Tag: Senate

A bill that seeks to amend the Chartered Institute of Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) Act on Wednesday, May 8, scaled second reading at the Senate.

This followed the presentation of the general principles of the bill by its sponsor Senator Solomon Adeola (APC-Ogun West) at plenary.

Adeola in his lead debate said the ICAN Act, came into effect on Sept 1, 1965, some 59 years ago.

He said the ICAN Act empowered the Institute to set standards and regulate the practice of Accountancy in Nigeria, in line with developments in the economy and changing needs of chartered accountants.

He said over the years, it has become imperative to amend certain provisions of the Act and insert new provisions to bring it up to current realities.

This development, he said, would ensure that ICAN remains adaptive, forward-thinking, and attuned to the needs of the nation.

He said all sections for amendment deal with issues of accounting practice and all areas that a chartered accountant is entitled to practice under the Act.

“Corporate governance of modern professional accountancy organizations has evolved, hence the need to amend parts of Sections 2, 3, and 6 and insert new Sections 24 to 26.

“For instance, Section 3 of the Act is proposed for amendment because the Council of ICAN started with a twenty-member structure in 1965 when membership was just 250.

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“The number was increased to twenty-five subsequently in accordance with the provisions of the Act with membership strength of over 53,000 today,

“The need to increase the membership of the Council to 36 has become compelling,” he said.

Adeola said the amendment would strengthen the ICAN’s collaboration with other professional bodies and regulatory authorities, both at home and abroad.

He said the collaborations would foster synergy, knowledge exchange, and harmonisation of standards, guaranteeing that Nigerian chartered accountants remain at par with global best practices and their global counterparts.

He said that there was a need to enhance the capacity of the Institute to carry out its mandate in the area of regulation and compliance.

According to him, the amendments collectively aim to strengthen the legislative framework, expand the Institute’s structure, and enhance regulatory powers and professional integrity within the accountancy profession as in other jurisdictions of the world and global best practice.

In his contribution, Senator Sani Musa (APC-Niger East), who seconded the motion, said the amendments were necessary to move the accounting profession forward in Nigeria.

Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo (PDP – Gombe North) said the amendment was not only timely but would strengthen the institute and empower it to collaborate internationally.

He said the amendment would further help develop the accounting profession in Nigeria.

Senate President Godswill Akpiabio after the second reading of the bill referred it to the Committee on Establishment and Public Service for further legislative input and to report back in three weeks.

A bill that seeks to establish a national internship and unemployment benefit scheme in the country on Wednesday, May 8, scaled second reading in the Senate.

The scheme, according to a financial compendium accompanying the Bill, would gulp N1.36billion annually.

The Bill was sponsored by Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu (APC-Ogun Central).

Salisu in his lead debate noted that the proposed law holds immense promise for Nigerian youth and the future of the workforce.

Salisu said: “The legislation seeks to establish a structured and comprehensive framework for a National Internship and Unemployment Benefit Scheme that will serve as a catalyst for skills development, job readiness, and seamless transition of our graduates into the professional realm.

“As we all know, unemployment remains a critical challenge in our country, particularly among the youth. Each academic year, universities and polytechnics admit close to 2 million students and produce about 600,000 graduates.

“The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has linked unemployment in Nigeria to the phenomenon of jobless growth, increased number of school graduates with no matching job opportunities, a moratorium on employment in many public and private-sector institutions, and continued job losses in the manufacturing and oil sectors.

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“This bill is a testament to our commitment to addressing this challenge head-on by creating a platform that bridges the gap between academic knowledge and practical skills demanded by the job market in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present government.

“The National Internship and Unemployment Benefit Scheme aims to provide our young graduates with hands-on experience, mentorship opportunities, and exposure to real-world work environments.”

Senators in their contributions supported the bill and approved that it be read for a second time when it was put to voice vote by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Akpabio thereafter referred the Bill to the Senate Committee on Labour and Productivity for further legislative input and to report back to plenary within four weeks.

A bill that seeks to create an agency document and protect domestic workers and their employers on Wednesday, May 8, scaled second reading in the Senate.

This followed the presentation of the general principles of the bill by the sponsor Senator Babangida Hussaini (PDP Jigawa) at plenary.

Hussaini in his lead debate noted that over the years, there has been an increase in the incidents of assaults and abuse of domestic workers by their employers or hosts.

