Nigerians abroad. Some foreign missions are poorly funded. On our own part, we must show commitments. I want to commend Nigerians who have shown restraints.”

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, in his contribution noted that it seemed the Federal Government is not doing enough to protect Nigerians living in South Africa.

    He said: “It appears that our brothers and sisters in South Africa have forgotten where they are coming from. South Africa suffered Apartheid for many years. It took the intervention of Nigeria for them to get out of that.

    “There was a time Nigerians did not need a visa to travel to the United Kingdom. They started issuing visas to Nigerians when we imposed sanctions on UK, following the Apartheid regime in South Africa. Till this day, we still need visas to go to the UK. This happened because of what we did for South Africa.

    “I think Nigeria needs to take a position. Enough is enough. There was a time Nigerians accommodated South Africans in Nigeria and they only returned to their country when the Apartheid regime ended. As a country, we gave them money and rendered other forms of assistance.

    “I suggest that we send a strong delegation to the South African parliament to table our position. We cannot allow them to continue to attack our people and their businesses.”

    Senate committee chairman on Foreign Affairs, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu, on her part told the Senate that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama had already been summoned by her committee, in conjunction with her colleague in the House of Representatives.

    Senator Sunmonu said that the outcome of their interaction with the Minister will be communicated to the Senate in plenary next week.

    Senate Chief Whip, Senator Olusola Adeyeye, in his contribution recalled the pivotal role played by the Nigerian Government during the apartheid regime.

    Adeyeye noted that it was unbecoming of South Africa to ill-treat Nigerians despite the Nigerian’s sacrifice to the liberation of South Africa..

    He said, “South Africans must be reminded that it was Nigeria that came to their rescue in their hour of need. We played a role in liberating South Africans. It breaks my heart to see that having done so much for South Africa, they have turned around to be the one fighting Nigerians.”

  • Ekweremadu seeks chambers of commerce support to end recession

    Ekweremadu seeks chambers of commerce support to end recession

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Thursday asked the Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture in the country to look inwards and come out with innovations that will help move the country out of economic recession.

    Ekweremadu expressed the readiness of the National Assembly to provide adequate legislative structure to move the economy out of recession and help to ease the sufferings of Nigerians.

    A statement by the Special Adviser (media) to the Deputy Senate President, Uche Anichukwu, said that Ekweremadu spoke when he received a delegation from the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, which was on a working visit to his Office at the National Assembly ahead of the forthcoming 28th Enugu International Trade Fair.

    Ekweremadu was quoted to have said that “the situation we have found ourselves now as a country is such that we are the only people who can save ourselves”.

    He emphasised the need for government agencies and the private sector to work together to diversify the nation’s economy to provide alternative sources of income other than oil.

    He said: “The 28th Enugu Trade Fair could not have come at a better time in the history of our country than now that we are in recession and most of our friends are turning their backs on us. Some are moving their industries and businesses out of Nigeria; and investors are no longer confident in our system.

    “So, this is time for all of us, particularly the various Chambers of Commerce to look inwards to be able to provide for ourselves those things, which we had expected others to provide or do for us”.

    Senator Ekweremadu said only economic diversification, propelled by fiscal federalism and initiatives by the various Chambers of Commerce could take the country out of the woods, permanently.

    Ekweremadu added: “Economic diversification is primarily about the areas the Chambers of Commerce focus on, namely, commerce, industry as well as mines and agriculture.

    “Every part of Nigeria has abundant mineral resources that can sustain each state and the development of the mines sector must be encouraged to boast non-oil revenues. That is also where fiscal federalism comes in so that we can stop bottle-feeding the states.

    “The agricultural sector and commerce also hold much potential for this country. Commerce is essentially what has given Nigeria an edge over others because while others focus on big businesses, we have small businesses all over Nigeria that are easily set up and employ small numbers but cumulatively massive numbers”.

    The Deputy President of the Senate also emphasised the need for government-private sector initiative to reboot the industrial sector to boost productivity, grow the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and generate employment “instead of spending scarce resources to import what could be manufactured in our country”.

    He assured that the National Assembly would look into the completion of the Enugu Trade Fair Complex as obtains in Lagos and Kaduna.

