Proceedings of the Nigerian Senate of Thursday, 30th January, 2020

Welcome to a new Legislative Day in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

Senate President, Ahmad Lawan PhD, CON led the Principal Officers into the chambers; took the official prayers; and began the day’s proceedings at 10:27am.

‪Senator Uba Sani moved for the approval of votes and proceedings of Wednesday, 29th January 2020. Senator Michael Nnachi seconded.‬

OATH
Newly elected Senator representing Akwa-Ibom North West, Christopher Ekpenyong took the oath of office.


PETITION
Senator George Sekibo raised a petition on behalf of a member of his constituency.

Senator Ayo Akinyelure also raised petitions.

Senate President, Ahmad Lawan PhD, CON referred the petitions raised to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to report in two (2) weeks.

POINT OF ORDER
Senator Yusuf Yusuf cited Orders 42 and 52 and moved a motion on the comatose state of NNPC’s four refineries.

Senate resolved to:
1. Urge the NNPC to completely evaluate the dilapidated state of the refineries for total overhauling and rehabilitation to international standard and save the country from further wastages and spillages of its meagre resources; and

2. Direct the Joint Committees on Downstream, Upstream and Gas to look into the issues raised and report to the Senate.

Senator Chukwuka Utazi cited Order 43 and drew the attention of the Senate to the gruesome murder of Chief Ignatius Odunukwe, a prominent Igbo business man who was based in Lagos.

Senator Chukwuka Utazi cited Orders 42 and 52 and moved a motion on Coronavirus outbreak and preventive response towards stemming its spread in Nigeria.

“This virus is like another Ebola. The health ministry is doing well and I want to urge them to do better. The Chinese are everywhere and this virus is a deadly disease.”- Senator James Manager.

Senate resolved to:
1. Thank the Federal Ministry of Health through the National Centre for Disease control, for their gallant efforts at stemming the Coronavirus infection in Nigeria and urge them never to lower their guards until this fight is won internationally and here in Nigeria;

2. Urge the Federal Government to allocate more funds to the National Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, to acquire the latest and most recent equipment that there is for research and diagnosis of tropical diseases that threaten human existence as prevention is always better and cheaper than cure;


3. Urge Nigerian traveling public desirous of traveling to Asia, especially China, to heed to the Federal Government travel advisory on China and put their travel arrangements on hold till further notice and until this outbreak of Coronavirus is vanquished from the face of the earth;

4. Urge the Federal Ministries of Aviation to ensure that all persons arriving from China, especially the Chinese citizens from Nigeria that travelled home for the Chinese Lunar New Year festivities, or from any country that has a major disease outbreak, to self-isolate by staying indoors in their homes for at least two weeks before mixing up with the Nigerian public;

5. Urge Nigerians with any reported case(s) of likely infection or with symptoms that approximate to those associated with Coronavirus to visit the hospitals for urgent health check; and

6. As cleanliness is next to Godliness, and prevention is better than cure, Nigerians at all times are advised to wash their hands with soap, with clean water, preferably from a running tap.

PRESENTATION OF BILLS- First Reading

1. Presidential (Transition) Bill, 2020 (HB. 03) by Senate Leader.

Presidential (Transition) Bill, 2020 (HB. 03) was read the First Time.

2. National Orientation Agency Act (Amendment) Bill, 2020 (HB. 12) by Senate Leader.

National Orientation Agency Act (Amendment) Bill, 2020 (HB. 12) was read the First Time.

3. Environmental Health Officers (Registration, etc) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2020 (HB. 44) by Senate Leader.

Environmental Health Officers (Registration, etc) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2020 (HB. 44) was read the First Time.

4. Institute of Information Communication Technology Suleja (Est, etc) Bill, 2020 (SB. 244) by Senator Sani Musa.

Institute of Information Communication Technology Suleja (Est, etc) Bill, 2020 (SB. 244) was read the First Time.

5. Federal Medical Centre Gada (Est, etc) Bill, 2020 (SB. 294) by Senator Ibrahim Gobir.

Federal Medical Centre Gada (Est, etc) Bill, 2020 (SB. 294) was read the First Time.

6. Federal Medical Centre Owutu-Edda (Est, etc) Bill, 2020 (SB. 295) by Senator Michael Nnachi.

Federal Medical Centre Owutu-Edda (Est, etc) Bill, 2020 (SB. 295) was read the First Time.

PRESENTATION OF REPORTS
1. Report of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions by Senator Ayo Akinyelure in respect of:
a. Petition from Maryam Danna Mohammed against the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) for alleged wrongful termination of her appointment;

b. Petition from Mr. John Z. Tumba against the National Examinations Council (NECO) for alleged unlawful dismissal from the service of the council;


c. Petition from Barrister Chidi H. Onyiuke on behalf of his son, Akachukwu M. Onyiuke against the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB) for allegedly withholding his 2019 JAMB result;

d. Petition from Omemiroro Ogedegbe, Esq. on behalf of the family of late Chinedu Obi against the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) for alleged extra-judicial killing of their son, late Chinedu Obi by the force and the refusal of the force to bring the police officer involved to justice; and

e. Petition from DSC Ibrahim Maigari against the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for alleged treat to his life, conspiracy to eliminate him, assault, intimidation, torture and unwarranted long detention.

