Category: Legislative

Lawan, Gbajabiamila fault SIP implementation, want the scheme backed by law

Emporium Reporters

The leadership of the National Assembly has faulted the way the Social Investment Programme of the Federal Government is being implemented and called for an enabling legislation in line with global best practices. The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila made their reservations about the scheme at a meeting held on Tuesday with the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouq and some top officials of the Ministry. The meeting was attended…

COVID-19: FG seeks N’Assembly’s approval for N500bn Intervention Fund

Emporium Reporters

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed on Saturday met with the leadership of the National Assembly to intimate it with an Executive proposal to establish a N500 billion COVID-19 Crisis Intervention Fund. Mrs Zainab, with senior officials from her ministry, held the meeting with the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila. The meeting which held at the National Assembly was also attended by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, Deputy Speaker, Hon. Idris Wase…

COVID-19: Lawan urges FG to provide relief for poor Nigerians  …says relevant committees will ensure strict application of N6.5 billion by NCDC

Emporium Reporters

President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, has called on the Federal Government to immediately devise ways of providing relief for poor Nigerians whose daily livelihood will be affected as a result of the restriction on movement due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Lawan made the appeal against the backdrop of a meeting between the leadership of the National Assembly and some Ministers and Heads of Government Agencies on Wednesday in Abuja. According to the Senate President, besides mulling a total lockdown of business activities in the country, a plan…

Lawan, Gbajabiamila meet Ministers,others on planned 2020 budget review

Emporium Reporters

The Leadership of the National Assembly on Wednesday held a meeting with some Ministers and Heads of agencies from the Executive arm of Government to brainstorm on the impact of Coronavirus pandemic on the Nigerian economy. The meeting specifically touched on the planned review of the 2020 budget and Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper passed late last year by the National Assembly. The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, who presided over the meeting, in his opening remarks said that an immediate review of the 2020 budget…

COVID-19: N’Assembly adjourns for two weeks …observes a minute silence for deceased lawmaker, Rose Oko

Emporium Reporters

The National Assembly on Tuesday adjourned plenary for two weeks to resume April 7, 2020. The resolution was reached during a closed session by the Upper Chamber, and announced by the President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan, after a closed meeting by Senators which lasted about 40 minutes. Lawan, while giving details into what transpired during the closed door session, said lawmakers unanimously agreed that the National Assembly adjourn plenary for a period of two weeks due to the Coronavirus pandemic which has led to most countries shutting down…

Drama as Journalists boycott Senate briefing over COVID-19 scare

Emporium Reporters

Some Journalists covering the National Assembly, on Tuesday shunned the press briefing undertaken by the Senate Spokesman, Senator Godiya Akwashiki. This was not unconnected to the rumour that about 10 Senators had tested positive to the dreaded Corona Virus, known as COVID-19. The red chamber had shut down plenary for 2 weeks, following its resolution after a closed door session which lasted for an hour on Tuesday. Drama, however, started when the Senate Spokesman arrived at the Senate Press centre for a routine media chat and journalists started rushing out…

Senate President mourns Senator Rose Oko

Emporium Reporters

President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has received with shock the news of the death of Senator Rose Oko, who until her death, was the Chairperson, Senate Committee on Trade and Investment. Senator Oko, who represented Cross River North Senatorial District at the Senate, died on Monday at a medical facility in the United Kingdom where she was receiving treatment. Lawan commiserated with the deceased Senator’s family and the loved ones she left behind. The Senate President also condoled with the people and government of Cross River State over this…

Nigeria Senate loses another Senator

Emporium Reporters

The 9th Senate has lost three members in a space of three months, with the death of Senator Rose Oko, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Cross River North, last night. Oko, who as the Chairman, Senate Committee on Trade and Investment, died  at a UK medical facility at the age of 63. The late Senator, who was one of the female lawmakers at the Hallowed Chamber was elected into office as the first female Senator from her Senatorial District in June 2015 in the 8th Senate and was re-elected in 2019.…

Senate mulls debate for Presidential, Governorship candidates

Emporium Reporters

The Senate on Thursday began amendment to the Electoral Act to introduce electoral debate as a requirement to be fulfilled by candidates of political parties seeking to contest Presidential and Governorship elections in Nigeria. Sponsor of the Electoral Act Amendment bill 2020 (SB.176), Senator Abdulfatai Buhari (APC – Oyo North), in his lead debate said if passed by the National Assembly, the piece of legislation will put an end to voting based on ethnic and religious allegiances in the country. He added that when signed into law by President Muhammadu…

COVID-19: Senate suspends hearings, shuts public gallery

Emporium Reporters

President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan, on Thursday announced the decision of the Senate to suspend public hearings and restrict access to its chamber over growing concerns of Coronavirus (COVID-19) spread in the country. The announcement came after the Senate embarked on a closed session at the resumption of plenary to deliberate on the devastating impact which a spread of the disease may cause in the absence of preventive measures. “The Senate resolves to suspend all public hearings till further notice as a result of the Coronavirus, COVID-19. “In…