The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Senate

  • Senate seeks new laws for Customs to block leakages

    Senate seeks new laws for Customs to block leakages

    The Senate is considering new laws for the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) that will effectively block revenue leakages in the service.

    The Senate Committee on Customs and Excise which began the tour of Customs facilities in Abuja Wednesday gave the hint at NCS headquarters, Abuja.

    The committee said that the new laws would fashion ways and means to increase revenue generation capacity of the service by blocking all sources leakages.

    Chairman of the Committee, Senator Hope Uzodinma, insisted that the Service should be generating enough revenue to fund the country’s annual budget.

    Uzodinma expressed disapproval at a report by the Ministry of Finance which indicated that the NCS had only generated less than N400 billion in 2016.

    Uzodinma said that the Senate will likely re-enact the Act establishing the NCS for optimal performance.

    He said, “We are looking into the operations of Customs Service, looking at the areas of revenue generation and possible leakages with a view to finding solution.

    “We have done a very detailed work here we have established contacts with the commands.

    “All we are interested in doing is to bring up a robust position that will help the NCS earn more revenue.

    “In order to do that effectively we are looking at their current modus operandi with a view to refining how things are done so that more revenue can accrue to the Service.

    “By the time we look at the operations of some of these ports, we will come back and look at how best to amend and alter the existing Act.

    “We want to create a document that will be bold enough to earn the country the kind of revenue we are looking for from non-oil sector.

    On the report that oil majors were not accessible to the Service for payment of levies, Uzodinma noted that “these are some of the areas that require enabling laws.”

    He added, “There are some limitations that have not made it possible for Customs to perform the way they should according to their mandate.

    “Those are things that we will also look at and remove all obstacles to enable them function effectively.”

    The committee requested for the submission of some relevant documents to enhance its work.

    It gave the commission till Friday October 28, 2016 to submit the requested documents and answer all the queries posed.

    Among others, the committee sought to know how the seven per cent Negotiable Duty Credit is managed as well as how it handled seized cargoes and overtime cargoes.

    The Service is also expected to submit details of how it handles seized cigarette and alcohol, record of auctioned overtime cargoes as well as auctioned seized cargoes.

    The committee also sought the record of all waivers granted in the last three years and the value of the waivers.

    The detailed record of sugar levy is also to be submitted to the committee as well as other details of accruable revenue.

    The Comptroller General of NCS, Col. Hameed Ali assured the committee of the full cooperation of the Service.

    Ali directed his officials to provide the committee with all the information and documents required.

     

  • Senate moves to scrap consumer protection agency

    Senate moves to scrap consumer protection agency

    A bill which sought to repeal the Consumer Protection Act and establish the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission scaled seconding reading Wednesday in the Senate.

    Sponsored by Senator Andy Uba, (Anambra South) the bill essentially encourages competition and discourages monopoly in business transactions in the country.

    It provides that it is unlawful for any two or more enterprises that are suppliers of products, to enter into or carry out any agreement where they undertake to  withhold supplies of products from dealers who resell or have resold products in breach of any condition as to the price at which those goods may be resold

    It would also make it unlawful  to supply products to such dealers except on terms and conditions, which are less favorable than those applicable to other dealers carrying on business is similar circumstances

    In his lead debate  Senator Uba explained that the bill seeks among other things to provide for the establishment of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission as well as to promote competition in trade and commerce among the states of the federation and  foreign countries.

    He noted that if passed, the Act would equally controls existing monopolies, discourage the abuse of dominant market position and other restrictive trade and business practices.

    The lawmaker reminded the Senate that the bills formed part of the reform bills, highlighted by the 8th Senate at inception to improve the ease of doing business in country as well as have a direct impact, on the prospects of the Nigerian economy.

    Uba said, “The essence of this important Bill, which extends the present reform culture of government into the areas of business and commercial practice is to promote among others a balanced development of the Nigerian economy, the welfare and interests of consumers, and provide them with competitive price and product choices competition ”

    “Enhance economic efficiency in production, trade and commerce, expansion  of opportunities for domestic enterprises to participate in world markets, the ability of small and medium enterprises to compete effectively; and restriction of business practices which prevents, or distorts competition or constitute the abuse of a dominant position of market power in Nigeria.”

    The Federal Competition Commission according to him shall have powers to give clearances for mergers, takeovers and acquisitions and give authorization for them.

