₦airaland Forum

Saraki Orders Review of NASS Security

Chairman of the National Assembly and President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has directed a review of all security arrangements in the National Assembly to keep the institution abreast of the current challenges in the country, especially now that the Boko Haram insurgency has receded.

According to the Special Adviser to the President of the Senate on Security, Major General Saleh Maina (rtd), the review of the security around the complex is part of the periodic plans to ensure better protection of lives and properties as well as improve on the existing arrangement.

General Maina said in carrying out the directive of the Senate President, the heads of all security agencies present in the Complex and other officials whose portfolio has to do with Security  have met at different times to devise a common and water-tight plan.

Following the meetings, it has been decided that henceforth it is compulsory for all legislators, staff and visitors to the National Assembly to wear identity tag, Mania said.

He also said that as part of the review of the security arrangements, there would be no loitering within and around the National Assembly by visitors and staff. Gen. Maina further said all vehicles to the National  Assembly must be parked at the appropriate designated parking lots.

He also said that there shall be proper  ‎screening of personnel coming  into the National Assembly as well as the scanning of their hand bags and luggages. The Special Adviser called on the security officials at the National Assembly to be polite and firm to all in the course of carrying out their duties.

He also said that there would be training and retraining of security personnel and staff of the National Assembly as well as general maintenance and upgrading of equipment towards ensuring  quick responses, communication and mobility in case of any threats in any location within the National Assembly.

Maina explained that the training of the concerned staff at the National Assembly will further  ‎ensure proper collaboration and coordination among all security agencies working within the huge complex and that henceforth, there will ‎ be a periodic meeting of all concerned with the  security of the institution.  Also, a general awareness campaign will be held for all those that has businesses within the National Assembly Complex  to update them on the new development.

Signed : Chuks Okocha
Special Assistant to President of the Senate on Print Media

Press Release
January 16, 2016

Senate to Akande: You Got it Wrong Again

The Senate today (Saturday) responded  to the statement by the former interim National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande in which he described the claim that the 2016 budget was missing from the upper legislative chamber as an indication of the indiscipline that produced its leadership.

The Senate said it was regrettable that a man of Akande's status would be responding to mere speculation without cross-checking his facts or worse still eager to latch on to any opportunity to bring to disrepute the leadership of the Senate because he failed to get his choice candidates elected.

In a statement by its spokesman, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, the Senate urged Akande to check his records properly so that he could see that "at no time did the Senate say the 2016 budget was missing".

Rather, Abdullahi noted that the legislative house had insisted in several  official statements and press interviews by its principal officers that the budget was not missing but  that two different versions are now available.

"We have said it several times that the budget was not missing. That two versions of the details of the  budget exist and this is  no longer in doubt as the Presidency has equally admitted this.

"We expect a man of Akande's calibre to cross-check his facts and take us up on our words. That he decided to ignore the facts and make comments on speculations is regrettable. He is a man who had served in government. He is a leader of the party with the majority in the Senate and he has several channels of cross-checking facts as against speculations.", Abdullahi stated.

The spokesperson said contrary to the description of what happened as indiscipline on the part of the leadership,  the position of the present Senate leadership is a demonstration of the regime of openness, transparency and accountability that now reigns in the upper legislative chamber. In the past, he said, such a development would have been swept under the carpet.

He noted that the statements by Akande was another expression of the frustration that the former Governor of Osun State suffers for not being able to impose his lackeys on the Senate as  leaders.

"Chief Akande is still sulking after his group's failed  attempt  to impose certain individuals as the leaders of the Senate last year. So, he was in a hurry to condemn the leadership. We want him to know that the leadership of the Senate can only emerge through the provisions  of the constitution and the standing rules of the institution.  As a democrat, Akande should know that once the majority has elected the leadership, all parties to the contest ought to accept the decision.

"To continue belly-aching and working to undermine the institution because of the failure to get one's choice candidates elected cast doubts on his democratic credentials. It appears he is only a democrat when he has his way. We advise him to move on and let us help the legislative institution to focus on its agenda  to serve the people in line with the much needed change that President Muhammadu Buhari promised the nation..", Abdullahi stated.

Signed

Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi
Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs

Press Release 
January 13, 2016

No Budget is Missing 

Chairman, Senate Committee on Media And Public Affairs, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi has said that no statement made by any Senator during the plenary today can be interpreted to mean an admission that the 2016 budget is missing.

He said there is no budget missing and that the Senate will tomorrow (Thursday) distribute copies of the budget to all the Senators so as to arm them to properly contribute to the debate which will take place between Tuesday. January 19 to Thursday, January 21, 2015. 

Already, all senators have indicated the date they will make their own contribution on the budget.

Abdullahi stated that during today's plenary when Senator Eyinaya Abaribe sought for clarification on the story in the media surrounding the information that the copy of the 2016 budget submitted to the Senate was missing and sought to know update on the issue.  The Senate President replied that the issue he (Abaribe) mentioned and  all issues emanating from the executive sessions are being looked into by an adhoc committee and that all Senators should wait for the committee to submit its report.

"We have reeled out our time table for working on the budget. So, how can the same budget be missing? The Senate President never said or admitted that the budget is missing and there was nothing that he said while presiding over the plenary that could be logically interpreted to mean am admission that the budget is missing.

"The media should please avoid unnecessary sensationalism. We assure Nigerians that our time table of completing work on the budget by February ending remains sacrosanct and we will work assiduously to achieve it", he said.

Senator Aliyu  Sabi Abdullahi
Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs

Bill to Amend Agricultural Lending Scheme Passes 2nd Reading; Saraki Calls for Serious Intervention in Lending to Farmers

 

- Wednesday, January 13 -


The Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, today called for the need for Nigeria to take agriculture more seriously in order to diversify the country’s economy.

 

Speaking against the backdrop of the consideration of a Senate bill to amend Nigeria’s Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme, the Senate President stated that with the proper mechanisms in place, agriculture would soon take the driver’s seat in Nigeria’s economic development as it stands to create sustainable employment for young people.

 

“This scheme when actualized will ensure that our farmers have access to funds,” Saraki said, while also stressing that Nigeria would need to also forge a legislative framework to support the actualization of the bill.

 

“In order to meet long-term financial commitments to our farmers, we need to ensure that we protect the credit financiers and banks that are involved in credit disbursement,” the Senate President said during plenary “Doing this will ensure that all stakeholders meet their financial obligations.”

 

The bill to amend the Agricultural Credit Scheme was sponsored by Senator Andy Uba (Anambra South).  Also speaking on the bill Senator Ben Murray-Bruce stated that the bill to restructure Nigeria’s agricultural lending scheme was coming at a time when many young people do not see farming as an attractive profession. Senator Murray-Bruce called on his colleagues to support the bill, stating that such initiatives were necessary to make agriculture more appealing to young people.

 

Other vocal proponents of the bill at the Senate plenary included the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who called for a harmonization of Central Bank of Nigeria Schemes with agricultural schemes; Senator Na’Allah, the Deputy Senate Leader, who mentioned that the bill would help address accessibility to loans for farmers; and, Senator Sam Anyanwu (Imo East), who said that the Senate should work to ensure that the funds gets to the farmers.

 

 Bamikole Omishore 

Special Assistant on New Media to President of the Senate.

Good Morning,

Apologies for the timing of this message.

Most of you might have been hearing rumour about 2016 budget missing, please find below Statement credited to Senate leader. Senator Ali Ndume.

'The budget cannot be missing. A copy can be laid, it is a symbolic copy, the budget will be in custody of both Chambers. It cannot be stolen, it cannot be missing. Once the budget is laid in the National Assembly, it has become the property of National Assembly,'' he said.

On the visit of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki to President Muhammadu Buhari after the report of the missing budget, Ndume said: '' Saraki's visit to Villa is for Senate to know the President's priority. We want to see how we can fast track the passage of the budget before the end of February. What is before the Senate is proposal, once the president signs it, it cannot be amended, we can turn the budget upside down, it cannot be missing”


Should you not like to receive updates on whatsapp, feel free to reply and will surely do the needful.

Thank you and have a productive day.

The Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki today commended the sponsors of motion on the Lassa Fever Outbreak in Nigeria.

Speaking on the floor after the motion sponsored by the members of the Senate Committee on Health, led by its Chairman, Senator Gbenga Tejuosho (Ogun Central), the Senate President stated that it was pertinent for the Federal Ministry of Health to come up with a sustainable strategy to curb the ongoing outbreak as well as work to ensure that such outbreaks of preventable diseases do not occur again down the line.

The Senate President tasked the Senate Committee on Health to follow up on the contents of the Senate Resolution by doing their due diligence on their oversight functions with the Federal Ministry of Health, and the Federal Minister of Health.

Saraki, in his comments further stated that the relevant agencies of the Federal Government should intensify the general awareness of the Lassa Fever disease, as well as deploy health workers to areas affected by the disease so as to make available adequate health care.

"The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) should coordinate all responses to ensure compliance," Saraki said, "Every Nigerian should also continue our collective social health education, and communication activities to prevent the disease from spreading further."

The Senate also moved to observe a one minute silence for the Nigerians killed since the Lassa Fever Outbreak began, and condoled with the families of all those that had lost relatives to the disease.

Other sponsors of the Senate resolution included Senators Matthew Urhogide, T.A. Orji, Jonah Jang, Suleiman Nazif, and Senator Andy Uba.

ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND CHAIRMAN OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, HIS EXCELLENCY, SENATOR (DR.) ABUBAKAR BUKOLA SARAKI TO THE MEETING WITH THE PRINCIPAL OFFICERS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ON THE VISIT OF MADAME CHRISTINE LAGARDE, MANAGING DIRECTOR, INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND, (IMF) ON 06 JANUARY, 2016.

Protocol:


Your Excellency, on behalf of my Distinguished and Honourable colleagues, I warmly welcome you and your entourage to the National Assembly. Your historic visit today, is a testament of the importance you attach to the role of the legislature in the attainment of economic development policies.






Your Excellency, your visit in this New Year is very auspicious as we begin to deliberate on the 2016 Appropriation Bill as the world economy rebalances in response to falling commodity prices, in particular oil.

Your Excellency, this National Assembly congratulates you and appreciates the new IMF recognition of the pivotal role parliamentarians could play in forging sustainable development policies for the attainment of the IMF mandate. To me this is critical to minimizing the erroneous perception on IMF policy prescriptions and conditionalities that have been entrenched over the years especially in Africa.






This, I believe, is vital to the success of the Fund’s policies and programmes not only now but also in the future. As legislators, we play an important role in making our people understand IMF advice, policy trade-offs, consultations and other engagements, so that ownership, transparency and accountability are brought to bear in economic policy choices.

