Tag: Senate

Senate passes bill to enact Arbitration and Mediation Act, three others for concurrence

Emporium Reporters

The Senate, on Tuesday, passed a bill to enact the Arbitration and Mediation Act to provide for a unified legal framework for the settlement of commercial disputes.   Also passed were there other bills for concurrence from the House of Representatives by the chamber after a clause-by-clause consideration by the Committee of the Whole.   The bills include: Federal Medical Centre Ogoja, Cross-River State (Establishment) Bill, 2022; Federal Medical Centre Igboora, Oyo State (Establishment) Bill, 2021; and Advertising Regulatory Council Bill, 2022.   The four bills for concurrence were sponsored…

ASUU strike: Senate ‘ll bring back FG/ASUU to negotiation table – Senate President …. Urges students to avoid confrontation

Emporium Reporters

The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan said on Tuesday that the Senate will intervene in the lingering dispute between the Federal government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities(ASUU) by bringing back the two parties to the negotiation table.   Lawan made the promise to the officials of the National Association of Nigerian Students(NANS) who were led to his office by a concerned Methodist Bishop, Dr. Sunday Ndukwo Onuoha.   The NANS President, Sunday Asefon who spoke for his other colleagues lamented their continued stay at home and disruption…

Senate mourns Arthur Nzeribe’s demise, observes a minute silence

Emporium Reporters

The Senate, on Tuesday, observed a minute silence to mourn the demise of Senator Arthur Nzeribe.   The first republic politician and former lawmaker who represented Imo West Senatorial District, died on Sunday at the age of 83.   The news of his death was brought to the floor by Senator Rochas Okorocha (APC, Imo West), following a point of order raised at plenary.   Rising on order 42, Okorocha informed his colleagues of the death of the former lawmaker after a protracted illness.   He noted that the late…

2023: Amosun writes Senate, to declare for President May 5

Emporium Reporters

The Senate has received an invitation from Senator Ibikunle Amosun, representing Ogun Central, to his formal declaration to contest for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.   The invitation was extended to the upper chamber in a letter dated 25th April, 2022, and read at plenary by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan.   According to Amosun, the event which is scheduled to take place on the 5th of May, 2022, would hold at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, at 11 a.m (NGT).   The…

Senate wants Akassa Slave Trade Centre upgraded to National Museum

Emporium Reporters

The Senate has urged the National Commission for Museum and Monuments to upgrade the Akassa Slave Trade Centre to a National Slave Trade Museum.   The call was contained in a resolution reached by the Senate, sequel to the consideration of a motion to that effect.   The motion was entitled, “The need to establish National Museum at the Akassa Slave Trade Centre in Bayelsa State to preserve National Heritage.”   The motion was sponsored by Senator Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo (Bayelsa East).   The lawmaker, in his presentation, noted that Akassa…

Illegal refinery: Senate mourns death of 110 persons at explosion site in Imo

Emporium Reporters

The Senate, Wednesday, mourned the deaths of those killed by an explosion at the site of an illegal refinery in Abaezi community, Ohagi-Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State on Friday, April 22, 2022.   The decision to do so was reached sequel to a point of order raised by Senator Rochas Okorocha representing Imo West Senatorial District.   Okorocha, while relying on order 42 of the Senate Standing Order, 2022 as amended, informed his colleagues during plenary that the incident led to the death of 110 persons.   According…

Senate amends Terrorism Act, prohibits payment of ransom to kidnappers ….. adjourns plenary till May 10

Emporium Reporters

The Senate has passed a bill seeking to amend the Terrorism (Prevention) Act, 2013, and to prohibit the payment of ransom to kidnappers in Nigeria.   The passage of the Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2013 (Amendment) Bill, 2022, followed the consideration of a report by the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters.   The report was laid by the Committee’s Chairman, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), before consideration.   Bamidele, in his presentation, said the bill seek to outlaw the payment of ransom to abductors, kidnappers and terrorist…

Senate amends bills to establish Counselling Practitioners Council, Agriculture University in Jalingo

Emporium Reporters

The Senate, on Wednesday, amended and passed a bill seeking to establish the Counselling Practitioners Council of Nigeria.   Also passed was a bill to establish the Federal University of Agriculture, Jalingo.   The passage of both bills followed their re-committal to the Committee of the Whole for consideration.   The motion for re-committal was sponsored by the Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi (APC, Kebbi North).   The Senate Leader, in his presentation recalled that the bills were passed by the Senate and House of Representatives and were transmitted to the…

Senate adjourns over death of Akwa Ibom Rep, Ekpenyong Bassey

Emporium Reporters

The Senate, on Tuesday, adjourned plenary till Wednesday, April 27, 2022, over the death of Hon. Ekpenyong Nse Bassey.   Bassey, until his death, was Member representing Oron Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State in the House of Representatives.   The upper chamber adjourned plenary upon resumption from a one-week recess to mark the Easter celebration.   The sitting on Tuesday was presided over by the Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege (Delta Central).   The motion for adjournment was moved by the Deputy Leader, Ajayi Boroffice, and seconded…

Senate confirms four nominees as NUPRC Commissioners

Emporium Reporters

The Senate has confirmed the nominations of four Executive Commissioners of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).   The confirmation of the nominees followed the consideration of a report by the Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream).   The report was laid by Senator Patrick Akinyelure.   Those confirmed include Dr. Nuhu Habib (North West – Kano State), Executive Commissioner, Development and Production; and Dr. Kelechi Onyekachi Ofoegbu (South-East, Imo State), Executive Commissioner, Economic Regulations and Strategic Planning.   Others were Capt. Tonlagha Roland John (South-South, Delta State), Executive Commissioner,…