     

  • Senate suspends amendment of JAMB Act

    Senate suspends amendment of JAMB Act

    …Backs examination body to improve on success

     

    The Senate on Wednesday said it has suspended the amendment of the Act establishing the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in order to allow for adequate consultation with stakeholders.

    The red chamber had approved the extension of the validity of the results of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) being conducted by JAMB to three years.

    The decision, the senate had said, was granted to reduce the financial burden of the examination on parents, students and JAMB.

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Education (Basic and Secondary), Senator Aliyu Wamakko, confirmed the suspension to reporters during an oversight visit to the headquarters of JAMB in Abuja.

    Wamakko, who was represented by Senator Ajayi Boroffice, stated that the senate would not make any laws that would impede on the progress of any institution.

    He said: “Your JAMB result is only valid for one year and we thought it will be better for it to be valid at least for three years. It will reduce the burden on the parents, on the students themselves even on the institution that is conducting the test. I think it is what is good for all of us and I don’t think the public will reject it.

    “As I said we don’t make laws for an individual or for the senate. We make law for the country in the interest of all of us. A bill must not necessarily be at the convenience of a particular organization, having said that, since we don’t want to make a law that will impede the progress of any institution we are bound to listen to what they are saying. We are bound to listen to them.”

    Wamakko, who is representing Sokoto North Senatorial District, commended JAMB for the progress it has recorded so far, urging the examination body to improve on its successes.

    “I think JAMB has made so much progress over the years and all we can say is that they should continue to improve on their performance because the lives of millions of Nigerians will depend on them and I hope the confidence they will repose in them they will be able to justify it. We are happy with our visit, we are happy with the registrar, we are happy with the management and I think we are happy with ourselves too,” he added.

    Responding, JAMB Registrar, Is-haq Oloyede, said he was happy the senate listened to its appeal to suspend the amendment of its Act.

    Prof. Oloyede urged members of the House of Representatives and the Executive to tow the line of the senate by giving room for consultation with stakeholders.

    According to him, the extension of its UTME result to three years would do more harm than good.

    He said: “I believe that they must have considered so many things before coming to that conclusion at that time but my appeal is to the other legs – the House of Representatives and to the President that it will do more harm to the students than good.

    “One problem I find is that when there is a problem rather than studying the problem and look for strategy to solving them we will jump into conclusion which is more dangerous than the original problem.

    “When you look at the issue of three years somebody mentioned that that is what is done in Britain and US. There is a basic difference. They are conducting aptitude test and aptitude test will last longer. We are conducting achievement test and you can’t compare the two. If you want to go in that direction why not but there will be change of infrastructure, everything will be in place. You don’t midway into a system.

    “For instance when you make that type of law you have not contacted NUC to say ‘NUC change your syllabus.’ You want to admit somebody you conduct the exam today the intension is to test the ability of the student to cope with university education at the 100 Level for instance. If they change the syllabus our exam must change and that will not synchronize with your three years. You will having a set of students who are tested for a programme different from the one they are doing.”

    Oloyede blamed the lack of admission of students by institution on mismatch.

    According to him, the policy to allocate 60/40 for sciences and art for admission by universities does not support the school system which produces 80 per cent art students and 20 per cent science students.

    This, he said, does not allow the institutions to fulfill their admission quota every year.

    “When you talk about students not been admitted, it is because of mismatch and when you say for instance most of the universities must take 60 science 40 arts and in some cases it goes as far as 70/30 and you have these policies in place but you are producing from the school system 80% art, 20% science and you want all of them to go.

    “The question I want the legislators to ask is: ‘why is it that we are not filling our quota every year?’ That is where to start because we are not filing the quota. It is not a matter of space alone. There are other issues. There is systemic issue that should be addressed. Making such a law will not be helpful in anyway,” he stated.

  • Senate seeks immediate teaching of history, civic education in schools

    Senate seeks immediate teaching of history, civic education in schools

    The Senate Tuesday resolved to ask the Federal Government to implement the immediate inclusion of history and civic education in the curriculum of secondary schools in the country.

    The upper chamber reasoned that the teaching of history and civic education would inculcate the spirit of Pan Africanism in youths.

    The lawmakers also urged the African Union (AU) to set aside a day for the celebration of former President of Nigeria, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and other Pan Africanists.

    This followed the consideration and adoption of a motion entitled “Need to include Pan-Africanism in Nigerian secondary school curriculum” sponsored by Senator Shehu Sani, (Kaduna Central)

    The lawmakers noted that the struggle for unity in Africa as championed by the founding fathers of the continent was fast evaporating the psych of Nigerian youths.

