PROCEEDINGS OF THE NIGERIAN SENATE OF WEDNESDAY, 15TH SEPTEMBER, 2021
Welcome to a new Legislative Day in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria!
Senate President Ahmad Lawan led the Principal Officers into the Chambers, took the official prayers and began the day's proceedings at 11:10am.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS
Senator Tolu Odebiyi moved for the adoption of Votes and Proceedings for Tuesday, 14th September, 2021.
The motion was seconded by Senator ID Gyang.
OATHS
Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi moved a motion to suspend Order 17 in order to admit some of the Honorable members of the House of Representatives, family and friends of newly elected Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe representing Cross River North Senatorial District into the chamber to grace the occasion.
Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe seconded.
Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe took the Oath of Office.
PETITIONS
- Senator Adamu Aliero submitted a petition on behalf of a member of his constituency.
Petition was laid and referred to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Privileges and to report back within four weeks.
- Senator Ayo Akinyelure presented five petitions from the Office of the President of the Senate:
i. Petition by original allottees of FCT Abuja Parks affected by sharp practices and parks racketing in Department of Parks and recreation AMMA, FCTA Abuja;
ii. Petition by Uchechukwu S. Uchendu against Dr. Tombari Geneol of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital and Dr. (Mrs.) Precious Gbeneol of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt (and former appointee of the MDG under former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan), for enriching themselves corruptly through public funds and brandishing publicly wealth and properties not commiserate with their combined earnings as civil servants;
iii. Appeal for the Senate’s kind and prompt intervention in the matter of the unjustified termination of the employment of Olubukola Enaohwo by the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria;
iv. Petition by Adejumoke Ajala on suspicious activities of Datar Minning Company Ltd, self-acclaimed contractors to the National Assembly;
v. Petition by Sodeke Adetilewa Adesoji against the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on the termination of appointment.
Petitions were laid and referred to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Privileges and to report back within four weeks.
POINT OF ORDER
- Senator Aishatu Dahiru cited Order 43 to inform the Senate on the demise of Alhaji Ahmed Joda who died on Friday, August 13th, 2021.
“On behalf of all of us in the Senate and National Assembly, we commiserate with the family, the people and Government of Adamawa State, over the death of an elder statesman an excellent public officer, a democrat, a man who devoted his life to uniting this country. May his soul rest in jannatul firdaus.” – Senate President Ahmad Lawan.
Senate observed a minute silence in honour of the deceased.
- Senator Matthew Urhoghide cited Order 43 to inform the Senate on the demise of Sir Professor Victor Efosa Uwaifo, who died on Saturday, August 28, 2021, and need to pay a befitting farewell to him.
“Let me on behalf of all of us condole the family, people and Government of Edo State for this loss. He was a worthy son of our dear country, a man who devoted his life for national service.” – Senate President Ahmad Lawan.
Senate observed a minute silence in honour of the deceased.
- Senator Tolu Odebiyi cited Order 43 to inform the Senate on the demise of General Tunji Ishola Olurin, who died on Monday, August 23rd, 2021.
Senate observed a minute silence in honour of the deceased.
- Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi cited Order 43 to inform the Senate on the demise of His Royal Highness, the Emir of Kontagora, Alhaji Saidu Namaska, who died on Thursday, September 9th, 2021.
Senate observed a minute silence in honour of the deceased.
PRESENTATION OF BILLS FOR FIRST READING
- National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency Act No. 15 2006 (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (HB. 351) by Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (Senate Leader).
National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency Act No. 15 2006 (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (HB. 351) was read the First Time.
- National Metallurgical Training Institute Onitsha (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 770) by Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (Senate Leader).
National Metallurgical Training Institute Onitsha (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 770) was read the First Time.
- National Boundary Commission Act Cap N10 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 115) by Senator Gershom Bassey.
National Boundary Commission Act Cap N10 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 115) was read the First Time.
- Federal Medical Centre Deba, Gombe State (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 382) by Senator Danjuma Goje.
Federal Medical Centre Deba, Gombe State (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 382) was read the First Time.
- Money Laundering Act N0. 11 2011 (Repeal & Re-enactment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 789) by Senator Sadiq Umar.
Money Laundering Act N0. 11 2011 (Repeal & Re-enactment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 789) was read the First Time.
EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS
- Request for the confirmation of the Nomination of Hon. Abdulazeez Idris King for Appointment as Commissioner representing Kogi State in the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission by Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi
Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi moved that the Senate do consider the request of Mr. President C-in-C on the Confirmation of the Nomination of Hon. Abdulazeez Idris King for Appointment as Commissioner representing Kogi State in the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission in accordance with the provision of Section 152(1) of 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe seconded.
The request of Mr. President C-in-C was referred to the Committee on National Planning and Economic Affairs and to report back in two weeks.
- Request for the confirmation of the Nomination of Hon Amaechi Nwoha for Appointment as Commissioner representing South-East in the National Assembly Service Commission by Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi
Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi moved that the Senate do consider the request of Mr. President C-in-C on the Confirmation of the Nomination of Hon Amaechi Nwoha for Appointment as Commissioner representing South-East in the National Assembly Service Commission in accordance with the provision of Section 3(4) of the National Assembly Service Commission Act, 2014.
Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe seconded.
The request of Mr. President C-in-C was referred to the Committee on Establishment and Public Service matters and to report back in two weeks.
