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Tag: national assembly

  • NASS leadership announces Public Complaints Commission appointments

    NASS leadership announces Public Complaints Commission appointments

    The National Assembly leadership has announced the appointment of the Chief Commissioner as well as Commissioner of the Public Complaints Commission.

    According to a statement by the Secretary Research and Information, Dr Ali Umoru, on behalf of the Clerk to the National Assembly, this was in compliance with Section 2(1) of the Public Complaints Commission Establishment Act (2004).

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    Bashir Abubakar, from Kaduna State was appointed the Chief Commissioner.

    Commissioners were also appointed for the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory bringing  the list to a total of 38.

    Umoru said the inauguration date will be announced in due course.

  • The national assembly needs a reputational makeover

    The national assembly needs a reputational makeover

    Under the sterling leadership of Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, SAN, as Charman of ICPC, the  board instituted a novel initiative of ensuring accountability and transparency in the implementation of  Constituency Projects.

    A portion of the initiative’s report reads:

    “In addition, findings under the phase two exercise revealed that there were projects sited on private properties of the sponsors or their cronies – breaching Procurement Act 2007, using personal companies to execute government projects, passing off or round tripping of projects, converting projects vehicles to personal property, and lack of needs assessment before projects are sited.

    Furthermore, the exercise uncovered lack of synergy between outgoing and incoming legislators, such that projects initiated by the former are abandoned by the later. Another shoddy dealing uncovered was collusion between sponsors’ aides and contractors to defraud Nigeria and contract over-invoicing.

    Other key findings of the exercise was that despite the annual appropriation of N100 billion for constituency projects, some projects were duplicated in the mandate budgets of some Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) – which the same National Assembly approves – as constituency projects. This, did not only fuel corruption,  it also distorts national planning, leading to poor and inefficient budget performance”.

    Above is how the National Assembly, routinely, pads annual budgets.

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    From the above, it becomes crystal clear  that the huge emolument of National Assembly members, concerning which Nigerians have shouted themselves hoarse, complaining ad infinitum, is only one of the many ways the country is being rapaciously  shortchanged by those expected to lead by demonstrating unimpeachable behaviour.

    Each successive session of the National Assembly has been worse than the one it succeeded and it has become obvious that in the matter of resolving opacity in that arm of government, Nigerians are, no doubt, between the  devil and the deep blue sea.

    I say that because

    they  make our laws and would not  snatch lolly from their own mouths, the way British Prime minister, Margaret Thatcher, snatched milk from school children by making laws to outlaw their own corruption.

    Unfortunately, Nigerians are yet to see the executive branch do anything to mitigate it.

    The dilemma does not end there.

    In the article, ‘Wake Up RMAFC’, The Nation, Sunday,18 August, 2024 I  wrote about how the RMAFC Chairman inellegantly, if not shamelessly, washed  the agency’s hands off any responsibility for checkmating a National Assembly  paying its members allowances that are  far in excess of  what  it recommended for the President’s approval; which approval it knew never given but was, instead, self -awarded. Nothing can be more irresponsible than playing that dumb on the excuse that the constitution does not, expressly, include that in its mandate.

    Suppose, for instance, that Assembly members were paying themselves a hundred times the figures they recommended after an exhaustive  consideration of relevant data. Would it still be rational to claim ignorance of what was happening; thus calling RMAFC’s very existence to question?

    Which was why I was thoroughly flabbergasted when I saw the following  reaction, by a supposedly educated Nigerian, to my article referenced above.

    He wrote:”The author,  I am sorry to say, is ignorant. RMAFC did its job; recommended a pay package which the president sent to NASS in the form of an amendment bill and it was passed into law.

    If NASS members are paying themselves more than was recommended, it is neither known to RMAFC (perhaps because they live in China – columnist) nor the duty of that body to police or audit NASS bla bla bla”.

    If he has been around, and not marooned on some faraway island, he should have known, as I showed in the article  that the allowances National Assembly members currently earn, is not a product of the process he wasted time describing; but rather,

    the result of self – help by the law makers who thought nothing of suffering Nigerians.

    The article reads:”When, during  the past week, the EFCC finally caught up with Hon.Dimeji Bankole, the erstwhile Speaker of the  House of Representatives,  Nigerians came to know that under his leadership, the House of Representatives has been borrowing, illegally, for un-appropriated purposes. It was with an eye on such funds that the following new  allowances

    were approved at an executive session on  March 30, 2010 : Speaker, N100m

    Deputy Speaker, N80m, House Leader, N60m,  Deputy House Leader, N57.5m,

    Chief Whip, N55m, Deputy Chief Whip, N54.5m, Minority  Leader N54.5m,

    Minority Whip, N50m, Deputy Minority Leader, N50m

    Deputy Minority Whip, N50m’.