    Senator Sani drew the attention of his colleagues to what he called the rapid evaporation of spirit of Pan Africanism in the mind of the youths.

    He noted that the inclusion of Pan Africanism in schools will “ensure that we do not voluntarily surrender the dream of the founding fathers of Africa.”

    Senator Sani told his colleagues that the dreams of these founding fathers may disappear if the children are not inspired about pan Africanism.

    He said “Nigeria as the giant of Africa which has helped many countries to attain self-rule, there is the need to include the spirit of Pan Africanism in Nigerian child to be nurtured in a manner that we can continue to be our brother keepers.”

    The lawmakers adopted the prayer that a day should be set aside in the country and other African countries for the celebration of the founding fathers of the continent.

  • Senate to probe $400m fund for communicable diseases

    Senate to probe $400m fund for communicable diseases

    THE Senate said yesterday it would investigate how over $400 million Global Fund was applied to tackle communicable diseases.

    The upper chamber also said it would monitor use of the $1.5 million the Federal Government granted states to prevent resurgence of polio.

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Primary Health Care and Communicable Diseases Mao Ohuabunwa spoke at a news briefing to mark the World Polio Day in Abuja.

    The Geneva-based Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) had indicted Nigeria for alleged misapplication of funds donated for immunisation of children against polio.

    Also, the Ministry of Health and National Primary Health Care Development Agency were implicated in a fraud audit conducted by GAVI in which over $400 million disbursed for procurement of vaccines was alleged to have been grossly abused by Nigerian officials.

    Ohuabunwa noted that it was sad that on August 10, 2016, two cases of Wild Polio Virus (WPV) were detected in Jere and Gwoza Local Government, Borno State, where insurgency made it impossible to reach children with life-saving immunisation and other important health care services, including food, shelter and other amenities.

    Ohuabunwa said: “As of now, the Federal Government has released N9.8 billion to implement the Out Break Response (OBR) that will ensure a stop in the transmission of WPV in the Northeast and beyond. This is coupled with the effort of donors and partners to support the OBR. While this is good news, my committee was also informed that vaccine availability is still a challenge and that the implementation of the OBR in November and December, 2016, is not certain due to this vaccine shortage.”

     

  • Governors fault Buhari’s ambassadorial list

    Governors fault Buhari’s ambassadorial list

    …Put your complains in writing, Buhari tells governors

    Progressives Governors Forum on Monday faulted the ambassadorial list forwarded to the Senate for screening and approval by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    They had complained that it was lop-sided in favour of some senatorial zones in the states at the detriment of other zones.

    Plateau State Governor, Solomon Lalong, who spoke with State House correspondents at the end of the meeting with the President, shed light on Pauline Tallen’s rejection of the ambassadorial appointment.

    He said: “Pauline is an astute politician from my state, and part of the issue we also raised was on some of the appointments that were made. So all the states that had complain are going to put it in writing and the president promised he is going to look into it.

    “Well, it is not only about her husband I think it is the dimension of plateau politics because I had already made complains to Mr. President that appointments should not be concentrated in one zone. And so all these appointments came again from one zone, in that particular zone.

    “So the complains that are coming from our state is not about her own personal interest, it is the fact that two ambassadorial appointments are coming from the same zone that we had complained. That is my zone.

    “We had complained that the next appointment should go to the other zone the central and the northern zone. And so when that appointment came the kind of uproar that followed that appointment also necessitated an intervention.

    “And I think as a matured politician she stepped down and sacrifice that for the people of plateau,” he added.

    He said that the state is still working on Tallen’s replacement.

    According to him, a little consultation before the appointments were announced would have resolved the problems.

    “It is not a big issue but at times a little consultation would have solved that problem because these are issues in the interest of the state. So you can’t have two appointments, very key appointments like that coming from a particular zone that is already overloaded with appointments. All the federal appointments is from the southern zone, so it would not be fair.

    “So it is the issue of fairness now we are approaching Mr. President to consider fairness and appoint people from those areas that do not have representation.” he stated.

  • Senate to probe $400m Global Fund for communicable diseases

    Senate to probe $400m Global Fund for communicable diseases

    …To monitor use of $1.5m FG’s fund for polio
    The Senate Monday said that it has concluded arrangements to investigate the application of over $400 million Global Fund for communication diseases.

    The upper chamber also said that it has made preparations to monitor the use of the $1.5 million the Federal Government granted states to guard against the resurgence of polio in the country.

