Category: Legislative

Senate asks Ag.IGP, security agencies to investigate Ebonyi killings

Emporium Reporters

The Senate has called on the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the killings and kidnapping of citizens in Ebonyi state by alleged herdsmen. The upper chamber made the call amid resolutions reached, sequel to the consideration of a motion brought to the floor by Senator Sam Egwu (PDP, Ebonyi North) during plenary on Wednesday. Coming under order 42 and 52 of the Senate Rules, Egwu, in the motion titled: “urgent need for the federal government’s intervention to end the serial killing…

Senate confirms Shaba as NASRDA DG

Emporium Reporters

The Senate has confirmed the appointment of Dr. Halilu Ahmad Shaba as the Director General, National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA).   Shaba’s confirmation followed the consideration of a report by the Senate Committee on Science and Technology.   In her presentation, Chairman of the Committee, Senator Uche Lilian Ekwunife, said although the Committee did not receive any petition against Shaba’s nomination from any member of the Space Council, the few received from some groups were not substantiated with verifiable evidence.   According to the lawmaker, Shaba showed evidence…

Senate urges NEMA to provide relief to windstorm victims in Benue

Emporium Reporters

The Senate on Wednesday, urged the National Emergency Management Agency to, as a matter of urgency, mobilize resources to supply relief and rehabilitation materials to victims of windstorm in several communities in Benue State. The call on the Agency was made by the upper chamber after a motion was brought to the floor by Senator representing Benue South in the National Assembly, Abba Moro. The lawmaker relied on Order 42 and 52 of the Senate Standing Rules to present his motion titled: “Urgent Need to Buffer The Corollaries of Windstorm…

Senate suspends plenary over death of N’Assembly members 

Emporium Reporters

The Senate, on Tuesday, upon resumption from its two weeks recess, adjourned plenary till Wednesday, 14th March, 2021, over the recent death of two members of the National Assembly. This was just as the upper chamber held a minute silence in honour of both lawmakers who were members of the House of Representatives. The decision to suspend plenary was carried out in line with the tradition of the National Assembly, following a motion moved by the Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi, and seconded by the Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe. Moving the…

President Buhari to submit supplementary budget to boost security – Lawan …says elites behind push to divide Nigeria 

Emporium Reporters

President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari would later this month submit a supplementary budget to the National Assembly to request for more funds to tackle insecurity across parts of the country.   Lawan made the disclosure while speaking to journalists in his home town Gashua on Saturday.   According to him, the National Assembly would stop at nothing to ensure that normalcy and security is restored to states faced by challenges such as kidnapping, insurgency, banditry and militancy.   He said: “About the issue…

Drug abuse: N’Assembly won’t allow degeneration of our values, says Lawan 

Emporium Reporters

President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has said that the National Assembly is focused on strengthening regulatory mechanisms to ensure that our values as Nigerians do not suffer degeneration as a result of drug abuse.   Lawan made this known in a keynote address delivered to declare open a Public Hearing on the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency Act 2004.   The Senate President who was represented at the event by the Chairman, Committee on Health, Senator Yahaya Ibrahim Oloriegbe (APC, Kwara Central), said the issue of drug abuse in…

Senate seeks to establish fund for families of dead military, security personnel   …adjourns till April 13, 2021

Emporium Reporters

The Senate, on Wednesday, considered a bill seeking to establish a fund specifically to cater for the welfare of families of dead military and security personnel.   The bill for an Act to Establish the Families of Fallen Servicemen Support Fund, was sponsored by Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South).   Leading debate on the bill, the lawmaker said, the piece of legislation, would, among other things, establish a Fund to be known as ’The Families of Fallen Serviceman Support Fund’ into which shall be paid all monies prescribed under…

How my brother suddenly got missing at Kuje police station – Witness

Emporium Reporters

A witness at the IIP-SARS, Mrs Kate Okwor on Wednesday narrated before the panel how her senior brother, Jude Onunze got missing at Kuje police station in Abuja after his brother’s friend reported him to the police station on 1st of January, 2009. Kate who testified in support of the petitioner, family of Jude Onunze, told the panel that Jude called her on phone when he was arrested and taken to the police station and that on reaching there; she was informed that one John, his brother’s friend brought a…

House of Reps begins Public Hearing on alleged malpractices in foreign affairs ministry …  as Hon.Yusuf Buba Yakub says world sees Nigeria through the ministry

Emporium Reporters

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila on Tuesday declared open A Two-day Public Hearing on “Incessant Malpractices Associated with Diplomatic Postings in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”   He said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs among other things have the responsibility of designing and framing the way the world sees Nigeria, hence all efforts should be made to ensure there is no tragedy.   The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, Ministr of State, Foreign Affairs, Zubairu Dada, Comptroller General, Nigerian Immigration Servic, Muhammed Babandede and…

Bill to establish Armed Forces Service Commission suffers setback in Senate 

Emporium Reporters

A bill seeking the establishment of Armed Forces Service Commission on Wednesday was stepped down after generating mixed feelings amongst Senators during plenary.   The bill was sponsored by the Minority Leader, Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe (PDP, Abia South).   Leading debate on the bill, Abaribe said the piece of legislation seek to get the National Assembly to give effect to the clear provisions of section 219 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.   Advancing arguments in support of the bill, Abaribe opined that, “the Armed…