The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Femi Gbajabiamila

  • Reps summon Ministers over Queens College epidemic 

    Reps summon Ministers over Queens College epidemic 

    The House of Representatives has summoned the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole  and his Education counterpart,  Malam Adamu Adamu  over the outbreak of an epidemic in Queens College, Lagos that led to the death of three students.

    The two Ministers were expected to explain steps taken by the Federal Government to remedy the situation.

    However, House Committees on Health and Education services have been mandated to investigate the death of the three students.

    The school was shut down after two students, Vivian Osuinyi and Bithia Itulua allegedly died of diarrhoea, between Thursday, February 23 and Friday, February 24, 2017.

    While 14 year old orphan, Praise Sodipo also died days later, many of students were hospitalized.

    The cause of the epidemic was linked to a contamination of the source of water supply in the school.

    The lawmakers also condemned threat of expulsion of any student whose parents make remarks on the issue on social media by the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu.

    Adamu had, through a circular directed parents and students of the school to stop making comments on the incident, especially on social media or face expulsion from the school.

    Sponsor of the motion, Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, who raised a motion of urgent public importance expressed disappointment over the handling of the issue by the Education Minister.

    “Rather than take action that would bring succour to students and their worried parents, the Minister chose a high handed approach to the matter,” he noted.

    He also condemned the insistence of the former Principal of the school that there was no disease outbreak as well as the remark of the Vice-Principal of the school, that the management of the college ought to be commended for taking care of over 2000 girls with only a few affected during the epidemic outbreak.

    The House Leader said the school should be investigated on how N663m allocated to it in the 2016 budget and N776m in 2017 were utilized.

    The joint committee was expected to obtain the action plan by the two Ministries to forestall a re-occurrence of a disease outbreak in the school.

  • Xenophobia: What we will tell SA Parliament – Reps

    Xenophobia: What we will tell SA Parliament – Reps

    • To ask for N84 million compensation

    The House of Representatives yesterday said is would have been irresponsible for the Nigeria Parliament not to embark on legislative diplomacy to South Africa in light of the recent xenophobic attacks on Nigerians.

    The leader of the House and head of the delegation, Femi Gbajabiamila while briefing reporters in the company of members of the delegation on Tuesday said the country is deploying all it has to ensure that ” this is the last time it happens.”

    Gbajabiamila said: “We are hopeful that our engagement with the South African Parliament and authorities will provide lasting solutions.

    Gbajabiamila
    Gbajabiamila

    “We will attempt to meet with the South African Parliament to discuss the possibility of both our countries enacting hate crime laws. This would cover crimes committed based on nationality.

    “We intend to engage the SA Parliament and other authorities on areas of mutual benefit and how much both countries could lose from xenophobia  and possible retaliatory actions or severing of diplomatic ties.”

    He said the delegation will seek to strengthen the Nigerian /South African Bilateral Commission which only exists on paper presently as well as meet with Nigerians who reside in South Africa and assure them of governments intervention.

    The lawmaker said Nigeria will be asking for N84 million as compensation for affected Nigerians in the last xenophobic attacks, adding that Nigerian is not afraid to weld the big stick if South Africa errs.

    [quote arrow=”yes”]”I can say confidently and with conviction and with pride that our country, Nigeria is afraid of no one. But I believe when you said you’re a big brother, retaliation is not always the best or the first step to diplomacy. We gain strength through peace. I believe in reconciliation. Cutting off ties and retaliation are always the last resort. They will always be on the table, but it’s always a last resort.[/quote]

    “If you remember clearly just not too long ago, Nigeria fined perhaps the biggest South African company N3.5 billion as fines. There was no question of Nigeria being afraid of slapping such a hefty fine that some people argued could cripple MTN. But we went ahead and did it because they broke the law.

    The Chairperson of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Nnena Elendu- Ukeje while speaking said when the delegation gets to South African parliament: ” we will be looking at agreements. pieces of legislation that would support pro- immigration.

    “We would be looking at pieces of legislation that says to them that they must resist structural racism, xenophobia. We would be reminding them that like our parliament, like their parliament, they’re signatories to the United Nations’ treaty against xenophobia, racism and all forms of hate crimes.

    “And we would remind them that we have that platform to go back to the event that they do not conform to the treaties that they agreed with, We shall also be reminding them that silence is complicity, that parliament cannot remove itself from this.

