Senate President Ahmad Lawan led the Principal Officers into the Chamber, took the official prayers and began the day’s proceedings at 10:51am.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGSSenator Bima Mohammed Enagi moved for the adoption of the Votes and Proceedings of Tuesday, 1st February, 2022.Senator Nicholas Tofowomo seconded.
EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONSenate President read three letters from President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, on:
1. Request for the Confirmation of Appointment of four Commissioners of Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC):
i. Dr. Yusuf Ali – North Centralii. Engr. Chidi Ike – South Eastiii. Mr. Nathan Shetty – North Eastiv. Mr. Dafe Apeneye – South-South
2. Confirmation of Appointment of Executive Directors of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority:
i. Francis Alabo Ogaliii. Dr. Mustapha Lawade iii. Monsuru Kuliaiv. Bashiru Sadiqv. Dr. Zainab Gobir
3. Confirmation of the Appointment of Mrs. Emili Chidinma Osuji as the Executive Director of the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC).
PETITIONS1. Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege submitted a petition from his constituent against some International Oil Corporations.
Petition was laid and referred to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to report back in four weeks.
2. Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi submitted a petition from his constituent, Prince Joseph, a former staff of the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Enugu State, over untimely retirement from the Federal Civil Service.
Petition was laid and referred to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to report back in four weeks.
3. Senator Adetokunbo Abiru submitted a petition from his constituents who are the residents of Magodo in Lagos State, against the Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami and the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Usman Alkali Baba, over illegal invasion of Magodo Area, Phase 2 in Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos State.
Petition was laid and referred to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to report back in four weeks.
4. Senator Ayo Akinyelure submitted five petitions from the Office of the President of the Senate:
i. Petition from Emmanuel Onwubiko on behalf of Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria Against Rhoda H. Gumus over the confirmation of Rhoda H. Gumus’s nomination as National Electoral Commissioner for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the basis of Political membership;
ii. Petition from Sallau Ladan Wunti against Power Holding Company of Nigeria on the termination of Appointment;
iii. Petition from J.P. Israel and 3 Medical and Dental others on behalf Council of Nigeria of Foreign Trained Medical and Dental Graduates against Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, appeal for Immediate intervention to review the exorbitant non-refundable fees of foreign trained medical and dental graduates;
iv. Petition from Raymond Aderejor and 4 others on behalf of Niger Delta Itsekiri Oil Producing Communities against Chevron Nigeria Limited in respect of protest letter and deliberate negligence of Isekiri Oil Producing Communities most especially Olero, Dibi and Abiteye Field Oil Producing Communities in Niger Delta;
v. Petition from Akinlolu T. Kehinde SAN against Patrick Ori Kupchi over the nomination of any re-appointment of Patricia Ori Kupchi (Also known as Patricia Ori Iyanya) as a federal Commissioner of the National Population Commission for Benue state for another term.
Petitions were laid and referred to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions and to report back within four weeks.
POINT OF ORDERSenator Bello Mandiya cited order 41 and 51 to seek the Leave of the Senate to present a Motion on the abduction of 38 of his constituents by bandits on Sunday, January 30th, 2022.
Senator Kabir Barkiya seconded.
Senate resolved to:i. Urge the security agencies to comb hideouts of the kidnappers in a bid to rescue the 38 persons abducted by the gunmen in Ruwan Godiya village in the Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State;
ii. Urge the Federal Government to send enough military personnel and fighter jets to apprehend the bandits and restore normalcy in these areas.
PRESENTATION OF BILLS FOR READING1. School of Mines and Geological Studies, Akoko Edo Local Government (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 441) by Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi
School of Mines and Geological Studies, Akoko Edo Local Government (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 441) was read the First Time.
2. National Universities Commission Act (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 879) by Senator Onyewuchi, Ezenwa Francis
National Universities Commission Act (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 879) was read the First Time.
3. Fire Arms Act (Repeal & Re-enactment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 889) by Senator Sani Musa
Fire Arms Act (Repeal & Re-enactment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 889) was read the First Time.
4. Federal College of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies Igarra, Edo State (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 908) by Senator Alimikhena, Francis Asekhame
Federal College of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies Igarra, Edo State (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 908) was read the First Time.
5. Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) Act 2020 (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 910) by Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege
Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) Act 2020 (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 910) was read the First Time.
CONSIDERATION OF BILLS FOR SECOND READING1. A Bill for an Act to establish the National Social Security Commission (NASSCOM) for the regulation, management and administration of social security benefits and services, and other related matters, 2022 (SB. 899) by Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege
Senator Omo-Agege, in his lead debate, said the Bill seeks to establish a Commission which shall determine the beneficiary of social security across the country. The Bill also seeks to protect the poor and vulnerable for the greater good of Nigeria.
“I commend the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, particularly when we look at the initiative that this government started when it assume government in 2015, that is the Social Investment Programmes (SIPs). This National Assembly appropriated a lot of money to provide for citizens but we have not been able to provide legislative guidance to the way this funding is channeled. I want to thank the DSP for the initiative and urge all our colleagues to support this Bill and ensure this Bill is passed into law.” Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi
“This is another people centered legislative intervention. This Bill will be a landmark legislation that Nigerians will remember this Senate of.” – Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi
The Bill was read the Second Time and referred to the Committee on Establishment and Public Service to report back within four weeks.
2. A Bill for an Act to Establish the National Veterinary Research Institute Gombe charged with the responsibility of facilitating research in animal diseases, treatment, control, nutrition and standardisation of manufactured animal feeds and for related matters, 2022 (SB. 782) by Senator Alkali, Saidu Ahmed.