Since the year 2000 when the IMF/World Bank Group founded the Parliamentary Network which is an independent, non-governmental organisation, participation in the programmes has been on the rise by legislators from all over the World. We commend the initiative. This outreach to legislators is a win-win situation since one of the objectives is to familiarize the legislators with the rationale behind the IMF advisory.



We recommend that IMF should further strengthen this network as a veritable tool towards greater convergence of understanding and engagement.

Here at home, the effect of the low oil prices on government revenue is challenging us to think out of the box in funding the repair of infrastructure, boosting employment, and securing our borders and people. These are no mean tasks and we welcome the support of our friends in this trying period.

Our economic fundamentals remain robust and the economy is resilient to absorb the current oil price shock. The situation is bringing out the entrepreneurship in us. Our private sector is also rising to the challenge. We assure you we will use this occasion to build a new economy diversified away from the perennial effects of oil price shocks.



The 8th National Assembly will provide the legislative leadership in ensuring a conducive environment for business to thrive.

The Nigerian legislature strongly believes that having a collaborative working relationship with the Executive Branch of government brings development closer to the people. Since the advent of the new administration, we have worked closely to stabilize the economy and steady the fiscal environment. This, we have indeed demonstrated by the speedy passage of the Medium Term Expenditure Frame Work (MTEF) and recently in the postponement of our recess in order to receive President Muhammadu Buhari to present the 2016 Appropriation Bill. We have also set in motion activities towards reforming our oil and gas industry through legislative initiatives in order to meet international best practices.





Engaging with our people the issues we strongly made here of FOREX – to do business.
This is expected – what IMF can do to bridge the gap.
CBN to advise open – allow Forex
(ii) No devaluation.
(iii) Loans to SMEs – bring interest to CBN
(iv) Technical assistance
(v) Support policies.

The 8th Senate Legislative Agenda is of particular interest in Parliamentary Network initiative which brings together parliamentarians and representatives of private sector as well as civil society organisations to discuss how to improve the environment for doing business in the developing world and how countries can increase their ranking in publications such as “Doing Business Report”.










The purpose of our Legislative Agenda is to enable us focus our lawmaking in areas that will help create jobs, expand our infrastructure base and make our economy work for the benefit and happiness of the majority of our people. Pivotal to the attainment of this overarching objective is the state of the Nigerian business environment. In collaboration with major stakeholders, the 8th Senate is presently signing a memorandum of understanding on “The Enhancing Nigerian Advocacy for Better Business Environment Project”, a National Assembly business and investment roundtable initiative, with developmental organizations.


These roundtables will provide opportunity to the private sector to work closely with the legislature in developing friendly-business environment.




The initiative will commence with a review of institutional, regulatory and legal instruments currently becoming impediments and bottlenecks to doing business in Nigeria.


Your Excellency, Distinguished and Honourable colleagues, in closing, I want you to take away these messages:

Legislature/Executive Collaboration on the Economy:

The National Assembly is committed to working closely with the Executive arm in addressing the challenges facing the Nigerian economy. This is the position on both sides of the aisle;

Diversifying and Modernizing Our Economy:
We will support the Executive with legislation where necessary to give confidence to investors.







Blocking Revenue Leakages:
We are assiduously working towards blocking identified legal loopholes on revenue leakages and expanding our tax base;

Conducive Business Environment:
We are giving priority to legislation aimed at providing a more conducive business environment in general and reducing the cost of doing business in Nigeria; and

Ending Impunity and Reducing Corruption: The National Assembly more than ever before, is working at improving its oversight systems to expose corruption wherever it may be, and providing better legal frameworks to entrench the rule of law and end impunity.








The global economy is currently well interconnected. With our economic weight in our sub-region, a well functioning Nigerian economy provides a strong pillar to its growth. We therefore, implore the international community and financial institutions to partner with us in supporting our economic development aspirations.


On this note, Your Excellency, we welcome you once again to our beautiful city and wish you the Season’s Greetings.

Bienvenue!

PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE

Saraki To Meet with IMF Boss, Lagarde on Wednesday

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki will on Wednesday (tomorrow) lead the leadership of the Senate to a meeting with the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Ms. Christine Lagarde, who is currently on a four-day working visit to Nigeria.

The meeting between Saraki and Lagarde at the National Assembly is expected to focus on the nation's economy, particularly the recent global developments and their impact on Nigeria. 

Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, to the Senate President, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in a statement in Abuja noted that falling oil prices at the international market has negatively impacted the nation's oil revenue, external reserve and increased pressure on the Naira at the foreign exchange market. 

The meeting of the Senate leadership with the IMF chief will be coming after a similar exchange Lagarde had with President Muhammadu Buhari and other managers of the national economy.

Opinion: The challenges before Saraki’s 8th Senate in 2016
Op-Ed Editor January 4, 2016


No doubt, we are living in times of unique challenges and unprecedented economic upheaval desirous of good leadership with latent capabilities and charisma at the epicentre.

The vulnerability of ‘change’ – (the slogan used by the present administration to promise Nigerians better living condition during the campaign period) is in itself a hereditary process as far clearing an existing mess is concerned. It is obvious that this present leadership must consider salient specific thematic foundational issues to avoid taking misguided steps into the future.

In retrospect, the last six months of Senator Bukola Saraki’s reign as the Chairman of the 8th National Assembly will arguably pass as the most tumultuous from inauguration in its history, yet resolute in the face of daunting challenges. Of course, in laying the right foundation for a Senate in a perpetual state of indolence from the 7th Assembly will without a doubt come with its jolly, delightful, obnoxious, repulsive decisions and any other adjectives that can be inserted to expanded the lexical knowledge recursively.



The National Assembly started on a strong foothold by aligning its agenda with that of the executive arm as a prerequisite to speedily identify the impediments in the wheel of its progress in order to bridge the gap and ensure purposeful oversight. There were demands made of the Bukola Saraki led senate to reduce overhead spending and trim down on Senators allowances. These, he assented to by reducing the sum total budget of N120b from the previous NASS to N115b which like many Nigerians have expressed their views that such reduction was welcomed but can be further pruned down to meet economic realities.

The vibrancy in the Senate today is never seen before; Senators are seen within the premises discharging their committee duties even on non-plenary sitting days- these renewed level of commitment could only be an exhibition of leadership by example. Bukola Saraki has never been afraid to speak where others dread, without the bidding of any godfather he led the characters in an open play of wisdom to emerge the Senate President of the 8th National Assembly. Weeks of meticulous debate clearly shows that there couldn’t have been a more refined candidate for this coveted position than Saraki.

This became quite evident in the way and manner Saraki led his colleagues to be at their professional best during the ministerial screening and eventual confirmation.  This is a deviation from the norm in previous Senate where personal interests prevail and external influence often marred such exercise. It is also worthy of note that Bukola Saraki has communicated his plans effectively through the social media platforms and while the NGRSenate account continues to provide live tweets on plenary activities to take the conversation higher.

Again, Saraki was quite livid with his colleagues on the floor of the senate after admitting that the arms deal probe popularly referred to as #DasukiGate was an indictment on the Senate for falling short of their oversight. This indeed, was a clarion call to charge the Senators on effective performance. The Senate with oversight on Treasury Single Account, IDPs visitation, MTEP implementation, and creation of enabling environment to woo investors through legislations are signs of what more to expect in 2016 legislative calendar.

In an emerging democracy like ours, strong legislatures are what we require to create laws that encourage local production and an enabling business environment for small businesses to thrive.

The 8th Senate will be banking on the experiences garnered over the years by Senator Bukola Saraki to marshal out potential areas where the youths can be engaged productively in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (#SDG).

Key oversight functions and laws aimed at ending insurgencies and bringing political stability to the North-East zone will be welcomed to fast track human and infrastructural development.

The challenges ahead are daunting and it is in the interest of the legislative to continue to support the executive on policy formulation and enactment of enlightened laws for benefit of the populace.

The strong willed leadership of Bukola Saraki as a two term governor, Senator representing Kwara Central and now President and Chairman of the 8th National Assembly will wade through the storm to deliver the quality of leadership desired by Nigerians.

As an achiever steadily marching on in his political sojourn; it has always been a new beginning for the closing of a chapter and the opening of a new one. Every of those opportunities have opened a chapter of hope and a bright future for Nigeria.

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Op–ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Y!/YNaija

Wale Bakare is a writer and a social media enthusiast with strong affection for politics, Agriculture and the conservation of the environment. His works have been published on numerous online blogs and magazine. Wale writes from Lagos and can be reached on twitter at @waleflame and by e-mail at waleflame@gmail.com

President misinformed on lawmakers’ cars

Via: Daily Trust

President Muhammadu Buhari was not properly informed about the worth of vehicles to be purchased for committees’ of the National Assembly, minority leader of the House of Reps, Leo Ogor has said.
The president had said on Wednesday during his maiden media chat that there was no way members of the National Assembly would purchase vehicles for themselves worth over N40 billion after collecting car loans.

Daily Trust had reported on Wednesday that the 109 senators and 360 members of the lower chamber would get a vehicle each after collecting car loans a few weeks after their inauguration in June.

But speaking to journalists in Abuja, Ogor said that: “I think someone somewhere misled the president and wanted to set him against the National Assembly, or set the Nigerian public against lawmakers.”

He said although vehicles were usually bought for committees’ oversight functions, there was nothing like car loan, explaining that what they collected was “car allowance, which was paid over the period of four years, and which even the president himself is entitled to based on the provision of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission Act.”

The House minority leader said a proposal to buy cars for committees cannot be more than N4 billion, stressing N40 billion is about 40 percent of the National Assembly’s annual budget.

Ogor explained that the cars the National Assembly usually buys are not “exotic vehicles” but “rugged” ones that can travel to any part of the country.

Similarly, House spokesman, Abdulrazak Namdas, denied yesterday that lawmakers were given any car loans, saying the cars they have proposed to were for committee.

Read more at http://dailytrust.com.ng/news/general/-president-misinformed-on-lawmakers-cars/127020.html#kmJ1FFuOemQJ66BJ.99

Opinion: The numerous achievements of @NGRSenate President, @BukolaSaraki in 6 months
Op-Ed Editor January 1, 2016


Political environment is synonymous with sweet promises, most of which are not achievable which do lead to loss of trust in leadership, this is common in our clime, however we have few exceptions to this and one of the steadfast person that keep to his promises is the current Senate President of the National Assembly in the person of Dr. Bukola Saraki, whose emergence as Senate President made him the Chairman of National Assembly a position that is strategic and core in rebuilding the legislative arm of government to make people have feel of true and genuine representation.

It’s on record that since emergence as President of the senate, he’s made it a point of duty to post weekly activities on the Upper legislative chamber. This feat is in keeping to terms with principle of running open administration as senate of the people to enable input from members of the society.

The daily reportage of activities of the senate is in line to show his commitment to transparency and public accountability, which is being deepened in the two way communication channels which provides avenue for direct unfiltered feedback from the people.



