Senate President Ahmad Lawan led the Principal Officers into the Chamber, took the official prayers and began the day’s proceedings at 11:24am.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS
Senator Bello Mandiya moved for the adoption of the Votes and Proceedings of Tuesday, 18th January, 2021.
Senator Obinna Ogba seconded.
EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATION
Senate President Ahmad Lawan read a letter from President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, on the passage of three (3) Bills:
i. Proceeds of Crime Bill;
ii. Whistleblower Bill; and
iii. Witness Protection Bill.
POINT OF ORDER
1. Senator Abdulfatai Buhari cited Order 42 to inform the Senate on the demise of former Governor of Oyo State, Otunba Dr. Christopher Alao Akala, who died on January 12, 2022 at the age of 71.
Senate observed a minute silence in his honour.
2. Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi cited Order 41 and 51 to seek the Leave of the Senate to present a motion on renewed attack by bandits and terrorists in Niger North Senatorial District.
Senator Bima Enagi seconded. Said, “This is a clear indication that terrorists have declared war on a part of Niger State. The situation is getting worse. I don’t know what next this Chamber is expected to do. We will continue to talk, we will not shut our mouth as long as the terrorists continue to terrorize our people. The situation is getting worse in Niger State. I stand here today to support the motion raised by my colleague.”
Senate resolved to:
i. Observe a one minute silence for those who lost their lives;
ii. Urge the Armed Forces and other security agencies involved in border operations to closely monitor and block the escape paths and routes used by bandits and fleeing terrorists to stop their relocation to other parts of Niger State;
iii. Urge the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide food and other livelihood amenities to affected villages and those who are now IDPS in affected communities.
3. Senator Teslim Folarin cited Order 42 to inform the Senate on the demise of Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji.
Senate observed a minute silence in his honour.
4. Senator ID Gyang cited Order 42 to raise a matter of personal explanation over the spate of insecurity in Plateau North Senatorial District.
Senate observed a minute silence in honour of compatriots who lost their lives as a result of terrorists attack.
PRESENTATION OF BILLS FOR FIRST READING
1. TETFUND Act 2011 (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 342) by Senator Stella Oduah
TETFUND Act 2011 (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 342) was read the First Time.
2. Child Rights Welfare Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 568) by Senator George Sekibo
Child Rights Welfare Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 568) was read the First Time.
3. Chartered Institute of Professional Secretariat Staff of Nigeria Bill, 2022 (SB. 791) by Sneator Gershom Bassey
Chartered Institute of Professional Secretariat Staff of Nigeria Bill, 2022 (SB. 791) was read the First Time.
4. National Poverty Alleviation Management Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 883) by Senator Kabir Barkiya
National Poverty Alleviation Management Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 883) was read the First Time.
5. Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) Act Cap N88 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 894) by Senator Godiya Akwashiki
Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) Act Cap N88 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 894) was read the First Time.
EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS
1. Confirmation of the Nomination for Appointment as Members of the Federal Judicial 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 nominations of the following persons for appointments as members of the Federal Juducial Service Commission in accordance with the provision of Section 154 of the Constitution of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended)
i. Nnamonso Ekanem, SAN – Akwa-Ibom State – South-South
ii. Mahmud Abubakar Magaji, SAN – Niger – North Central
Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe seconded
The request of Mr. President, C-in-C was referred to the Committee on Judiciary Human Rights and Legal Matters to report back within two weeks.
2. Confirmation of the nomination of Professor Mansur Auwalu Bindawa for Appointment as New Non-Executive Commissioner of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) 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 Professor Mansur Auwalu Bindawa for Appointment as New Non-Executive Commissioner of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in accordance with Section 8(1) of the Nigerian Communications Act.
Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe seconded
The request of Mr. President, C-in-C was referred to the Committee on Communications for further legislative action and to report back within two weeks.
MOTION FOR RE-COMMITTAL
1. Withholding of Assent of Electoral Act No. 6 20210 (Repeal & Re-enactment) Bill, 2021 and its re-committal to the Committee of the Whole by Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi
Senate resolved to:
Rescind its decision on the affected Clause of the Bill as passed and re-commit same to the Committee of the Whole for consideration.
Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe seconded.
Senate in the Committee of the Whole retained Clause 84 (Nomination of Candidates) to stand as part of the Bill.
Senate reverted to Plenary to report progress.
Senate in the Committee of the Whole and Plenary approved Clause 84 as recommended.
N.B: The Clause 84 in the Electoral Act N0. 6 is to make it possible for the country to have a new Electoral Law based on the reservations made by President Muhammadu Buhari.
CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS
1. Report of the Committee on Aviation
Nigerian Airspace Management Agency Act CAP N90 LFN 2004 (Repeal & Re-enactment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 194) by Senator Smart Adeyemi
Senator Smart Adeyemi moved that the Senate do consider the report of the Committee on Aviation on the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency Act CAP N90 LFN 2004 (Repeal & Re-enactment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 194).