    “In the event that that fails…because as they say: in peace time, be prepared for war, in the event that that fails, we shall be reminding them that retaliation is only to the mutual detrimental of both countries.

    ” And reminding them of their companies in Nigeria, and the fact that we have the capacity to do that as they have seen with MTN  that was the reason, most people say, that President Jacob Zuma actually made the trip to Nigeria. So, we have that capacity, and would be reminding them.”

  • Reps team to meet South African parliament on xenophobia attacks

    The House of Representatives on Tuesday constituted a six-member team to visit South Africa and interface with its parliament over the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians.

    The assignment, according to the members, is a fact-finding mission to know the actual cause of the attacks.

    Briefing journalists in Abuja at the end of plenary, the leader of the delegation, Femi Gbajabiamila, assured that the visit would provide lasting solutions to the recurring attacks.

    “The visit will also provide opportunities to meet Nigerians in South Africa and assure them of government’s commitment in safeguarding their lives and property, among others,” he said.

    Also speaking, the Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje, said the committee had engaged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which also condemned the attacks.

    Elendu-Ukeje, who is also a member of the delegation, said it was constitutional to engage the South African parliament on the matter.

    “We will be looking at pieces of legislation that say to them that they must resist structural racism, Xenophobia,” she said.

    “We will be reminding them that they are signatories to the United Nations treaties against Xenophobia and racism.

    “If the mission fails, we will remind them of their companies in Nigeria.”

    NAN

  • Gbajabiamila lights up Surulere communities

    Gbajabiamila lights up Surulere communities

    The Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, on Sunday night inaugurated solar-powered streetlights in Rabiatu Thompson and Olufemi communities in his Surulere Constituency.

    Residents of the benefitting communities and those from adjoining areas trooped out in their numbers to witness the switching-on of the lights.

    Gbajabiamila, represented by Mr. Sherif Balogun, Sole Administrator, Surulere Local Government Area, said the provision of the streetlights was redemption of his electoral promise to always connect with his constituents and deliver dividends of democracy.

    He said the delivery of the project was to enhance security in the affected areas and boost night business activities.

    “These solar-powered streetlights lining both sides of Rabiatu Thompson and Olufemi Street are part of the projects I have delivered to make life more meaningful for our people in line with our electoral promise.

    “Leadership is all about fulfilling the aspirations of the people and this is what this project demonstrates.

    “I will continue to do my best to touch lives in this great constituency through the delivery of more projects,” he said.

    Gbajabiamila said arrangements had been concluded to install more streetlights in other areas of Surulere, not only to boost security, but to promote night life.

    The lawmaker urged his constituents to continue to give him support in order to enable him to render service to the nation and the constituency.

    Mr. Shakirudeen Olusesan, All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman, Surulere Local Government, urged the benefitting communities to take ownership of the project by protecting it from vandals.

    “Our Majority Leader has given us the project. It is not for politicians, but for us the people. We should appreciate this gesture by taking ownership and protecting it,” he said.

    Mr. Fatai Bakare, Chairman, Community Development Association of Rabiatu Thompson Street, thanked the lawmaker for the project and promised the association would do everything possible for its proper maintenance.

     

  • FG must borrow to rescue Nigeria from recession — Gbajabiamila

    FG must borrow to rescue Nigeria from recession — Gbajabiamila

    The Majority Leader in the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila (APC-Lagos) said that Nigeria must go ahead with the plan to borrow 29.9 billion dollars for the country to come out of recession.

    Gbajabiamila said this on Sunday in Abuja while giving the end of year report on the activities of the House of Representatives for 2016.

    According to him the borrowing plan is specific and targeted at pulling the country out of recession and reflate the economy.

    “It is what this government found on ground that informed the quantum and the nature of the borrowing they have to undertake.

    “Now to get out of this recession and the sorry state we have found ourselves, I don’t think we can do it without borrowing.

    “Borrowing is necessary, United States, England, Germany they all borrow, it is an essential feature of democracy especially when you’re running a deficit budget.

    “For now, the borrowing is necessary to pump into the system to inflate activity in the economy, diversify the economy, there is a lot of things we need money for and if the country is not making money, like we used to we have to borrow,” Gbajabiamila said.

    The lawmaker said that former President Olusegun Obasanjo was able to come to an agreement to exit the Paris club because the country was making money.

