Ease of Doing Business: Saraki Charges Technical Committee on CAMA, ISA

 By Sunny Anderson Osiebe

 

Senate President,  Dr. Abubakar Saraki has inaugurated an 18-man Technical Committee on the amendment of the  Company and Allied Matters Act (CAMA)  and the Investment and Security Act (ISA) with a charge to improve the ease of doing business in the country.

The Senate President also urged the Committee to work out modalities to halt the  exodus of manufacturing companies from Nigeria to neighbouring countries due to harsh business environment.

He enjoined the technical committee to ensure that  through the amendments of the CAMA and ISA to becomes a veritable instrument for economic diversification and job creation. 

In a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Print Media, Chuks Okocha, the Senate President said: "Men and women with business ideas should be able to register and incorporate their companies without hassles and delay. 

"For  every business that we start,  our nation benefits from employment,  revenue generation, products and services to better our lives and enterprises that will help drive and reinforce our claims of being the fastest growing economy on the continent.  This is were we want to see the Nigerian economy," he said.

He noted that making the nation's business environment competitive is the right thing to do in growing the economy as the Senate in collaboration with the private sector had identified the business environment as one of the major impediments to doing business in the country.

He stated that a detailed list was developed following the launch of the National Assembly Business Environment Round-table (NASSBER) last year which undertook a comprehensive review of the institutional, regulatory, legislative and associated instruments impeding Nigerian business. 

Saraki said that through the collaborative process, a report was presented that identified the need to review 54 Acts and 50 bills that need to be passed, of which the 13 including the CAMA and ISA were designated priority.

 He said that the NASSBER report identified these two laws as critical to the business environment, complimentary to one another and catalyst for the creation, innovation and sustainability or enterprises.

He said: "A reform of these laws is of utmost importance and that is why, in keeping with our commitment to employing the right resources at our disposal in developing the right legislation for our economy, we are constituting you - experts in the field,  regulators,  operators and practitioners alike, into a technical committee to neutrally apply your experience to advice the Senate through relevant committees on the best legislative

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options to enhance th

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  quality or these bills."

In her response,  the leader of the committee, Mrs. Ozofu Ogiemudia, pledged to justify the confidence reposed in them by the Senate as they are abreast with the difficulties encountered in doing business in Nigeria. 

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Senate/Executive feud may linger despite SGF Lawal’s suspension

By Sunny Anderson Osiebe

The ongoing peace talks between the Senate and the Executive may still be deadlocked, despite the suspension of Secretary to Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal.
Lawal who was part of the issues that drew the lawmakers’ wrath against the executive is regarded as a minor part of the grudge against the presidency.
The major bone of contention is the tenure of the head of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Mr Ibrahim Magu.
However, a number of lawmakers, including Chairman of the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Mounting Humanitarian Crises in the North-East, Sen. Shehu Sani, applauded the suspension of the SGF by President Muhammadu Buhari.
According to him, “It’s commendable for the president to heed the call to fumigate the throne of lice and bugs with the same ability he goes after rodents afar”.
On its part, the Senate which spoke through the Vice Chairman, Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Ben Murray-Bruce, PDP, Bayelsa State, said: “The suspension is a step in the right direction, I am a member of the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Mounting Humanitarian Crisis in the North-East. Buhari is doing the right thing, he should be commended. It is a right step in the right direction.”
It yet to be seen how the latest development will impact on the ongoing peace talks between both arms of government as on Thursday, March 28, the Senate had mandated its President, Bukola Saraki, to meet with President Buhari to come up ways of resolving the feud between it and the Executive Arm of Government.
The decision of the Senate, followed its rejection of a list of Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs), forwarded to it by President Buhari. The lawmakers had contended that the names will not be confirmed until President Buhari removes Magu as the Acting Chairman of the EFCC.
Ripples Nigeria reliably learnt that Saraki, in company of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara and All Progressives Congress (APC) principal officers of both chambers met with President Buhari.
The meeting was held two days after Senate arrived at the decision. That is specifically on the 30th of March. The following week, Saraki, in company of the Senate Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan, met with the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo to resolve the feud.
The Vice President, Professor Osinbajo, currently heads the peace committee, set up by President Buhari to reconcile with the National Assembly. Former lawmakers who are Ministers are also members of the committee.
At the end of the second meeting, both parties could not strike a deal. It was learnt that Professor Osinbajo, acting on the instruction of President Buhari, told Saraki and his team that two key actors in the centre of the feud, who are members of the Executive, namely, Comptroller-General of Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Col. Hameed Ali and EFCC boss, Magu, will not be reprimanded.
Saraki, also acting on the instructions of his colleagues, told Vice President Osinbajo that lawmakers were not ready to back down until Magu was relieved of his position.

