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  • Education crucial for peace, security, rule of law, says Saraki

    Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has reiterated the importance of education in ensuring peace, security and rule of law in any society.

    Saraki, stated this while contributing to the General Debate on the theme: “Parliaments as Platforms to Enhance Education for Peace, Security and the Rule of Law” at the ongoing 140th General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Doha, Qatar.

    He noted that “education is a fundamental human right – central to the development of citizens as well as what contributions they make to society,” according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sanni Onogu.

    He added that the National Assembly holds strongly that with the right education, Nigerian youths would be less susceptible to the radicalising influence of terrorist groups and other societal ills, thereby “helping to birth a more peaceful, secure and just society.”

    He however regretted that the security challenges confronting the country today are traceable to – or exacerbated by – challenges in the nation’s education sector.

    He however stated that even though Nigeria has about 13.2 million Out-of-School-Children – the highest in the world – according to the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), the 8th National Assembly has and would continue to work with the Federal Government to address the shortfall with combined strategies to enhance peace, security and the rule of law in the country.

    Saraki said: “De-radicalisation programmes for former militants or insurgents have a strong education component, and these have proven very effective for peace-building and security.

    “The Presidential Amnesty Programme for ex-Niger Delta militants involved free local and international tertiary education for former combatants. This is in recognition of the fact that education reduces youth restiveness, which in turn promotes peace.

    “As part of parliament’s effort to ensure that education is built on solid foundation, we passed The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Amendment Act which guarantees free and compulsory education for all Nigerians up to secondary school level; while also increasing from 2% to 3% the budgetary allocation to universal basic education.

    “The law also makes it easier for states to access UBEC intervention funds, as the benchmark for counterpart funding has been reduced from 50% to 10%. This and other legislative interventions will make all the difference, we believe, in basic education in Nigeria.

    “The 8th Senate is looking to amend the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) Act 2011 to include Colleges of Agriculture as beneficiaries of the fund, to improve the quality of education in those institutions. We amended the Federal Polytechnics Act to enhance the quality of learning as well as prospects of graduates in the job market.

    “The Sexual Harassment in Tertiary Educational Institution Bill, which we have also passed, aims to protect female students from gender-based violations.

    “We have acted decisively in the terrorism situation in the north with the passage of the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) Act, which is all about bringing people back from internally displaced camps back to normal life in the region. Children will go back into the school system and peace will return to those areas.

    Read Also: Lift visa ban on Nigerians, Saraki begs Qatar

    “We do affirm that the rule of law is crucial to viable democracy, and for a successful and peaceful society. Education is necessary in order for people to appreciate where a society is, and where it should be headed.

    “No society develops without sustained democracy and the rule of law, which leads to economic development. Even those who are going to invest in a country will only do so when we have sustainable democracy that guarantees stability; that also requires the rule of law.

    “Parliament’s actions must therefore be guided by these considerations when we tackle the education needs of our societies. It is only then that we can truly say that we have been able to use education for the enhancement of peace, security and the rule of law,” he stated.

    He insisted that it is important for the General Assembly of the IPU to work for sustainable democracy through Parliaments and for better oversight by parliamentarians to ensure that set targets are met.

    “Education is not a choice but a compulsory act that must be taken seriously by all citizens, as I am sure you all agree,” he stated.

  • Saraki urges Qatar to end visa restriction for Nigerians

    President of the Senate Dr. Bukola Saraki has called on Qatar to end its visa restriction on Nigerians.

    Saraki, a statement by his Media Office said, spoke at a meeting with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Interior  Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, in Doha.

    The Senate president, who led a National Assembly delegation to the 140th General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Doha, lamented that the visa ban was preventing Nigerians from visiting the Middle East nation.

    He noted that lifting the ban would help Qatar showcase its vast opportunities, technological advancement and other achievements.

    Saraki, while calling for more collaboration between the two countries,  lauded the resilience of the Qatari government

    He said there was need to set up a a legal framework to enable skilled persons and professionals in Nigerians to legally work in Qatar.

    Saraki said: “I want to commend your fighting spirit in standing up for your rights. You have demonstrated that you mean well for your people and what you have done is worth emulating.