    Leader of the delegation and President, Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Ugochukwu Chime, said the successful hosting of the Enugu trade fair would go a long way to provide the needed buffer for the nation’s recessed economy, and engender growth and prosperity across board for Nigeria.

    Chime also commended the National Assembly, especially the Senate for its emphasis on made-in-Nigeria goods and urged the National Assembly to appropriate funds for the completion of the Enugu Trade Fair Complex.

  • Court Verdict on PDP: No cause for alarm, Says Ekweremadu

    Court Verdict on PDP: No cause for alarm, Says Ekweremadu

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Friday asked People’s Democratic Party (PDP) members and supporters not to worry over the ruling of the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt, on the lingering party leadership tussle.

    Ekweremadu stated this while reacting to the Court judgment which declared Ali Modu Shariff authentic chairman of the PDP.

    This is contained in a statement by the Special Adviser (media) to the Deputy Senate President, Uche Anichukwu.

    Ekweremadu said, “There is no cause for alarm. The party leadership will meet as soon as possible to take a decision on the best way forward.

    “I enjoin party faithful to remain steadfast as we will surely emerge stronger from the present challenges. Those dreaming about the death of the opposition in Nigeria will have to sleep much longer, and still wake up to meet us much stronger because a vibrant opposition is the beauty of democracy”.

     

  • Dogara, Ekweremadu  Bankole, others for Constitution Review Retreat

    Dogara, Ekweremadu  Bankole, others for Constitution Review Retreat

    Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Yakubu Dogara, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, former Speaker of the House, Hon Dimeji Bankole. Ogun State governor Senator Ibikunle Amosun and former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba are to feature in a 3-day retreat on the review of the 1999 constitution.

    The retreat which is being organised by the House Special Ad hoc committee on the review of the 1999 constitution chaired by the Deputy Speaker, Hon Sulaimon Lasun Yussuff is aimed at putting up a framework for the conduct of the exercise.

    A statement from the office of the Deputy Speaker said the theme of the exercise‎ is “The Imperatives of Constitution Review/Amendment in Nation Building” and the keynote address would be presented ‎by Prince Bola Ajibola

    Speaker Yakubu Dogara is expected to formally declare open the retreat which would give opportunities to stakeholders like lawmakers from various State Houses of Assembly to make inputs.

    Chairman, State Council of Obas, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle (The Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland) would be present at the event and other expected are: NBA, NLC, TUC and other Trade Unions (Ogun State Branch)‎  NGO,‎   Civil Society Agencies)  Elders/Opinion Leaders (Ex Governors, Ex Speakers of the State House of Assembly, etc. ‎National Council of Women Society of Nigeria,‎    Market Women and ‎Youth Leaders.

    The Deputy Speaker, Yussuff Lasun said the retreat is meant to interface with various stakeholders with ‎the aim of collating their views on the amendment process and that the report of the 4th Alteration ‎Bill would be presented to the public.

  • Nigeria in dire need of redemption – Ekweremadu

    Nigeria in dire need of redemption – Ekweremadu

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu said Friday that the Nigerian nation was in dire need of redemption saying the nation has lived with poor governance, extravagance and indolence induced by free money for too long.

    Ekweremadu said the time for free money is over and the time has come for Nigeria and Nigerians to retrace their steps as the country is already neck deep in economic recession with the attendant hard life and escalation in inflation.

    Speaking at the investiture of the 15th President of the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria, said it was unfortunate that the country was not structured for wealth creation and economic prosperity, but for wealth sharing and guzzling.

    The Deputy Senate President said however there was hope for the country only if professionals do the right thing, assuring that while the National Assembly will continue to make laws for the good governance of the country, the attitude of the people and government must also change.

    He said: “This investiture ceremony comes at a most crucial time in our recent history. Instructively, well-meaning Nigerians including my humble self-have continued to warn, even long before now, that our nation is not structured for wealth creation and economic prosperity, but for wealth sharing and guzzling.

    “Otherwise, there should have been no reason to continue to rue the fall in oil pride in a knowledge driven global economy. It is a clear indication of how much we have thrived on a wrong federal structure and wasted our yesteryear a. For too long, we have lived with poor governance, extravagance and indolence induced by free money.