The meeting, it was learnt, ended in a deadlock. The last meeting held few days before the Senate went on its Easter break, was between Buhari and Saraki, after a Jumat Prayer at the Presidential Mosque.
The Customs boss and Magu, were both at the Presidential Villa, when Saraki and Buhari met behind closed doors, Ripples Nigeria gathered.
It was learnt that the duo decided to allow the leadership of APC, to handle the reconciliation process, since it was a neutral party in the whole saga.
Saraki, unable to brief lawmakers penultimate Tuesday, decided to hold a meeting with principal officers of the Senate, drawn from APC and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Heads of state and geopolitical zones’ caucuses were also in attendance at the meeting. It was agreed that the Senate will formally take a position on the issue and whether or not it will allow the leadership of APC to mediate in the saga.
Media aides to the Senate President, contacted to speak on the issue, declined to comment.

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Dogara settles patients’ bill

By Sunny Anderson Osiebe

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, on Friday spent N3.76 million to settle bills of patients at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi.
The bills of N1.26 million for five patients with critical issues were settled while N2.5 million dropped with the hospital’s management to cover the bills of other patients.
Out of the critical cases, N500, 000 was paid for a cancer patient, N300, 000 for an orthopaedic case, N200, 000 each for a policeman with gunshot injury and an unsettled bill, and N60, 000 for a man with renal problem.
Dogara, who made the gesture during a visit to hospital, said he was there to assess the quality of facilities and to assist indigent patients.
He said that the settlement of the bills was with the assistance of some his colleagues, who had concern for patients in need.
“We came to assess the quality of facilities here to see where we can assist. As lawmakers, we appropriate funds for Federal Government agencies and the visit is to identify areas we can assist.
“I want to say that with the contribution from some of my colleagues, I will settle the bills of some of the cases we came across”.
Dogara said that visit to the hospital was part of his tour of projects in his constituency “and to thank the people of the state for their support’’.
Receiving the speaker, the acting Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Abubakar Kadas, said that the institution has been facing financial difficulties in providing its services.
He commended the speaker for picking the bills of the patients, and for his continued support to the hospital.
Kadas stated that the management of the hospital would continue to count on the House of Representatives for necessary assistance.
One of the patients, Mr Ismaila Sule, said that he was glad for the speaker’s visit and intervention.
He appealed to other politicians to emulate him.
Some members of the National Assembly, including Sen. Suleiman Nazif, Sen. Ali Wakili, Rep. Halliru Jika, Ossy Prestige, Edward Pwajok, Hassan Saleh and Benjamin Iorember accompanied the speaker on the visit.

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How to Enhance Jobs Creation Through ICT, By Saraki​

By Sunny Anderson Osiebe

President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has stressed the importance of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in transforming Nigeria’s economy and creating more job opportunities for the nation’s youth.

In a press statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki in a discussion with some visiting foreign dignitaries stated that developing an open and competitive ICT marketplace in Nigeria has the potential of contributing billions of dollars to our nation’s GDP.

“Nigeria’s ICT sector accounted for only 11 percent  of our GDP in 2014. In an era where we are looking to diversify the foundation of our economy, in 2017, ICT can be a key source of potential revenue and livelihoods for millions of our enterprising youth. But the only way this will be possible is if we augment the regulatory and political attention that we devote to the sector,” the Senate President said.

“Nigerians are keen to adopt new information and communications technology in their workplaces and homes, to make life easier, better and more productive for them,” Saraki said, “Nigeria’s ICT space is fast-evolving and is the largest in Africa. With 86 million Nigerians online, the increasing proliferation of tech clusters and the growth of cross-border ICT services, we need to change the way that we think about ICT in Nigeria. We can’t stop thinking locally, but we need to start acting globally.”