    “That said, I think both countries  (Nigeria and Qatar) need to strengthen their ties, especially our parliaments.  We need to collaborate to achieve many things together. The collaboration will be good for the two countries and for our people.

    “I want to make an appeal that the visa restrictions placed on Nigerians be lifted. Nigerians are good people and we travel a lot.

    “This restriction is not good for both countries and I urge you to reconsider your position on that. The world needs to see the good things you are doing here, and lifting your visa ban on Nigerians will encourage more people to come here and enjoy your beautiful country.

    “In the area of sports, we need to do more together. Nigeria is a sport-loving country. We have talented people in various parts of the world, including Qatar, doing great things in sports. If we collaborate, we will be able to develop that sector too.”

    Al-Thani promised to look into the visa restriction and ensure it was resolved soon.

    Saraki had bilateral meeting with Mr. Kenneth Lusaka, speaker of Kenyan Parliament, with both leaders calling for more collaboration between their countries.

    The Senate president also met with the IPU President, Ms Gabriela Cuevas Barron,  who will visit Nigeria in June.

  • Saraki leads National Assembly’s delegation to IPU meeting in Qatar

    President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, yesterday arrived Doha, Qatar, as leader of the National Assembly’s delegation to the 140th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting that commenced on 5th April, and to end on 8th April, 2019. The Deputy Speaker, Yussuff Lasun Suleimon is the Deputy leader of the delegation. Other lawmakers on the trip include Senators Duro Faseyi and Ibrahim Rafiu Adebayo.

    Ikon Samuel Okon, Hon. Igbokwe Raphael Nnanna, Hon. Fulata Abubakar Hassan, Hon. Goodhead Boma and Hon. Dasuki Abdussammad, are also part of the delegation. National Assembly officials on the trip include the Clerk to the Senate, Mr. Nelson Ayewoh, Director, General Duties, Ms. Navati Illiya, Director (H/R), Mr. Atiku Ibrahim, Director, Secretary to the Delegation, Shehu Umar and Clerk, Inter-Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Bernard Okoh, among others.

    Saraki, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sanni Onogu, in Abuja, is expected to make a presentation on the topic: “Parliaments as platforms to enhance education for peace, security and rule of law” during the General Assembly of the IPU tomorrow (Sunday). He is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with the President of the IPU, Ms Gabriela Cuevas Baron, Speaker of the Qatar Parliament/Chairman of the Consultative Assembly of Qatar, Ahmad Bin Abdullah Bin Zaid Al Mahmoud, United Nations (UN) Undersecretary, Mr. Vladimir Voronkov and the Speaker of the Parliament of Kenya, Kenneth Lusaka.

     

     

  • Court orders Saraki, Melaye, Murray-Bruce to honour Police invitation

    The Federal High Court, Abuja has ordered Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Sen. Dino Melaye and Sen. Ben Murray-Bruce to honour the Police invitation of Oct. 5, 2018 in connection with the protest staged by members of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP).

    Justice Okon Abang gave the order on Thursday while delivering judgment in a fundamental human rights suit filed by the trio alleging intimidation, harassment and threat by the police.

    “It is my view that the police invitation to the applicants is still valid and subsisting; the applicants shall respond or report to the police invitation without fail.

    “It is how the police treat them upon their having honoured the application that would determine whether their fundamental rights was violated not before they honour the invitation,” the judge said.

    The judge held that even though the applicants were not on trial, where there were allegations against them, they had an obligation to report to the police upon been invited.

    He insisted that the court could not restrain the police from discharging its duties as long as it was done within the confines of the law.

    According to the judge, the suit of the applicants lacks merit and is accordingly dismissed with a cost of N50,000 awarded in favour of the police.

    The trio had filed an application asking the court to nullify the Oct. 6 and 8, 2018 letters of invitation to them by the Police.

    They claimed that the Police invitation was an attempt to harass, intimidate and unlawfully detain them.

    The senators also asked the court to declare that the act of dispersing their procession with tear gas was a violation of their fundamental rights, and asked the court to award N500 million to them as damages.

    The three senators were part of the PDP leaders who led a protest on Oct. 5, 2018 asking the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) to conduct free and fair elections.