Senator Nora Ladi Daduut seconded.
Senate resolved into Committee of the Whole to consider the report Clause by Clause.
Senate reverted to Plenary to report progress.
Senate in the Committee of the Whole and Plenary considered and approved Clauses 1-55 as recommended, Interpretation as recommended, Short and Long Title as recommended, Schedule as recommended, Explanatory Memorandum as recommended.
Nigerian Airspace Management Agency Act CAP N90 LFN 2004 (Repeal & Re-enactment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 194) was read the Third Time and PASSED!
2. Report of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development National Rice Development Council, Bill, 2022 (SB. 53) by Senator Abdullahi Adamu
Senator Bima Enagi who stood in for Senator Abdullahi Adamu moved that the Senate do consider the report of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development on the National Rice Development Council, Bill, 2022 (SB. 53).
Senator Isah Jibrin seconded.
Senate resolved into Committee of the Whole to consider the report Clause by Clause.
Senate reverted to Plenary to report progress.
Senate in the Committee of the Whole and Plenary considered and approved Clauses 1-14 as recommended, Interpretation as recommended, Short and Long Title as recommended, Schedule as recommended, Explanatory Memorandum as recommended.
National Rice Development Council, Bill, 2022 (SB. 53) was read the Third Time and PASSED!
CONSIDERATION OF BILLS FOR SECOND READING
1. A Bill for an Act to provide for the establishment of Federal University of Medical Sciences and Biomedical Technology in Six Geo-political Zones and for matters connected therewith, 2022 (SB. 678) by Senator Ayo Akinyelure
Senator Ayo Akinyelure, in his lead debate, stated that the Bill, if passed, will provide a platform for the establishment of 18 Federal Universities of Biomedical Technology with at least three Universities of Medical Sciences in each of the geo political zone. He added that when this Bill is passed into law, the Ninth Senate will lay a foundation which will put Nigeria’s health’s sector on the global map.”
Senator James Manager seconded. Said, “Universities are known as centers for advanced knowledge. If not for financial constraints universities are supposed to be everywhere. As we speak, not less than 100, 200 children are being born every day. Communities are expanding and Nigeria is also expanding. I support this Bill with all ramifications and I urge my colleagues to lend their support for this Bill.
The Bill was read the Second Time and referred to the Committee on Health to report back within four weeks.
2. A Bill for an Act to provide for the Regulation of Health Education Practitioners and for matters connected therewith, 2022 (SB. 299) by Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe
Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe, in his lead debate, stated that the Bill, amongst many other objectives, seeks to conduct examinations that will lead to the award of certificate or Diploma for candidates seeking to become registered Health Education Practitioners.
Senator Sadiq Suleiman Umar seconded. Said, “Health education has been part and parcel of our educational system for decades. However, this practice does not have a registration board that regulates and control the practice of that profession. Health education is critical; it seeks to allow for prevention. In the global trend of today, health education is a priority to prevent diseases and ill health. I think we should all support this Bill to be read for the second time.”
The Bill was read the Second Time and referred to the Committee on Health to report back within four weeks.
MOTION
1. Urgent need to upgrade infrastructure and standardize travelling processes at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar, Cross-River State by Senator Sandy Onor, Senator Gershom Bassey and Senator Jarigbe Jarigbe
Senator Chukwuka Utazi seconded. Said: “I want to join my colleague, Senator Sandy Onor, and the good people of that state represented in the National Assembly to support their genuine demand that the Margaret Ekpo International Airport be upgraded to serve the needs of Nigerians that access that airport as an international airport.”
Senate resolved to:
i. Urge the Federal Ministry of Aviation and al other relevant agencies to functionally restore the international flight status of the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar;
ii. Urge the Federal Ministry of Aviation and all other relevant agencies to ensure adequate security cover in and around the airport to protect equipment such as the Navigational Aids, lighting cables and the perimeter fence that are constantly vandalized by criminally minded people; and
iii. Federal Ministry of Aviation and all other relevant agencies to provide any facility needed to restore the International status of the airport, such as the Instrument Landing System (ILS) for night landings and approach lights, which have been vandalized due to inadequate security cover.
Excerpts from Senate President Ahmad Lawan’s speech on the amended Electoral Act No. 6 2010 (Repeal & Re-enactment) Bill, 2021:
“Let me congratulate the Senate and indeed the National Assembly by passing the amendment to the Electoral Bill, 2010. This is one of our major pillars in our legislative agenda when we started in 2019. This is one thing that Nigerians are so interested in because it is one sure way of enhancing our electoral processes…Today, as it stands, there is provision for all the possible options of selection of candidates from the presidency to the councillorship. The three options are Direct Primaries, Indirect Primaries and Consensus.”
ADJOURNMENT
Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Ajayi Borrofice moved that Senate do adjourn till another legislative day.
Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe seconded.
Plenary was adjourned to Tuesday, 25th January, 2022.
Signed
New Media Unit
Office of the President of the Senate
Federal Republic of Nigeria