THE 8TH LEGISLATIVE AGENDA OF THE SENATE IN PERSPECTIVE.

The emergence of Senator Bukola Saraki as the Senate President of the 8th assembly despite all odds and party internal contradictions is enough to be made a special case.

While the tide and zoning was against him, one wonders how he still survived the odds. The brain behind his emergence was as a result of his input as a senator of the federal republic while he served his first term and also his critical engagement of the public paved way for him and he beats ‘them’ to it.

Some of the people oriented bill traceable to him during the 7th Assembly are:

a. National Oil spill detection and Response Agency amendement Bill 2012 – which focuses on oil spilling in Niger Delta.
b. The Gas flaring prohibition Bill 2012 – which focuses on generating more incomes from Gas rather wasting it.
c. Climate change commission Bill 2013 – this was developed from his experience as a Medical Doctor that understood the implications of Ozone depletion, radiation and Environmental toxics. And help sponsored this Bill to establish a Commission to legislate, advocate and deals on climate change issues in Nigeria.
d. Motion on FUEL SUBSIDY as a conduit pipe for diverting Nigeria money.

The hurdles he crossed to emerge prepared him to to set a pro active people oriented legislative agenda. Starting with composition of:

THE SENATE COMMITTEES;
A critical assesement of composition of 8th Upper chamber committees places Professionalism, Experience, Ranking and past anteceedents on who gets what and chaired what committee to ensure required productivity. The selection committee of the senate was thorough.

And within the last six (6) months, the oversight and committee work so far has reposed back the confidence of both the political society and Civil Society members, that indeed we have a Senate to work with.

The land mark output which is significant that passes through the senate within the last six months despite the distractions and fifth columnist include but not limited to:

APPROVAL OF MEDIUM TERM EXPENDITURE FRAMEWORK AND SUPPLEMENTARY BUDGET:
The 8th Assembly led by Sen. Bukola Saraki (Turaki of Ilorin) approved the MTEF which is to form basis for spending of government.

The conscious speedy approval of MTEF which forms basis for passage of supplementary budget was unprecedented as it also emphasize need to implement the fiscal responsibility act which ensures that all ministries and agencies of government should submit their expenditure and should be captured in the budget proposal. Mr Senate President in his wisdom and in fulfillment of his legislative agenda also suggested the need to include expected Subsidy payment for October – December to round up 2015 subsidy issue at once in the supplementary budget.

WHAT NIGERIANS SHOULD EXPECT IN 2016 FROM THE LEADERSHIP OF THE SENATE:
a. INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT; The Senate President having built his 8th legislative agenda around PEOPLE has promised Mr President Muhamnadu Buhari that this National Assembly will pass a Budget “that will de-emphasis recurrent expenditure and priotize the upgrade of infrastructure in order to achieve economic recovery and generate employment for our teeming population”.

This we can see in the budget proposal submitted and the welcome speech made by Senate President. This will be possible based on the pre MTEF already approved by the senate under his leadership.

b. ADHERENCE TO RULES OF LAW AND PRACTICE OF CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY:
He has reiterated this several times of the need to adhere to rule of law and constitutional principles which will further guide and save our democratic process. Adherence to this principe will make the arm of government more responsive and their constitutional roles will be easily carried out which include but not limited to Lawmaking, Legislating and oversight along with budgeting which is core and shows how responsive a government can be.

c. LEGISLATION THAT WILL REBUILD CONFIDENCE OF INVESTORS:
The 8th Assembly built around the PEOPLEÂ have vowed to legislate in all sectors of our economy to provide a Budget and other legislations that ” must also be bold and pragmatic in providing transparent incentives and conducive Environment that will promote private sector led development, encourage local production and promote made-in Nigeria goods”.

Either by Tax exemption or waiver on importation of manufacturing tools and machines or by making more money available to Bank of Industry or Commercial Banks with very low charges. This we will need to be on the look out for as once done private investors will be encouraged to invest and by that provide job for teeming masses.

d. CONSTANT AMENDEMENT AND REVIEWING OF ADMINISTRATIVE BOTTLE NECK FROM LAWS TO ENSURE DEVELOPMENT AND SECTOR GROWTH:

The Saraki led senate has promised Nigerian that 2016 is to settle down for econonic growth and developnents and all the impending laws causing asministrative bottle necks will be amended.- The Senate President said “we recognise that a Harmonious National Assembly is essential not only on legislative progress but also for the Executives to function effectively.” And this could only be achieve with good legislations.

e. BUSINESS SECTOR GROWTH AND INVESTOR DRIVE ECONOMY:

Both the Senate and House of Representatives understood the need for industrial growth to directly create employments to our graduates and unemployed youths and earn more incomes from taxes and royalties. To this they have collectively marshal out plans for ” passage of laws that will further enhances our business environment and promotes accountability in governancy.

f. CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATIONS:

Sen Bukola Saraki as a private sector trained business man understood the need to diversify our economy to a non oil revenue driven economy and has promised the PEOPLE of Nigeria laws that will support non oil earnings to build infrastructures and make life better. The budget presentation and frame work further collaborate this as the economy will be diversify this time unlike what it’s obtainable. And in doing this, implementation of fiscal responsibility act will be adhered to at same time ensure that oversight is taking serious to ensure full implementation of the appropriated budget.

CONCLUSION:
The Ilorin born politician,and the Chairman of National Assembly promised Nigerians to “Expect a Transformational Economic policies in 2016”. Many who knows him will agreed that if in 2001 as SA Budget he can put all mechanism for effective Budget implementation and performance measure then he can do better now as Senate President.
This he will do regardless of distractions. His commitment to national development and peace can not be over emphasized. In doing this, all stakeholders must be on same page to give required support for the senate under the leadership of Bukola Saraki and at same time ensure that distractors are put on check to ensure required delivery.

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ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND CHAIRMAN OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, HIS EXCELLENCY, SENATOR (DR.) ABUBAKAR BUKOLA SARAKI TO THE JOINT SESSION OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ON THE PRESENTATION OF THE 2016 DRAFT APPROPRIATION BILL BY HIS EXCELLENCY, PRESIDENT MOHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA.

Protocol:


It is my pleasure on behalf of my Distinguished and Honourable colleagues to warmly welcome you and your entourage to this joint session of the National Assembly.

Mr. President, your coming to this hallowed chamber in person today to present the 2016 draft Appropriation Bill, bears eloquent testimony to your profound respect and commitment to the ideals of our constitutional democracy and the dictate of the rule of law. This is the first time in a few years that the President of Nigeria has personally performed this constitutional task. It highlights the importance you have attached to building a smooth working relationship with the National Assembly. This is a positive gesture that is not lost on all of us.

Mr. President, the National Assembly is acutely aware of the challenges we face today as a nation both in terms of the economy and security. In addition to this, the price of oil is at a 7 year low and the dwindling government revenue consequently. This notwithstanding, in order to meet with the aspirations of Nigerians across all works of life, we expect that the budget must de-emphasis recurrent expenditure and prioritize the upgrade of infrastructure in order to achieve economic recovery and generate employment for our teeming population. The 2016 budget must also be bold and pragmatic in providing transparent incentives and conducive environment that will prime private sector-led development, encourage local production and promote made-in Nigeria goods.

Mr. President, the National Assembly is conscious of the yearning of Nigerians for quick delivery of democracy dividends. The National Assembly has a critical role to play and we recognize this role. On the budget we are willing and ready to provide the scrutiny necessary to pass only a budget that can be implemented comprehensively to the letter. We are ready to move swiftly and speedily to pass the 2016 Appropriation Bill. The swift passage of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper already points to our commitment and resolve towards this. I would like to use this opportunity to thank all my colleagues in the Senate and the House for their steadfastness and patriotism in this area. We will apply same but in the light of the great importance of this document we will not short-circuit scrutiny on the altar of expediency.

I acknowledge that the task of implementing the budget is primarily that of the Executive. But our recent experience has shown that even with the best of intentions, too much discretionary powers over budget matters are inimical to accountability. It is also true that impunity and corruption thrive best when the democratic safeguards for checks and balances collapse and accountability institutions abdicate their responsibilities. In this regard, the 8th National Assembly intends to discharge our oversight responsibilities fully. I therefore, want to implore Your Excellency to support us in this important task by ensuring that members of your government promptly respond to invitations for clarifications when they are required to do so by the National Assembly. Mr. President, if only half of the unfolding allegations regarding financial misappropriation under the previous administration are true, they would already be sufficient evidence of the dangers that we face when public officials treat accountability institutions with disdain and oversight activities with irritation. I am confident that your avowed commitment to the rule of law and accountability would have no accommodation for such behavior. On our own side, we want to assure you that we shall only pursue that which is provided for by the laws and strictly within the ambits of the law.

Mr. President, I wish you to assure you that both chambers of the National Assembly are united in our support for your administration. We both recognize that even as we seek to maintain the integrity and independence of our respective Chambers, that autonomy must be embedded within the overriding responsibility we all have, to improve the quality of lives of our people and make them proud once again to be Nigerians. We recognize that a harmonious National Assembly is essential not only to Legislative progress, but also for the Executive to function effectively. I therefore invite Mr. President to take advantage of this relationship, which we have not had for a couple of years, to push through some of the necessary reforms that would promote our economy. It is in this light that the National Assembly is also prioritizing the passage of laws that further enhances our business environment and promotes accountability in governance.

Let me assure you Mr. President, that with the 8th National Assembly you have got a partner. An ally to help you steer the ship of State in the right direction for growth, transparency, accountability, equal opportunities, inclusion and fairness. We will stand by you and work with you to see Nigeria become the pride of all Nigerians home and abroad and earn the respect it deserves in the global arena.

With these few words, I hereby invite Your Excellency to deliver your speech and lay the 2016 budget proposals for the consideration of the National Assembly in accordance with Section 81 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

I thank you and extend the season’s greetings to everyone.

PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
(Tuesday, 22 December, 2015).

TRIBUTE:At 53, The Bridge-Builder is Still Constructing

By Yusuph Olaniyonu.

 

The venue was one of the Banquet Halls in the Aso Rock Presidential Villa. Date was November 25 and the event was the dinner held by President Muhammadu Buhari for Senators, the first since the National Assembly was inaugurated last June.

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki had just surprised every one, including the host, President Muhammadu Buhari. Without looking at any paper, he introduced all his colleagues, about a hundred of them, by names and constituency. He also did not miss any. He got a standing ovation from his colleagues, in addition to a presidential handshake. The fellow sitting next to me remarked: “this man is brilliant”. I did not know when I proudly told him that “you don’t read medicine and graduate from the University of London, if you are not cerebral”.

I do not know anybody who went to school at the time I did in the 80s who will not agree with me that only the most extremely brilliant ones made it to the College of Medicine and graduated to become a medical doctor. Many who make comments about Dr. Saraki today simply talk about him as a politician, perhaps one with a privileged background. However, analyzing the man in the context of politics and his family does not do justice to the topic.