    Read Also: Promissory Notes: NASS approved figures sent by Executive for Delta, Taraba States, says Saraki

    The protest was sequel to the Osun governorship election which was declared to have been won by the All Progressives Congress.

    They carried placards which read; “Police is an arm of APC, we demand free and fair elections amongst other inscriptions.

    They were on their way to the Force Headquarters when policemen dispersed them with teargas.

    The police stated that the applicants and about 100 hoodlums riotously blocked Shehu Shagari way preventing motorist and other road users going about their lawful duties for several hours.

    They further claimed that they forcefully attempted to enter into the Police Headquarters and became totally hostile.

    They also said that they rushed violently in an attempt to force their way into the force headquarters to cause damage to police equipment and government property.

    The police said they were warned to disperse but they refused and the police had to use the minimal force allowed by law to disperse them.

  • Saraki assures of passage of police reform bills

    President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki has assured the police authorities of speedy passage of Police Reform and Trust Fund Bills before the expiration of the Eight National Assembly.

    Saraki gave the assurance when the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu paid him a visit in his office on Wednesday.

    In a statement by his media assistant, Olu Onemola, Saraki was said to have emphasised the commitment of the federal legislature to strengthen the nation’s security architecture.

    According to him, the passage and signing into law of the Police Reform and Trust Fund Bills, which are at various stages in the two chambers of the National Assembly, would help to bequeath a more effective and efficient Police Force to the country.

    Read Also: APC chieftain to Saraki, Dogara: stay off selection of NASS leaders

    “The performance of the Nigeria Police is key to our nation’s security. This is because apart from us ensuring that the institution is well-funded, we need to ensure that the police play its constitutional role in the security of our nation. Across party lines, the police can be reassured of our support to strengthen it as an institution.

    “Funding is a major issue, and I know that a lot of work has been done to ensure that the Police Trust Fund Bill get to its current stage in the House. Before the end of the 8th Senate, I want to assure you that we will pass this Bill.

    “Another critical issue is the Police Reform Bill which has gone through Public Hearing with major input from stakeholders. We started this process before your tenure, but we can still allow a few more days before it is laid, so that you too can make your contributions.

    “We would like you to take a close look at this Bill alongside the Committee, so that by next week, we can lay the Report of the Bill and pass it. Once we begin to address the issue of funding and institutional reform of the Police, many of the recent incidents that we have seen like the abductions yesterday on Abuja-Kaduna road, and the killing of the young man in Lagos, will also be addressed,” Saraki was quoted as saying.

    IGP Adamu was quoted as saying that the Police Trust Fund Bill, which has been passed by the House of Representatives, was still being considered in the Senate.

    “The security challenges in the country are so high but resources are limited. It is our view that the passage of the Police Trust Fund Bill would assist in strengthening the institution and alleviating many of the challenges that we face,” the IGP was quoted as saying.

  • APC chieftain to Saraki, Dogara: stay off selection of NASS leaders

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Yekini Nabena has asked Senate President, Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara to stay awayfrom the processes leading to the emergence of the leadership of the 9th Assembly.

    Nabena told newsmen in Abuja that the APC has learnt its lessons from the outgoing Assembly when those he described as impostors took over the leadership of the legislature, frustrating efforts of the Buhari government to effect positive change in the country.

    The APC chieftain who is also the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the APC said the decision of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) on the selection and zoning of principal offices in the incoming 9th National Assembly is supreme and must be respected by the party’s legislative caucus and opposition federal lawmakers.

    He said “The APC has learnt its lesson from the outgoing National Assembly when impostors masquerading as party men sabotaged our party and hijacked our mandate. Affliction shall not rise up the second time.

    Read Also: Saraki, PDP ploting to hijack Ninth National Assembly, Nabena alleges

    “The efforts by the Adams Oshiomhole leadership of the party are commendable in achieving a fair selection and zoning arrangement that appeals to a greater section of the party stakeholders.

    “APC is the overwhelmingly majority party in the National Assembly and has a legitimate right to make its choices on the selection and zoning of principal offices. The APC family is in agreement on the party’s supremacy and the PDP and other opposition parties should focus on their minority positions.”