The Bill was read the Second Time and referred to the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development to report back within four weeks.
CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS1. Committee of the WholeReport on the National Transport Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 427) by Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi
Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi moved that the Senate do consider the National Transport Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 427).
Senate resolved into Committee of the Whole to consider the report.
Senate reverted to Plenary to report progress.
The Senate in Committee of the Whole and Plenary considered and approved Clause 1-108 as amended, Interpretation as recommended, Schedules 1-2 as recommended, Short and Long Titles as recommended.National Transport Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 427) was read the Third Time and PASSED!
2. Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)Confirmation of the Nominations for Appointment as National Commissioners and Resident Electoral Commissioner for Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by Senator Kabiru Gaya
Senator Kabiru Gaya moved that the Senate do receive and consider the report of the Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the confirmation of the nominations of the following persons for appointment as National Commissioners and Resident Electoral Commissioner for Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
1. Mal. Mohammed Haruna – Niger State – North Central- National Commissioner2. Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu – Delta State – South South – National Commissioner3. Ukeagu Kenneth Nnamdi – Abia State – South East – National Commissioner4. Maj. Gen. A. B. Alkali (Rtd.) – Adamawa State – North East – National Commissioner5. Engr.(Prof.) Rhoda H. Gunus – Bayelsa State – South South – National Commissioner6. Mr. Sam Olumekun – Ondo State – South West – National Commissioner7. Olaniyi Olaleeye Ijalaye – Ondo State – South West – Resident Electoral Commissioner
Senator Nora Ladi Daduut seconded.
Senator Kabiru Gaya laid and presented the report.
“I want to commend President Muhammdu Buhari for this nominations – all seven of them. These are very well accomplished people. Sometime in 2016, I stood up here to speak on behalf of our nominee from Delta State, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu. I stood up and argued that her nomination was a nomination that has the backing of the entire Delta State, the three Senatorial District. For so many reasons Mr. President, including but not limited to her integrity and her family heritage, the name Agbamuche is a very big name, a name known to everyone. We didn’t have any iota of doubt that she will do well if confirmed as National Commissioner. I stand here today, full of pride that Mrs. Agbamuche has not disappointed us as Deltans. Once again Mr. President, I stand here again this time with bigger pride to support this nomination.” – Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege
“The fact remains that Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has said about these nominations are correct. I want to thank the President for nominating these people of integrity and capacity. Mr. President has done well for the nominations of these prominent Nigerians.” – Senator James Manager
“On behalf of the Senators from Abia State, I want to thank President Muhammadu Buhari for the honour he has done to Abia state. We are very pleased that our brother, Kenneth Nnamdi, worked in INEC for 34 years and had no problem. I want to thank all our colleagues in supporting the nominees because they are Nigerians. I want to thank also the senate president for his patient in listening to all those that have spoken this afternoon.” – Senator Orji Uzor Kalu
“The Committee has done a good work. Let us approve what has been done here. These are people of integrity. I don’t think we need much argument for us to continue.” – Senator Gabriel Suswam
Senate resolved into Committee of the Whole to consider the report.
Senate reverted to Plenary to report progress.
The Nomination of Mal. Mohammed Haruna from Niger State representing North Central Zone was CONFIRMED as National Commissioner.
The Nomination of Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu from Delta State representing South South Zone was CONFIRMED as National Commissioner.
The Nomination of Ukeagu Kenneth Nnamdi from Abia State representing South East Zone was CONFIRMED as National Commissioner.
The Nomination of Maj. Gen. A. B. Alkali (Rtd.) from Adamawa State representing North East Zone was CONFIRMED as National Commissioner.
The Nomination of Engr.(Prof.) Rhoda H. Gunus from Bayelsa State representing South South Zone was CONFIRMED as National Commissioner.
The Nomination of Mr. Sam Olumekun from Ondo State representing South West Zone was CONFIRMED as National Commissioner.
The Nomination of Olaniyi Olaleeye Ijalaye from Ondo State representing South West Zone was CONFIRMED as Resident Electoral Commissioner
3. Report of Joint Committee on National Security and Intelligence; Defence; Police Affairs and Judiciary, Human Rights & Legal Matters
#ENDSARS PROTEST: The mayhem visited on the Ancient City of Calabar the first capital of Nigeria on 23rd and 24th October, 2020, by Senator Gobir, Ibrahim Abdullahi
Senator Gobir, Ibrahim Abdullahi moved that the Senate do consider the report of Joint Committee on National Security and Intelligence; Defence Police Affairs and Judiciary, Human Rights & Legal Matters on the #ENDSARS PROTEST: The mayhem visited on the Ancient City of Calabar the first capital of Nigeria on 23rd and 24th October, 2020.
Senator Kabiru Gaya seconded.
“The report should cover the whole country and not only Cross River State. Unemployment is everywhere and there is need for State and Federal Government to embark on policies and programs that will employ large number of your youths. This is the only way that we can curb the insecurity in our country. Poverty is pervasive in our country. There is need for State Government to embark on programs that will domestically reduce poverty in our country. Our curriculum should be organized in such a way that after graduating you will be able to provide employment for yourself and even for others. There is need for synergy among all the security agencies in the State. I therefore support the approval of this report by this Committee. It should not be limited to Cross River, it should be nationwide.”– Senator Adamu Aliero
“The monetary that are here in this report should just be noted and passed on to the State Government for their consideration so we don’t need to debate further on this matter.” – Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi
Senate approved the recommendations as amended.
ADJOURNMENTSenate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi moved that Senate do stand down other items on the Order Paper till another legislative day.
Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe seconded.
Plenary was adjourned to Tuesday, 8th February, 2022.
