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Tag: Senate Chief Whip

  • Senate raises the alarm over Nigeria students stranded abroad

    Senate raises the alarm over Nigeria students stranded abroad

    The Senate Wednesday raised the alarm over Nigerian scholarship students stranded outside the country due to non-payment of their school fees.

    The upper chamber expressed displeasure that Nigerian students on federal scholarship are left abroad to suffer.

    Senate Chief Whip, Senator Olusola Adeyeye, raised the alarm over the state of Nigerian students abroad.

    He said that urgent action should be taken to salvage the situation in the interest of the students as well as to redeem the image of the country.

    Adeyeye prayed the Senate to resolve to direct that all concerned agencies of the Federal Government involved in scholarship to meet with the Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, to rectify the situation.

    The Senate also directed that the Nigerian amnesty programme must make payments to the Nigerian students in Russia that have not received their payments for over four years.

    Saraki, was said to have at a meeting with Nigerian students in Russia, promised that action would be taken on non-payment of the scholarships of Nigerian students studying in Russia.

    In his comments, the Senate President: “This situation is very pathetic and it is also very serious and we must stand firm behind our students.

    “I had the opportunity to meet with my counterpart from Russia, where they categorically told us that they are able to provide more scholarships for Nigerian students.

    “Unfortunately, some that are given scholarships have not been paid in two years. Because of this, some are now roaming the streets doing other illegal activities. The minimum figure is about $500 per student, it is not acceptable.

    “We must address this. I promise you, next week, we will meet with the concerned MDAs and find a way to put this issue to an end for our students.”

    Senator Sam Egwu said that the problem of Nigerian students studying overseas started a long time.

    Egwu (Ebonyi north) recalled that when he was minister of education they had similar cases of non-payment of scholarship fees to Nigerian students abroad.

    He insisted that Nigeria must stop sending its students abroad to become beggers.

    He said that it is unfortunate that some of them have started doing terrible things to survive “but here we are spending billions while our students are suffering abroad.

    Senator Bassey Akpan said that the head of Federal Scholarship Board should be invited to explain what was going on and the way out.

    Read Also: Senate fumes over Paris Club refund to states

  • Maina: Senate seeks sack of Malami, Danbazau, others

    Maina: Senate seeks sack of Malami, Danbazau, others

    The Senate Tuesday mandated its joint committee on Public Service, Anti-Corruption, Interior and Judiciary to investigate the circumstances surrounding the controversial return of former Chairman, Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Abdulrasheed Maina to the country.

    The committee is also to determine how Maina was reinstated into the civil service and handed enhanced promotion to the position of director.

    The upper chamber said that development became even curious especially when Maina is on the wanted list of the country for alleged fraudulent activities.

    The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance raised by Senator Isa Hamma Misau (Bauchi South)

    Misau said that the circumstances of Misau’s return and reinstatement into the civil service had become huge embarrassment to the country.

    Many of the senators who contributed to the debate asked the Senate to resolve to ask President Muhammadu Buhari to sack those linked to the development.

    The lawmakers singled out Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami and the Interior Minister, Abdulrahmane Danzabau as two public officials that should be hammered by President Buhari for their alleged roles in the return and reinstatement of Maina.

    Misau said, “Right from day before, you will see the story of somebody who has been declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).  We read how the man who was declared wanted and was said to be abroad, came back to Nigeria miraculously.

    “Going by the newspaper publications, somebody wanted by the EFCC, left the country for so many years. He was dismissed from the service. He was out for a long time, but smuggled into the service. He left the country as an assistant director. Today, he is a director.

    “We even heard that he goes about with police escort. I wonder how a government that claims to be fighting corruption will be involved in a matter like this. This is a big embarrassment for this country. The people around the President are not helping matters. It appears that the President is the only one talking about corruption. Other people around him are protecting corrupt people.

    “The AGF was mentioned and other people were mentioned. We investigated this case in the 7th Assembly. I am calling on the Senate to investigate this case again.”

    Senate Chief Whip, Senator Olusola Adeyeye in his submission said:

    “I remember what happened then. It got to a point when the former President of the Senate, David Mark, told the former President Goodluck Jonathan to choose between Abdulrasheed Maina and loyalty to the country. It got so bad that Maina had over 30 police officers attached to him.

    “It got so bad that he was always on the front roll whenever the former President travelled. At some point, we thought that he was being protected. I remember one of us was blackmailed and called names. He was accused of taking billions as bribes. Today, that lawmaker was cleared and he is here.

    “Some principalities in power then ferried Maina to neighbouring countries. There is a procedure when it comes to promotion in the civil service. This is an insult on the part of civil servants who have worked so hard.