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Primary Health Care and Communicable Diseases, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, stated this at a press briefing to mark the World Polio Day in Abuja.

    The Geneva based Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) had indicted Nigeria for alleged misapplication of funds donated for immunization of children against polio in the country.

    Also the Ministry of Health and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency were implicated in a fraud audit conducted by GAVI in which over $400 million disbursed for procurement of vaccines was alleged to have been grossly abused by Nigerian officials.

    Senator Ohuabunwa noted that it was sad that on August 10, 2016, two cases of Wild Polio Virus (WPV) were detected in Jere and Gwoza Local Government Area, Borno State, Northeastern Nigeria where insurgency made it impossible to reach children with Iife-saving immunization and other important health care services including food, shelter and other necessary amenities.

    Ohuabunwa said, “As of now, the Federal Government has released N9.8 billion to implement the Out Break Response (OBR) that will ensure a stop in the transmission of WPV in the Northeast and beyond. This is coupled with the effort of donors and partners to support the OBR. While this is good news, my committee was also informed that vaccine availability is still a challenge and that the implementation of the OBR in November and December, 2016 is not certain due to this vaccine shortage.

    “As part of its core mandate to improve PHC service delivery, the Senate Committee on PHC and Communicable Diseases despite the Senate being on recess, recalled all its members for an urgent meeting when the first two WPV cases were reported in Borno State. The Committee then called all the key stakeholders in Nigeria’s Polio eradication effort for a meeting in the Senate where critical gaps in the immunization programme were discussed with a view to finding lasting solution.

    “The Committee hereby pledges its resolve to ensure FG lives up to its responsibility of funding the procurement of vaccines and other critical PHC services. We also want to reiterate the importance of strengthening Routine immunization (RI). With strong RI, there will be less need for Polio campaigns which are very expensive to sustain on the long-term. Structures at PHC level to strengthen RI should be supported. Health care workers need to be trained; paid and made available at all levels to ensure Rl succeeds. Cold chain equipment, surveillance systems and structures need to be supported to succeed as well.

    “We also call on International Polio partners and donors to come together and aid our country like they have always done in times like this. We specifically thank WHO, CDC, USAID, CORE GROUP, UNICEF, Rotary and other partners for strongly supporting the effort to make Nigeria Polio-free.

    “While thanking the partners for the great support, we will like to remind them that the importance of proper donor coordination and collaboration especially in the Northeast cannot be over-emphasized. Currently, there are several partners supporting various interventions in the Northeast and their purpose, mission and activities need to be better harmonized to avoid duplication and wastage of scarce resources.

    “The Senate committee on PHC and Communicable Diseases pledges its total support to strengthening Nigeria’s PHC system so that good and affordable health can be guaranteed for all Nigerians. This is the mandate we were given and by the grace of God, we will achieve it. Every aspect of PHC service delivery is being assessed by the Committee with a view to ensuring Nigerians get the best and that FG lives up to its responsibility of providing quality and affordable health to Nigerians.

    “In this wise, my Committee will ensure its statutory oversight functions of key Government agencies and parastatals are conducted as and when due with a view to ensuring probity and accountability on how health-related, PHC services are funded and implemented.

    “Additionally, we want to reassure all donors and partners of our resolve to ensure donor funds are also well spent and that they reach the masses that need them. Kev funding agencies like Global Fund, GAVI and several others will be engaged by my committee to ensure mistakes of the past are avoided and that funds from these donors are used judiciously. We cannot afford mistakes of the past where funds for developmental projects from donors are improperly managed leading to sanctions on Nigeria from these donors. We cannot continue to be disgraced as a nation through mismanagement of donor funds and must work hard to gain or regain the trust of all donors, bilateral and multi-lateral partners.

    “The committee is also preparing to beam its searchlight on the recent disbursement of 51.5 Million Dollars to the 36 states as the first tranche of money under the Saving One Million Lives Program for Results (SOMLPforR). The committee will like to review the process of how certain decisions were made with a view to strengthening the whole grant system in a manner that makes monitoring the states more rigorous thus making the states more accountable on how the funds are used. The Committee will work to ensure that only states that perform to standard get more funding. The committee is also currently studying the Midwifes Service Scheme (MSS) to determine whether it should be scaled up or not. This will based on the reality of Nigeria’s economic situation as well as the need to align with the FG’s plan of making 10,000 Primary Health Care Centers functional.