“We need to figure out how to push more Nigerian tech companies -- many of whom are run by young men and women -- to be competitive in the global marketplace. We also need to increase access to cheaper ICT solutions to our MSMEs that contribute 47 percent to our nation’s GDP. Most importantly, we need to develop our human resources by strengthening our school curriculum to reinforce Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) learning and adoption. There are many issues to be solved, but will sufficient cooperation, all stakeholders, public and private, can work together to harness the potential of ICT in Nigeria,” he said.

The Senate President also emphasised the need to build on Nigeria’s current ICT foundation, in order to utilize ICT and ICT services in order to positively make impact on the daily lives of everyday Nigerian. 

In June 2017, the Senate President's Office is scheduled to host a CEO Roundtable featuring Nigeria's leading ICT executives, where the discussion will focus on issues that are particular to Nigeria’s ICT development.

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Ekweremadu Mourns Senator Adeleke

By Sunny Anderson Osiebe

 

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has expressed shock and deep sense of loss over the death of the Senator representing Osun West Senatorial District, Senator Isiaka Adeleke.

Ekweremadu, who described the deceased as a perfect gentleman and patriot, noted that the incident was a grave loss, not only to the Senate and the good people of Osun State, but also the entire nation.

He said: “I am in rude shock over this sad development. It is like a rainstorm at the height of dry season.

“Distinguished Adeleke was a brother and friend. He was cosmopolitan in nature and started his education in Enugu, my State. This nature showed in his broadminded approach to debates and national issues, which stood him out as a statesman and pan-Nigerian.

“With him as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), I found a willing partner, as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution in the 6^th Senate in our collective effort to better the nation’s electoral system. He will be remembered for the gains of those reforms as witnessed in the 2011 and 2015 general elections”.

The Deputy President of the Senate condoled with the family of the late Senator as well as the government and people of Osun State.

He also prayed for the peaceful repose of the soul of the departed.

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Saraki Mourns Senator Adeleke

By Sunny Anderson Osiebe

The President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has reacted to the death of two-term serving Senator, Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, a development he described as a sad personal loss.

Saraki, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, described Adeleke — the first elected Governor of Osun State — as an important figure in the Eighth Senate.

“My heart goes out to the family of Senator Adeleke, and the people of the great State of Osun,” Saraki said, “Adeleke was a leader in every right, a formidable colleague, patriotic statesman, good family man and complete gentleman whose contributions to the development of the of Osun State in particular and the nation in general will never be forgotten.”

The Senate President went on to eulogize Adeleke, who served as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Capital Market as a consummate reformer, courageous public servant and grassroots politician whose love for his people and commitment to national service remains unparalleled.

“From his track-record as a second term Senator, it is clear that Adeleke was a man who his people trusted to carry out their mandate in the Senate,” he said, “He was always passionate about his work in the legislature, and showed competence, dedication and an ability to work with everyone to bring about the greater good. He will be sorely missed.”

He commiserated with the immediate family of the deceased, the larger Adeleke family, Osun West Senatorial District, Governor Rauf Aregbesola  and the entire people of the State of Osun,  the Vice Chairman and members of the Senate Committee on Capital Market, the Senate, and indeed, the 8th National Assembly.

Saraki prayed to Almighty Allah to grant Adeleke a place among the righteous ones in Aljannah firdaus.

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Education Reform Can No Longer be “Business as Usual", Says Saraki

By Sunny Anderson Osiebe

President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has said that with the recent economic recession in the country, interventions in the nation’s educational system must no longer be business as usual.

In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, the Senate President said there is a need for comprehensive education reform across all levels to ensure that Nigerian students and schools are competitive globally.

“Considering the economic situation in the country and the widening social inequality, we need to ensure that all Nigerians are well equipped for the future that lies ahead,” he said, “This means that any reform in education can no longer be business as usual — it must involve government, academia, and the private sector.

“What we all want to see is an educational system that is meeting the demands of the employers in both the public and private sectors,” the Senate President said, “ However, it goes beyond just reforming our school systems, we have to tackle this problem from the root, which is primary education, all the way to tertiary education, which is at the top.

“For example, basic education is the primary responsibility of the local governments. This needs to be reviewed. We have to look into and redesign the current education model that has domiciled the most important tier of education in the weakest tier of government.”

