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Tag: President of the Senate

  • Senate compels Customs boss to appear Thursday

    Senate compels Customs boss to appear Thursday

    The Senate has compelled the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) to appear before the upper legislative body Thursday.

    This is coming just as the Customs boss stated in a letter he wrote to the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, that the controversial policy on car import tariff policy has been put on hold.

    After reading the Customs’ boss letter at plenary on Wednesday, Senators took turns to berate Ali for failing to honour the invitation, describing the action as unacceptable.

    Ali had cited “recent bereavement” for his inability to honour the invitation extended to him by the legislative body.

    Speaking at plenary on Wednesday, Senator Kabiru Marafa (Zanfara) described Ali’s action as an affront and a slight on the Senate.

    Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu said it’s not the duty of vehicle end users to pay customs duties on the vehicles they purchase.

    According to him, policies must not be framed in such manners that would oppress the Nigerian people and the Senate would like to ensure that such policies make sense.

    Some of the senators insisted that the Customs chief must wear uniform or resign from the service.

    They cited instances where ex-military chiefs proudly wore uniforms of paramilitary organisations when they were appointed to head same.

    Many of the lawmakers also spoke in similar vein, with Saraki reminding the Customs chief that nobody is above the law.

    Senator Thompson Sekibo (Rivers) argued that Ali’s action warranted the invocation of Section 89 of the Nigerian Constitution, which empowered the Senate to issue warrants to compel officials to appear before it.

    Consequently, the Senate invoked Section 89 of the Constitution against Ali, insisting that the Customs chief must appear before it at 10 am. However, the lawmakers did not insist that Ali must appear in uniform.

  • Saraki to women: Be bold for change

    Saraki to women: Be bold for change

    The President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, has called on Nigerian women to be “bold for change’’ and work towards redefining opportunities for future generations of women.

    Saraki, in a statement by his Special Assistant on Gender Advocacy, Fatima Kakuri, made the call as the world marks International Women’s Day.

    He said that the Day presented an opportunity for every Nigerian to recognise and celebrate the talent and achievement of women and girls.

    “We must appreciate the fact that 49.6 per cent of our mothers, wives, daughters and sisters own or manage 48 per cent of the informal micro-businesses in Nigeria.

    “Such numbers are truly significant because they demonstrate that Nigerian women contribute immensely to our social, economic and political development.

    “In everything that we do, we need to be bold for change. We need to challenge bias and inequality by standing up when women are excluded from positions of leadership,’’ he said.

    Saraki called for synergy between men and women to ensure sustainable development.

    NAN reports that the International Women’s Day is celebrated every March 8 throughout the world to commemorate the struggle for women’s right.

  • Saraki congratulates Onnoghen

    Saraki congratulates Onnoghen

    The President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, has congratulated the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, for his confirmation by the Senate on Wednesday.

    Saraki, who felicitated with Onnoghen on his Facebbok page, said that the man’s confirmation was a major milestone in Nigeria’s democratic process.

    “Today, we screened and cleared Justice Walter Onnoghen, for confirmation as the Chief Justice of Nigeria.

    “The screening represents a major milestone in the progress of our democratic process.

    “I am pleased to note that all arms of government have played their parts exactly as envisaged in our Constitution.

    “On behalf of my distinguished colleagues, I congratulate Justice Walter Onnoghen for his well-deserved elevation to the highest judicial office in the land.

    “This achievement should underscore the inspiring reality that a Nigerian can grow to any position he merits,” he said.

    The President of the senate, however, urged Onnoghen to deepen the productive relationship between the legislature and the judiciary.

    He pledged that the senate “will collaborate with the two other arms to support critical reforms and other initiatives that will improve the integrity and the impact of the judiciary.

    “On behalf of my colleagues, I wish Justice Walter Onnoghen a most fruitful tenure as Chief Justice of Nigeria”.

    The new Chief Justice of Nigeria was appointed in acting capacity by President Muhammadu Buhari on Nov. 10, 2016, following the retirement of Justice Mahmud Mohammed.

    His appointment was also on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council.

  • We discussed national issues with President Buhari – Dogara

    We discussed national issues with President Buhari – Dogara

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has said that himself, president of the Senate, Bukola Saraki and leader of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, discussed national issues when they visited President Muhammadu Buhari in London  Wednesday evening.

    Dogara in a tweet via his verified official twitter handle @YakubDogara on said they discussed national issues with the President in the United Kingdom.

    The Speaker, according to a statement by his Special Adviser Media & Public Affairs Turaki Hassan further said “President Buhari is as fit as a fiddle and cracked jokes in his usual manner.

