Today In Senate Plenary

Welcome to a new Legislative Day in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, led the Principal Officers into the chambers; took the official prayers; and began the day’s proceedings at 10:52am.

Senator Lanre Tejuoso moved for the approval of votes and proceedings of Wednesday, 21st February, 2018. Senator Fatimat Raji-Rasaki seconded.

*PETITION*

Senator Gbenga Ashafa raised a petition on behalf of a member of his constituency.

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu referred the petition to the committee on Ethics and Privileges to report back in 2 weeks.

*POINT OF ORDER*

Senator Ali Wakili cited orders 14 & 15, said there was no time the Northern Senators Forum met to elect a leader for the forum and after the announcement some Senators went and briefed the press on that development.

“My privileges has been bridged because I am not aware of the proposed removal.”- Senator Ali Wakili.

Senator Bukar Abba cited orders 42 & 52, said on Monday, 19th February, 2018 Boko Haram attacked Government Girls’ Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State and as at this morning 46 girls are missing.

“Boko Haram now see young girls as targets, we need to be extra careful and we need to take extra measures in protecting our schools especially our female schools.”- Senator Ahmad Lawan.

“There are no actual numbers of the girls missing, the police have their numbers and the school has a different number. The state Government has failed in performing the basic duties of protecting lives and properties.”- Senator Mohammed Hassan.

Senate resolved to:

I. Condemn the attack on the school and re-insurgence of Boko Haram; and

II. Urge the FG to urgently recover the girls to avoid a repeat of what happened to the Chibok girls.

Senator Aliyu Sabi cited order 43 and cleared the air on the issue discussed at the press briefing yesterday.

*PRESENTATION OF BILLS- First Reading*

Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (Est, etc) Bill, 2017 (SB. 594) by Senator Ahmad Lawan.

Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (Est, etc) Bill, 2017 (SB. 594) was read the First Time.

Institute of Environmental Practitioners of Nigeria (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (HB. 1022) by Senator Ahmad Lawan.

Institute of Environmental Practitioners of Nigeria (Est, etc) Bill, 2018 (HB. 1022) was read the First Time.

Education (national minimum standards and establishment of institutions) Act CAP E3 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (SB. 559) by Senator Barau Jibrin.

Education (national minimum standards and establishment of institutions) Act CAP E3 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill, 2018 (SB. 559) was read the First Time.

Banks (account opening) (miscellaneous provisions) Bill, 2018 (SB. 564) by Senator Gbolahan Dada.

Banks (account opening) (miscellaneous provisions) Bill, 2018 (SB. 564) was read the First Time.

*PRESENTATION OF A REPORT*

Report of the committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions on the payment systems management Bill, 2018 (SB. 5 & 268) by Senator Rafiu Adebayo.

Senator Stella Oduah seconded that the Senate do receive the report of the committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions on the payment systems management Bill, 2018 (SB. 5 & 268).

The Report was LAID.

*BILLS FOR CONCURRENCE*

National Agricultural Seeds Council Bill, 2018 (HB. 472) by Senator Ahmad Lawan.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport of Nigeria Bill, 2018 (HB. 973) by Senator Ahmad Lawan.

National Security Agencies Protection of Officers Identity Bill, 2018 (HB. 830) by Senator Ahmad Lawan.

The 3 Bills were read the Second Time.

*COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE*

Senate dissolved into the Committee of the Whole for the clause by clause consideration of the above 3 Bills for concurrence.

Senate reverted to plenary and reported progress.

National Agricultural Seeds Council Bill, 2018 (HB. 472) was read the THIRD time and PASSED.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport of Nigeria Bill, 2018 (HB. 973) was read the THIRD time and PASSED.

National Security Agencies Protection of Officers Identity Bill, 2018 (HB. 830) was read the THIRD time and PASSED.

“I thank my Distinguished colleagues. These are bills from the House of Representatives that have gone through proper legislative processes.”- Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

*CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS*

Report of the committee on Tertiary Education and TETFUND on the Federal Polytechnics Act and for other related matters 2018 (SB. 241) by Senator Barau Jibrin.

Senator Ademola Adeleke seconded that the Senate do consider the report of the committee on Tertiary Education and TETFUND on the Federal Polytechnics Act and for other related matters 2018 (SB. 241).

Senator Barau Jibrin read the report.

*COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE*

Senate dissolved into the Committee of the Whole for the clause by clause consideration of the Federal Polytechnics Act and for other related matters 2018 (SB. 241).

Senate reverted to plenary and reported progress.

The Bill was referred back to the committee for further legislative action.

Report of the joint committee on Land Transport, Marine Transport and Aviation on the National Transport Commission Bill, 2018 (SB. 242) by Senator Olugbenga Ashafa, Senator Ahmed Rufai Sani and Senator Adamu Aliero.

Senator Ibrahim Gobir seconded that the Senate do consider the report of the joint committee on Land Transport, Marine Transport and Aviation on the National Transport Commission Bill, 2018 (SB. 242).

Senator Gbenga Ashafa read the report.

*COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE*

Senate dissolved into the Committee of the Whole for the clause by clause consideration of the National Transport Commission Bill, 2018 (SB. 242).

Senate reverted to plenary and reported progress.

The Bill was referred back to the committee for further legislative action and would be back for further consideration on another legislative day.

*ADJOURNMENT*

Senate Leader moved that all other items on the order paper be stood down to another Legislative day. Minority Leader seconded.

Plenary is adjourned to Tuesday, 27th February, 2018.

#GavelBangs.

*Signed:*

New Media Department,

Office of the President of the Senate,

Federal Republic of Nigeria.

count | 171

PROCEEDINGS OF THE NIGERIAN SENATE OF THURSDAY, 22ND FEBRUARY, 2018