    He stressed that outgoing Senate President Bukola Saraki, Speaker Yakubu Dogara and the PDP NASS caucus has been moving from pillar to post to frustrate the plan of APC by through a hidden evil plot to interfere in the emergence of incoming National Assembly leaders.

    “We are aware of the scheming by Saraki, Dogara and the PDP caucus to interfere with the emergence of the incoming National Assembly leadership. Their plans are bound to fail as the APC is a strong party with unity of purpose,” Nabena said.

  • Independence of legislature non-negotiable, says Saraki

    Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Monday advised Senators-elect and House of Representatives members-elect to ensure that the independence of the legislature is non-negotiable.

    A statement by the Officer of Senate President, said the Senate President made this declaration at a dinner to welcome new members of the 9th National Assembly in Abuja.

    He also said that members of the National Assembly should lead the way in asserting the principle of separation powers to ensure accountability in governance.

    He noted that in its constitutional role, the National Assembly carries out oversight, makes laws and ensures constituency representation.

    He said, “In carrying out constitutional functions, lawmakers must always recognise that the independence of the legislature is non-negotiable. It is an independent and co-equal arm of government. Therefore, it behooves members of the National Assembly to lead the way in asserting the principle of Separation of Powers, thus ensuring accountability in governance.

    “To achieve that, it is expected that members will carry out their duties in a manner that commands that respect from other arms of government as well as the people you represent.

    “That done, you will have a real chance as lawmakers to overcome any negative perception of the legislature in the public out there. The Nigerian National Assembly is far from unique when we talk about this problem of perception. All over the world, studies have shown that the legislature is often the most misunderstood arm of government.

    “In Nigeria, the misapprehension as to the role of the legislature is compounded by its being the youngest arm of government in our developing democracy, in a country that is not long out of military rule. The legislature also often appears to be the weakest arm of government. It is therefore necessary to focus on strengthening this important institution. The legislative arm of government must be strong, because when the legislative arm is strong, democracy will be strong.

    “Therefore, we need a continuation of our determined efforts to engage the public, in order to make the lawmaking function a more participatory process, so that Nigerians can better understand the National Assembly, and see their aspirations reflected in its activities.

    “One pervasive misconception has people looking to lawmakers for the provision of infrastructure – for example -whereas this is not at all the function of the legislature. I am confident, however, that if we continue to take the needed steps to build the institution, Nigerians will gradually start to grasp the true significance of the legislature as a bulwark of the democratic system of governance.

    “When this greater appreciation begins to manifest, I have no doubt that the people will support the institution and accept that lawmakers are doing necessary work for the good of all. Of course, this also means that you must be seen to be working assiduously to address issues affecting Nigerians, chief among which are: poverty, inequality, insecurity, corruption as well as empowerment of citizens.

    “For my part, I am proud to say that in the 8th Senate is going out on a high. We have passed 274 Bills in 46 months; and cleared 192 Petitions in the same period. There were major milestones in the area of the economy, with the passing of landmark legislation such as the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), which is undoubtedly the most comprehensive review of business laws in this country in 30 years. Other game changer laws include: Bankruptcy and Insolvency (Repeal and Reenactment) Act, and the Credit Reporting Act.

    “To support the anti-corruption drive, we passed the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit Bill (NFIU), as a direct result of which Nigeria was readmitted into the Egmont Group. We successfully amended the Constitution, and this made progressive changes possible, such as the Not Too Young To Run law.

    “Additionally, we saw to the implementation of the 1% budgetary provision for primary healthcare, to make for a stronger Nigeria. These are just a few examples. I am sure our legislators will be able to build on the solid foundation and achievements, and record even greater success.

    “Let me add that, since the interest of the people is paramount, legislators must have the courage to follow their own mind, guided by what is right. The 8th National Assembly made a lot of interventions on everyday human issues affecting Nigerians, be it unfair price hikes, examination malpractices, sexual harassment in our educational institutions or the drug problem ravaging our communities. I encourage you also to take a keen interest in the welfare of Nigerians, and to be a voice for those in need of similar interventions.