    “President is as fit as a fiddle, “after burning national issues, it was all PMB’s vintage humorous jokes. I’m so elated he is as fit as a fiddle.”

    Recall that the leadership of the National Assembly’s visit to the President is sequel to an agreement reached between the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

  • Senate to FG: Declare security emergency in Southern Kaduna

    Senate to FG: Declare security emergency in Southern Kaduna

    The Senate on Tuesday urged the Federal Government to declare a “security emergency” in Southern Kaduna.

    The call followed a motion by Sen. Danjuma La’ah (PDP-Kaduna), who told the senate at plenary that since 2011 many communities in the senatorial district had been consistently attacked by herdsmen.

    He said that such attacks had resulted in deaths, loss of property and displacement of indigenes of the communities.

    La’ah noted that the district was substantially agrarian with large arable and fertile lands.

    “We are aware that there has been regular attack by armed herdsmen, the latest being on the 15th and 16th Oct. 2016 in Godogodo community in Jama’a Local Government Area.

    “Subsequent to the attacks, these herdsmen have virtually occupied the displaced communities and are grazing their cattle freely,” he said.

    According to him, the Kaduna State Government and the Federal Government had made efforts at restoring peace in the area but apparently, the efforts are neither adequate nor effective to prevent more attacks.

    Contributing, Sen. Shehu Sani (APC-Kaduna) said that the motion was an ample opportunity for senators to intervene in the crisis.

    “It is not that it is the first time a government will intervene, but there have been series of interventions that have not produced any result.

    “It is very clear that security agencies and the government have failed to provide security for people who live around that area.”

    He explained that “what we can do is not simply about condemning what has been happening because there has been lots of condemnation that has not produced any result.”

    “The lawmaker said that what was needful was for the senate to see the killings as “a matter of life and death.”

    “I believe the intervention of the senate will seriously help the people of Southern Kaduna to get out of the quagmire which they have found themselves,’’ he said.

    In his remark, the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, said that it was clear and very important that the increase in violent killings was of great concern and that something needed to be done.

    “We must as a society, be able to live happily and harmoniously together and anything that threatens that is a threat to the country in general.”

  • Senate moves to avert ASUU strike

    Senate moves to avert ASUU strike

    The Senate on Tuesday pledged to engage relevant stakeholders to avert  the warning strike being planned by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

    ASUU had on Monday announced plans to embark on a one-week warning strike over the inability of government to implement agreements reached with it since 2009.

    The move by the Senate to intervene in the matter followed a motion moved by Sen. Jibrin Barau (APC-Kano North) under matters of urgent national importance.

    The President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, urged the chamber to intervene and ensure that the eight -year- agreement was fully implemented.

    “We must find a way of seeing to the implementation and we will look into the matter quickly.

    “We will also get the relevant parties to quickly come to the table so that we can find a way of moving forward and report back to us,” he said.

    While reading the motion, Sen. Jibrin Barau, who is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TetFund, urged government to implement all agreements.

    He also urged government to as well carry out certain actions that were necessary for the wellbeing of the development of Nigerian public universities.

    The lawmaker, however, commended ASUU for choosing the path of dialogue rather than confrontation as a means of resolving all the outstanding issues between it and the Federal Government.

    In his contribution, Sen. Danjuma Goje (APC-Gombe Central) noted that the history of strike in the country was a recurring decimal.

    “It is a disturbing issue to parents and students. There is need to nip it in the bud. We should not allow it to escalate,” Goje said.

    Goje said the motion was apt and called on the senate to engage the leadership of ASUU in order to suspend its planned warning strike.

    The Majority Leader, Sen. Mohammed Ndume, described the senate as a stabilising agent and called for the immediate intervention of the senate leadership in the matter.

  • Buhari to join Saraki, Dogara for national prayers

    Buhari to join Saraki, Dogara for national prayers

    President Muhammadu Buhari is to attend the 7th edition of the National  Prayer Breakfast organized by the National Assembly, it emerged Thursday.

    Buhari, who is to join the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and other principal officers and lawmakers are expected to seek divine intervention for the nation’s challenges.

    The prayers, put together by Christian Legislators in the National Assembly under the auspices of Christian Legislators Forum (CLF) said the seventh edition of the prayers became necessary due to the socio-economic and political challenges the country is currently going through.

    President of the group, Sen. Barnabas Gemade said it was in view of the challenges that the theme of this edition was tagged ‘Tree and Its Fruits: Is Yours a Blessing or a Curse to Nigeria’ was chosen.

    According to Gemade, the event Thursday 27th October 2016 at the International Conference Center (ICC) Abuja would have legislators and other policy makers in the Executive branch of government as well as members of the Judiciary in attendance.