It is true that Saraki as a politician has a unique place in Nigerian political history. He is the only Senator today whose father was elected Senator twice (the old man was even the Senate Leader between 1979 and 1983) and his immediate younger sister had also served as Senator for two terms while he himself is on his second term as a Senator. Three Senators from a nuclear family! That is a rarity in a Nigeria still bogged down by zoning formula instead of competence.

However, the incumbent President of the Nigerian Senate is a man who has earned his stripes. Those who know him closely can testify that he is a hard worker, very diligent on any assignment he is handling and expects same from those who work with him. A man who gives attention to details. He is also a man who believes in strategizing before handling any task. He often asks: ‘what is your plan for accomplishing this task?. He is not a man who underrates his opponent. He believes in thorough preparation before any engagement.

From the quality and caliber of his staff, the time devoted to National Assembly tasks as Senate President, the initiatives that have emerged in the six months that he has been Senate President and Chairman of National Assembly and the global networking that he has done on behalf of the Nigerian state and the institution that he leads, it is clear that he had prepared for the job that he has now. Also, it is obvious that his colleagues have not made any mistake in their staunch support for him.

He is always saying to us, his aides, that it is easy to be in an office and just be bogged down by the routines without making any significant difference until the tenure will expire. Only a man who cares about his own place in history reasons like that. So, that is why he is vigorously pursuing the idea of the eighth Senate having an Agenda which will be its compass and guides it till 2019. He has also ensured that there is an Adhoc committee on compliance which is to monitor the 65 committees set up by the Senate. This Adhoc committee is to ensure that members of the standing ones deliver on their mandate while also keeping to the rules of the Senate in their engagement with Ministries, Department and Agencies as well as other external bodies or individuals.

Definitely, he is determined to be one of the most successful Senate Presidents ever and this guides most of his activities on the job. First, a journalist who has been covering the Senate in the last 12 years described him as the most hard working and energetic Senate President he has seen. Of course, he is also the youngest and one of the few who can be called home-grown Senate President. He assumed office and has been sustained solely by the sheer force of support from his colleague-senators. The journalist said past Senate Presidents would never come to the National Assembly complex on days that are not meant for plenary sitting. That is Monday and Friday. Like when he was a banker or as Governor of Kwara State, Monday to Friday are work days in the office, except he is out of town, mostly on official duties. Even when out of town, he runs the office from wherever he is as he dishes out assignments to aides and expects them to report to him from time to time.

On Mondays, since there is no plenary sitting of the Senate, he schedules courtesy calls and stakeholder engagement appointments as well as other crucial meetings for that first working day of the week. Two of the meetings are worthy of mention here. The first is the senior staff meeting in which he meets his key aides to plan the time table for the week.

Here, his schedule – legislative, social and political- are pre-arranged. Here too, the shape of the issues, agenda, proposed bills, motions and other plan for the Senate in the new week will first be deliberated upon and reviewed. The outcome of this meeting helps to set the tone for the second crucial meeting later in the residence. That is with the Senate leadership. The first meeting also allowed the man to review and shape the plan of each of the units in his office for the week.

The senior staff meeting, for example, is such a serious session in which the Economic Adviser addresses the meeting on key economic issues for the week. The Legal Adviser is called upon to give the position of the law on raging issues and yours truly speak on issues trending in the media and what narrative is prevalent.

The second meeting enables the ten-man Senate leadership to agree on a time table for the week and the strategy for achieving smooth and productive sessions. In addition to this meeting, the leadership also meet before the commencement of every plenary session to finalize the contents of the order paper.

2016: Nigerians Should Expect Transformational Economic Policies- Saraki

The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to making lives more bearable and comfortable for the Nigerian masses.

The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki stated this earlier today in Ilorin during a special prayer to mark his 53rd birthday.

He said the All Progressives Party(APC)- led federal government will continue to formulate economic policies that would be beneficial to all.

He hinted that the coming year would witness realisation of lots of transformational economic policies that would be beneficial to all, even as he urged Nigerians to be patient with the Buhari's administration.

Saraki added that the Senate under his leadership will be committed to better socio- economic development of the country.

Speaking with newsmen shortly after the prayer session held at his Ilofa, GRA residence,Ilorin, Saraki said the day did not call for celebration because of the global economic situation affecting the country.

"As I said, the general challenging situation globally, in the country, and in the states did not allow for celebration. We have great challenges ahead as a country. So, we have to dedicate ourselves to improving the situation for the common good", he said.

The senate president, who called for support of all Nigerians in the task ahead, said the legislature was more committed to serve people towards realisation of collective aspirations and goals.

He commended people of Kwara state for their unflinching support since his emergence as the senate president, saying that he would do everything within his means to ensure that he did not disappoint them and indeed Nigerians.

The special prayer, which was led by the chief imam of Ilorin, Shaykh Mohammed Bashir, also had in attendance the popular Islamic cleric, Shaykh Al-Misklin Onikijipa, as well as Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, Speaker, Kwara House, Dr. Ali Ahmad, Senator Dino Melaye, and some members of National and Kwara state House of Assembly.
ENDS

@NGRSenate Leadership: I Breached No Rule in My Election, SP @BukolaSaraki Tells Court
The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, on tuesday told Federal High Court in Abuja that he did not violate or breach any rule in the election that produced him and Senator Ike Ekweremadu as the Senate President and deputy respectively in June this year.
Saraki said contrary to the claims against him by some aggrieved senators, he was returned unopposed in the election by majority of the senators present on the election day in the upper chamber following his due nomination and endorsement for the office.
In his preliminary objection to a legal action instituted against him and Ekweremadu, the Senate President said the election being challenged by five senators was free, fair and transparent by all standards and also conformed with the best practice of the world.
Saraki who argued in court through his counsel, Mr. Kayode Eleja (SAN), asked Justice Adeniyi Ademola to dismiss the court action against him and five others for being abuse of court process, frivolous and unwarranted.
He said the five senators who instituted the action did not disclose what they lost by his election because none of them aspired or contested the senate presidency with him or any other officers and as such have no locus standi to come to court.
The five senators, Abu Ibrahim, Kabir Garba Marafa, Robert Ajayi Boroffice, Bareehu Olugbenga Ashafa and Suleiman Othman Hunkuyu, had sued the senate president and his deputy claiming that the senate standing rule used in their election was amended without due process.
In their suit filed by their counsel, Mamman Mike Osuman (SAN), they asked the court to set aside the election for being a nullity having allegedly violated the 2011 standing rule inherited in 2015.
But Saraki told the court that the process of the election in the senate was a domestic affair of the senators because no part of the 1999 Constitution or any other law was violated to warrant any litigation and that the court has no business to inquire into the internal affairs of the senate.
“There are 109 senators in the senate and only five are challenging the election of the officers. The point is that, the interest of the five senators, if any at all, cannot over-ride or be larger than the interest of 104 other senators”

‪#‎Dasukigate‬ Arms Deal Probe, An Indictment of Senate. This current Senate must take oversight More Serious.
Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki today said the on-going investigation into the arms deal in the Office of the National Security Adviser has called to question whether the Senate is effective in the performance of its oversight functions.
Saraki in his remark during the plenary session in the legislative chamber on a motion titled "Abandonment of Projects : A Menace to Development in Nigeria" sponsored by Senator Suleiman Nazif (Bauchi North) said if the Senate Committees on National Security and Intelligence as well as the one on Defence had performed their constitutional roles in monitoring and investigating how funds allocated to that sensitive area had been utilised, the nation will not be witnessing the mind-boggling stories that are coming out.
He further charged Committees of the upper chamber to take their duties more seriously to prevent the high rate of abandoned projects and fraudulent tendencies of government officials.
"I want us in this 8th Senate to ensure that our committees carry out proper oversight and that we in the leadership we are going to ensure that we find a way to make sure that committees do their work on oversight because truly that is the bottom line to this", he said.
He said: "Even the current investigation going on in the National Security Advisers Office, whether we like it or not, in a way too raises valid questions about the oversight function of the National Assembly. We must play our roles in the area of oversight because if we don’t do it, at the end of the day this is what we will get".
The Senate President said a proper Senate oversight function would have revealed and prevent all the mess that an investigation directed by President Muhammadu Buhari is now revealing.
"We all have a responsibility to support the on-going efforts in the Presidency to get to the root of this investigation. Also, the anti-corruption war being waged by the Buhari administration deserves the support of all of us. Nigerians can be sure that the Eighth Senate will do all that is necessary to make ensure that funds appropriated for projects are utilised for what they are meant.
Commenting further on the problem of abandoned projects in the country, Saraki said the Senate cannot but take part of the blame for any abandoned project since they have been empowered by the constitution to oversight monies appropriated for the projects
He said: "I want to thank you very much for your contributions that we have had during this debate but really, distinguished colleagues, I think we have shied away today from one of the main reasons because funds for some of the projects are duly appropriated in the budget before they are embarked upon by various ministries and agencies. This motion, whether we like it or not, is a partial indictment on us in the National Assembly. We must accept that, because these projects that we are talking about under Section 88 of the Constitution, 1(a) (b) it is our responsibility to exercise oversight functions on them to ensure they are not abandoned and to ensure that the funds appropriated for their execution are properly utilised.
"I want us to make a difference. We should really perform our oversight functions diligently. We will put a system in place where we will be asking the committees to give us periodic situation report on their functions and the oversight that they are doing so that this negative development of abandoned projects will be a thing of the past. We should move forward in providing a new way by which the National Assembly can carry out its functions more efficiently and with more dexterity", he said.

END
Media Office of The Senate President

Senate Has No Plan to Gag the Press - Saraki

...Says Gender Based Violence Must Stop
‎
Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki today (Monday) reiterated that there is no Bill before the Senate that is aimed at gagging or stifling the media in spite of misrepresentation and attacks which has trailed the Frivolous Petition Bill.

Saraki in his remarks as chairman of a sensitization meeting on the implementation of Guidelines on Gender Based Violence and Young Persons in Nigeria, organized by the Women Arise for Change Initiative in Abuja also said it is time to end all forms of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in the country as he said the offence is the "most persistent human right crimes in the world."

He said that any area the people find objectionable in the Frivolous Petition Bill will be removed when it is being considered clause by clause by the Senate.

Saraki, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sanni Onogu in Abuja said: "Finally, I want to throw more light on the Frivolous Petition Bill. There is a lot of misrepresentation which has led to attacks on the Senate with some wondering whether we want to gag the press. We don't have any anti-Social Media Bill before us. What we have is the Frivolous Petition Bill which concerns cases of writing and submission of petitions.