    The payment of outstanding allowances, dating back to 1999 – 2007, all from these un-authorised funds was also approved .

    To  meet these unilaterally approved emoluments, the House leadership  resorted to borrowing and decreed that  all the loans should be  included in the 2011 budget as if Nigeria were a banana Republic”. 

    But some questions arise: aren’t Nigerians entitled to know what  is captured in this so – called running costs? Are they taxed, or not, and since they should be paid as an advance, are these funds ever retired as is the practice in government?

    The opacity in the affairs of the National Assembly simply rankles.

    Can Nigerians be allowed to see the electronic traces of these so- called expenses supposedly made in our behalf? Nigerians, acutely aware of their several

    recesses, often ask how long members actually sit, even though they always claim they are busy on committee – those juicy committees – duties.

    In the U.S from where we copied our mode of government, Congressmen who want a particular project in their constituency know that they have to lobby the relevant agency in the executive branch unlike here where “Senate President Godswill Akpabio could, according to BudgIT, effortlessly, allocate projects worth N90bn to his constituency of only 10 Local Government Areas”.

    If we are helpless in making the National Assembly members contrite, can they, by themselves, humbly retrace their steps along the path of rectitude, even if out of pity for poor Nigerians, 131M of whom were, in ’23, said to be multidimensionally poor? I feel certain that those two chambers have within them, some of the finest Nigerians, patriots indeed, some of who have been so troubled and so conscience – stricken, they have ‘whispered loudly’, the figures most of their colleagues would dare not mention even in their closets. Without a scintilla of doubt, there must be within the National Assembly, even if a tiny minority, men and women of conscience, who must be feeling pained at what percentage of the National resource is devoted to catering to the stupendous living style of only 469 Nigerians – (Senate  109, and House,  360); men and women who are, in no way more Nigerian than the rest of us. Only this past week, Senator Ishaku Elisha Abbo, who represented Adamawa North Senatorial District in the 10th National Assembly, in a currently trending WhatsApp  video, told Nigerians that, whereas he earned a cummutative N14.4M monthly, his former colleagues now earn N29M monthly. Please don’t try multiplying that by 12.

    In the article:’Reducing Nigeria’s Monstrous Cost Of Governance Through The President’s Personal Example’

    of 2nd July, 2023, I wrote:

    “With respect to this nerve racking problem, that is, reducing the cost of governance, President Tinubu is in a situation analogous to that of the great Chief Obafemi Awolowo when the  following was written about him:

    “To accomplish these, Awo and his colleagues were determined to blast their way through whatever problems, and compel the force of any adverse circumstance to serve their will. This was because they had put in, long and hard preparations …”

    “With 30 years of productive engagement in Nigerian politics, preparing his life long ambition of becoming the Nigerian President’, he should be able to own that assertive pronouncement about AWO, regarding his own preparedness for office.

    In consequence of that, he should now go ahead and deploy  his well known attributes as a dogged strategist, combined with his varied experience, and not inconsiderable network, to do that which his predecessors couldn’t do.

    President Tinubu just has to tame the conundrum of Nigeria’s unsustainably high cost of governance, especially the atrocious emoluments of members of the National Assembly which is the elephant in the room.

    It will, no doubt, be difficult because that is another arm of government. But if the President would start with himself, and substantially reduce the emoluments going to the executive branch, he would have, through such example compelled same in the legislative arm.

    The President will have to lead by personal example; one that would be so irresistible, members of the National Assembly would have no option. He must demonstrate that the Nigerian presidency became his life ambition  only because he saw the office as the utmost position from where he could positively impact the lives of Nigerians,  irrespective of clan, tribe or religion. A country that serially borrows to implement its annual budget should, if led by a serious government, never run a government half as expensive as Nigeria presently is. Making it

    worse is the fact that Nigeria presently suffers a huge revenue shortfall, a fact further exacerbated by massive oil theft that has run like for ages. The President should now realise that significantly reducing the cost of governance is long overdue. It is no longer a stitch in time which, as they say,  saves nine. It is, indeed, already late. And two things he can be sure of  are: that he will have the overwhelming support of Nigerians, and the National Assembly would have no option whatever, lest Nigerians ‘storm the Bastille’.

  • National Assembly challenges staff on innovation, modernisation

    National Assembly challenges staff on innovation, modernisation

    The National Assembly on Monday, August 19, challenged its staff to embrace technology for increased productivity and modernization.

    The Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA), Sani Magaji Tambawal, gave the charge in his speech at the opening of a four-day capacity building and training programme for 318 staff of the National Assembly from grade level 10-14.

    The training programme with the theme: “Re-Orientation for improved productivity and Effective Service Delivery” was organized by the National Assembly in collaboration with Zaramat Global Company Limited.