The Senate President also stated that all reform in education must be addressed from the simple perspective of: “What do we as Nigerians want our children to know and be able to do at each stage of their education?”

“Once we are able to answer this question, once we are able to determine what our children should know and be able to do at every age and level, from these expectations, we can begin to measure the competence of both teachers and students.”

The Senate President stated that over the next few months, the Senate will be working to restructure Nigeria’s education system by providing a legislative framework that will create more autonomy for Nigeria’s education system to make it more competitive locally and internationally.

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World Malaria Day: Saraki Reiterates Call for Nigeria to Access $300milllion Malaria Bond

By Sunny Anderson Osiebe

 

The Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has reiterated the Senate’s call for the Federal Government to fast-track access to the $300million malaria bond.

This was revealed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, on the occasion of 2017 World Malaria Day, which has the theme, “Push for Prevention.”

The Senate President cited the March 2017, Senate Motion, entitled “Urgent need for the Federal Government to access a $300 million Malaria Bond through the Innovative Financing for Malaria Prevention and Control Project (IMPACT)” which called on the Federal Government to fast-track access to the 300 million dollar malaria bond by the Global Fund to fight malaria, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and tuberculosis.

“Again, it is necessary that we do our utmost best to access this global fund,” Saraki said, “With 97% of Nigerians being susceptible to malaria it means that we are all at risk — hence, we have to work to bring down these numbers.”

“This year’s theme demonstrates the need for us to also look at ways to push for  prevention, as opposed to treatment. If we continue with our current healthcare model that focuses more on treatment, with 60% of our country’s outpatient visits being malaria-related, we will continue to overburden our healthcare system,” the Senate President said.

He also said: “Moving forward, the 8th Senate will continue to work with the Federal Government to ensure that we access this fund. With 300,000 Nigerians dying from malaria every year, this is not only a duty, it is a priority.”

Studies by health organizations show that Nigeria has more reported cases of deaths due to malaria than any other country in the world.

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Saraki Urges Nigerians To Embrace Preventive Healthcare Strategies ...Leads Senate Leadership to Immunize Children

By Sunny Anderson Osiebe

 

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has called on communities to embrace preventive healthcare strategies like immunization, in order to prevent the outbreak of preventable diseases.

Saraki gave the charge while speaking to reporters at the National Assembly Clinic, where he led the Senate leadership to administer Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) and Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) on babies as part of activities to mark this year's World Immunization Day, in Abuja.

The Senate President, who is a medical doctor by training, stated that in order to reduce the burden on the nation's healthcare system, Nigeria must begin to push for preventive strategies to curb the spread of diseases and to stop citizens from falling sick.

“Vaccination is a key strategy to containing many diseases that currently exist in the country. These include diseases like polio, as well as meningitis that has killed up to 745 Nigerians in the past few months,” the Senate President said, “We need to encourage more families and communities  to embrace vaccination against preventable diseases that are experiencing resurgence. Here in the National Assembly, we are ready to provide funding for vaccines — meningitis especially.”

The Senate President also said that greater awareness for immunization must be undertaken by governments across all levels to ensure that the nation's healthcare system is not overburdened.

“In order to reduce the burden on our healthcare system, Nigeria must begin to push for preventive strategies to curb the spread of diseases, any healthcare reform in Nigeria must start with an emphasis on prevention, rather than cure,” he said.

“And as you can see from the vaccinations I have just administered here, it is not  something that is too difficult to carry out, the purpose of being here is to show that we in the National Assembly are already pushing for this," the Senate President added.

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Ekweremadu Lauds Nigerians for Their Investment in Democracy …Rates Enugu Most Peaceful State in Nigeria

By Sunny Anderson Osiebe

 

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has lauded Nigerians for their support and investment in democracy, which he said, had helped sustain the democratic process in the country.

He also commended the Governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, for making peace and development the cornerstones of his administration, thereby turning Enugu into the most peaceful state in the country.

Senator Ekweremadu made the statements at the grand reception organised in his honour by Agbada Nenwe community in Nenwe, Aninri Local Government Area in Enugu State, during the Easter holiday.