 According to him, the abuses range from slave labour, physical abuse, and sexual abuse, among others.

 He said sometimes, the stories are gory, traumatic, and mind-boggling, especially against the background that the domestic workers exist in the informal sector.

“They do not have unions and they do not have a collective platform to speak for themselves and therefore remain ostensibly vulnerable and helpless.

“On the other side of the coin, is the rise in the state of complicity of crimes committed by domestic workers mostly in connivance with other criminal elements of society against their employers or host.

“These borders on burglary, kidnapping, stealing of children, and sometimes outright murder.”

He said due to urbanization, fast-growing cities with chaotic traffic in Nigeria such as Port Harcourt, Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and other cities have put significant pressure on working-class parents of different categories of society.

This, he said has compelled many of them to spend more time at workplaces and far less time at home.

“The concomitant effect of this is that many families, from the low, middle, to the high- income classes families have come to the inevitable reality of the necessity of employing and relying on domestic workers to attend to their needs at home.

“It is saddening to note that a very vulnerable group of this category of domestic workers have been consistently played upon by their employers or hosts.

“These are mostly housemaids, boys, wards, and extended family members.

“A lot of these workers are unregistered and not supported by most national labour laws, they work for private households usually without clear terms of employment, particularly in our country,” he said.

He said Nigeria was yet to have codified legislation that provides for the rights of domestic workers.

He said it was therefore imperative and critical for the 10th Senate to urgently assist the law enforcement agencies with potent legislative interventions by passing the bill.

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“In view of the enormous benefits of this bill which has been elaborately deliberated in this lead debate.

“All of you know one house girl, mechanic, and one driver, somebody somewhere who needs our help in this chamber. I want to urge you to support the second reading of this bill,” he said.

Senators on their contributions supported the bill and approved that it be read for a second time when it was put to voice vote by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Akpabio thereafter referred the Bill to the Senate Committee on Labour and Productivity for further legislative input and to report back to plenary within four weeks.

The Senate on Wednesday, May 8, paid tribute to the late minister of science and technology, Ogbonnaya Onu.

Members of the Red Chamber observed a minute of silence in his honour and passed a resolution calling on the federal government to immortalize him.

The Senate also decided to send a seven-member delegation to condole with Onu’s family.

The committee has Senator Ashiru Oyelola, as chairman, while senators Abba Moro, Enyinnaya Abaribe, Seriake  Dickson, Anthony Ani,  Ireti Kingibe, and Idiat Oluranti as members.

These resolutions of the Senate followed its consideration of a motion of urgent national importance urging the Senate to pay tribute to the late Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, the immediate past Minister of Science, Technology and Innovations.

The motion was moved by Senator Anthony Ani (APC- Ebonyi South), informing his colleagues of the recent demise of Onu at 72

Ani in his lead debate said the Senate: “notes with a deep sense of loss, the death of Chief Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, which occurred on the 11th of April, 2024, at an Abuja hospital, after a brief illness

“Further notes that late Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu was born on 1st December 1951, and was elected the first Executive Governor of old Abia State (now Abia and part of Ebonyi States).

“Informed that late Dr Ogbonnaya Onu was a symbol of excellence and an academic icon in Nigeria, having obtained Distinctions in the West African School Certificate Examination and finishing as the overall best student at the College of Immaculate Conception, Enugu, First Class Honours degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Lagos, and PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of California, USA.

“Further informed that late Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu was the pioneer Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering, and a pioneer staff of the Faculty of Engineering, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

“Aware that late Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu was the first Chairman of the Conference of elected Governors in Nigeria (now Governors’ Forum).

“Also, aware that the late Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu was the first Presidential flag bearer of the All People’s Party (APP) in the 1999 Presidential election in Nigeria.

“Further aware that late Dr Ogbonnaya Onu was the National Chairman of the All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP), at the time the party was merged with other political parties to form the current ruling party in Nigeria, the All Progressives Congress (APC).”

Deputy Senate president Barau Jibrin and Senators Orji Uzor Kalu, Osita Izunaso, Abba Moro, Aliyu Wamakko, Enyinnaya Abaribe, Ali Ndume, Seriake Dickson, Mohammed Tahir Monguno and Danjuma Goje, among others contributed to the debate.