    “Regarding the new WPV cases, the committee is confident that Nigeria will come out of this challenge stronger and be eventually delisted from Polio endemic countries list once and for all. We in the committee are confident that with concerted efforts, proper use of resources. Nigeria will be certified Polio-free in due course.

    “However, we must not relent, but must work hard, ensure vaccination teams are trained and funded to vaccinate every eligible child.

    “We also call on the Presidential Task Force on Polio Eradication which consists of the President of Nigeria and all 36 State Governors to convene a meeting t0 discuss how to get Nigeria back on track to achieving a Polio-free status. The leadership and guidance of this Task Force is critical at this juncture of our battle to eradicate polio.

    “From July 24th, 2014 till August, 2016, Nigeria had no case of Wild Polio Virus (WPV) untill August 10, 2016, when two cases of WPV were detected in Jere and Gwoza LGAs of Borno State, Northeastern Nigeria where insurgency has made it impossible to reach children with Iife-saving immunization and other important health care services including food, shelter and other necessary amenities.

    “On 25th September, 2015, Nigeria was delisted from Polio endemic countries list by the World Health Organization (WHO). Currently, Nigeria is back on the list of Polio endemic countries joining Afghanistan and Pakistan that it had initially left behind. This is rather unfortunate.

    “As at today, Nigeria has a total of four Wild Polio Virus (WPV) cases all in Borno State. This set-back is a lesson that we should not be complacent after achieving a Polio-free status for more than 24 months that led to Nigeria being declared a non-polio endemic country.”

     

  • Senate and special status for Lagos

    Senators were recently engaged in fierce debates over a bill seeking for an Act to make special provision for federal grants to Lagos State in recognition of its strategic socio-economic significance and other connected purposes. The bill, sponsored by Senator Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos Central), purportedly sparked huge uproars at the upper chamber that it took the frantic intervention of Senator Ike Ekweremadu who presided to still fraying nerves.

    An earlier bill on the subject presented during the 7th Senate was turned down at the committee level on the ground that such status should be a matter of political decision, which should be kept out of the constitution. Thus, it could be said that with the 8th Senate, the bill made an appreciable progress.

    It is important to stress that in a multi-ethnic and evolving democracy like ours, several of the tendencies that frustrated the Lagos special status bill cannot be entirely wished away. Nevertheless, it should be emphasized that it is rather regrettable that the bill was majorly discarded because it was perceived by its protagonists as a Lagos bill.

    The truth, however, is that the need to accord a special status for Lagos is more of a national project. There is hardly any Nigerian that doesn’t have a stake in Lagos. A special federal grant for Lagos is, therefore, a necessary blueprint for the development of the country. Being the pane through which the whole world views the country, granting a special status to Lagos remains the best possible way to drive Nigeria’s development as Lagos is the country’s most industrialized city with needs that align with national growth and development.

    On the position that Lagos State already has sufficient resources to meet its needs, it is important to affirm that the population, cosmopolitan and commercial standing of the state put a huge pressure on both its resources and infrastructure. The present downturn in the national economy equally exerts further pressure on Lagos as many see the City State as a place that offers a glimpse of hope for economic survival. Consequently, according to a recent survey, Lagos witnesses the influx of about 25, 000 people daily from all walks of life.

    Lagos State government, in the last 16 years, has invested a huge amount of money on infrastructure development, especially construction of drainages, durable roads, beautification and restoration of parks to forestall the negative impact of flooding, erosion and other environmental hazards. However, these efforts are not enough for obvious reasons. Today, Lagos does about 9,000 metric tons of refuse daily, more than what the whole of Ghana is generating. The branch networks that some banks have in Lagos outstrip what they have in the whole country.  The number of heavy duty trucks and other vehicles that ply Lagos roads on a daily basis is quite alarming. Same goes for the number of pupils in its public schools as well as those that daily visit its public hospitals. Consequently, the state spends more on infrastructure upgrade and provision of other basic life necessities than any state in the country.

    Aside the pressure on its infrastructure, there is a crucial moral angle to the quest to accord Lagos a special status. When the FCT was moved from Lagos to Abuja, there was a subsisting agreement that the city would not be abandoned. Indeed, the Late General Murtala Mohammed acknowledged the onerous nature of the responsibility of leaving Lagos alone to deal with the burden of infrastructure the federal government was leaving behind then.