    The CNA also urged the staff to redouble their efforts to deliver the highest standards of service and support to the legislature and the people.

    Read Also: FIRS, National Assembly brainstorm to roll out new tax policy 

    Tambawal said: “As you are all aware, the National Assembly stands as one of the pillars of our evolving democracy. The effectiveness of our legislative processes and the overall impact we make on the governance of this country largely depend on your dedication and quality of services.

    “You have always worked behind the scenes, ensuring the smooth functioning of the National Assembly by rendering diverse support services ranging from scrutinising and cleaning of bills to the organisation of committee sessions, legislative research, and administrative oversight.

    “This capacity-building initiative is thus, not only an occasion for learning and skill enhancement; it is also a profound step towards renewing our commitment to excellence in service to the legislature and our country at large.

    “In an ever-evolving world where governance structures are increasingly complex and the expectations of our people are higher than ever before, the National Assembly must be at the forefront of modernisation, transparency, and accountability.

    “To achieve this, our staff must be continually trained and re-trained to discharge your responsibilities with increased efficiency and commitment.”

    Chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission, Ahmed Kadi Amshi, who was represented by the Commissioner in charge of Southwest,

    Akamo Olabode revealed that the public is looking forward to an “efficient, effective, and responsive governance, and it falls on us to provide services that create a conducive atmosphere for that to happen in our respective duties and responsibilities.”

    He added: “Productivity might be higher or lower depending on your input. Productivity can be determined through job evaluation and appraisal in turn to produce effective service delivery. This is where today’s training comes in very handy.”

  • Acquiescent National Assembly not helping democracy

    Acquiescent National Assembly not helping democracy

    The National Assembly is much sturdier than many Nigerians give it credit. Their lawmaking ability may be questioned and even ridiculed, but that is hardly the real reason they are viewed with suspicion and, in some cases, derision. They are not often fractious, notwithstanding the aberrant lawmaking of the 8th Senate under Bukola Saraki, the defiance of the House of Representatives under Aminu Masari (2003-2007), or the fiercely independent late Ghali Umar Na’Abba (1999-2003). They have been heavily criticised by former presidents, notably the self-righteous Olusegun Obasanjo who, despite posturing as the archetypal democrat, took the extraordinary step of intruding upon the independence of the National Assembly and whimsically dethroning some of the legislature’s presiding officers as well as his party chairmen. No matter what anyone thinks about the national lawmakers, and irrespective of the different ideological and nonideological political parties they belonged to, they have managed over the past two decades and more to balance their unity and methods on the fulcrum of their humongous budgetary allocations.

    Despite the critical mass of public opinion coalescing against them, displacing them from their luxurious perch will, however, not be easy. Backed by statistics and the damning campaign by top economists, including former CBN governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Chief Obasanjo accused the National Assembly of consuming a disproportionate percentage of the national budget, estimated at about a quarter of all government revenue. But the former president did little to redress the matter when he was in office; instead he got between the sheets with them in a bid to secure their endorsement for a third presidential term. Since then, after his failure to set a great foundation for the Fourth Republic, succeeding presidents have kicked the can of legislative profligacy down the road. Ex-president Goodluck Jonathan sucked up to the lawmakers, considering how nervous he was in wielding presidential power in the midst of feuding religious and ethnic behemoths, until he was cuckolded by the legislators. Ex-president Muhammadu Buhari, probably Nigeria’s most taciturn leader, was too exasperated with their antics and intransigence to bother about their profligacy. Under the current Bola Tinubu administration, both the executive and the legislature have stalked each other, and are too chary of the risks of open confrontation, especially because in the eyes of censorious Nigerians, neither has kept their nose clean.

    But the wind of change may be blowing. In the past, some lawmakers had broken ranks with their colleagues and spilled the beans over their total emoluments, but the National Assembly always rode the storm and berthed safely, often with great mirth and backslapping. Now the storm is much severer, and the mood of the country decidedly and truculently foul. Riding it will require virtuoso surfing, which none of the presiding or principal officers have, having been weighed down by decades of pampering and indulgence. It is not certain what is prompting the self-immolation now begun in the legislature, but a few lawmakers seem bent on repudiating the ironclad solidarity that has pervaded the Assembly for decades. Last week, Senator Sumaila Kawu (Kano South) indicated that each lawmaker took home N21m every month, but added that it included running costs of their offices. The Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has, however, clarified that each senator takes home a salary of about N1,063,860 per month. Kaduna’s Sen. Shehu Sani explained that during his time in the senate, each senator took home in salary and running costs about N13.5m monthly. There is really little or no controversy about the huge sums the lawmakers get, in salaries and running costs, whether all the components making up the allocation are available for each lawmaker to spend privately and directly or not. What angers the public is the huge cost of running lawmakers’ offices. They insist the cost must be considerably reduced in order to justify the sacrifices they are asking of others. In the alternative, Nigerians ask for a constitutional amendment to make the legislature unicameral, and emoluments restricted mainly to sitting allowances.