    “It is a non-denominational gathering of Christians to honour and praise God for his graces the nation and seek his face for the challenges facing it.

    “The purpose of the gathering according to its organizers is to build bridges of unity and to engender harmony and progress in the polity.

    “In a chaotic world like ours bedeviled with various challenges notably crisis situations, hard struggles and sufferings, we need God to usher us into a new Beginning.

    “This prayer would afford us an opportunity that reminds all persons that no matter how much responsibility we have or how much power we think we hold, we are imperfect vehicles.

    “We enjoin all patriotic Nigerians to join us to pray  God of creation to direct our nation as one where peace and justice reigns,” he said.

  • Buhari nominates Chairman, Commissioners for NCC

    Buhari nominates Chairman, Commissioners for NCC

    President Muhammadu Buhari has requested the Senate to confirm nominees into positions of Chairman, Executive Commissioner, and Non-Executive Commissioners of Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

    Mr Femi Adesina, the president’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, said Buhari made the request through a letter dated Aug. 2, sent to President of the Senate, Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

    The statement said Sen. Olabiyi Durojaiye (South West) was nominated as Chairman, while Mr Sunday Dare (South West) got the nod as Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders Management.

    Those nominated as Non-Executive Commissioners, according to the statement, are Aliyu Sa’idu Abubakar (North East), Clement Omeiza Baiye (North Central), Chief Okoi Ofem Obono Obla (South South), Pastor Ezekiel Yissa (North Central) and Sen. Ifeanyi Ararume (South East).

    “The nominations are in accordance with Section 8(1) of the Nigerian Communications Commission Act 2003,” the statement said.

     

  • Senate proposes 30 bills for 2016 – Saraki

    Senate proposes 30 bills for 2016 – Saraki

    The President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki on Monday announced 30 bills for the 2016 legislative year.

    Bukola noted that the Senate has 30 bills of interest that will address governance, economic reform to fast track necessary changes.

    According to him, the 30 bills to reform critical sectors of the country have been submitted by ‘my colleagues and now awaiting consideration and passage’.

    “The 30 bills when passed would give backing to necessary reforms in area of security, judiciary, anti-corruption, taxation and poverty eradication.

    “They are meant to drastically change business environment and promote inclusive growth especially in agriculture & other non oil sector.

    “Also we have National Assembly Budget & Research Office Bill as part of the #30Bills that will be debated.

    “It is our beliefs in National Assembly that diversification can only happen if we provide the necessary regulatory and legislative framework.

    “The 30 bills will encourage private sector participation in railways, road construction & other transport infrastructure to create jobs.

    “The bills will establish a framework for agencies of government to set goals, measure performance and submit related plans and reports to NASS,” he said.

    The Senate President also added that it is the National Assembly’s belief that diversification can only happen if we provide the necessary regulatory and legislative framework.

    “As we await the debate of the 30 bills, I encourage Nigerians to follow closely so as to attend the public hearing or send in recommendations,” Bukola summed.

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  • Saraki requests policy recommendations from Nigerians

    Saraki requests policy recommendations from Nigerians


    President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki has commended Nigerians home and abroad for their prospective policy recommendations. According to Saraki: “Last week, I asked Nigerians, at home and abroad, to partner with us at the Senate by suggesting prospective policy recommendations. “We received thousands of mails, and I must say I am delighted at the in-depth report submitted by some of you,” he said. The Senate President noted a few of the recommendations, which according to him, stood out viable for the 8th Senate to look into. “Some suggestions such as the Animal Control Bill by Benard Bojuwoye, the Personal Income Tax Act Reform by Michael Oshinyemi a Nigerian in diaspora, and a bill to create more awareness on violence against citizens by Oludiya Funmilola, stand out as viable recommendations that the 8th Senate will look into. “Other stand-out recommendations include a bill designed to address the exploitation of our tax laws and exploitation of Nigerians by multinational firms by Femi Obagun, and a brief policy for more stringent laws against rapists, a Workers Protection Act, an Alternate Financing to Economic Growth Act, a Policing and State Security Act, and a Government Transparency and Anti Corruption Act. “These are just some of the suggestions that we have received, which I plan to go over in detail in the next few days to see how we can consider some of these bills,” Saraki said. He then urged more Nigerians to share their thoughts and ideas saying the ideas will be crucial to establishing more representative laws. The email for suggesting recommendations according to the Senate President is spass.legal@gmail.com [news_box style="2" display="tag" link_target="_blank" tag="Saraki" count="6" show_more="on" show_more_type="link"]