He said: “Nigerians have left no one in doubt that they want democracy to succeed. Even in extreme hardship, they have continued to endure and make sacrifices. However, leaders must reciprocate the unalloyed the people’s unalloyed faith and resilience in protecting the nation’s democracy by delivering good governance and development.

“I enjoin Nigerians to continue to support government at all levels because I am sure that there will be light at the end of the tunnel. But as leaders, we must eschew recrimination, divisiveness, and deploy the best hands on deck to move the nation forward”.

Ekweremadu commended Agbada Nenwe community for the newfound peace in the area and urged the people to sustain it by continually emulating the peaceful and humble dispositions of the State Governor.

“I want to specially commend Governor Ugwuanyi for enthroning peace and harmony in the State. There is no doubt that Enugu is the most peaceful state in the country”, he stressed.

Earlier, the traditional ruler of the community, HRH Igwe Dr. F.N. Imoh, said the honour accorded Senator Ekweremadu was in appreciation of the numerous projects and services he had rendered to the community, such as the Nenwe-Oduma-Uburu road, rural electrification, water projects, scholarships through the Ikeoha Foundation, construction of Information Communication Technology (ICT) centres, appointments, among others.

Igwe Imo said that Nigeria would develop faster if every political leader toed Ekweremadu’s footsteps.

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Easter: Ekweremadu Calls for justice and forgiveness

BY Sunny Anderson Osiebe

 

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has urged Nigerians to use the occasion of the Easter celebration to rededicate themselves to the virtues of justice, forgiveness, and reconciliation, which he said were the essences of the ministry of Jesus Christ on earth.

Ekweremadu said no nation would make progress unless the people were willing to forgive the past, reconcile their differences, and enthrone justice for all, irrespective of their religious, ethnic, and political backgrounds.

He stated this in his goodwill message to the Christian faithful at Easter.

Ekweremadu, who stressed that injustice and unforgiveness were utterly slowing down the nation’s progress, maintained that “Easter offers an opportunity for sober reflections, to bind up the brokenhearted, announce freedom for those held in the captivity of unforgiveness and vengeance, to let justice reign and make restitutions to the mistreated”.

He urged Nigerians to continue to uphold their faith in the nation’s democracy, while also pray for the nation’s speedy exit from the current economic difficulties.

The Senator, however, asserted that such faith must also be accompanied by the sincerity on the side of the leaders to put the nation on the right track of progress.

“I disagree, once again, with those who hold the view that we do not need to restructure the country to make progress. Such mindset is a recipe for more social, political, and economic woes because we cannot continue to do the same thing and expect a different result.

“Righting the wrongs of the past, therefore, includes restoring for true federalism, the very foundation upon which our fathers covenanted to build the Nigerian nation to enthrone justice, equity, and peace as well as speedy and lasting development”.

Ekweremadu wished Nigerians a hitch free and happy Easter celebration.

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Saraki Laments Death Of Football Fans In Calabar

By Sunny Anderson Osiebe

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has expressed shock over the death of football fans through electrocution at a viewing centre in Calabar, the Cross River State capital and described the incident as tragic. 

Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, commiserated with the immediate families of the victims, the government and people of Cross River State and football enthusiasts across the country over the sad incident.

While calling on local and state government authorities to ensure that football viewing centers and other public spaces are made safe and conducive across the country, he urged the Cross River State government to ensure that the recommendations of its Commission of Inquiry empaneled to investigate is not only made public but implemented to prevent a repeat occurrence. 

He commended the prompt response of the Cross River State government and other relevant emergency agencies to the sad occurrence while praying for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives, and quick recovery for the injured. 

"This is clearly an unfortunate and avoidable loss of precious young Nigerians. As a government, we have a duty to ensure that our citizens are safe and protected, whether during leisure hour or work period. We must ensure that what is necessary to make our people secured in both public and private spaces is given the deserved priority at all times," he said.

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Saraki Mourns Chanchangi

By Sunny Anderson Osiebe

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has expressed grief over the demise of the Chairman of Chanchangi Airlines and foremost businessman, Alhaji Ahmadu Chanchangi, who he described as an accomplished entrepreneur and philanthropist.

Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, said the late Chanchangi would be missed for his philanthropy, diligence, management finesse and humble lifestyle. 

He said Chanchangi would be remembered as one of the nation's great men who grew from a humble beginning to become a highly respected international figure through dint of hard work.