    Read Also: Tinubu orders reduction of Nigeria’s official delegation to UNGA

    But rather than get bogged down in needless controversies, the National Assembly should admit that they have been so battered by negative publicity over the decades that they are no longer popular, not to talk of being useful to both the president, whom they appear anxious to please, and the country, which they have provoked with their indifference. The executive branch at the national and state levels is being pressured to cut the cost of governance; the legislature needs to change tack and follow suit. They must not wait until the public and protesters seize the initiative from them. It is true that the huge amount allocated to lawmakers end up servicing their insatiable constituencies and contacts, but they are involved in an argument they cannot conceivably win. Wisdom should direct them to rationalise their costs in all legislative ramifications. Crucially too, it is time the presiding officers recognised the sensitivity of their offices. Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas cannot afford the legislative faux pas he embroiled himself in last week before public fury compelled him to step down the Counter Subversion Bill, 2024 which he introduced late last month, perhaps without deep reflection. He has an office and a retinue of aides, not to talk of opportunities to sound many top-level politicians and intellectuals out on the integrity of his sponsored bills. Why didn’t he?

    It is also time Senate President Godswill Akpabio upped his game by conjuring the gravitas that befits his office and weighty bills under legislative consideration. He has tried to balance the interests of powerful groups and individuals in the senate, and has so far walked the tightrope delicately; but his cultural and elocutionary shibboleths have disabled him from rising beyond the provincial merriness he got away with as a governor. His borderline solecism, sometimes baffling laughter, forced humour, and completely tactless conclusions and poor judgement have denuded his senate presidency of all gravitas. The question he must address going forward is whether he can conjure the seriousness and studiousness his office absolutely requires, assuming he has it tucked somewhere in the inner recesses of his heart. Hon Abbas has some gravitas, but he too appears prone to careless wanderings and distractions.

    But more worrisomely, the National Assembly’s presiding officers have yet to appreciate and cultivate the sense of responsibility needed to enable the country and the president work on and pass impactful bills. Sen Akpabio was cavalier about the question of a new presidential jet, a subject he should have addressed with all legislative and placatory finesse in view of the anger on the streets; and both presiding officers were, to put it mildly, conspicuously maladroit in considering the bill on a new national anthem behind which they sentimentally goose-stepped. They have so far inadvertently shown themselves to be a couple of fawning legislative chambers destitute of a sense of history. Even if they must pass contentious bills, couldn’t they do it with class? It is time to put their shoulders to the wheel, acquire the excellence needed to court the trust and respect of Nigerians, and become keenly aware that the judgement of posterity can be cruel, unforgiving, and often irreversible. But if they are reluctant or incapable of self-examination and reform of the legislature’s bureaucracy and budgets, the presidency should cajole them; for in the end both democracy and the republic, which Nigerians have managed to sustain for about 25 years, are threatened by the legislative laxities, if not inanities, of decades.

  • National Assembly re-enacts 2024 Appropriation Act

    National Assembly re-enacts 2024 Appropriation Act

    The National Assembly yesterday repealed and re-enacted the 2024 Appropriation Act.

    The changes incorporate an additional N6.2trillion as requested by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on July 23 to fund legacy capital projects and the new Minimum Wage of N70,000.

    The additional sum takes the 2024 budget from N28.7trillion to N35.055trillion.

    During yesterday’s emergency plenary, the Senate and the House of Representatives reenacted the law with the title: “2024 Appropriation Act (Repeal and Reenactment) Bill.”

    They passed it for the first, second and third readings, capturing the N35.055trillion as the Appropriation Act for 2024.

    It followed a motion moved by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti-Central) and Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, Francis Waive.

    The motion reads: “The Appropriations Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024 was passed on Tuesday 23 July 2024;

    “In the cause of cleaning the Bill, the Directorate of Legal Services observed some legal issues that require reconsideration;

    “Clauses 13 and 14 of the Bill as well as the long title and Explanatory Memorandum need to be amended to reflect the intent of the Appropriation Act;

    Read Also: National Assembly repeals, reenacts 2024 Appropriation Act

    “Cognisant of the need to rescind the House decision on the Long Title, Explanatory Memorandum and Clauses 13 and 14 of the Bill;

    “Resolves to: rescind the decision on the Long Title, Explanatory Memorandum and clauses 13 and 14 of the Bill and commit same provisions to the Committee of Supply for reconsideration.”