"Unfortunately there is a Section 4 of the bill which many people are not comfortable with‎. This bill is a private member bill not a Leadership bill. But I have since met with the President Of Online Media Owners who agree there's need for further self regulation. When we are considering the bill line by line, we will remove any area that people find objectionable because this is a Senate that is for the people and will not make any anti-people law," he stated.

He further noted that GBV poses grave danger to both present and future generations of the nation's young ones if not decisively tackled now.

He said: "Gender Based Violence is one of the most persistent human right crimes in the world, one of the least prosecuted offences, and one of the greatest coercion to lasting peace and development. He stated that every child in the country has a right to be protected against GBV.

"These human rights violations pose serious consequences for us all and our future generations if left un-addressed. Efforts being made at various quarters to ensure peace and security, reduce poverty and achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals will be futile without addressing these crimes.

"The young person in Nigeria constitutes the most important resource that our country has. They represent over 60 percent of our population which is a significant work force and human resource base for Nigeria's economic development. The ability to protect them from Gender Based Violence sharpens their capacity to be part of that great future we desire for our country.

"A child that is vulnerable to GBV will end up being as inefficient as an unsharpened and blunt knife. He/She will not have the cutting edge to deliver efficiently. Let me state it here today that if we decide as a Nation that Violence against Young person must stop, nothing stops us from pursuing it as an ideal and achieving it.

"What we must be reminded is that we all have made a choice as a people and choices have consequences. We must all resolve to work across all our political prejudices to honestly confront the challenge of GBV against young person in our country as a matter of right for every child.

"We have all just seen a video. It shows how barbaric the act is. My presence here is to drive home how important the matter is, raise it to national discuss.

"I commend those who have done a lot before like Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin. No society can be developed or move forward with these incidents of violence. Let me state it here today that if we decide as a Nation that Violence against Young person must stop, nothing stops us from pursuing it as an ideal and achieving it. What we must be reminded is that we all have made a choice as a people and choices have consequences," the Senate President stated.

While pledging to continually associate and support organisations like the Women Arise Initiative "with high social and economic impacts" Saraki pledged that the "8th Senate will ensure that every policy frame work required is put in place to ensure the success of this advocacy."

He said: "Our Legislative Agenda is our charter with the people. We already select some priority laws that are tailored towards solving problems that our people confront on a daily basis. These are bills that will solve economic problems, unemployment, insecurity and corruption. ‎Our people should be assured that this Senate will always act in the best interest of the people."

END

Signed:
Sanni Onogu
Chief Press Secretary to the Senate President

Project Vehicles are for Committee Work, says Senate

The Senate today (Sunday) dismissed the reports by an online medium, Premium Times seeking to present the upper legislative body as insensitive for proposing to purchase vehicles for the use of members, as it stated that the project vehicles that are to be purchased are meant for the execution of  committee assignments.

In a statement by its spokesperson, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, the Senate said the automobiles are part of the necessities which the institution usually provide to committees to enable them function without depending on external bodies for effective performance of oversight functions.

"The vehicles are not meant for individual Senators. They are purchased for the use of the committees. 

"For those who may want to find out what happened to the ones bought in the past, we cannot expect that after four years, the vehicles will still be in the condition to effectively serve the present committees. The best practice in government institutions and even private organizations is for official vehicles allocated to top officials after four years of use to be sold at the depreciated value", Abdullahi stated. 


" We have been very frugal, responsive and responsible in our spendings.  We have also cut down on several expenses. However, there are certain expenses and purchases that are normal in government and any organisation generally.   The  legislature is not an exception.

"With respect to the official vehicles of the Senate President, it should be noted that majority of the vehicles in his convoy are his personal vehicles while some of the vehicles that he inherited, including his official vehicles and the back up car, are so old that they are already developing faults and not fit for long journey. We can recall that on several occasions, his  official car broke down. Three instances will suffice here. I remember on a visit to Nasarawa state for a wedding of the daughter of a colleague. Other occasions were at the National Mosque three weeks ago and at the Abuja airport.

"The implication is that the vehicles in his official convoy are so old that they are already causing embarrassment for the Senate. The media should know that a man of his antecedent will not at this point be excited with purchase of new cars. His official cars are really long overdue for replacement.

"The media should avoid deliberately portraying the legislature as irresponsible and inciting the people against it. We seek the understanding of the media to explain issues and situations to the people. Both the media and the legislature have different roles to play in sustaining our democracy and none should be seen to be undermining the other", Aliyu stated.

Signed

Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi

Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Publicity.

December 11, 2015
 
Senate President Assures Online Publishers there won't be Censorship 
 
The Executive Board of the Online Publishers Association of Nigeria (OPAN) yesterday, met with the President of the Senate to discuss the Frivolous Petition Bill, which has been widely reported and labeled as the “Social Media Bill.”
 
The president of the organization, Mr. Olufemi Awoyemi, who was accompanied by a member of the Executive Committee of the association, Mr. Daniel Elombah; in his presentation to the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, stated why his organization, along with a majority of Nigerians, disagree with first with Section 4 of the Bill – a provision that aims to criminalize false statements and the use of unsupported petitions on social media; and the general approach to the subject of online engagement in Nigeria..
 
Dr. Saraki in his remarks thanked Mr. Awoyemi for accepting his invitation on such short notice, and assured him that he remains an ardent user of social media platforms and reader of online publications, and he will in no way support any form of censorship or attempt to slow the progress made so far. 
 
The Senate President used the opportunity of the meeting to explain the method of presenting, processing and eventual passage of bills to Mr. Awoyemi, especially a private member bill like the frivolous petitions bill.
 
The Senate President further assured the Online Publishers Association of Nigeria (OPAN) that the 8th Senate remains committed to the principles of fair, responsible and open engagement which the online affords citizens with the elected representatives, as records will show that this Senate has made good use of various online and social media platforms to deliver on this mandate and wish to do more. The Senate President also cited instances before, during and after the elections when social media played a major role in ensuring accountability in government; one the senate will ensure is sustained.
 
The Senate President assured the online publishers that the Senate has no intention to pass any legislation to control or gag the press, but encouraged the organization to do its part to ensure that international best practices are quickly established to enable the country increase its learning phase from the wholesome adoption of data communication and sift the real online publishers and journalists that follow the ethos and ethics of sound journalism  practices from those that simply set up to use their platforms to extort and blackmail.
 
Awoyemi, in his response assured the Senate President that the organization is made up of credible publishers of online platforms and newspapers with online presence and it is modeling itself along best practice with relationships with key platform providers and value creators in the online ecosystem. He also mentioned that efforts were underway to strengthen the industry, through a better appreciation of how self-regulation aids phases during a significant disruption in culture, social interaction and change in practices as Nigeria embarked on since we deregularised the telecommunications industry. 
 
In OPAN’s assessment, Mr. Awoyemi noted; the legislature remains critical to how Nigeria quickly harnesses the potentials of online technology and use of social media as a critical component of citizen engagement and governance practice improvements. 
 
To achieve this, OPA Nigeria sees a link between constitutionally provided for “freedom of expression” and responsible conduct and engagement by users and publishers. To aid the process, the association agreed to share its research into aspects of our legal system that keeps online publishing and social media outside the law; present areas requiring review and amendments of current laws that ensure responsible conduct across digital platforms which in some cases were as simple as recognizing the variants in existing laws around newspaper, radio, TV and digital publishing and broadcast.
 
Specifically, OPAN believes that the current conversation must not only be sustained but moved forward in a collaborative manner that builds consensus between key stakeholders, judiciary and legislature to enable the country respond positively to the discomforting aspects at this time, but more importantly, anticipate and create a desired future for ICT.


Bamikole Omishore
Special Assistant, New Media 
President of The Senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria 
08062340746

ABUSE AND MISMANAGEMENT OF ‪#‎TSA‬ REGIME — @BUKOLASARAKI
KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, HIS EXCELLENCY, SENATOR (DR) ABUBAKAR BUKOLA SARAKI ON THE OCCASION OF THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE “ABUSE AND MISMANAGEMENT OF TREASURY SINGLE ACCOUNT (TSA) REGIME” ORGANISED BY THE SENATE JOINT COMMITTEE ON FINANCE; BANKING, INSURANCE, AND OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND PUBLIC ACCOUNTS ON WEDNESDAY, 9 DECEMBER 2015.
Protocol:
The commitment and resolve of the 8th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to work with and support the Executive arm in its effort to improve the life of our people is not negotiable. We are together with the executive on the need to curb waste and plug all loopholes in our revenue and expenditure streams. We are equally concerned and are exploring ways of shoring up the national revenues in spite of the persistent fall in the oil price in the international market. We embrace these challenges as we believe that it will more than anything enable us to think outside of the box to draw up innovative solutions that would strengthen our institutions and the economy at large.
We gladly note the steps already taken by Mr. President to move the country towards efficiency and away from the business as usual mindset through reduction in wasteful expenditures. One of such bold steps is the full pursuit and implementation of the Economic Reform Governance Project (ERGP), which has as its core objective the modernization of Public Finance Management (PFM).
The wholesome adoption of the PFM is in line with the globally accepted Government Integrated Financial Management Information Systems (GIFMIS) which is aimed at plugging revenue wastes. All these are supportive of the introduction and the enforcement of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) which has been fully authorised by the President.
However, it has been brought to the attention of the National Assembly that these laudable goals of TSA could be threatened by the mismanagement and non compliance of extant laws leading to massive abuse such that demand the necessary intervention of the Senate.
The Senate has a critical public role to play to ensure that no such abuse is allowed to fester, hence this public hearing to investigate the purported “Abuse and Mismanagement of Single Treasury Account (TSA) Regime”. This is highly critical and relevant at this stage when we are desirous of entrenching efficiency as a hallmark of the APC government.
Distinguished colleagues, I need not reiterate that the assignment before this joint committee is indeed vital to the success or failure of TSA project. This Senate will like to remind you to act without fear or favour, let or hindrance but to do your utmost to ensure that this investigation is thorough and just.
Your mandate is simple, to investigate and report the entire process culminating in the adoption, remuneration and otherwise of TSA including determining the cost of such project. I expect you to roll up your sleeves and work diligently to unravel the facts and make your recommendations. I urge all who will be attending as witnesses to please furnish the Joint Committee with verifiable facts and documents that will assist in resolving this investigation.
Finally let me reiterate that our goal is in tandem with that of the Executive; to stamp out corruption and expose mismanagement of public resources. We are not going to treat matters bordering on the wellbeing of our economy with kid gloves we simply cannot afford it.
I wish you all a successful outcome on this deliberation.
I hereby declare the investigative Public Hearing open

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the office of the accountant-general of the federation (OAGF) on Wednesday could not make clear statements regarding who authorised the one percent service charge drawn by Systemspecs for mopping of funds and remitting them to the single treasury account (TSA). Making his presentation at a public hearing organised by the joint senate committee on finance and public accounts, Godwin Emefiele, CBN governor, said that Systemspecs’ electronic-transaction platform, Remita, was engaged in 2012 to be used for mopping up funds from government ministries, agencies and departments for remittance to the federation account domiciled in the apex bank. But Emefiele was unable to state categorically who authorised the one percent charge on every mopped-up fund by Remita. He admitted that the charge was too high, which was why the CBN suspended any payment to Systemspecs pending the outcome of the investigation of the senate. When he was asked by John Enoh, chairman of the senate joint committee, who approved the charge, he said: “I need to check. I think the inter-department committee between the OAGF and CBN approved the one percent charge at the time.” However, Ahmed Idris, accountant-general of the federation, said there was no agreement on the service charge between his office and the CBN. “My office and I are not part of this payment and we did not know how much was charged,” he said. Emefiele had earlier disclosed that the amount of money in the TSA as of December 8 was N2.08trn. He said that only N1.49trn mopped up through Remita was subjected to the one percent service charge. He added that the CBN now had its own transaction platform, and as a result Remita would no longer be of much use. The CBN governor also disclosed that payments, about N8bn, made to Systemspecs for Remita had been returned. The senate probe followed a motion by Dino Melaye (Kogi west) in November alleging an abuse and mismanagement of the TSA.