    “Today, the honeymoon is over. We must wake up to reality and retrace our steps. The country is already neck deep in economic crisis, the recession bites even harder and inflation has escalated. It is needless to cry over spilt milk. But I dire to add that we are a country in dire need of redemption and very fast too and this redemption must also start from within.

    “We will continue to work hard to ensure that the legal frameworks guiding our electoral system conform to international best practices and standard while also addressing our peculiar local challenges.

    “However, I will be quick to add that our attitudes as a people and government are equally as important as the laws, for laws amount to nothing unless they are obeyed and enforced.

    Therefore, while we do our best to reform our electoral system, we should also be patriotic enough to respect our laws and ends chew impunity.

    While expressing hope for a bright future for the country, Ekweremadu said: “with the array of professional bodies that make up the APBN, I see hope for our nation. I have gone through the list of professional bodies that constitute the APBN and I came to the conclusion that we will be out of the wood sooner than expected if each professional body plays its part well.

    “APBN comprises the creme de la creme of Nigeria’s technocrats and professional community. Therefore, we certainly have the requisite knowledge and human resources to revamp our economy if we deploy round pegs in round holes regardless of political, religious and ethnic affiliations.

    “For the APBN in particular, it is time to show your strength and worth. I challenge you to rise to the occasion and proffer short, medium and long term solutions to our economic crisis.”

    Delivering a paper entitled “Deconstructing professionalism in the context of economic recession: a fresh perspective”, Deputy Bice Chancellor of the African Business School, Abuja, Dr. Anthony Ubani said the failure of leadership  was largely responsible for the present economic recession in the country.

    According to Ubani, contemporary studies in economic development have conclusively determined that there are other critical factors, other than capital and markets that stimulate economic growth and development, one of which he said is leadership and governance which speaks to the available quality and quantity of professional, political, managerial, entrepreneurial, technical skills and abilities as well as the strength of institutions.

    He said: “In practical terms, leadership is what determines and drives governance. Good governance whether democratic or corporate seeks to establish and promote strong, credible and sustainable institutions which regulates performance and compliance.

    “Institutions are enablers of efficiency, predictability, stability, trust, business, innovation, growth, development and confidence in the economy. Invariably, therefore, a leadership that lacks professionalism cannot deliver credible and strong governance institutions that the economy needs to thrive.

    “Today, the credibility of governance institutions is the number one indicator that investors use in making their investment decisions. In other words, to the extent that the rule of law, an independent legislature, a free press, a vibrant civil society, effective regulatory institutions, etc cannot be guaranteed in Nigeria, then it will be difficult if not impossible to attract the much needed foreign and local investments that are urgently required to reflate Nigeria’s economy and reverse the current economic recession.

    “The implication of this is that leadership has a direct relationship with economic growth and development. As professionals, it is therefore important to understand that leadership recession is the direct cause of economic recession in Nigeria. A leadership, whether corporate or political, that lacks professionalism, purpose, patriotism, vision and values can only engender economic poverty, political instability, social dislocation and failure.

    “Furthermore, if we agree that integrity, specialized knowledge and compliance to rules and laws are about the most potent solutions to the malignant cancers of corruption, compromise, complacency, impunity and incompetence that have conspired to mortgage Nigeria’s economy, then we can also logically deduce that the APBN is uniquely positioned to offer and inject these solutions into the leadership orientation of Nigeria.

    “The message therefore, is that the APBN, more than ever before, has a critical role to play in supporting, strengthening and enhancing the efforts of government to pull Nigeria out of the present economic recession.”

  • Senate aborts debate of grazing bills

    Senate aborts debate of grazing bills

    The debate of the controversial bills for the establishment of Grazing Areas Management Agency and another for the establishment of National Ranches Commission was aborted in the Senate Wednesday.

    The bills entitled “ A Bill for an Act to provide for the establishment of Grazing Areas Management Agency and for other related Matters, 2016 sponsored by Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (Kano Central); A Bill for an Act to provide for the establishment of National Ranches Commission for the regulation, management, preservation and control of ranches and for connected purposes, 2026 proposed by Senator Barnabas Gemade (Benue North East) and A Bill for an Act to control the keeping and movement of cattle and related matters thereto, 2016 sponsored by Chukwuka Utazi (Enugu North), were withdrawn due to disagreement on the way forward.

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, told his colleagues that the upper legislative chamber lacked the power to legislate on livestock matters.