He commiserated with the immediate family of the deceased, especially his son, Honourable  Rufai Chanchangi, a member of the 8th House of Representatives, the people and governments of both Kaduna and Taraba States.

While praying Allah to grant the soul of the departed a place in Aljanah Firdaus, Saraki called on his family to take solace in the fact that Chanchangi lived a highly impactful life worthy of emulation. 

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Fuel Theft: NNPC Should Go Beyond Sack of Officials, Says Senate

By Sunny Anderson Osiebe

The Senate has commended the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for responding to the motion moved during a plenary session by Senator Kabiru Marafa, chairman, Committee on Petroleum Downstream Sector, on the theft of petroleum products kept in the farm tanks of two oil companies and urged the corporation to take more radical measures to avoid recurrence.

In a statement by its spokesman, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, the legislative chamber  advised that NNPC should go beyond the sacking and redeployment of a few officials but initiate a comprehensive restructuring of its operations which presently allow officials and other firms to appropriate national resources for their personal use, thereby contributing to the suffering of the people.

"The Senate is appalled that NNPC is not contemplating on doing something about the involvement of officials of the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC) which actually played key roles in the missing products case.

"It is instructive that NNPC did not do anything on the case until the matter was raised on the floor of the Senate and the press picked the matter up from the motion. The unauthorised sale  of 132 million litres of fuel kept in the storage tanks of MRS and Capital Oil designated as strategic reserves is a grave occurrence. This probably is not the first time it is happening and NNPC must review its operations. It should in fact carry out a shake up in the PPMC", Abdullahi stated.

It will be recalled that following the Senate debate of the motion on the theft of the fuel, the NNPC sacked two senior officials and redeployed a few others. Its spokesman, Ndu Ughamadu said the sack and deployment were in line with the on-going reforms the corporation initiated to cleanse it of corruption.

The NNPC lost 130 million litres through a breach in its throughput transactions with MRS and Capital Oil. However, MRS had returned the product it sold from the stock but Capital Oil is yet to refund the 82 million litres it sold. The Missing fuel sold by Capital Oil is valued at N11 billion.

While Capital Oil insisted that NNPC owed it on past business transactions, the corporation vowed to recover the products, investigate the breach and set up new modalities to guide its engagements of throughput partners

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Don't Stop Supporting Govt in the Education Sector, Saraki Urges Religious Bodies

By Sunny Anderson Osiebe

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki today in Ilorin urged religious groups to continue to support government in providing sound education for the youths in Nigeria. He said religious groups pioneered the funding, establishment and nurturing of educational institutions from pre-colonial periods.

Saraki who spoke in Ilorin during the 75th Anniversary of the Ansarul Islam Society of Nigeria where he was turbaned as the Baba Adinni of the Society said it has become obvious that government alone cannot run the vital sector successfully and that the deep involvement of religious groups is necessary.

"Religious groups like Ansarul Islam have critical role to play in revamping the education sector. In fact you have more experience that government at all levels in the operation of educational establishments and you need to intensify your involvement in this all-important sector.

"All is not well with our education sector. Most of the problems we have now in the running of the private and public sectors can be traced to the decay in the education of our children. There is the talk of disconnect between the classrooms and the industries. We also see that our public schools which produced graduates that could compete with their colleagues across the world are no longer being reckoned with in world rating. We spend so much on education of Nigerian youths in foreign schools. Our religious societies should come to the aid of government", he said.

He said the Senate will review laws relating to the education sector and ensure that they are made to measure up to world standard while adding that the plan by the legislature to enact laws that will make the private sector get involved in funding of infrastructure so as to free funds for important social services like education.

The Senate President while acknowledging that schools under Ansarul Islam have produced many scholars advised that the society should continue to ensure that Muslim clerics preach peace, unity, tolerance and spread the gospel of development.

Saraki further promised that he would do all within his powers to ensure that the proposed Kamalud- deen. University which is one of the cherished legacies of the renowned founder of the society, Sheikh Habeebulahi Al-Adabiy, gets the license for operation by the National University Commission ( NUC).

Also turbaned at the ceremony witnessed by dignitaries including Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, was the former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Alhaja Sinatu Aderoju Ojikutu who became the Iya Adinni of the society.