Read more at: https://www.thecable.ng/know-nothing-1-tsa-charge-says-emefiele

#TSA Service Charge: 8th Senate Vindicated

The real truth behind the alleged TSA fraud: CBN governor opens up.

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele on Wednesday, December 9 2015 opened up on the real truth behind the Treasury Single Account fraud.

However, John Obaro of Systemspecs told the committee that there was an agreement between their company and CBN.

While responding to questions from the senators who consistently queried the bank and the Accountant General of the Federation.

Emefiele said he had no knowledge of the one percent charge that was taken until he was summoned by the senate and house of representatives.

He added that It was immediately after that he swung into action when he found out it was true and called the Director of Remita and it was immediately that the money was reverted.

He further explained "Remita was to take 50 percent, other banks, 40 percent and CBN,10 percent.

"The monies were put together by the three companies involved and paid back to the MDAs.

"It was after the money was moved that the one percent was taken. Our balance could defer depending the time of when it was taken.

He also expressed his view on the one percent charge by Systems Tech that it was too high and exorbitant.

John Enoh, the chairman of the finance committee praised the courage of the CBN governor.

"As we sit back, we will further invite for closer engagement some of the issues before we come up with a solution.

"We will throw our minds back to when this was brought up on the floor of the senate.p

He commended the senate for their work so far in the investigation.

However, Ahmed Idris, the Accountant General of the Federation also said there was no agreement between the office of the Accountant General and the CBN on the Service Charge.

"My office and I are not part of this payment and we did not know how much was charged," he said.

Naij.com recalls that on Wednesday November 11 2015, the senate mandated the committees on finance, banking and other financial institutions and public account to carry out holistic investigation on the remmitance of the Treasury Single Account(TSA) funds.

This was disclosed on a three prayer motion sponsored by Dino Melaye representing Kogi West senatorial district.

The senate also directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to immediately stop payment to the company.

There is nothing like social media bill’ – Saraki


Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has said there is nothing like social media bill in the 8th National Assembly.

While seeking to correct the label put on the Frivolous Petition bill, Saraki said Nigerians need not be worried that the bill will infringe on their rights.

Writing on multiple social media platforms on Tuesday, Saraki said Nigerians will be carried along every step of the way before the bill becomes law.



On his Facebook page, Saraki said any part of the bill that ‘is found obnoxious or against public interest’ will be struck out.

He wrote: “There is nothing like social media bill in the Senate. What Senate has is Frivolous Petition bill, and if any part of the bill is found obnoxious or against public Interest, it will be expunged during clause by clause consideration of the bill.”

On Twitter, he explained there is constant engagement between the National Assembly and the stakeholders- the electorate, in all issues.

Public interest in Bills are part of our Commitment to carry Nigerians along and there will be constant engagement BTW NASS and stakeholders

— Bukola Saraki (@bukolasaraki) December 8, 2015

Plethora of laws already being worked on by @NGRSenate to create conducive atmosphere for business to thrive and economy to improve.

— Bukola Saraki (@bukolasaraki) December 8, 2015

Senate: Those Opposed to Anti-Frivolity Bill or parts of it Have Opportunity to Make Input


In a statement today (Sunday) by its spokesperson, Senator Aliyu Sabi, the Senate said members of the public, including those for or against the Anti-Frivolity bill or parts of the bill will have the opportunity to shape its final outcome as there is an elaborate process which the bill must undergo before it becomes a law.

It noted that some of the comments on the bill emanated from misconception and misunderstanding of the objective which it said is meant to protect all individuals and institutions, including journalists and social media users.

"The senate is committed to freedom of speech and a fully inclusive and participatory democracy".

"The process of passing a bill is comprehensive and provide for inputs to be taken from all and sundry. The fist stage is merely to read the short title of the bill. The second stage is purely to debate the general principles.

"The next stage is committal of the bill to appropriate committee or committees for further detailed legislative action where the details, intendment and clause by clause implications of the bill is dissected by the committee. This stage also involve public hearing in which members of the public, civil society, non governmental organizations and all interested parties for or against the bill have the opportunity to shape and influence its content.

"The outcome from this committee stage is what will be finalized and then represented to the chamber for clause by clause consideration and approval or disapproval by the Senate. Thereafter, if the bill is approved, then the clean version of the bill is forwarded to the House of Representatives for concurrence or otherwise", he stated.

The Senate added that the differences that may emerge from the House of Representatives version will be resolved through the Conference Committee of the two chambers of the National Assembly.

He added that the anti-frivolity bill will go through the whole hog and there is no intention to make the process of passing this bill any different. "Accordingly, the Senate wants to re-assure the public about this. So, all those who are either for or against this bill or its part and any other one have ample opportunities to reshape it", he stated.

Senator Sabi further explained that the Eighth Senate is conscious of its responsibility to the people and will not do anything that will stifle participation and inclusion. "We will always ensure we pass laws which meets best practices across the world and indeed democratic scrutiny. Suggesting that the senate wants to pass a law not even practiced in China etc is being mischievous.

"This Senate is people-centred, pro-poor and participatory. We will always act in the best interest of the citizenry. In this regard, we are totally committed to performing our duties and discharging our responsibilities without let or hindrance.

"All those spreading hate campaigns as a result of the Anti-frivolity bill, hauling insults at and making derogatory comments on Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the institution of the Senate are advised to key into the elaborate legislative process that a bill must pass through before becoming law if they are interested in shaping the outcome of the bill. This is the right way to go and part of the change we all aspire for our democracy

"The eighth Senate is totally committed to protecting the liberty of all Nigerians and the independence of the Senate and the legislative arm of government as we deepen our democratic journey", Aliyu stated.

End

Signed

Senator Aliyu Sabi

Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs.

Clarification on false claim that Senate passed a bill proposing to jail social media users for two years

The bill being made reference to, is An Act to Prohibit Frivolous Petitions and Other Related Matters, which absolutely makes no mention of jailing social media users.


Senator Na’Allah’s bill seeks to make illegal, the common act of individuals sponsoring frivolous petitions to tarnish/blackmail public servants or political office holders for selfish purposes. The bill also seeks to make it a requirement for petitioners to depose to an affidavit in court which will must be attached to any petition. Where such petition is discovered to be frivolous, or mischievous or the fact there in are false, the proposed bill makes it a case of perjury which is an offense under the law.

The Deputy Senate leader in his submission expressed concern that with such frivolous petitions, the right of an individual to be presumed innocent until proven guilty by a competent court, would have eroded such presumption of innocence as these petitions lead to media trials that hampers the rule of law.

In the developed societies and in particular, the US, if one files a petition with the Federal Bureau of Investigation or any other government agency, aimed at defaming someone, ruining their reputation or family and such petition is discovered to be false, such a person will be held liable and would pay dearly for it.

One can only imagine that if countries allowed dishonest elements to file petitions against their opponents without having to hold them accountable, this will amount to impunity.

Please find attached the lead debate to the said petition.

11 Things in November; an Overview of the Senate’s Legislative activities.

 

 

by Abang Dove

The month of November has been a busy but eventful one in the Nigerian Senate. Lots of Bills were presented and a few other motions passed. Out of all the Bills presented, a number of them also passed for second reading.

Some of these Bills presented to the house include:

 

 

 

1.    FCT University of Science and Technology, Abaji, (Est. etc) Bill, 2015 (SB. 59) by Senator Philip Aduda (FCT)

 

This Bill seeks to establish the Federal Capital Territory University of Science and Technology to develop and offer academic and professional training particularly in the field of sciences and to act as a catalyst for the technological advancement of the country.

 

 

2.    A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria Act, 1973 and Re-enact the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria for other Matters connected therewith, 2015; (Sb. 14) by Senator Uche Ekwunife (Anambra Central)

 

This Bill seeks to make the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria more focused and target oriented. Similar institutions like the Raw Material Research and Development Council, Agric Research Council, and Nigeria Institute of Social and Economic Research, have all repealed and re-enacted the laws establishing them. Hence, the effort to re-enact the FRIN bill for more productivity.


When re-enacted, the bill will also avail the Institute the following: training, research and capacity building, collaborations with local and international organizations as well as business communities. It will also enable the Institute maximize her potentials in areas like; tree planting, research into biodiversity of indigenous and exotic tree species, biological control of gully erosion sites and lots more.

 

3.    North East Development Commission (Est, etc) Bill, 2015 (SB. 163) by Senator Ali Ndume (Senate Leader) and all other 17 North East Senators.

 

This Bill seeks the establishment of North East Development Commission (NEDC) with the mission to restore the areas devastated by insurgency. This can be achieved by facilitating the rapid and sustainable development of the Northeast into a region that is economically prosperous, socially stable, ecologically regenerative and politically peaceful.

Also, plans such as:

-          Surveying the North East in order to ascertain measures necessary to promote its physical and socio-economic development.

-          Formulation of policies and guidelines for the development of the area.

-          Conception, planning and implementation, in accordance with set rules and regulations, of projects and programs for sustainable development of the North East in the areas of transportation, health, employment, industrialization, agriculture and fisheries, housing and urban development, water supply, electricity and telecommunications, etc. will be implemented.

 

 

4.    Frivolous Petitions (Prohibition, etc) Bill, 2015 (SB. 143) by Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah (Kebbi South)

 

This Bill seeks to prohibit unserious formal written requests, appealing to the Senate in respect of a particular cause in forms of petitions.

A typical example of this is a petition that was brought to the Senate and forwarded to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions. This petition was from one Engr. Adamu Suleiman Yakubu against the National University Commission (NUC) for alleged unlawful dismissal from service. After the case was read out to the Committee by the Deputy Executive Secretary of NUC, Ibrahim Yahaya who stood in for Executive Secretary of NUC, Julius Okojie, it was then discovered that Engr. Adamu Suleiman Yakubu was found culpable for forged documents, lies and of questionable character.