    No nation grows by treating the needs of its golden geese with discomfiture since the future growth of the country’s economy is tied to the development of Lagos which generates the bulk of the VAT accruable to the country, hosts over 85 per cent of Nigeria’s industrial hub, over 65 per cent of its financial nucleus and over 75 per cent of its active workforce. With each day, the population and needs of Lagos continue to increase to reflect this important role. As the economic hub and former capital of Nigeria, Lagos remains the first port of call for eager millions of youths from all parts of the country who long for means of survival from the uncertainties of a struggling economy like ours.

    It is hoped that the upper chamber and other critical stakeholders would rise above sentimental considerations and treat the issue at stake more dispassionately. In order to ensure that new windows are opened for development and growth in the national economy,  it is only rational that the federal government constructively engages Lagos for a partnership that would enhance the prosperity of not only the state but the country at large.

    • Tayo Ogunbiyi,

    Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja.

  • Senate seeks proclamation for 2018 census

    Senate seeks proclamation for 2018 census

    THE Senate yesterday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to issue a proclamation for the conduct of 2018 population and housing census.

    It asked the President to release funds for the exercise.

    The last census was held in 2006 during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration.

    The United Nations (UN) advised that census be conducted every 10 years.

    The Senate resolution followed a motion: “A call for the Federal Government to expedite action on the planned 2018 National Census,” sponsored by Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi (Kaduna North) and four others.

    Hunkuyi noted that Section 24 of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution (as amended) empowers the National Population Commission to produce demographic, socio-economic and health data through the conduct of census survey, vital statistics (registration of births, deaths, migration) and other related activities in Nigeria.

    He said census was necessary for any nation’s socio-economic growth.

    The senator added that it was in realisation of this that the UN recommended that census be conducted every 10 years.

    Hunhuyi, who chairs the Senate Committee on National Population Commission, said he was aware the last census was conducted in 2006, precisely 10 years ago.

    He added that another census, in line with the UN mandate, should have been done this year.

    The senator expressed concern that in accordance with best international best practice, a well-planned and executed census should take a minimum of two years.

    He said it would be pertinent subsequent census be carried out on time.

    Hunkuyi said he was concerned funds for the 2016 census was appropriated by the National Assembly in 2013, 2014 and 2015, with poor cash backing.

    The lawmaker prayed the Senate to urge the President to issue a proclamation for a population and housing census in 2018.

    Senator John Enoh (Cross River Central) urged relevant government agencies to include the cost of conducting the national census in the 2017 budget.

    Senator Emmanuel Bwacha (Taraba South) noted that “if the number of people killed by Boko Haram in the Northeast was to be disclosed, Nigerians would be shocked.

    He urged the Senate to support the motion and ensure that funds were released for the national census.

    On his part, Senator Robert Ajayi Boroffice (Ondo North) said there was no reason why funds should not be released to NPC for the census.

    He insisted that resources on the ground should be used to conduct the exercise.

    Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, who presided, noted that as the country approached the next census , NPC must take advantage of technology to make the census acceptable.

    Ekweremadu said NPC should ensure every Nigerian was counted and that the outcome not disputed as the last exercise.

  • Senate hails Fed Govt over rescue of 21 Chibok girls

    Senate hails Fed Govt over rescue of 21 Chibok girls

    THE Senate yesterday hailed the rescue of 21 of the Chibok girls being held hostage by the Boko Haram terrorists.

    This followed a personal explanation by Senate Leader, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, over his encounter with the rescued girls.

    Ndume told the Senate how he broke down in tears when he visited the rescued girls at a medical facility belonging to the Department of State Service (DSS).

    He noted how one of the rescued girls came forward to console him.

    The Borno South senator said the girls particularly asked the Nigeria Air Force to exercise caution when conducting operations in Sambisa forest in order not to kill the remaining abducted girls who may still be in the forest.

    Senators Biodun Olujimi also hailed the Federal Government for the rescue of the girls.

    Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu lauded the efforts of the Armed Forces and other development partners who played a role in the rescue of the abducted girls.

    Ekweremadu said: “On behalf of the Senate, I want to join others in appreciating God. I want to congratulate the Senate Leader. We are very proud to have these girls rescued. We have been asked several times whenever we travelled outside the country when the girls will be rescued.

    “We also want to appreciate the Armed Forces and everyone that contributed to the rescue of these girls. I know that they will bring this madness to an end.

    “We need to do more to bring the other girls back home. We say congratulations to the families of the girls for the trauma they have gone through. In no distant time, we will hear that other girls have been rescued.”