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Easter: Saraki Calls For Mutual Respect Among Nigerians

By Sunny Anderson Osiebe

As Christians celebrate Easter, Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has called for mutual respect among adherents of various faiths in the country, as this is the only guarantee for peaceful coexistence among different religions in the country.

In his Easter message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki urged all Nigerians to unite in confronting the development challenges facing the nation and urged Nigerians to rededicate themselves to the service of God, the nation and humanity.

“I implore Nigerians to use the Easter period to renew their faith in God and strengthen the bond of friendship and brotherhood that has held the country united since the amalgamation in 1914.

“Among the essence of Easter is sacrifice, love for humanity and total submission to the will of God. These virtues should not be lost on us as Nigerians. Let's continue to pray for a peaceful Nigeria that will be a pride to us and the future generation,” he added.

Saraki further reiterated the commitment of the Senate in supporting the efforts of the present administration to build a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.

The Senate, he said, is committed to the enactment of legislations that will turn around the nation's economy and called for the support of all Nigerians for President Muhammadu Buhari.

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Saraki Calls for Concerted Efforts to #BringBackOurGirls

By Sunny Anderson Osiebe

 

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has called for concerted efforts to bring back the over 200 school girls that were abducted from their secondary school in Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State three years ago.

Speaking on the third year anniversary of the abductionof the girls,  Saraki pledged that the Senate will continue to do everything within its power to advocate for the return of the remaining Chibok girls — stating that their safe return will signify the closure of a dark chapter in Nigeria’s history.

“I speak on behalf of all Nigerians who truly care, mothers and fathers especially, who cannot imagine the pain of not knowing whether or not one's abducted child is alive or not,” the Senate President said, “I know that this government is continuing to explore all options to secure the release of the remaining girls. We will continue to support the administration's efforts in every way that we can.”

The Senate President also expressed optimism that one day, all the Chibok Girls will be returned back to their loved ones, while reassuring Nigerians and the international community that Nigeria will not stop looking for its missing school girls.

“They are our daughters. We will not stop looking for them. We will not give up the fight until they return back home to us,” he said, “Until that day, we will all continue to watch and pray for their safe return.”

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Nigeria Banks in trouble as Senate uncovers N30 trillion FOREX diversion

By Sunny Anderson Osiebe

Chairman, Senate Committee on Customs and Excise Duties, Hope Uzodinma, has stated that its Committee has discovered high level manipulation of foreign exchange to the tune of N30 trillion purchase on behalf of importers by Nigeria Banks.
He revealed this while granting interview to correspondents after his Committee meeting in Abuja, noting that all banks were involved in the purchase of hard currencies on behalf of importers which were never utilized.
The investigation which follows Senate’s nod at the plenary three weeks ago, indicated that ‘FORM M’, designed by the Nigeria Customs and Excise Duties for importation of goods have been used to manipulate foreign exchanges.

“The Committee has discovered that the whooping sum of N30 trillion foreign exchange were purchased from the Central Bank on behalf of importers, but were never utilized,” Uzodinma said.
“We have also discovered that all banks were involved including those that have closed shop, but we’re fused into the existing ones.
Uzodinma added that huge sums of money have been illegally wired out of the country through the manipulative means, a situation he said has led to scarcity of FOREX in the country.

He was optimistic that the investigation and necessary action by the parliament would stem the tide and increase the value of the Naira.

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Why Buhari must nominate Magu as EFCC chairman – Osinbajo

By Sunny Anderson Osiebe

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has said he will be in support if President Muhammadu Buhari decides to nominate Ibrahim Magu, as the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for a third time.
Speaking with journalists at the presidential villa in Abuja, Osinbajo also commended Buhari for not interfering with the DSS report which indicted Magu.
“We should commend the president for not interfering with what the DSS said. The DSS came up with a report and the man who was accused refuted it,” he said.

“He explained and gave a reason. When that happened, the president looked at what Magu said and what the DSS wrote and he said ‘I am satisfied with what Magu said’.
“He then decided to retain Magu as the nominee for EFCC. I don’t see any reason why that should be contested. The president has not interfered with what the DSS said. If he wanted to interfere, he would have ordered the DSS to keep quiet. He didn’t do that, but he said ‘I don’t think the DSS report is meritorious enough to withdraw his nomination.’
“The President reserves the right to say, ‘this is who I want’. I’m fully in support of Magu as the EFCC chairman just as the president is”, he declared.