This led to Senator Dino Melaye dissociating himself from the petition.

 

 

5.    National Youth Service Corps (Amendment) Bill, 2015 (SB. 147) by Senator Stella Oduah (Anambra North)

 

This Bill seeks for the amendment of the NYSC Act, to provide that members of the service corps shall not be posted to states where conflict exists. It also further provides that members of the service who are posted to states where conflict exists or suddenly erupts may reject the posting.

 

To provide adequate security for all members of the Corps assigned to states for the duration of the service: the evacuation to safety and rehabilitation of members of the corps in states where conflict arises.

 

The Bill also seeks to provide that no corps member who has been duly posted to any Ministry, Department or Agency of Government shall be rejected by such public establishment.

 

 

6.    Confirmation of Ministerial Nominees with assigned Portfolios Bill 2015 (SB. 139) by Senator Suleiman Nazif (Bauchi North)

 

This Bill seeks for the President to attach Portfolios of ministerial nominees to their names before forwarding them to the National Assembly for screening and confirmation. The intent of the Bill is to ensure that national interest is protected in every transition to power and to strengthen government and ensure that round pegs are placed in round holes.

7.    Constituencies Development Catalyst Fund Bill, 2015 (SB. 103) by Senator Buhari Abdulfatai (Oyo North)


This Bill seeks to foster the creation of Constituency projects to ensure a minimum presence of government in every constituency by having some grassroots project sited in each, during the budgeting process. Legislators will merely require identifying projects that they wish to be sited in their constituencies for inclusion in the budget, with a financial ceiling for the budgetary provisions for such projects in each constituency.


8.    Renewable Energy Bill 2015 SB. 131 by Senator Stella Oduah (Anambra North)


Renewable energy has an important role to play in meeting the future energy needs in both rural and urban areas. The development and utilization of renewable energy should be given a high priority, especially in the light of increased awareness of the adverse environmental impacts of fossil-based generation. The need for sustainable energy is rapidly increasing in the world. A widespread use of renewable energy is important for achieving sustainability in the energy sectors in both developing and industrialized countries.

This Bill seeks to develop, promote and harness the Renewable Energy (RE) resources of the country and incorporate all viable ones into the national energy mix.


Also, the Bill further seeks to promote decentralized energy supply, especially in rural areas, based on RE resources; de-emphasize and discourage the use of wood as fuel; promote efficient methods in the use biomass energy resources and keep abreast of international developments in RE technologies and applications.


9.    Minerals and Mining Act, 2007 (Amendment) Bill, 2015 (SB. 138) by Senator Nneji Athan Achonu (Imo North)

This Act seeks to amend Minerals and Mining Act, 2007 Bill to vet in the state government ownership right of solid minerals found in their States.

10. Companies Income Tax Act (Amendment) Bill 2015 (SB. 140) by Senator Andy Emmanuel Uba (Anambra South)

This Bill seeks to amend the Companies Income Tax Act Cap C21 LFN 2004 to, among other things, make for tax incentives for economic growth and creation of employment opportunities and makes it more responsive to the tax reform policies of the Federal Government and enhances its implementation and effectiveness.

 
11. Communication Service Tax Bill, 2015 (SB. 164) by Senator Ali Ndume (Senate Leader)

 
Service tax, by the government, is a tax levied on service providers for certain service transactions, but is actually borne by the customers.

This bill seeks to levy service providers on certain service transactions.

In the past week, the inaugurations of the various standing committees of the Senate were concluded, among other bold steps taken by the 8th senate, in the period under review.

 

The Saraki-led senate is truly to be commended for the way and manner the committees were selected. Since the commencement of the fourth Republic and indeed the first time in the history of the composition of the various Senate Committees that the upper chamber has witnessed such show of maturity, unlike the confusion that was experienced at the lower chamber.  

 

It is also pertinent to know that most Committees of the Red Chamber, immediately after their inauguration, commenced their full legislative oversight functions.

SARAKI, SENATE COMMITTEES AND QUEST FOR EXCELLENCE

Source: Leadership

By Chuks Okocha

Friday November 27, 2015

With the last week completion of the various standing committees of the eighth senate, the members of the upper house in the National Assembly are about to commence their full legislative oversight functions.

Hitherto, the senators were carrying their oversight functions, while the selection committee of the senate was busy trying to ensure that members of the upper chamber are constituted in appropriate committees that would ensure that the round pegs are well placed in round holes.

Also, the constitution of senators into committees, presented the amiable Senate President, DR ABUBAKAR BUKOLA SARAKI in his true colour of a fair minded politician. This is because, it is the first time in the history of the constitution of the Senate Committees since the commencement of the fourth Republic that the upper chamber has witnessed less rancour.

The bruhaha noticed in the House of Representatives is an evident example of amity observed in the composition of the eighth senate committees.

Senators are full of praises of the sagacity and maturity displayed by the SARAKI led Senate. Even, those who had disagreed with him in the past agreed with the leadership qualities he exhibited by the Selection Committee.

In the past, senate presidents used the composition of the committees to settle political scores, but this is not in the character of SARAKI who believes that for this administration to make a head way, then square pegs must be fitted in square holes.

He has come to show that the era of politicking is over as the committees are the life wires for the senate oversight duties on the executive arm of government.

Accordingly, the Senate President, while inaugurating the committees, said, “The committee system is at the heart of our legislative processes and activities. It remains the veritable tool that a democratic legislature must rely on for some of its most important assignments including considering, shaping, and passing bills. The effectiveness of our ability to carry out our oversight functions and expose corruption squarely rests on the effectiveness of our committee systems”.

He further said, “It is in this context that you must therefore measure the importance and level of responsibility attached to your membership of these committees. I do not therefore need to remind you to take your assignments very seriously”

The President of the Senate said that in selecting senators into committees, their background experience, knowledge, passion and the highest standard of legislative competence that will help the eighth senate achieve its legislative agenda was the compelling force aside the need for balance. Thus, he said, “You have been chosen also because we have a great task ahead, to think outside the box. I expect that you will work to affirm this choice by discharging your duties diligently. In this regard, regular attendance to meetings cannot be overstressed”.

As a team player, which he is, SARAKI therefore said, “The leadership of all senate committees must take care to run an inclusive structure and avoid creating an impression that the affairs of the committee is a one-man show. This Senate will not tolerate such because it is against the spirit and commitment embodied in our legislative agenda which we have freely given to ourselves. “Again, the eighth Senate expects that you will immediately roll up your sleeves and face the work ahead”.

In tasking the Senators on the job ahead, Dr SARAKI said, “We also expect that you will treat all bills and reports referred to the committees expeditiously especially those relating to our legislative agenda. The same applies to all your oversight reports.”

He was also mindful of the ethical standards and behaviours of senators, when he said, “This eighth Senate takes ethics very seriously. It is my expectation that in all your dealings especially with government agencies, you will observe high esthetical standards in discharging your duties.”

“You must realize that you are a mirror that citizens will continuously cast their gaze upon. Your behaviour will determine to a large extent how the larger society will perceive every one of us. You must take care that you do not bring ethical questions upon this hallowed chambers. You must put this into consideration as you make your ethical choices while carrying out your duties.”

“Any committee member found in an ethically doubtful behaviour will be sanctioned by this Senate. I have also enjoined management and clerks to observe high standards of ethical behaviour in all their engagement with and for the committees especially on all oversight functions.”

“The Senate leadership today is willing and ready to support your committees with all that is needed to carry out its assignments including adequate funding. I expect you to be innovative and broadminded, learn and bring on board any relevant ingredient from outside jurisdictions that will enrich the quality and content of our law-making.”

The Senate President took time off to set agenda for all the Committees and what is expected of them.

Accordingly, Dr SARAKI, while inaugurating the Defence and other security related committees said, “Senate takes keen interest in the activities of these very unique committees for the obvious reasons that they are oversights on the critical security superstructure on which the nation’s territorial integrity rests.”

“May I use this opportunity therefore to salute the gallantry of our men and women who through sheer dedication and patriotism continue to wade off our nation’s enemies especially Boko Haram.”

“This Senate is alive to the enormity of the challenges faced by our military and wishes to once again reassure our men and women of valour of the unflinching support of the Senate and indeed the National Assembly to their welfare. As members of this committee, the Senate has charged you to spare nothing as you work closely with the various ministries and agents of government to ensure accountability and probity in the management of resources appropriated for our military. We owe it as a solemn duty to our nation that our military regains its foothold as a regional power and a formidable military force in the air, sea and land.”

For the Senate Committee on Police, SARAKI said, “As noted in our legislative agenda, this Senate is fully aware of the need to recalibrate the Nigeria Police to enable it fulfil its constitutional mandate to provide internal security for our teeming population. For a country of over 170m people, a 350,000 man police is grossly inadequate

SARAKI, SENATE COMMITTEES AND QUEST FOR EXCELLENCE

Source: Leadership

By Chuks Okocha

Friday November 27, 2015

With the last week completion of the various standing committees of the eighth senate, the members of the upper house in the National Assembly are about to commence their full legislative oversight functions.

Hitherto, the senators were carrying their oversight functions, while the selection committee of the senate was busy trying to ensure that members of the upper chamber are constituted in appropriate committees that would ensure that the round pegs are well placed in round holes.

Also, the constitution of senators into committees, presented the amiable Senate President, DR ABUBAKAR BUKOLA SARAKI in his true colour of a fair minded politician. This is because, it is the first time in the history of the constitution of the Senate Committees since the commencement of the fourth Republic that the upper chamber has witnessed less rancour.

The bruhaha noticed in the House of Representatives is an evident example of amity observed in the composition of the eighth senate committees.

Senators are full of praises of the sagacity and maturity displayed by the SARAKI led Senate. Even, those who had disagreed with him in the past agreed with the leadership qualities he exhibited by the Selection Committee.

In the past, senate presidents used the composition of the committees to settle political scores, but this is not in the character of SARAKI who believes that for this administration to make a head way, then square pegs must be fitted in square holes.

He has come to show that the era of politicking is over as the committees are the life wires for the senate oversight duties on the executive arm of government.

Accordingly, the Senate President, while inaugurating the committees, said, “The committee system is at the heart of our legislative processes and activities. It remains the veritable tool that a democratic legislature must rely on for some of its most important assignments including considering, shaping, and passing bills. The effectiveness of our ability to carry out our oversight functions and expose corruption squarely rests on the effectiveness of our committee systems”.