Seconding the motion, Kalu said late Onu was a good man who contributed to the unity and stability of Nigeria.

Deputy President of Senate Barau said Onu was a man of integrity, who was unassuming even as Chairman of a national party.

Barau said he was a man, who preached internal democracy and played a key role in the formation of the APC, describing him as a man, who demonstrated great humility.

“I stand to pay tribute to a man of honour, a man of integrity and a humble man.

“He was a governor and later after passing through various offices, became the chairman of a very big opposition party. Yet, he was very humble.

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“He lived a life of service to our nation, he was an epitome of humility, an epitome of credibility, and an epitome of integrity.

Abba Moro said the late Onu contributed to the development of Nigeria.

He said Onu sacrificed his interest in the interest of peace and stability in Nigeria.

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, said Onu was a pillar in the formation of the APC as a mega party.

He said late Onu was simple and a friend of all, who sacrificed for the good of the nation.

“He lived a life of integrity and sacrifice, Akpiabio said and prayed that God gives Nigeria, more statesmen like Onu.”

The Senate has explained the root cause of the reported jailbreak in Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre two weeks ago.

According to Senator Adams Oshiomhole, Chairman, Senate Committee on Interior, who briefed journalists shortly after a closed door session with the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; what happened in Suleja was not actually a jailbreak but the collapse of the moribund bricks of the prison wall, which was built over 100 years ago with local muds.

There was a reported case of jailbreak in Suleja, Niger State on 24th April, 2024 during which 119 Inmates escaped from the Correctional Facility.

The Minister of Interior,  Hon. Tunji-Ojo, during his visit to the affected facility last two weeks, informed government was planning to relocate some Correctional Centres to create better space, security and infrastructures.

But the Senate said the efforts by the Minister and the security agencies had helped in re-arresting some of the fled inmates, saying more would be tracked in the coming days.

“I know exactly that this particular prison was built in 1914. I think that was the year of amalgamation of Southern and Northern Nigeria for about 200 people. And they now have about 419 inmates. And some of these places were built with mud.

“So, it was not really a jailbreak. You had heavy rainfall, a storm, and then the wall fell, and then the roof, even if you were in your private house and it is raining and you have a storm and your roof is gone and your walls come down, you will remain in the place?

“And so, naturally, people find escape. The good news is that they have what it takes to retrack them. And they have already re-arrested some of them, and the effort is still ongoing to get the rest people,” Oshiomhole said.

The Senator, while hailing the presentation of the Minister of Interior during the closed-door session, said: “We are satisfied, very satisfied with the Minister’s briefing. I believe he is doing what needs to be done. But going forward, we have to do what we have to do to appropriate more resources to modernize our prisons. They are made to be correctional, so they are not condemnation centers.

“And I don’t like lamenting something that we can do something about. So we are unanimous that we need to, take advantage of our role, the National Assembly, for our preparation to recognize that these prisons built hundred years ago simply don’t meet model requirements. And if you keep patching them, that is not going to do the deal. And of course, take advantage of modern technology to do what we have to do”.

Speaking on other critical issues the Ministry was working on, Oshiomhole said: “One other sad thing which is not quite right is the fact that majority of people in our prisons have not been convicted. That, for me is sad, because of our laws, you are presumed innocent until you are convicted.

“Now somebody commits an offence, probably fights the other, and take him to prison. A Magistrate is in a hurry to remand, depending on who wants the person detained. And so we have a lot of people.

“The third element is the fact that most of the people in prison are under state offenses. And under the constitution, as amended, the state ought to bear responsibilities for people convicted under the laws of the state.

“And so if you use biased or neglect and you put people into prison, you have to spend government money to feed them there and feed them properly. But right now, the states are putting their mouth where they are not putting their money. Because a lot of these offenses are state offenses. The federal offenses are not up to 10%.

“So there are a couple of reorganizations that need to be done. But we, the Senate, would like to go round and see people, find out. We find some people in prison who couldn’t afford to pay 10,000 naira fine or 20,000 naira. And the cost of feeding him in prison is much more than the amount that the Magistrate or the High court fined him.

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“There are a couple of things we could do differently without spending money. Just having the political will to review some of the things we have taken for granted. There are a lot of men and women who have no connections, who are wasting away in prison. We want to see how we can put an end to that, without encouraging crime. We also don’t need to criminalize innocent citizens. Now, how you deal with that, requires that we do a meticulous job”.

