Welcome to a new Legislative Day in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, CON, Ph.D, led the Principal Officers into the Chambers, took the official prayers and began the day’s proceedings at 10:33am.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS
Senator Betty Apiafi moved for the adoption of Votes and Proceedings for Tuesday, 13th April, 2021.
The motion was seconded by Senator Tolu Odebiyi.
PETITIONS
Senator Ayo Akinyelure presented nine petitions from the Office of the President of the Senate.
- Petition from Comrade Nnamdi A. Onuka of Academic Union of Research Institutions against one Mr. Shama and the Hon. Minister of Science and Technology;
- Petition from High chief Jackson against the Presidential Amnesty Office to integrate more than 4000 ex-militant in the Niger Delta Region;
- Petition from Dr. M. F Zabi and five other Deputy Directors of the Department of Petroleum Resources against the Hon. Minister of Petroleum Resources concerning premature retirement;
- Petition from Samuel Olusola against Nigerian Immigration Service over unlawful dismissal and breach of fundamental human rights;
- Petition against the Nigerian Army over unlawful dismissal of 16 soldiers;
- Petition against the Nigerian Army over unprofessional conduct and torture meted out against an officer of the Nigerian Army;
- Petition from Rotimi Jacobs against FAAN over wrongful acquisition of a property of 400 plots;
- Petition from Ahmed Suleiman against Ahmed Aliyu over non-compliance with civil service procedures; and one other.
Petitions were laid and referred to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Privileges and to report back within four weeks.
Senator Hezekiah Dimka cited Order 43 to inform the Senate on the demise of Senator Satty Davies Godwim, who served as the Senator representing Plateau Central Senatorial District between the years 2007 to 2011.
Senate observed a minute silence in his honour.
Senator ID Gyang cited Order 43 to seek the leave of the Senate to move a motion on the attack and killing of his constituents in Plateau North.
Senate observed a minute silence in honour of the citizens of Nigeria who lost their lives to the gruesome attack.
Senator Sam Egwu cited Order 42 and 52 to seek the leave of the Senate to present a motion on the Urgent Need of Federal Government’s intervention to end the killings of innocent citizens in Ebonyi State by alleged herdsmen.
Senator Chukwuka Utazi seconded.
Senate resolved to:
i. Condemn the activities of the alleged herdsmen leading to wanton destruction of lives and properties;
ii. Observe a minute silence in honour of the victims of the various attacks in the community of Ebonyi State;
iii. Direct the Nigeria Police and other relevant security agencies to carry out comprehensive investigations on this dastardly attacks and to promptly arrest and prosecute the perpetrators as well as recue kidnapped victims that are still held captive;
iv. Urge the Federal Government and Ebonyi State to put appropriate measures in place to forestall further attacks
v. Request the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to immediately intervene through the provision of relief materials to the families of the victims and displaced persons in the affected communities.
Senator Abba Moro cited Order 42 and 52 to seek the leave of the senate to present a motion on the windstorm that ravaged two local government areas in Benue South Senatorial District
Senator Michael Nnachi seconded.
Senate resolved to:
i. Urge the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to as a matter of urgency mobilize resources to supply relief and rehabilitator materials to the communities to mitigate the sufferings of those affected by the windstorm;
ii. Urge relevant government agencies to quickly go in and support the rebuilding of the affected public buildings;
iii. Further urge relevant government agencies to take their presence to the Benue South Senatorial District to sensitize the people on measures to be taken to protect themselves and their properties from damages occasioned by this perennial calamity that annually befall them.
Senator Yusuf A. Yusuf cited Order 42 to seek the endorsement of the Senate to present his motion the next legislative day.
Senator Nora Daduut cited Order 42 to seek the endorsement of the Senate to present his motion the next legislative day.
PRESENTATION OF BILLS FOR FIRST READING
- Coins Act Cap C16 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 627) by Senator Abdulfatai Buhari
Coins Act Cap C16 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 627) was read the First Time.
- Public Interest Disclosure and Complaints (Enactment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 644) by Senator Suleiman Kwari
Public Interest Disclosure and Complaints (Enactment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 644) was read the First Time.
- Information Communication Technology University (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 659) by Senator Yakubu Oseni
Information Communication Technology University (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 659) was read the First Time.
- National Burns and Rehabilitation Centre (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 676) by Senator Tolulope Odebiyi
National Burns and Rehabilitation Centre (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 676) was read the First Time.
- National Youth Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 686) by Senator Yusuf A. Yusuf
National Youth Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 686) was read the First Time.
PRESENTATION AND CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS
- Report of the Committee on Science and Technology
Confirmation of the Nomination of Mr. Halilu Ahmad Shaba for Appointment as Director General of the National Space Research and Development Agency by Senator Uche Ekwunife
Senator Uche Ekwunife moved that the Senate do receive and consider the report of the Committee on Science and Technology on the Confirmation of the Nomination of Mr. Halilu Ahmad Shaba for Appointment as Director General of the National Space Research and Development Agency.
Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi seconded.
Senator Uche Ekwunife laid and presented the report.
“I am a member of this Committee. I was the pioneer Director General of this agency where I served for ten years. Dr. Shaba is capable of re-engineering the agency and bringing back its lost glory. I have worked with him, he is intelligent, a team player and he is completely detribalize. I appeal to my colleagues to please support the recommendation of this Committee.” – Senator Ajayi Borrofice
Senate resolved to Committee of the Whole to consider the report.
Senate reverted to Plenary to report progress.
The Nomination of Mr. Halilu Ahmad Shaba was CONFIRMED as the Director General of the National Space Research and Development Agency.
- Report of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development National Food Reserve Agency (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 189) by Senator Abdullahi Adamu
Senator Abdullahi Adamu moved that the Senate do receive and consider the report of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development on the National Food Reserve Agency (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 189).
Senator Bima Mohammed Enagi seconded.
Senator Abdullahi Adamu laid and presented the report.
Senate resolved to Committee of the Whole to consider the report.
Senate reverted to Plenary to report progress.
National Food Reserve Agency (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 189) was read the THIRD TIME and PASSED.
ADJOURNMENT
Senate Leader moved that all other items on the Order Paper be suspended to another legislative day.
Minority Leader seconded.
Plenary was adjourned to Tuesday, 20th April, 2021.
Signed
New Media Unit
Office of the President of the Senate
Federal Republic of Nigeria