    Ekweremadu said that the states were better suited according to constitutional provisions to deal with the issues raised in the bills since the issues were residual matters.

    He said, “The issues at stake here are neither in the Exclusive List nor in the Concurrent List. I believe therefore it is a Residual matter; it is for states to decide how to deal with it.

    “I believe the matter here concerns everybody given the level of carnage and the conflicts going on in different states so I feel the concern of my colleagues but unfortunately we do not have power to legislate on matters relating to livestock in this Assembly.

    “It is a matter reserved for the states. So, I believe that the bills by Kwankwaso, Gemade and Utazi is beyond the reach of this National Assembly and should be accordingly withdrawn so that the states under the constitution should be able to deal with the matters which the constitution has prescribe for them.

    “I will like to see somebody to show me anywhere in the Exclusive List or Concurrent List that has given us powers to legislate on this matter because they are not in existence.”

    Ekweremadu quoted copiously from the constitution to buttress his position.

    Senate Leader, Mohammed Ali Ndume, in his contribution said that Ekweremadu raised fundamental issues that should not be ignored.

    Ndume said that there was no point the Senate wasting its time debating the Bills if it lacked power to legislate on the matter.

    He said, “I just want to join the DSP to explain. I just want to remind us of Order 81 and also appeal that we are the Senate. We should not allow any emotional or whatever this thing to guide us.

    “The point that the DSP raised is a very important one. Number one, if we don’t have the power to make laws if it is so, I think there is no need to even start arguing on it. But having said that if that is not even the case our rules 81 say second reading of bills.

    “On the order of the second reading of bill being read, a motion maybe made that the bill now be read the second time and a debate may arise covering the general merits and principles of bill. What is now before us to be very candid is just the heading of the bill which attracted us.

    “We should hear them out on the merits if that is possible but if it is not possible Mr President, it is because we don’t have the powers to do it then we just waste our time but if we have I think we should listen to the merits and principles of the bills.”

    Senator Gemade who spoke on the consolidation of the bills, noted that though the three bills seemed to deal with the same subject matter, the fundamentals of the bills are different.

    The Benue North East lawmaker, who noted that there must be things acceptable in the bills, said that the issue of consolidation of the bills should left for the committee stage.

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki seemed not to be comfortable with the trend of debate of the bills.

    He said that since the understanding that the bills would be consolidated could not sail through, the bills should be stepped down.

    He noted that the only reason bills were captured in the Order Paper was on the understanding that they would be consolidated.

    Saraki said, “Before the point of order of Deputy Senate President, I had already put a suggestion that these bills are on the Order Paper based on the discussion I had with the sponsors that the bills will to be consolidated.

    “It is clear from the discussion today that it is not so and my view is that since the basis by which they came on the Order Paper has changed, the way forward is for us to step them down from the Order Paper of today.

    “I will want the leader to move that we step them down from the order paper of today to another legislative day.”

    After Saraki’s suggestion, Ndume promptly moved that the bills be stepped down.

    The motion was adopted.

  • Senate threatens to suspend plenary over Rivers rerun elections

    Senate threatens to suspend plenary over Rivers rerun elections

    By a unanimous vote the Senate Wednesday resolved to suspend plenary if the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) failed to conduct rerun elections in River State on or before December 10, 2016.

    The resolution followed a motion by Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu on conclusion of all pending elections in Rivers State.

    The motion described as “very important” by Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, was co-sponsored by Senate Leader, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume.

    Ekweremadu in his lead debate, observed that in spite of Senate resolution 016/02/16 of 27th day of September, 2016 calling on the INEC to immediately conclude all pending rerun elections in the country “INEC has failed, refused and or neglected to conduct rerun elections in Rivers State into the Senate, House of Representatives and States House of Assembly.”

    He noted that the Senate also observed that “the failure of INEC to conduct the rerun elections in Rivers State within the time frame ordered by the respective elections tribunals and the courts is in breach of the Electoral Act and Section 76 of the 1999 Constitution does endangering the nations democracy.”

    Ekweremadu further observed that “non-representation of the entire people of Rivers State in the Senate and some constituencies of Rivers State in the House of Representatives and States House of Assembly is in breach of section 14 (2c) of the 1999 Constitution which enjoined the participation of every part of this country in the governance of Nigeria and this endangers peace and order in Rivers State.”