    He said the country was still within the borrowing regulations as related to the nation’s GDP.

    On the possibility of increasing the salary of workers particularly in the face of soaring inflation and recession, he admitted that salaries at present “are very low,” and that “something has to be done about it”.

    He said the House would never back away from any move to increase salaries of workers.

    “That is the reason we are here, whether government or private workers, we’re here because of the people.

    “And I believe when the issue comes on the floor, I doubt if there will be a dissenting voice.

    “And we will begin to look at that viz- a viz inflation, unemployment. Personally, I believe wages are too low as we stand and I think something has to be done about it.

    “And I think the House will be proactive in making that move.”

    He added that the 8th House introduced 551 bills between January 2016 and December 2016.

    “With 64 cases of consolidation of several bills addressing similar issues, five of the bills were negatived while 179 passed second reading and 47 bills were successfully passed by the House in the year 2016,’’ Gbajabiamila said. (NAN)

  • Reps move to decongest prisons

    Reps move to decongest prisons

    • Pass Criminal Justice Act Amendment

    A reprieve may be in the offing for people who are awaiting trial in prisons across the country following the Wednesday consideration for the bill on Criminal Justice Act Amendment at the House of Representatives.

    This is as Lawmakers expressed support for the bill that strengthens the Criminal Justice system as it went through consideration at the committee in the Whole.

    The bill which amends the Criminal Justice (Release from custody) (Special Provisions) Act, Cap. C40, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, with the view to decongest and reduce the number of pretrial inmates in Nigerian prisons and for other related matters was co-sponsored by Nicholas Ossai and Ochiglegor Idagor.

    It seeks to “order the release of a person detained in custody pending trial where the prosecution fails to commence after the person had spent one-third of the maximum sentence prescribed for the offence.”

    Figures released by the United Nation’s Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in August 2016, states that  out the 63,000 inmates spread across 240 prisons in the country, 17,897 are convicted while 45,263 are awaiting trial.

    Idagor while arguing for a positive consideration of the bill said its “embarrassing and worrisome State of Nigerian prisons, where over 70% of inmates are awaiting trial, has made it imperative for us to apply extra LegislativeBudget measures to decongest our prisons and further strengthen the criminal justice system.”

    He further states: “Our society is one in which innocence until proven guilty has been thrown into the wind, as Nigerians are made to spend months and years in incarceration even without being proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.

    “We can no longer continue living in the dark age where  people’s rights are constantly abused while the government stands aside and watch. We all know that in the 240 prisons spread across Nigeria, the innocent who were wrongly accused, wrongly detained and are awaiting trial constitute 70% of the Nigerian prison population.

    “It has also been revelead that 95% of riots, escapes and jail breaks are perpetuated by this category of inmates.”

    The lawmaker stated that the bill seeks to cure the age long problem of awaiting trial persons languishing in various prisons as well as saddle an awaiting trial perons with powers to apply to a Judge within the judicial district for unconditional release from custody.

    This he said is especially in a situation where the person has been in custody for a period longer than the maximum period of imprisonment which he could have served had he been convicted of the offence in respect of which he was detained in the execution of a court or Tribunal duly constituted by law.

    According to him, the Judge on receipt of the application will summarily release the inmate if satisfied that the person has been in custody longer than the maximum period the person would have served had he been convicted.

    The lawmaker states that the bill is beneficial in the sense that there is reduction in monetary expenses spent on feeding and upkeep of inmates across the country, reduction of Staff workload and stress, manageability of prisons/improved prison regime, reduction in prison overcrowding rate, improved sanitary and living conditions in prison and reduction of lack of discipline, disturbances and aggression in prison.

    He said the passage of the bill into law will help in reducing unnecessary violation of individual’s right to liberty, prevention of the negative effects of incarceration such as psychological stress to the prison, financial, psychological and social stress faced by the  families, opportunity for better preparation of their cases and prevention of criminal socialisation of those innocent by the more serious and sophisticated offenders.

    However, an observation by the House Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, that it requires amendment of section 35 of the 1999 Constitution to run the bill through, made the Deputy Speaker, Yusuf Lasun who presided to referred it to the House Committee on Rules and Business for further advise.