    A breakdown showed that N1.7trillion was retained for statutory transfers; N8.2trillion for debt service; N11.2trillion for recurrent expenditure and N13.7trillion for contribution to the development fund for capital projects of the federation (capital budget).

    Also yesterday, members of the House engaged in a rowdy session following the amendment to the Central Bank of Nigeria Act increasing Ways and Means from five to ten per cent.

    Ways and means occurs when the Federal Government obtains loans from the CBN to meet short-term needs, in which the bank becomes “lender of last resort.”

  • National Assembly repeals, reenacts 2024 Appropriation Act

    National Assembly repeals, reenacts 2024 Appropriation Act

    The National Assembly on Wednesday, July 31, rescinded its decision on the amendments it made to the 2024 Appropriation Act by repealing and reenacting the law.

    The Nation reports that the repealed and re-enacted 2024 Appropriation Act now fully incorporates the N6.2trillion President Bola Ahmed Tinubu requested the National Assembly to add to the current budget on July 23 to fund legacy capital projects and the new National Minimum Wage of N70,000 for workers.

    Recall that the addition had raised the amount of the 2024 budget from N28.7trillion to N35.055trillion.

    But, the National Assembly had passed the addition as an “amendment” to the 2024 budget, a term which didn’t properly capture the decision of the lawmakers.

    During Wednesday’s emergency plenary, the Senate and the House of Representatives repealed the 2024 Appropriation Act and reenacted it with the title:“2024 Appropriation Act (Repeal and Reenactment) Bill”, passing it for first, second and third readings.

    Both chambers captured N35.055trillion as the Appropriation Act for 2024.

    The repeal and reenactment followed a motion moved by the Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti-Central) and the Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, Hon. Francis Waive.

    The motion for rescission in both the Senate and House reads: “Notes that the Appropriations Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024 was passed on Tuesday 23 July, 2024;

    “Also notes that in the cause of cleaning the Bill, the Directorate of Legal Services observed some legal issues that require reconsideration;

    “Aware that Clauses 13 and 14 of the Bill as well as the long title and Explanatory Memorandum need to be amended to reflect the intent of the Appropriation Act;

    “Cognizant of the need to rescind the House decision on the Long Title, Explanatory Memorandum and Clauses 13 and 14 of the Bill;

    “Resolves to: rescind the decision on the Long Title, Explanatory Memorandum and clauses 13 and 14 of the Bill and commit same provisions to the Committee of Supply for reconsideration.”

    Read Also: National Assembly to hold emergency session Wednesday

    A breakdown showed that N1.7trillion was retained for statutory transfers;

    N8.2trillion for Debt Service;

    N11.2trillion for Recurrent Expenditure and N13.7trillion for contribution to the development fund for capital projects of the federation (capital budget).

    A member of the House and Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Hon. Babajimi Benson told the Nation that the amendment to the Appropriation Act will not in any way affect the implementation of the budget.

    He said the amendment is just crossing the right ‘i’s and dotting the right ‘t’s adding that the amendment does not in any way affect the figures in the budget.

  • National Assembly passes CBN Act Bill

    National Assembly passes CBN Act Bill

    The National Assembly on Wednesday passed an amendment to the

    Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act, which increased the apex bank’s threshold of Ways and Means Advances to the Federal Government from five percent to a Maximum of 10 percent.

    Leading the debate on the Central Bank of Nigeria Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024, the Senate Majority Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele said: “Permit me to lead the debate on this Bill which seeks to amend the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act to increase the total CBN advances to Federal Government.

    “The Bill was read for the first time in this Chamber on Wednesday, July, 31.

    “The very essence of this Bill is to enable the Federal Government to meet its immediate and future obligation due to the government’s increasing need for funds to finance the budget deficits and other expenses.

    The Central Bank of Nigeria’s Advances to the Federal Government are essentially loans that the Central Bank of Nigeria provides to the government to help it meet its financial obligations.

    “These Advances are typically short-term and are expected to be repaid by the government.

    “The passage and enactment of this amendment into law will: Provide immediate funds to address budget shortfalls and finance essential government expenditure;

    “Help maintain financial market stability by preventing government default on its obligation;

    “Inject money into the economy, stimulating economic activity and potentially creating jobs;

    “Enables the government to support critical sectors like agriculture, health care, and infrastructural development; and lowers the government borrowing cost by providing cheaper funds than the traditional borrowing method.

    Read Also: National Assembly to hold emergency session Wednesday

    “This amendment is very consequential and it needs the support of us all. This is to enable the Federal Government to embark on very important projects that will inflate and rejig the economy especially the Renewed Hope Infrastructural Development across the country.”

    Senators Adetokunbo Abiru, Babangida Hussaini, Aliyu Wadada, Adams Oshiomhole, Ibrahim Dankwambo, and Solomon Adeola supported the Bill.