He further said, “It is in this context that you must therefore measure the importance and level of responsibility attached to your membership of these committees. I do not therefore need to remind you to take your assignments very seriously”

The President of the Senate said that in selecting senators into committees, their background experience, knowledge, passion and the highest standard of legislative competence that will help the eighth senate achieve its legislative agenda was the compelling force aside the need for balance. Thus, he said, “You have been chosen also because we have a great task ahead, to think outside the box. I expect that you will work to affirm this choice by discharging your duties diligently. In this regard, regular attendance to meetings cannot be overstressed”.

As a team player, which he is, SARAKI therefore said, “The leadership of all senate committees must take care to run an inclusive structure and avoid creating an impression that the affairs of the committee is a one-man show. This Senate will not tolerate such because it is against the spirit and commitment embodied in our legislative agenda which we have freely given to ourselves. “Again, the eighth Senate expects that you will immediately roll up your sleeves and face the work ahead”.

In tasking the Senators on the job ahead, Dr SARAKI said, “We also expect that you will treat all bills and reports referred to the committees expeditiously especially those relating to our legislative agenda. The same applies to all your oversight reports.”

He was also mindful of the ethical standards and behaviours of senators, when he said, “This eighth Senate takes ethics very seriously. It is my expectation that in all your dealings especially with government agencies, you will observe high esthetical standards in discharging your duties.”

“You must realize that you are a mirror that citizens will continuously cast their gaze upon. Your behaviour will determine to a large extent how the larger society will perceive every one of us. You must take care that you do not bring ethical questions upon this hallowed chambers. You must put this into consideration as you make your ethical choices while carrying out your duties.”

“Any committee member found in an ethically doubtful behaviour will be sanctioned by this Senate. I have also enjoined management and clerks to observe high standards of ethical behaviour in all their engagement with and for the committees especially on all oversight functions.”

“The Senate leadership today is willing and ready to support your committees with all that is needed to carry out its assignments including adequate funding. I expect you to be innovative and broadminded, learn and bring on board any relevant ingredient from outside jurisdictions that will enrich the quality and content of our law-making.”

The Senate President took time off to set agenda for all the Committees and what is expected of them.

Accordingly, Dr SARAKI, while inaugurating the Defence and other security related committees said, “Senate takes keen interest in the activities of these very unique committees for the obvious reasons that they are oversights on the critical security superstructure on which the nation’s territorial integrity rests.”

“May I use this opportunity therefore to salute the gallantry of our men and women who through sheer dedication and patriotism continue to wade off our nation’s enemies especially Boko Haram.”

“This Senate is alive to the enormity of the challenges faced by our military and wishes to once again reassure our men and women of valour of the unflinching support of the Senate and indeed the National Assembly to their welfare. As members of this committee, the Senate has charged you to spare nothing as you work closely with the various ministries and agents of government to ensure accountability and probity in the management of resources appropriated for our military. We owe it as a solemn duty to our nation that our military regains its foothold as a regional power and a formidable military force in the air, sea and land.”

For the Senate Committee on Police, SARAKI said, “As noted in our legislative agenda, this Senate is fully aware of the need to recalibrate the Nigeria Police to enable it fulfil its constitutional mandate to provide internal security for our teeming population. For a country of over 170m people, a 350,000 man police is grossly inadequate

SARAKI, SENATE COMMITTEES AND QUEST FOR EXCELLENCE

Source: Leadership

By Chuks Okocha

Friday November 27, 2015

With the last week completion of the various standing committees of the eighth senate, the members of the upper house in the National Assembly are about to commence their full legislative oversight functions.

Hitherto, the senators were carrying their oversight functions, while the selection committee of the senate was busy trying to ensure that members of the upper chamber are constituted in appropriate committees that would ensure that the round pegs are well placed in round holes.

Also, the constitution of senators into committees, presented the amiable Senate President, DR ABUBAKAR BUKOLA SARAKI in his true colour of a fair minded politician. This is because, it is the first time in the history of the constitution of the Senate Committees since the commencement of the fourth Republic that the upper chamber has witnessed less rancour.

The bruhaha noticed in the House of Representatives is an evident example of amity observed in the composition of the eighth senate committees.

Senators are full of praises of the sagacity and maturity displayed by the SARAKI led Senate. Even, those who had disagreed with him in the past agreed with the leadership qualities he exhibited by the Selection Committee.

In the past, senate presidents used the composition of the committees to settle political scores, but this is not in the character of SARAKI who believes that for this administration to make a head way, then square pegs must be fitted in square holes.

He has come to show that the era of politicking is over as the committees are the life wires for the senate oversight duties on the executive arm of government.

Accordingly, the Senate President, while inaugurating the committees, said, “The committee system is at the heart of our legislative processes and activities. It remains the veritable tool that a democratic legislature must rely on for some of its most important assignments including considering, shaping, and passing bills. The effectiveness of our ability to carry out our oversight functions and expose corruption squarely rests on the effectiveness of our committee systems”.

He further said, “It is in this context that you must therefore measure the importance and level of responsibility attached to your membership of these committees. I do not therefore need to remind you to take your assignments very seriously”

The President of the Senate said that in selecting senators into committees, their background experience, knowledge, passion and the highest standard of legislative competence that will help the eighth senate achieve its legislative agenda was the compelling force aside the need for balance. Thus, he said, “You have been chosen also because we have a great task ahead, to think outside the box. I expect that you will work to affirm this choice by discharging your duties diligently. In this regard, regular attendance to meetings cannot be overstressed”.

As a team player, which he is, SARAKI therefore said, “The leadership of all senate committees must take care to run an inclusive structure and avoid creating an impression that the affairs of the committee is a one-man show. This Senate will not tolerate such because it is against the spirit and commitment embodied in our legislative agenda which we have freely given to ourselves. “Again, the eighth Senate expects that you will immediately roll up your sleeves and face the work ahead”.

In tasking the Senators on the job ahead, Dr SARAKI said, “We also expect that you will treat all bills and reports referred to the committees expeditiously especially those relating to our legislative agenda. The same applies to all your oversight reports.”

He was also mindful of the ethical standards and behaviours of senators, when he said, “This eighth Senate takes ethics very seriously. It is my expectation that in all your dealings especially with government agencies, you will observe high esthetical standards in discharging your duties.”

“You must realize that you are a mirror that citizens will continuously cast their gaze upon. Your behaviour will determine to a large extent how the larger society will perceive every one of us. You must take care that you do not bring ethical questions upon this hallowed chambers. You must put this into consideration as you make your ethical choices while carrying out your duties.”

“Any committee member found in an ethically doubtful behaviour will be sanctioned by this Senate. I have also enjoined management and clerks to observe high standards of ethical behaviour in all their engagement with and for the committees especially on all oversight functions.”

“The Senate leadership today is willing and ready to support your committees with all that is needed to carry out its assignments including adequate funding. I expect you to be innovative and broadminded, learn and bring on board any relevant ingredient from outside jurisdictions that will enrich the quality and content of our law-making.”

The Senate President took time off to set agenda for all the Committees and what is expected of them.

Accordingly, Dr SARAKI, while inaugurating the Defence and other security related committees said, “Senate takes keen interest in the activities of these very unique committees for the obvious reasons that they are oversights on the critical security superstructure on which the nation’s territorial integrity rests.”

“May I use this opportunity therefore to salute the gallantry of our men and women who through sheer dedication and patriotism continue to wade off our nation’s enemies especially Boko Haram.”

“This Senate is alive to the enormity of the challenges faced by our military and wishes to once again reassure our men and women of valour of the unflinching support of the Senate and indeed the National Assembly to their welfare. As members of this committee, the Senate has charged you to spare nothing as you work closely with the various ministries and agents of government to ensure accountability and probity in the management of resources appropriated for our military. We owe it as a solemn duty to our nation that our military regains its foothold as a regional power and a formidable military force in the air, sea and land.”

For the Senate Committee on Police, SARAKI said, “As noted in our legislative agenda, this Senate is fully aware of the need to recalibrate the Nigeria Police to enable it fulfil its constitutional mandate to provide internal security for our teeming population. For a country of over 170m people, a 350,000 man police is grossly inadequate

CLARIFICATION ON SP SUGGESTION BOXES 

The attention of the Media Office of the Senate President has been drawn to comments regarding the launch of the "Speak to SP Suggestion Boxes" at various points of the National Assembly.  

With the efforts of the Senate to promote the two-way interaction between Nigerians and their representatives in the 8th Senate, Senators launched the suggestion boxes in order to allow staff and visitors to the National Assembly  to submit internal recommendations on improvements that can be made at the National Assembly. Additionally, the suggestion boxes are a physical component of the online approach being adopted by the Senate to receive feedback from Nigerians.

 

Many will remember that earlier this month, the Senate President sent a message to Nigerians seeking their participation in the formulation of the legislative agenda of the 8th Senate. Many of the credible and practicable recommendations that were submitted online were taken into account, and the Senate adopted them in drafting its legislative agenda. 



Additionally, it would be important to state that there was no ceremony to mark the launching of the suggestion boxes. The Senate President was only accompanied by some of his colleagues for a symbolic ribbon-cutting meant to mark the introduction of the boxes at the National Assembly complex. The speech that was released to the press, was the statement the Senate President was meant to have delivered at the launch. However, as the ribbon-cutting lasted less than five minutes, the speech was skipped all together.

 

We hope that the staff and visitors to the National Assembly will take advantage of these suggestion boxes, as it will strengthen effective communication between the leadership of the National Assembly and the staff that serve as the engine behind all its activities.

 

Signed 

Bamikole Omishore 
Special Assistant, New Media

CLARIFICATION ON SP SUGGESTION BOXES 

The attention of the Media Office of the Senate President has been drawn to comments regarding the launch of the "Speak to SP Suggestion Boxes" at various points of the National Assembly.  

With the efforts of the Senate to promote the two-way interaction between Nigerians and their representatives in the 8th Senate, Senators launched the suggestion boxes in order to allow staff and visitors to the National Assembly  to submit internal recommendations on improvements that can be made at the National Assembly. Additionally, the suggestion boxes are a physical component of the online approach being adopted by the Senate to receive feedback from Nigerians.

 

Many will remember that earlier this month, the Senate President sent a message to Nigerians seeking their participation in the formulation of the legislative agenda of the 8th Senate. Many of the credible and practicable recommendations that were submitted online were taken into account, and the Senate adopted them in drafting its legislative agenda. 



Additionally, it would be important to state that there was no ceremony to mark the launching of the suggestion boxes. The Senate President was only accompanied by some of his colleagues for a symbolic ribbon-cutting meant to mark the introduction of the boxes at the National Assembly complex. The speech that was released to the press, was the statement the Senate President was meant to have delivered at the launch. However, as the ribbon-cutting lasted less than five minutes, the speech was skipped all together.

 

We hope that the staff and visitors to the National Assembly will take advantage of these suggestion boxes, as it will strengthen effective communication between the leadership of the National Assembly and the staff that serve as the engine behind all its activities.

 

Signed 

Bamikole Omishore 
Special Assistant, New Media