    The Deputy Senate President added that the failure of INEC to conduct elections in Rivers State has continued to deny the people of Rivers State their constitutional guaranteed rights to be represented in the legislative houses where laws affecting them are being made and endangered probable anxiety amongst people of the state.

    Ekweremadu prayed the Senate to resolve to ask INEC to conducts all the rerun elections in Rivers State before the end of September failing which the Senate shall suspend plenary until such a time the elections are conducted.

    Ndume urged the Senate to note the content, intent and the urgency of the motion.

     

    The Senate Leader said that since the emergence of INEC new leadership, the history has been inconclusive, suspension and confusion in electoral matters.

    Ndume said, “You can imagine today we are about to discuss Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) without any member from Rivers State. You can imagine our colleagues that were seated with us here, conducted election they believe they won, somebody elsewhere say they didn’t win.

    “But the truth of the matter is that anyone of us here could have been in that position. Let us remember this: whatever happens to you, you should think of another person. If it is our colleagues from Rivers today, it could be you any day.

    “You can imagine for whatever reason, for example, myself who had been a victim and our people who have been victims of insurgency, if elections were not conducted I will not be here, let alone being the Senate Leader.

    “How would it be for my people who are ravaged by insurgency not to have somebody to tell my colleagues what is actually on the ground. Just imagine the motions we raised that led to the passage of the bill on the North East Development Commission.  Our colleagues are out there and you cannot genuinely say it’s their fault.

    The second fear is that we have a new leadership in INEC. And we know the history now: inconclusive, suspension and confusion. And we have to do something.

    “Very soon, we will be preparing for general election. If we cannot conduct one election in Rivers, I know there are problems in Rivers but elections must hold. We have a government that is capable. It is not that this government is not capable or doesn’t have the will to conduct the election but the voice should come out from here, just as it is everywhere that it is better to take a wrong decision than not to take a decision at all.”

    Senator Mao Ohuabunwa suggested that instead of suspending plenary, the Senate should resolve not to consider any issue that has to do with INEC until the elections were conducted. The suggestion was dropped because it was not seconded.

    Chairman, Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Abubakar Kyari rose to inform the Senate that members of his committee approached INEC Chairman Mahmoud Yakubu who assured that the Rivers State rerun election would be conducted on December 10, 2016.

    Many Senators said that the INEC boss should not be trusted since he had promised and failed in the past.

    Saraki asked Ekweremadu in view of the information by Kyari whether he (Ekweremadu) wanted to amend his prayer to reflect the information provided by Kyari.

    Ekweremadu said, “The INEC Chairman has given his word, we have to take him by his word. It is a test for him to ensure that the elections are conducted as promised because we are not properly constituted.”

    Saraki put the question “to urge INEC to conduct all rerun elections in Rivers State on or before December 10, 2016 failing which the Senate shall suspend plenary until such a time the elections are conducted.”

    There was no opposition to the prayer as it was adopted unanimously.

     

  • Senate moves to break FG’s monopoly on Prisons management

    Senate moves to break FG’s monopoly on Prisons management

    …Tinubu seeks establishment of Mother-baby care unit
    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Wednesday said that the Senate Constitution review committee planned to remove Prisons from the Exclusive List and put it in the Concurrent List.

    He said that the removal of Prisons from the Exclusive List was meant to break the monopoly of the Federal Government over the management of prisons in the country.

    Ekweremadu spoke during the second reading of three bills which sought an Act to repeal and re-enact the Prison Act CAP p29 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill 2016.

    The three Bill were sponsored by Senator Oluremi Tinnbu (Lagos Central), Senator Shaba Lafiagi (Kwara North) and Senator Babajide Omoworare (Osun East).

    The Senate plan to consolidate the bills to form one bill due to their similarity.

    Ekweremadu who presided, noted that apart from removing Prisons from the Exclusive List, there might be need to involve other stakeholders in the management of prisons in the country.

    Tinubu in her lead debate said that it is disheartening to sight infants living with their mothers in the prisons where movement is restricted, freedom restrained and liberty impeded.

    She noted that it is a common knowledge that the phenomenon has the potential of impeding all round growth of the infant and may cause retardation.