    After the debate, the Senate approved that the Bill be read for a third time and passed when its clauses were put to voice vote by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

    In a similar fashion, the House of Representatives also passed the CBN Act Bill for first, second, and third reading during Wednesday’s emergency plenary.

  • National Assembly to hold emergency session Wednesday

    National Assembly to hold emergency session Wednesday

    The National Assembly will on Wednesday, July 31, hold an emergency plenary session ahead of the nationwide protest billed to kick off on August 1.

    The Clerk to the Senate, Chinedu Akubueze, and the spokesman of the House of Representatives, Akin Rotimi, disclosed this in separate statements on Monday, July 29.

    According to Akubueze in a memo addressed to senators, the Senate’s emergency session is scheduled to hold on Wednesday, July 31.

    The memo reads; “Dear Distinguished Senators, the President of the Senate, His Excellency, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON, has directed that an emergency plenary sitting of the Senate be convened as follows: Date: Wednesday, July 31st, 2024; Time: 12 noon.

     “Distinguished Senators are requested to make all necessary arrangements to attend as issues of national importance will be discussed.

    “We regret all the inconveniences that this interruption of the recess will cause. Thanks for your usual understanding.”

     In a similar vein, the spokesman of the House, Hon. Akin Rotimi, in a statement on Monday, said the plenary is pursuant to the directive of the Speaker, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen.

    He said: “Members have been duly summoned from their respective constituencies to attend this crucial session. This directive was communicated through an internal memorandum issued by the Clerk of the House, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, Esq., on Sunday.

    “The House had commenced its annual recess on Tuesday, July 23, 2024. The Annual Recess provides Honourable Members with the opportunity to engage extensively with their constituencies, ensuring that the legislative process remains attuned to public input. This period also allows for in-depth engagements at the grassroots, facilitating a deeper understanding of the constituents’ needs and priorities.

    “It is, however, customary for the House to reconvene from recess to address pressing national issues.

    “The forthcoming session will focus on critical matters requiring immediate legislative attention. Honourable Members are expected to make the necessary arrangements to ensure their presence.

    “Additionally, the reconvening will facilitate a significant engagement with young Nigerians through a town hall meeting hosted by the Speaker of the House, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, on Wednesday at the National Assembly.

    “Organized in collaboration with YIAGA Africa and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), the town hall will bring together youth leaders, students from tertiary institutions, young professionals, and representatives from various youth organisations and civil society groups.

    “This town hall is a key component of the Legislative Agenda of the 10th House, which emphasises sustained youth engagement and the promotion of youth political participation.

    “It is designed to provide a platform for young Nigerians to voice their concerns, share their ideas, and engage directly with legislative leaders on issues impacting their lives and futures.

    Read Also: ‘National Assembly in support of Tinubu’s bid to reform oil sector’

    “This initiative aims to bridge the gap between policymakers and the younger generation, ensuring that policies and laws are inclusive and address the specific needs of the youth.

    “The 10th House of Representatives remains steadfast in its commitment to representing the interests of the Nigerian people and advancing the nation’s development”.

    The statement was however silent on the reason for recalling members to attend the session, but may not be unconnected with the planned nationwide protest scheduled to begin on Thursday, August 1.

    Recall the Senate and House of Representatives on July 23, 2024, commenced their annual vacation which will end on September 17, 2024.

  • 16-year-old makes history as youngest member of National Assembly

    16-year-old makes history as youngest member of National Assembly

    A 16-year old, Miss Peace Oluwaseyi Oladosu, has made history as the youngest person to serve as a member of the House of Representatives.

    Oladosu represented Ibarapa Central and Ibarapa North Federal Constituency of Oyo State for one day after winning an intellectual contest by the member representing the constituency, Hon. (Dr.) Anthony Adebayo Adepoju on June 17, 2024.

    The House of Representatives, led by Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abass, honoured the one day lawmaker.

    Hon. Oladosu, who arrived in Abuja through Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja, alongside her proud parents on Monday, July 22, 2024, assumed office on Tuesday, July 23, 2024 to carry out her official duties.

    The teenage one-day lawmaker and her team were received by Hon. Adepoju and Hon. Ojo Sunday Makanjuola, who represents Ogooluwa/Surulere Federal Constituency, with applause from honourable members and members of staff who welcomed her historic visit to the National Assembly. 

    The talented schoolgirl was then led to the office of Hon. (Dr.) Adepoju on the third floor of the House of Representatives building, where she was officially declared a One Day House of Representatives Member, representing Ibarapa Central and Ibarapa North Federal Constituency of Oyo State.