Osinbajo also towed the line of Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN),who said Buhari could re-present Magu before the Senate.
“It is up to the senate to make their judgement, and it is up to us say what we want to do. If our candidate is rejected, we can re-present him. No law says we can’t re-present him. And again, there is the other argument, whether or not we need to present him for confirmation and that’s a compelling argument from Femi Falana,” he said.
“His argument is that under the constitution, section 171, and if you look at that section, it talks about the appointments that the president can make. They include appointments of ministers, ambassadors and heads of agencies such as the EFCC. In that same section 171, the constitution rightly said that certain appointments must go to the senate such as ministerial and ambassadorial appointments. Those of heads of agencies like the EFCC do not have to go to the senate. That’s what the constitution says. But the EFCC act, which of course as you know is inferior, says that EFCC chairman should go to the senate for confirmation.
“I am sure that even a pocket book lawyer knows that when a legislation conflicts with constitution, it’s the constitution that prevails. I agree with Mr Falana that there was no need in the first place to have sent Magu’s name to the senate, but we did so and it was rejected by the senate, but I believe that it can be re-presented. I don’t think there is anything wrong about the fact that senate has rejected him. Senate has acted in its own wisdom to say ‘No, we don’t want him’, and we can say, ‘This is our candidate… we like the gentleman and we want him to continue”, he added.

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Clerics Hail Senate, Executive Effort To Fight Terrorism

By Sunny Anderson Osiebe
 
Muslim Clerics under the auspices of the Council of Ulama of Nigeria, on Tuesday lauded the cooperation between the Senate and the Executive in the fight against terrorism in the country.

The Council made the commendation when its leadership and members visited the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, in Abuja.

The Secretary General of the Council, Professor Mohammed Sadiq Abubakar, who stated this in his remarks, also said the cooperation contributed in no small measure in defeating terrorists and insurgents in the North East.

He urged the two arms of government (executive and legislature), to further strengthen their relationship "as it is the people at the grass roots that will suffer from any quarrel between them."

"We are happy about the fence mending and reconciliation efforts of the President with the Senate. I was happy when I read in the newspapers about the Senate President saying that there is no quarrel between the executive and the Senate," he said.

He however traced the origin of the legislature to the time of Prophet Mohammed, when he set up a people's Assembly comprising representatives of muslims and non Muslims when he migrated to Medina.

The Council of Ulama of Nigeria,  he said was established 31 year ago to unite the Ulama from all the Islamic sects for the purpose of stability of the Islamic religion and the nation, saying that, "our membership is drawn from all Islamic sects without any form of discrimination."

On his part, the Chairman of the Council, Sheik Abdullahi Abubakar Tureta, commended the Senate President for his patience and resoluteness in the face of political travail since his emergence as Senate President.

"We praise you for that and we are not surprised looking at your family background and we urge you to continue to be patient and persevere as the Almighty Allah promised to be with the patient one," Tureta said.

While reminding the Senate President about the burden of leadership, Tureta added that the welfare of all Nigerians has been placed on both the executive and the legislature, "If the two of you cooperate, everything will go well with the country, but if you work at cross-purposes, only the Almighty God knows what will befall the country."

Responding, the Senate President commended the Council for uniting all Islamic scholars under one umbrella that has contributed immensely to the stability and progress of not only the  Islamic religion but that of the nation.

He expressed the commitment of the Senate to make the county better by passing laws that make would positive impact in the life of the citizenry.

Saraki said: "We are trying our best to ensure that we pass laws that will make direct positive impacts on Nigerians. I want to also use is opportunity to assure you that whatever laws we pass here, will be sensitive to the religious values of the whole Nigeria.

"I say that again, whatever laws we pass here, will be respectful to the course and religious beliefs of our people. We will not do anything that will in anyway go against that," he said.

He further stated that the Senate is working hard to replicate the successes achieved in the fight against terrorism, in the fight against corruption and the revamping the economy.

"We thank God for the success we have made in the fight against corruption and I am sure that the progress will be extended to the economy in order to put this country in a better place," he said.

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