    “It is my hope that you will enjoy this opportunity to make positive impact on our national life. I trust you will find the work interesting and engaging; and that the experience will be an enriching one in your own lives and for your families. I encourage you to take the opportunity of this Orientation Programme to learn up on the work involved with Bills, Oversight and so on.”

  • Kwara Poly didn’t fund Saraki’s campaigns, says KWSG

    The Kwara state government has described rumours in some circles that the state-owned Polytechnic, Ilorin funded Senate President Bukola Saraki’s previous political campaigns as false and illogical.

    The state government also absolved Senator Saraki of any involvement in the planned appointment of a new rector for the polytechnic and the vice chancellor for Kwara State University (KWASU).

    Commissioner for Tertiary Education Utaz A. Alikinla, dismissed the claims as outright falsehood, stressing that only Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has the authority to make such appointments.

    The commissioner said the recruitment of the new heads of the institutions will follow due process such as advertisement of vacancies three months to the expiration of tenure, followed by the selection process after which the governor will approve the appointment on the Governing Council’s recommendation.

    Alikinla said that in line with this procedure, the process for the recruitment of a new rector for Kwarapoly commenced on Monday, 25th March 2019 with the advertisement of the vacancy in national Newspapers.

    According to him, the vacancy was advertised as the incumbent’s tenure expires June this year.

    As governance abhors a vacuum, he said, the administration started the recruitment in line with due process even though its tenure is ending.

    He added that as the tenure of the current vice chancellor of KWASU ends next July, the recruitment of his replacement is yet to commence.

    Alikinla also denied claims that a former Chairman of Kwarapoly’s governing council contributed funds to the Senate President’s electioneering campaign in 2011, adding that there is no record of any such transaction in the state government’s or the institution’s records neither is there any record an approval by any organ or official of the institution to that effect.

    On the issue of funding, Alikinla clarified that subvention to Kwarapoly was stopped when a review of its finances revealed the institution could meet its obligations without recourse to government.

  • BudgIT to Saraki, Dogara: make NASS 2019 budget public

    A civic organisation, BudgIT has asked the leadership of the National Assembly to make details of its 2019 budget open, showing a line-by-line breakdown of allocation.

    The organisation stated that the annual budget of the National Assembly has remained a one-line statutory transfer which is neither reviewed by any authority nor, at the very least, made accessible to the public thus enabling unbridled corruption.

    BudgIT’s Principal Lead, Gabriel Okeowo, in a statement, said  opening the 2019 budget of the lawmakers was the ultimate way the legislature could lead by example in making public accountability a culture in the country.

    According to the statement, it is an irony that the budget of the lawmakers has continued to defile public scrutiny.

    “At this age of digital governance plus global calls for transparency in public institutions, it is a national disrepute that the parliament has refused to eschew anti-democratic practices, as it continues to bury its yearly allocations under the hallowed chambers.

    “That Nigeria’s National Assembly, an arm of government that supposedly upholds accountability, has remained an impregnable black box which defies public scrutiny is an irony of all ironies.

    “Aside from the lawmakers being ranked as world’s top-paid legislators, at public expense, the annual budget of the National Assembly is a one-line statutory transfer which is neither reviewed by any authority nor, at the very least, made accessible to the public thus enabling unbridled corruption.

    “At this age of digital governance plus global calls for transparency in public institutions, it is a national disrepute that the parliament has refused to eschew anti-democratic practices, as it continues to bury its yearly allocations under the hallowed chambers,” the statement read.

    It said more disappointing is the fact that, despite Nigeria’s membership in Open Government Partnership and tons of pledges by Senate President Bukola Saraki to run an “open NASS,” the National Assembly immediately relapsed into its default setting after a breakdown of the budget was made public in 2017 because of public pressure.

    “Asserting that the 2017 record must be made permanent, we are making a renewed demand from the leadership of the eighth assembly to fully redeem its promise. Starting again with the 2019 budget, a line-by-line breakdown of the NASS allocation must be made public going forward.

  • Photos: Saraki signs National Minimum Wage Bill

    Senate President Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Wednesday morning, signed the Senate’s version of the National Minimum Wage Bill, 2019 (SB 722).

    The Bill passed the Third Reading stage at the Senate on Tuesday.