    She explained that the desire to correct the anomaly formed the basis for the suggested amendment.

    Tinubu added, “The incidences of women going to serve jail term while they are pregnant or nursing infants is known to many nations of the world, but while some nations have found solutions to the problem by way of legislation, Nigeria has left these matters to chance and the magnanimity of individuals and charities.

    “My colleagues in the seventh Assembly would recall that the plight of infants in prisons gave cause for concern which prompted the members of the Women Affairs Committee of the Senate to embark on an oversight visit to Suleja Prisons in 2013 where members expressed their concern and pledged assistance.

    “This Bill attempts to provide solution by ensuring that Prison Authorities provide special accommodation to meet prenatal and postnatal needs of pregnant inmates, designate structures as nursery to be staffed by qualified persons where the infants shall be placed when they are not in the care of their mothers, and also fight against stigmatisation of babies born in prison by providing that the circumstances of their birth shall not be included in their birth certificate.

    “Statistics given by Prison authorities as at March 2013 showed that there were 69 infants living with their mothers in Nigerian Prisons across the Federation. Though the number may fluctuate, the fact remains there is need to make special provision for these categories of prisoners.

    “While some of the solutions proffered such as providing separate accommodation for pregnant women, nursing mothers, breastfeeding sections and nursery/creche facilities in prisons may have cost implications, it is all achievable. l am calling for a replicate of the provisions made by the maximum prisons at Kirikiri Lagos to enable us meet with the minimum world best practices as stipulated in many international conventions and treaties.

    “The 88 mixed gender prisons in the country have facilities that can be converted to accommodate the provisions of this Bill. The financial implications of the proposed conversion are attached.

    “Keeping such a designated hall, room or cell clean and hygienic does not cost a fortune, while purchase of infant beddings, mosquitoes nets are equally within reach with many donor agencies. NGOs and public spirited Nigerians donating to such institutions periodically.

    “Another innovation which this bill proposes is the enlargement/expansion of the definition of ‘infant‘ as contained in the Act to cover children between ages 0 to 3 years and thus allow them stay with their mothers beyond 18 months which the extant Act currently allows. This is because Psychiatric research has shown that the first 3 years of a child’s life is important for mother-child bonding. The mother is the primary giver of love and care in a young child’s life and this can mitigate the effect of any emotional damage in life, promote sense of security and healthy self-esteem.

    “l urge you, my Distinguished Colleagues, to see this Bill in light of catering for young Nigerians who are unable to dictate the circumstances of their birth and who, it well taken care of today may be great leaders of their own generation. By supporting this bill you will be lending your voice to the entrenchment of the rights of the Nigerian child.”