    Shortly after that, Hon. Oladosu was invited by Hon. Ugochinyere Ikenga (Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum), who represents Ideato Federal Constituency of Imo State in the House of Representatives. 

    Meeting with Hon. Ikenga, she also had the opportunity to interact with Hon. Aniekwe Peter Udogalanya, representing Anambra East/Anambra West Federal Constituency, where the two distinguished honourable members congratulated her on her accomplishments as a One Day House of Representatives member. 

    The happy Hon. Ikenga immediately announced monetary gift to Hon. Peace, whom he described as a colleague and one whose nature of recognition is being conferred on for the very first time in the history of the National Assembly of Nigeria. 

    After that, Hon. Peace and her team proceeded to the Chamber’s Gallery of the House of Representatives, where she was honoured by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas.

    Reading the citation during the plenary session of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, Rt. Hon. Abbas said, “Hon. Colleagues, I have the honour to introduce to you Hon. Peace Oluwaseyi Oladosu, the winner of the One Day House of Representatives Member representing Ibarapa Central and Ibarapa North Federal Constituency of Oyo State Competition. 

    “On June 17, 2024, in a very well-contested event by over a thousand students, Hon. Peace emerged victorious in an intellectual competition sponsored by Hon. (Dr.) Anthony Adebayo Adepoju, a distinguished member of the House of Representatives. 

    “This exceptional and very talented secondary school student from Favourland College, Igboora, hails from Idere Town in Ibarapa Central Local Government Area of Oyo State. 

    “She is here with us, along with her very proud parents. Can you stand up for recognition, the parents too? Please a round of applause for this wonderful girl; congratulations; please keep the flag flying.”

    Leaving the chamber’s gallery, Hon. Oladosu was hosted by one of the outspoken members of the National Assembly, Hon. Billy Osawaru, member representing Orhionmwon Uhunmwode Federal Constituency of Edo State. 

    During their engagement, Hon. Peace had a productive conversation with the lawmaker, where she had the opportunity to share the problems confronting her federal constituency. 

    Among the problems highlighted by Hon. Oladosu were a lack of power supply, poor mobile network coverage, and a lack of ICT centre in the entire Ibarapa region.

    This, she said, made it difficult for prospective students seeking admission into higher institutions of learning as they have to go the extra mile outside the region to register and perform other ICT-based exercises. 

    She lamented that accessing the Internet for sufficient knowledge acquisition is almost impossible for students in the area. 

    Hon. Billy assured her that they would both co-sponsor two motions on the three highlighted problems, copying the relevant agencies to address the issues. 

    He promised her of his support even after her tenure as a one-day House of Representatives member. 

    After that, she visited Hon. Olajide Stanley, representing Ibadan North West/South West Federal Constituency, where the Ibadan-born lawmaker promised a reception for the one-day honourable in Ibadan City. 

    He added that he would be in constant touch with the one-day honourable member in the area where he can come in as far as ICT is concerned, being the Chairman of the House Committee on ICT. 

    She also visited Hon. Idris Wase, a member representing Wase Federal Constituency and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives in the 9th Assembly. 

    The veteran lawmaker, who is the Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Character, prayed for Hon. Peace for all her dreams in life to come true and made monetary gift to her for making Nigeria proud. 

    She was also received by Hon. Abass Adigun, who said it would be the first time in the history of Nigeria that he would hear about the One Day House of Representatives.

    He commended Hon. Adepoju, who despite being a first-term lawmaker, had the attributes of a ranking member.

    He applauded Adepoju for his style of brilliant representation, promising to copy the one-day initiative in his constituency. 

    Hon. Agboworin also presented  a cash gift to the one day lawmaker for being a diligent and exceptional student in her constituency.

    It was a moment of elegance when the very distinguished Hon. Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala received Hon. Peace Oladosu. 

    He said, “Hon. Peace, you are one of the special young children created by the Almighty God; that you achieved this at a time that social media platforms are derailing the youth from focusing on what is necessary is worthy of commendation. 

    “You have not only made your parents proud but also the entire population of Nigeria. I am happy that you are from my dear state, and this simply shows that we are truly the Pacesetter State. I appreciate Hon. Adepoju’s ability to organise this; it is unprecedented, and I am happy to share this moment with you. 

    The son of the former governor of Oyo State, who represents Ogbomoso North, South and Oriire Federal Constituency, presented a cash gift of an unannounced amount, saying he believes the gift would motivate her to face her studies and continue to make the region proud. 

    In the office of Hon. Olamijuwonlo, Hon. Peace also had the opportunity to meet other vibrant members of the House of Representatives, Hon. Sesi Oluwaseun Whingsn representing Badagry Federal Constituency of Lagos State and Hon. Muktar Shagaya, representing Ilorin West/Asa Federal Constituency of Kwara State, where they all praised the innovative idea and prayed to God to make Hon. Peace excel in her various endeavours in life.