PRESENTATION AND CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS
- Report of the Committee on Health (Secondary & Tertiary)
Federal University of Health and Medical Sciences Iyin, Ekiti State (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 647) by Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe
Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe moved that the Senate do receive and consider the report of the Committee on Health (Secondary & Tertiary) on the Federal University of Health and Medical Sciences Iyin, Ekiti State (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 647).
Senator Chukwuka Utazi seconded.
Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe laid and presented the report.
Senate resolved into the Committee of the Whole to consider the report.
Senate reverted to plenary to report progress.
The Senate in the Committee of the Whole and Plenary approved Clauses 1-28 as amended, Schedules as recommended, Interpretation as recommended, Explanatory Memorandum as recommended, Short and Long Titles as recommended.
Federal University of Health and Medical Sciences Iyin, Ekiti State (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 647) was read the Third Time and PASSED!
- Report of the Committee on Health (Secondary & Tertiary)
Federal University of Lafia Teaching Hospital (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 616) by Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe
Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe moved that the Senate do receive and consider the report of the Committee on Health (Secondary & Tertiary) on the Federal University of Lafia Teaching Hospital (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 616).
Senator Sadiq Umar seconded.
Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe laid and presented the report.
Senate resolved into the Committee of the Whole to consider the report.
Senate reverted to plenary to report progress.
The Senate in the Committee of the Whole and Plenary approved Clauses 1-3 as recommended, Explanatory Memorandum as recommended, Short and Long Titles as recommended.
Federal University of Lafia Teaching Hospital (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 616) was read the Third Time and PASSED!
- Report of the Committee on Health (Secondary & Tertiary)
University Teaching Hospitals (Reconstitution of Boards) Act CAP U15 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 617 & SB. 648) by Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe
Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe moved that the Senate do receive and consider the report of the Committee on Health (Secondary & Tertiary) on the University Teaching Hospitals (Reconstitution of Boards) Act CAP U15 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 617 & SB. 648).
Senator Christopher Stephen Ekpeyong seconded.
Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe laid and presented the report.
Senate resolved into the Committee of the Whole to consider the report.
Senate reverted to plenary to report progress.
The Senate in the Committee of the Whole and Plenary approved Clauses 1-2 as recommended, Explanatory Memorandum as recommended, Short and Long Titles as recommended.
University Teaching Hospitals (Reconstitution of Boards) Act CAP U15 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 617 & SB. 648) was read the Third Time and PASSED!
“Let me on behalf of all of us commend the Chairman and members of the Committee on Health for doing a great deal of job for us. And of course we have outstanding referrals from our various committees. I will urge our Committees to work hard.” – Senate President Ahmad Lawan.
CONSIDERATION OF BILLS FOR SECOND READING
- A Bill for an Act to establish the Federal College of Education Kaiama, Kwara State and for other matters connected therewith, 2021 (SB. 655) by Senator Sadiq Umar.
Senator Sadiq Umar in his lead debate said that the establishment of the institution will encourage the advancement of learning to all persons and develop professional programmes leading to certification. He added that the Bill, if passed, will produce socially matured educational men and women in the country.
“I rise to second that this Bill be read the second time. In supporting this Bill, I want to state that the teachers in public schools need to be properly trained. There should be element of technical education in this proposed College of Education.” – Senator Isah Jibrin
“I rise to support this Bill. There is no amount of money that one would say is too much to invest in education. For me, having a Federal College of Education in Kaiama will be expanding the opportunities of encouraging more of our children to embrace the teaching profession. Kaiama is a town in Kwara State that is not too far from the border. Having an institution there will go a long way. I submit that this Bill should go for second reading and I want to add that this administration has shown great concern in the development of education than previous ones.” – Senator Smart Adeyemi
“First let me commend my brother, Distinguished Senator Sadiq Umar for this timely intervention of having a Bill to establish the Federal College of Education Kaiama, Kwara State. Mr. President, Kaiama is one of those areas marginalized by federal government presence and having this Bill established will no doubt help to alleviate this feeling of isolation. As it is, the location of Kaiama also means that the people of Oke-Ogun in Oyo state will benefit from having this institution and will be of immense value in providing training of our youths.“ – Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi
The Bill was read the Second Time and referred to the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND to report back within four weeks.
- A Bill for an Act to amend Section 8 of the Legal Aid Council, 2011 to expand the scope of Legal Aid Council services to indigent persons who are involved in either criminal or civil cases before Sharia Courts of Appeal and Customary Courts of Appeals as recognized by Sections 275 and 280 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) respectively and for related purposes, 2021 (SB. 560) by Senator Emmanuel Orker-Jev
“I rise to support the passing of this Bill for second reading. We are here elected to serve the people and one of the fundamental rights of any Nigerian is to be able to have full access to justice.” – Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe
“Let me commend Senator Emmanuel Orker-Jev for bringing up this very important Bill. This Bill is apt and it should be supported by all because it is meant to remedy the situation that is inappropriate as enshrined in the law that created the Legal Aid Council in this country.” – Senator Barau Jibrin
The Bill was read the Second Time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters to report back within four weeks.
ADJOURNMENT
Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi moved that plenary be adjourned till another legislative day.
Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe seconded.
Plenary was adjourned to Tuesday, 21st September, 2021.
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Signed
New Media Unit
Office of the President of the Senate
Federal Republic of Nigeria