The Senate expressed satisfaction with Tunji-Ojo, the interior Ministry, officials of the Correctional Services and others, saying, they’re on the right track.

Oshiomhole said: “I’m happy that the minister is on the right part. He is got the job well cut out for him. He has the will, he has the determination. What he needs from us, we are ready to provide. That is to give him the legislative backing to ensure that those fine initiatives he has, that he gets the resources to address them, in working together with Mr. President”.

On his part, Minister said the lawmakers have been briefed appropriately about the incidence in Suleja Prisons, and possible solutions had been suggested during the closed door session, saying everything was under control.

“We spoke about the root cause of the matter. What happened. We spoke about what we are doing, which I won’t be able to say here for security reasons. And we also discussed about solutions in terms of making sure that this doesn’t happen again.

“And I can tell you, the federal government is in control of this, everything is under control. Mr. President, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is actually putting in everything through the Ministry of Interior and the Nigerian Correctional Services, to make sure that there is no reoccurrence. We will have a correctional center that is safe for all inmates,” Tunji-Ojo added.

The Senate has assured Nigerians that the 16-year age requirement for applicants seeking admissions to tertiary institutions in the country has not been changed.

 The Red Chamber said that the comments about increasing the age limit to 18 years were personal opinions. 

The upper chamber clarified that any downward or upward review of the age limit could only be done by legislation that followed due process.

 The Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, made these assertions while responding to questions from reporters in Abuja at the weekend.

 The Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, had last week expressed strong reservations with the policy allowing 16-year old candidates to gain admission into universities in the country.

 He said the Federal Government may up the minimum entry age into tertiary institutions in the country to 18 years.

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 Professor Mamman gave this indication while monitoring the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Abuja.

  He had warned parents against pushing their children and wards “too much,” and advised them to allow them reach some level of maturity to be able to better manage their affairs.

 “The other thing which we notice is the age of those who have applied to go to the university.

 “Some of them are really too young. We are going to look at it because they are too young to understand what a university education is all about.

“That’s the stage when students migrate from a controlled environment to where they are in charge of their own affairs. So if they are too young, they won’t be able to manage properly. That accounts for some of the problems we are seeing in the universities.

 “We are going to look at that. Eighteen is the entry age for university but you will see students, 15, and 16, going to the examination. It is not good for us. Parents should be encouraged not to push their wards or children too much,” Mamman had said.

Members of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) had also declared their support for the move by the federal government to peg the minimum entry age into tertiary institutions in the country at 18 years.

 Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, Senator Muntari Dandutse, gave this hint when he led other members of the panel as well as its House of Representatives counterpart on monitoring the UTME in some examination centres as the lawmakers’ oversight function.

Dandutse said the Senate would support every effort by the government to streamline admission processes, especially the area of minimum age requirements for entry into tertiary institutions in the country.

However, the Senate through its spokesperson declared that nothing would be done on the minimum age requirement into tertiary institutions until all the stakeholders in the education sector endorse it.

 Responding to a question, Adaramodu said the “comment on the minimum age requirement for admission is not a law. So it is just an opinion. It’s not a law. By the time the Senate resumes, whoever wants to bring that one out to make it a law, will now bring it and then the procedures will take place.

“You can bring whatever to the floor in form of a bill. When you bring it, there’s going to be a public hearing.

 “All the stakeholders will sit down and talk about it. The parents, teachers, legislators, civil society organisations, even foreign organisations.

 “We will sit down and talk. Even if they say that the minimum age should be 30 or 12 we will all discuss it at an open forum. So, it’s still a comment which cannot be taken to be the law.”

He dismissed insinuations that the Minister of Education had instructed the leadership of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) not to release results of applicants below 18 years.

He said: “There is nothing like that. When the prospective students bought their forms, there were no such  conditions.

“So when you have bought your forms under one condition, that condition cannot be vitiated along the line until the current set of candidates have been successfully attended to. 

 “When the next engagement is to take place, then if it is brought even as an Executive Bill or personal or private bill or the public brings it as a bill, then the National Assembly will now sit down and allow it to go through the crucible of lawmaking.

  “This is a country, this is Nigeria. So all of us will sit down and deliberate.

 “So far, it is just a mere comment, it’s just an opinion. It is not law yet.”