    “As a member of APC, it is a sad moment. We cannot say that we want to fight corruption and have this approach. Jesus Christ said it is difficult for a rich man to pass through the eyes of a needle.

    “This saddens me and I am sure it saddens all of us. I am glad that following the outrage from the public, the President acted swiftly. We read in the papers that the rules of the civil service were bypassed.

    “It appears there are people in this government who want the President to fail. Every patriot and member of APC in this house must stand out and ensure that the President does not fail.

    “Papers have reported that two Ministers were involved. Those Ministers must be brought to justice. The President must ensure that those Ministers are sacked. Corruption is not only about stealing money. Incompetence too is another form of corruption.

    “I hope that this Senate will not forget its past resolutions on Maina. On it, we still stand. He must be made to stand and face the law. He is not above the law. Steven Oronsaye was accused. He did not leave the country. He stayed back and cleared his name. Maina must do same.

    Senator Kabiru Marafa said:

    “I want to appreciate the person who brought this motion by exposing some dubious people in government. No family can boast of having 100 per cent good people. APC is not an exception. We cannot attribute everything to the President. He should be commended for rising to the occasion.

    “Reinstating Maina is a crime against Nigerians. We should approve a full blown investigation into what happened. We must not allow this thing to go unnoticed.

    Senator Atai Idoko on his part said:

    “We are looking at the symptoms; we are not looking at the cause. Maina is too small to go back to office. Somebody brought him back to the office. Maina is too small. He is not the issue. We should look at those who returned Maina.

    “As we were told, the person who approved this thing is the AGF. The simplest thing the President could do was to terminate the appointment of Maina. That is not the issue. The AGF brought him back. The AGF has a history of doing things like this. The President should tell us what he will do to the AGF.

    Senator Albert Bassey Akpan said:

    “The Senate must investigate and bring to book any person who wants to bring this country to disrepute. We will stand with the Senate to ensure that the right thing is done.

    Senator Tayo Alasoadura on his own cautioned:

    “The President has set up a committee to investigate the matter. We should not call names of people who have not been indicted. We should not duplicate. If the executive has set up a committee, we should not do the same thing. We must not set up committees every time.

    Senator Dino Melaye said:

    “The whole unfolding affair is pathetic. Should we continue in sin and ask grace to abound? The AGF time after time has abused his office. Maina did not get himself back. We should talk about the integrity of the AGF and his office. If the number one law officer is breaking the law, where is the hope?

    “The AGF started with the forgery case against Saraki and Ekweremadu. Something happened we have not noticed. Two public officers had issues and the AGF chose to support the Inspector-General of Police against Senator Isah Hamman Misau. Today, it is Senator Isah versus the Federal Government.

    “Tomorrow, if I commit any offence against the friend to the AGF, I will be arraigned. We should not encourage the setting up of investigative committees. The President is surrounded by worms who are bent on destroying the country.

    “There are so many committees that have been set up by the President and the resolutions of those reports may not be implemented until after rapture. Enough is enough. We cannot have this forever. This is wrong. The Senate needs to do something.

    “We must recommend to the President that the AGF has erred in discharging the affairs of his office. If we do not check it, the AGF will plunge us into trouble.

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki asked the joint committee to do a thorough job.

    Chairmen and deputies of the four committees were appointed to form an adhoc committee to investigate the issue.

    Saraki concluded: “We are all very disturbed. I want the committee to work hard and bring this matter back to us. We need to investigate the breech in our security and how the anti-corruption war is going.”

  • Fire guts Senate chief whip’s office

    Fire guts Senate chief whip’s office

    The office of Senate chief whip, Senator Francis Alimikhena was on Monday gutted by fire.

    The fire incident was said to have destroyed some electrical appliances in the lawmakers’ office.

    Alimikhena is the Senator representing Edo North senatorial district in the senate.

    Details later…

  • Senate seeks immediate overhaul of NYSC scheme

    Senate seeks immediate overhaul of NYSC scheme

    The Senate Thursday asked the Federal Government to immediately overhaul and reposition the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme in the interest of corps members.

    The resolution followed death of three corps members, Miss Ifedolapo Oladepo, Miss Elechi Chiyerom and Mr. Ukeme Asuquo in their orientation camps in Kano, Zamfara and Bayelsa respectively.

    Senate Chief Whip, Senator Olusola Adeyeye, (Osun Central) painted the pathetic deaths of the corps members at NYSC camps.

    The upper chamber agreed with Adeyeye that step should be taken for the total overhaul of NYSC scheme.

    The Senate agreed that the state of orientation camps across the country was unfit for human habitation.

    Apart from total overhaul of the scheme, the Senate urged the Government to immediately improve medical facilities in all NYSC orientation camps including deploying experienced medical personnel to the camps.