  • Budget Padding: Jibrin’s allegations baseless – Principal Officers

    Budget Padding: Jibrin’s allegations baseless – Principal Officers

    The body of Principal Officers of the House of Representatives for the first time collectively responded to the allegations of budget padding by former Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, Hon Abdulmumin Jibrin,

    The principal officers in a statement signed by the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, the Deputy Speaker, Yussuff, the House Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila and seven other members described Jibrin’s allegations as “wild, baseless and unfounded.”

    The statement reads: ” In recent weeks, the nation’s public space has been inundated with a treatise of discuss centered around the concept “Budget Padding”, newly introduced into the lexicon of the Nigerian legislative Appropriation process.

    “The proponent, the recently sacked Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation Hon Abdulmumin Jibrin sought to make allegations of impropriety against the leadership of the House over the process and content of the 2016 budget passed by the National Assembly and signed into law.

    “While the leadership is determined to ensure that absolute diligence, maturity and due process are employed in dealing with the allegations, instead of joining the accuser in a press war, it is important to state, in the interest of the agitated public, that the allegations are wild, baseless and unfounded. Good enough, all the said allegations raise issues that can be easily verified and the public will be availed ample opportunity upon the resumption of the House.

    “In the meantime however, the Leadership of the House of Representatives wishes to reaffirm that it took collective action, in conjunction with the Senate and a team from the Executive, to rescue the 2016 Budget when it became obvious that the former appropriation Chairman had placed both the document and the process in jeopardy resulting in a spate of agitations from Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

    “Furthermore, the decision to relieve the erstwhile Appropriation Chairman of his position was a collective decision of the leadership in response to unrelenting pressures from the overwhelming majority of Honorable Members who were irked by the former Chairman’s gross abuse of the budget process. Both actions were taken in the best interest of the institution and the nation for which we take full responsibility.

    “Truth may be slow but it usually always wins the race in the end. We have no doubts.”

    Others whose signatures are on the statement include: Chief Whip, Hon Alhassan Doguwa, Deputy House Leader, Hon Umar Jibril, Minority Leader, Hon Leo Ogor, Minority Whip, Hon. Yakubu Barde, Deputy Minority Leader, Hon Chukwuka Onyema, Deputy Minority Whip, Hon Binta Bello and Deputy Majority Whip, Pally Iriase

  • Budget padding: Don’t judge Dogara, others – Gbajabiamila

    Budget padding: Don’t judge Dogara, others – Gbajabiamila

    ….Denies working against Speaker

    The leader of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila Monday said fellow lawmakers and by extension all Nigerians, should not judge the Speaker of the House of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and three other principal officers accused of “insertions” of billions into the 2016 budget.

    Gbajabiamila made the appeal Monday in a statement to his colleagues made available to National Assembly reporters.

    “Yes, allegations have been made but I strongly believe judgment should not be passed based on allegations. We operate a constitutional democracy and we must at all times submit to its dictates and ethos. All parties are innocent until otherwise proven. This should be our guide. I plead with all members. The mudslinging must stop.

    The lawmaker also denied that he is working against the Speaker of the House, Yakubu Dogara, over the allegations of budget padding leveled against him by the former Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, Abdulmumin Jibrin.

    A text message making the rounds amongst members of the House alleged that Gbajabiamila is working with the former Appropriation Chairman to remove Dogara, but the House Leader in a statement yesterday said the allegation is far from the truth.

    He further states: “Since the budget controversy that engulfed the House  about a week ago, I have pointedly maintained a dignified silence. I did this for the sake of the institution I represent and which I have labored hard to grow and protect, knowing that whatever I say could be impactful both within the House and outside it.

    “I was determined to keep in place the glue that holds an otherwise
    O fragmented House, protect its integrity and at same time avoid eroding the little confidence and vestiges of hope Nigerians have in us.

    “Unfortunately, the controversy has now taken a different turn following the rather strange if not comical text making the rounds amongst members about my complicity in this rather sordid matter.   I am being dragged into an arena I tried very hard to stay out of only for the good of the House.

    “The Speakership election has come and gone. The election was divisive and acrimonious but I have since worked hard to heal the wounds some of which still fester amongst members on both sides. It is my responsibility to bring all tendencies in a House I lead together and I have worked well with the Speaker and all other Principal officers in a bi partisan manner and in the interest of the institution and the country.