    She also met with Hon. Oyeshina Oyedeji Najimdeen, member representing Iseyin, Itesiwaju, Kajola and Iwajowa Federal Constituency. The lawmaker commended Hon. (Miss) Peace and wished her the very best in life. The lawmaker also represented a cash gift to Hon. Peace Oladosu for her exceptional abilities. 

    On getting back to her official seat, Hon. Peace made her first official appointment by appointing Miss Sunday Jumoke as her personal assistant, urging her to see her appointment as a call to serve Ibarapa Central and Ibarapa North Federal Constituency, Oyo State and Nigeria on the programme with diligence, dedication and loyalty.

    Apart from having practical experience of plenary session of the House of Representatives, Hon. Peace was also lectured on the working system of the National Assembly. 

    Addressing pressmen on the historic event, Hon. Peace remarked, “The former UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, admonished politicians at all levels of government worldwide to think beyond the immediate comfort and glamour of public offices and build younger generations in such a way that they do not suffer from the consequences of their parents’ carelessness.

    “It is a thing of joy that Hon. (Dr.) Anthony Adebayo Adepoju’s representation is guided by a sense of posterity, propelling him to come up with the epoch-making initiative of this one-day representative, availing me of the unprecedented privilege as a teenager to not only be accustomed to the dynamics of legislative representation but also to decide the affairs of the constituency for a day. 

    She went on to say that, “It will be an act of ingratitude if I fail to express my heartfelt goodwill towards Hon. (Dr.) Adebayo Adepoju, the member representing my constituency, Ibarapa Central and Ibarapa North Federal Constituency of Oyo State, for this initiative of one-day reps. My heart brims with pride thinking about how blossoming the future of education in my constituency will be with this historic initiative. 

    “It is an initiative that will stand the test of time. It is not a display of sycophancy; Hon. Adebayo Adepoju has demystified representation. A politician with innovative ideas like him deserves to be showered with praise and may history be well with him. 

    “I promise to leverage this golden opportunity to inspire the children in my region and be a stellar ambassador for this initiative, celebrated globally since my emergence. I owe it to the people of Nigeria to excel in all I do, and I am committed to achieving this from now on. I won’t let you down, Hon. Adepoju, Ibarapa Central and Ibarapa North, Oyo State, Nigeria, Africa and the world at large. So help me, God”

    Hon. Adepoju, in his own speech, appreciated the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, for the recognition given to Hon. Peace Oladosu during the plenary session of the House of Representatives. 

    He appreciated his constituents for their continued support and collaboration and expressed his gratitude to His Excellency, Engr. Oluwaseyi Makinde, for being a model of good leadership, inspiring him to always go above and beyond for the good people of Ibarapa Central and Ibarapa North.

    He also praised well-to-do individuals for always putting the interests of Ibarapa Central and Ibarapa North first in everything; he commended his wife for her everyday assistance, which he said had propelled him to focus on carrying out national assignments. 

    The Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Character, however, promised that the one-day House of Representatives Initiative is going to be a yearly event.

    He said the next winner of the initiative will enjoy an expense-paid free trip to any of the leading African countries to visit renowned scholars in educational sector. 

  • National Assembly urged to create more councils for Lagos

    National Assembly urged to create more councils for Lagos

    National Assembly has been urged to create more local governments for Lagos State, to meet its current population, social, economic and environmental challenges.

    The Red Chamber is also advised to enact laws granting the state a special status for being the country’s commercial city and economic melting pot.

    Renowned socio-political activist and critic, Chief Adesunbo Onitiri, made the demands in a statement in Lagos.

    The activist recalled that in 1976 when the military government created states and local governments, Lagos and Kano states had 20 councils each.

    “Later, Kano State councils increased to 44, while Lagos councils remained at 20. When the Abacha government carved out Jigawa State out of Kano State, Jigawa got 27 local governments, while Kano was still having 44 councils.

    “It is an injustice for Lagos State to remain with only 20 local governments till today, despite its gigantic social, security and economic problems,” Onitiri said.

    Read Also: National Assembly okays additional N6.2tr to 2024 Budget

    He recalled that when the then Governor of Lagos State, now Nigeria’s  President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, created 37 additional councils in 1999, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, then President, seized Lagos State federal allocations for two years.

    He said Lagos State through the then Attorney-General, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, sued the Federal Government, and the state government won the case against Federal Government at the Supreme Court.

    He regretted that till now, National Assembly has not done the needful to enact a law to accommodate the 37 local governments created by Lagos State Government.

    “Now that the National Assembly is making a law to create additional states for the people of Southeast, it is reasonable, fair and timely to create additional local governments for Lagos State.”