    The upper chamber also mandated its Committee on Sports and Youth Development to conduct a thorough and comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of the three corps members in order to guide against future occurrences.

    Adeyeye said: “The death of corps members are becoming a recurrent decimal in almost all NYSC Camps across the country. Experienced Medical personnel’s are practically non-existent in all our Orientation Camps across the country as fresh doctors who have not garnered any experience are the ones administering treatments to the corps members.

    “Medical facilities at most Orientation Camps leave a lot to be desired as one of the deceased, Ifedolapo called home five hours to her death and told her older sister, Mrs. Oyeyode Abimbola (a nurse) to start coming to her Kano Orientation Camp, alleging poor care at the NYSC camp.

    “An Orientation Camp that houses over three thousand corps members cannot boast of modern facilities to cater for the needs of corps members while undergoing the mandatory Orientation Programme.

    “NYSC officials are not up and doing in their official duties as they expose these corps members to all manner of dangers. I strongly believe that NYSC needs total overhauling particularly its healthcare system.”

    Deputy Senate Minority Leader, Emmanuel Bwacha (Taraba South) in his contribution described the death of the corps members as a sad development for the country.

    Bwacha said, “What I have heard confirms what I thought was in the realm of speculations. It may not have been intentional, but I think it was an act of irresponsibility. How can we not provide medical attention to a sick person? We look forward to the outcome of the investigation.

    “An example should be set. To say the least, this is a barbaric act. That calls for a rethink about the NYSC Act.

    “Is it really worth it to go and die in an orientation camp? Politicians use these same corps members to rig elections and we do not value their lives.”

    Senator Binta Garba (Adamawa North) on her own noted that “It is time to look and overhaul the NYSC as an agency of government.”

    She added, ”We need to think if NYSC is still needed in this country. If someone says he or she is sick, why won’t they attend to the person? From what we have seen, we need to overhaul the NYSC. We need to look into the activities of NYSC.”

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, also underscored the need to address the issue of health services in NYSC orientation camps.

    Saraki said that funds to address the issue of health services in NYSC camps should be captured in the 2017 budget.

     

     

  • Gender equity bill scales second reading in Senate

    Gender equity bill scales second reading in Senate

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

    Senate APC, Labour party caucus pledge absolute support to Buhari

    The joint caucus of All Progressives Congress (APC) and Labour Party in the Senate Thursday pledged support for President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government.

    Members of the joint caucus said at a press conference in Abuja that they are stoutly behind the policies and programmes of President Buhari led administration.

    Senate Chief Whip, Senator Olusola Adeyeye, in a speech said that they are shocked at the partisan reaction of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senators to the on-going investigations and recovery of public funds meant for the prosecution of the war against insurgency.

    Members of the Senate caucus of the PDP had on Wednesday said that they have withdrawn support from President Buhari due to alleged persecution of their members in parts of the country.

    Senator Adeyeye who represents Osun Central Senatorial District, noted that contrary to the position of PDP Senator the on-going investigation of the arms deal is not a partisan war against any party.

    Senator Adeyeye who was flanked by 14 other APC Senators and Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, the only Labour Party Senator said: “The members of the Joint Caucus of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and Labour Party Senators in the Senate are stoutly behind the policies and programmes of the President Mohammadu Buhari’s administration.

    “Our support is aimed at actualizing the promised desired change that Nigerians voted for last year.

    “We are shocked at the totally partisan reaction of our colleagues from the minority party, PDP, to the on-going investigations and recovery of public funds meant for the prosecution of the war against insurgency.

    “Contrary to the assertion of our PDP colleagues, the investigation is not a partisan war against a particular political party.

    “It is no longer a news item that there was a wanton diversion of public funds meant for fighting insurgency to fund campaigns of PDP.

    “Members of the PDP were the sole and iniquitous beneficiaries of this diversion.

    “Seeking to recover diverted public funds is neither dictatorial nor against the rule of law.

    “In all the actions, programmes and policies of the PMB-led APC Federal Government, no PDP member has been unjustly arrested or imprisoned on mere allegations.

    “On the contrary, we are daily regaled with news of millions and billions of naira of public funds traced to accounts of individuals some of whom have accepted to return such diverted public funds.

    “As law abiding and patriotic citizens, we cherish the rule of law and the separation of powers among the different arms of government.

    “Political interference based on partisan consideration must be eschewed.

    “Members of the joint caucus of the APC and Labour Party will always give their best in support of the only President Nigeria has.

    “We plead with our PDP colleagues to rise above partisan inclinations so that together, we all can bring to fruition the positive changes that our people seek and deserve.”

    Adeyeye also assured that the caucus is prepared to support any member of the APC occupying any public office.