    “This text message, which desperately seeks to finger me in some macabre plot to destabilize the House is a throw-back and echoes our dark post Speakership election history. The resurfacing or resurgence of the faceless text messengers will not help us as a House and let me quickly add that it will fail.

    “My strongest critics and biggest political adversaries in the House cannot deny the fact that my commitment has always been to strengthen the legislature and its processes and our democracy as a whole. I consider everyone a friend and colleague and urge that as we collectively work towards a stronger legislature and strive to deepen our democracy, we do not pull back the hands of the clock nor lose sight of the enormous responsibility placed upon us by providence as members of a critical arm of government.”

    The House Leader however, admitted that the budget process needs to be reformed:

    “On the budget issue at hand, it is clear that our budget process needs radical reform and very quickly too,” he said.

  • Reps bar Kachikwu from plenary

    Reps bar Kachikwu from plenary

    Members of the opposition in the House of Representatives vehemently opposed the admittance of the Minister of State (Petroleum Resources), Ibe Kachikwu into the chamber Monday afternoon.

    Kachikwu was scheduled to address the lawmakers Monday on the latest development over hike in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

    However, trouble started when plenary resumed and time for the Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila to move for the admittance of the Minister into the Chamber.

    After the motion was seconded, the Speaker put the question but the nays were more than the ayes.

    The Speaker ruled in favour of the ayes before banging the gavel but before he could drop the gavel, “No, no, All we are saying, save Nigeria and APC shame” rent the air.

    After about three minutes, the Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila and Chief Whip, Ado Doguwa approached the Speaker for consultation.

    The Deputy Speaker, Yussuff Lasun, who was seen placating his colleagues and the Minority Leader, Leo Ogor later joined the Speaker’s consultation group.

    The chanting and flag waving went on for another 20 minutes before the Speaker was able to rally the members.

    Before he recognized the Minority Leader Ogor after the noise had subsided, the Speaker said,  “This is the beauty of democracy,  we disagree to agree”.

    He then acknowledged Ogor, who moved that the House dissolve into Executive session.

    The House went into the session without the Minister being admitted.

     

  • Kogi crisis: Stalemate as Reps, AGF meet

    Kogi crisis: Stalemate as Reps, AGF meet

    The meeting of the House of Representatives Committee on the Kogi House of Assembly Crisis and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister Justice, Abubakar Malami ended in a stalemate Monday.

    The Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila who is the head of the committee while speaking after a closed door meeting with Malami Monday said the meeting was “ongoing.”

    His words:”The outcome of the meeting? Well we are making steady progress, what we have is an ongoing discussion. There are a lot of issues to be resolved and hopefully, we will be able to resolve them next week.”

    On if there was an agreement with the AGF on if to maintain the status-quo or not, Gbajabiamila said: “No, no, we didn’t go in there to come to an agreement. We went in there to discuss the issues, to unravel all the legal and factual issues. And this is still ongoing and by next week, we will resolve all the issues.”

    On the findings of the committee, the lawmaker said: “We have found out that there are lot of constitutional issues between the Attorney-General’s office and the National Assembly that we need to look into it not just at face value.”

    The Majority Leader said it was apparent that the AGF wrote a letter to the IGP “and it’s clear that the IGP acted on the letter.”

    He said the contents of the letter and constitutional issue were discussed.

    “I know it is a very important matter that not just the press, but everyone in Nigeria is interested in how we resolve this issue. But you just have to be patient because whatever we resolve now sets a precedent for the future.

    “And so we are taking our time to look at all the issues, we are not rushing into it, we will dot all the i’s and cross the t’s. We should by any way or the other come out with the report next week.”

    Recall that the House of Representatives summoned the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister Justice, Abubakar Malami and the Inspector – General of Police, Solomon Arase over the crisis in the Kpgi State House of Assembly.

    While Abubakar  Malami was to appear before the 22- member ad hoc committee headed by the Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila to explain why he advised the IG to discountenance the House’s directive to seal the Kogi State House of Assembly, the IG was to explain why he sought the AGF’s advice after being given a clear directive by the National Assembly.

    But the Inspector- General of the Police, Solomon Arase last week apologized to the members of the House, saying he did not purposely contravene the directives of the House to seal the Kogi State House of Assembly.

    Arase, who appeared before an Adhoc committee on the crisis said what occurred was misinformation and that it was not in his character to disobey laid down rules and constituted authority and powers of the National Assembly.