  • Gender equity bill scales second reading in Senate

    Gender equity bill scales second reading in Senate

    The controversial gender equity and equal opportunities Bill scaled second reading in the Senate on Thursday.
    The Bill for an Act to incorporate and enforce certain provisions of the United Nations convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women, the protocol to the African charter on human and people’s rights on the rights of women in Africa and other matters connected therewith, was sponsored by Senator Biodun Olujimi (Ekiti South).
    The Bill is co-sponsored by 22 other Senators who expressed strong sympathy for the immediate passage of the proposed legislation,
    Olujimi, representing Ekiti South Senatorial District, in her lead debate, noted that “Gender and equal opportunities Bill” were exhaustively debated during the last session and was negatived as a result of certain observations raised in the course of the debate.
    She noted that Section four of the bill dealt with the prohibition of discrimination and provides that no person, organ or agency of government, public or private institution, commercial or corporate body, community, or other entity, or any representatives of such organ or agency… shall either through words spoken, acts, inactions, omissions, laws regulations, administrative procedures, policy, guideline, rules, customs or practices discriminate against any person on the ground of gender, age or disability.
    The Senator added that the proposed law seeks to promote equality, development and advancement of all persons in the country.
    Olujimi said that the bill also proposes to prohibit all forms of violence against women.
    She said: “All forms of violence against women are prohibited, whether the violence takes place in private, family or public sphere, including unwanted or forced sex, or traditional, religious or cultural practices harmful to health, well-being and integrity of the woman.
    “All form of violence against elderly women including sexual abuse and discrimination based on age are prohibited. All forms of violence against women with disabilities including sexual abuse and discrimination based on disability are prohibited…
    “All forms of trafficking in women and children, abuse and exploitation of women and children in any manner or way, and medical experiments on women without their informed consent, or on children without the informed consent of their parents or legal guardian, are prohibited.”
     Senator Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos Central) who supported the bill appealed to her colleagues to ensure its quick passage.
    Senator Tinubu said that the contributions of women to the development of the country are to glaring for every body to see.
    The lawmaker noted that the proposed Bill is really for the interest of future generation of Nigerian women.
    She used the intimidating number of men against the number of women in the chamber to buttress the necessity for the Bill.
    Senator Tinubu said: “I rise to support this bill and I also request my colleagues should do the same because we have come to a time in our nation that we have to really compensate our women.”
    Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu who also supported the Bill described the bill as critical in view and experience of the women folk in the country.
    Ekweremadu said that whatever should be done to protect them should be done.
    He suggested that when this bill goes to the committee and possibly for public hearing “we need to do a proper interrogation of this bill to be sure that it is not in conflict with some of our existing legislations.”
    He quoted Section 42 (1)(b) of the Constitution which provides against discrimination on bases of gender.
    “I think that what we need to do is to look at the bill itself and make sure that conflicts are eliminated at the time it is being processed by the committee so that we will be able leave the best of the bill that is served and consistent with our legislation,” he said.
    But Senate Chief Whip, Olusola Adeyeye who is a co-sponsor of the Bill, saw no conflict in the proposed law.
    Adeyeye said, “I support every thing in the bill. The Senate is fair minded. We do not want discrimination against any Nigerian. Of all kinds of discrimination, the worst is gender discrimination. The society that looks for equity must be fair. If we ask for 35 per cent for women it is fair.”
    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki noted that the Senate is strongly in support of gender equality.
    He gave the committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters two weeks to work on the bill.
  • ‘Current NASS, worst since 1999’

    ‘Current NASS, worst since 1999’

    • Urges EFCC to investigate budget padding

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, Olusegun Osinkolu, has described the 8th National Assembly as the worst in the nation’s history since the return of democratic rule in 1999.

    Speaking with reporters on Monday in Ado Ekiti on the crisis rocking the National Assembly, Osinkolu expressed regrets that the federal lawmakers have disappointed the electorate by their alleged involvement in forgery and budget padding.

    Ahead of the 2019 general elections, Osinkolu urged Nigerians to be more vigilant and careful on the personality of candidates seeking their votes for National Assembly seats advocating for election of people of integrity.

    He expressed fear that winning the anti-corruption war would be very difficult if the National Assembly still parades personalities like Senate President Bukola Saraki, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu and Speaker Yakubu Dogara still holding top posts.

    The duo of Saraki and Ekweremadu are currently answering forgery charges in a Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged alteration of the standing rules that brought them into office.

    While Dogara and  former Chairman,  House Committee on Appropriation, Abdulmumin Jubrin  are exchanging verbal abuses over alleged budget padding running into billions of Naira.

    Osinkolu said: “President Muhammadu Buhari alone cannot win the war against graft. He needed good institutions like the Senate and House of Representatives to win the war.

    “We need men of integrity, those with strong characters and incorruptible nature to lead that pivotal arm to help the executive raise the bar of governance beyond this pedestrian level.
    “The silence of the members of both chambers in the midst of these raging controversies lent credence to the fact that they are also complicit. They have not comported themselves in the most honourable way and this portends grave danger to us as a nation.

    “President Buhari was elected by the popular notion that he has integrity and the political will to tackle corruption in any form. He shouldn’t disappoint Nigerians in this regard because sparing these big men might cast a thick doubt on the integrity of the APC-led federal government.

    “Making laws need not be a full time job where Governors finish serving as executives in a state for 8 yrs will run to the Senate to remain relevant  and to seek refuge against prosecution.”

    The APC chieftain called on the federal government and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) not to spare anybody indicted of complicity in the official malfeasance going on in both chambers of the national assembly.

    Particularly, Osinkolu appealed to the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami not to bow to pressure and harassment coming from the senators on the alleged forgery case, saying his ability to prosecute such  high profile case would send a signal that President Buhari is committed to ridding the country of criminality.