Senator Bima Enagi seconded that the Senate do receive the reports of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions in respect of the above petitions.

The report was LAID.

PRESENTATION AND CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS
1. ‪Report of the Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions on the confirmation of the nomination of Dr. Kingsley Isitua Obiora for appointment as the Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) by Senator Sani Uba.‬

‪Senator Sandy Onor seconded that the Senate do receive and consider the report of the Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions on the confirmation of the nomination of Dr. Kingsley Isitua Obiora for appointment as the Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).‬

‪Senator Sani Uba laid and presented the report.‬

‪COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE‬
‪Senate dissolved into the Committee of the Whole for the consideration of Dr. Kingsley Isitua Obiora for appointment as the Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).‬

‪Senate reverted to plenary and reported progress.‬

‪The nomination of Dr. Kingsley Isitua Obiora was confirmed as the Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).‬

2. Report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs on the confirmation of appointment of the following nominees as Chairman and Members of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria by Senator Bulkachuwa Adamu.

S/N Name Position State of Origin Geopolitical Zone
1. Zikrullah (Sikiru) Olakunle Hassan Chairman Osun State South West
EXECUTIVE COMMISSIONERS
S/N Name Position State Geopolitical Zone
2. Abdullahi Magaji Hardawa Executive Commissioner- Operation, Inspection and Licensing Bauchi State North East
3. Nura Hassan Yakasai Executive Commissioner-Policy, Personnel, Management and Finance Kano State North West
4. Sheikh Momoh Suleman Imonikhe Executive Commissioner, Planning, Research, Statistics, Information and Library Edo State South South
PART-TIME MEMBERS
S/N Name State Geopolitical Zone
5. Halimat Jibril, (Mrs.) Niger State North Central
6. Abba Jato Borno State North East
7. Garba Umar Sokoto State North West
8. Ibrahim Ogbonnia Amah Ebonyi State South East
9. Sadiq Oniyesaneyene Musa Delta State South South
10. Akintunde Basirat Olayinka, (Mrs.) Ogun State South West
REPRESENTATIVES OF MINISTRIES, DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES
S/N Name MDAs
11. Shehu Dogo Ministry of Aviation
12. Nura Abba Rimi Ministry of Foreign Affairs
13. Rabi Bello Isa Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning
14. Zainab Ujudud Sherrif Ministry of Health.
15. Aminu Bako Yarima Nigeria Immigration Service
16. Ibrahim Ishaq Nuhu Central Bank of Nigeria.
17. Dr. Bala Muhammad Representative of Jama’atul Nasril Islam.
18.  Mr. Yusuf Chinedozi Nwoha Representative of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs.


Senator Francis Fadahunsi seconded that the Senate do receive and consider the report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs on the confirmation of appointment of the following nominees as Chairman and Members of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria.

Senator Bulkachuwa Adamu laid and presented the report.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
‪Senate dissolved into the Committee of the Whole for the consideration of the above nominees as Chairman and members of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria.‬

‪Senate reverted to plenary and reported  progress.‬

‪The nomination of Zikrullah (Sikiru) Olakunle Hassan was confirmed as Chairman of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria.‬

‪The nomination of Abdullahi Magaji Hardawa was confirmed as Executive Commissioner of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria.‬

‪The nomination of Nura Hassan Yakasai was confirmed as Executive Commissioner of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria. ‬

‪The nomination of Sheikh Momoh Suleman Imonikhe was confirmed as Executive Commissioner of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria. ‬

‪The nomination of Halimat Jibril, (Mrs.) was confirmed as Commissioner of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria. ‬

‪The nomination of Abba Jato was confirmed as Commissioner of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria.‬

‪The nomination of Garba Umar was confirmed as Commissioner of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria.‬

‪The nomination of Ibrahim Ogbonnia Amah was confirmed as Commissioner of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria.‬

‪The nomination of Sadiq Oniyesaneyene Musa was confirmed as Commissioner of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria.‬

‪The nomination of Akintunde Basirat Olayinka, (Mrs.) was confirmed as Commissioner of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria.

3. Report of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions by Senator Ayo Akinyelure in respect of:
a. Petition from Elder C.D. Ndukwe on behalf of forty three (43) Aba early retirees of the Nigerian Breweries Plc against the Nigerian Breweries Plc for non-payment of their full retirement benefits;

b. Petition from Murtala A. Ibrahim against them Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria for alleged refusal to pay arrears of his entitlements and failure to remit his pension contributions;

c. Petition from Mr. Ekenfkari M. Yerima against the National Examinations Council (NECO) For Alleged Unlawful Dismissal from the Service;

d. Petition from L/Cpl Omoaka Itunoya and Pte Woru Musa against the Military Pensions Board for alleged non-payment of monthly pensions by the board; and

e. Petition from Mr. Ezekiel D. Musa against the Federal Government of Nigeria for the non-inclusion of FCT indigene on the Ministerial List of 2019 screened by the Senate.

Senator Bassey Akpan seconded that the Senate do consider the reports of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions in respect of the above petitions.

Senator Ayo Akinyelure presented the report.

a. Petition from Elder C.D. Ndukwe on behalf of forty three (43) Aba early retirees of the Nigerian Breweries Plc against the Nigerian Breweries Plc for non-payment of their full retirement benefits.

Senate resolved to:
Direct that Elder C.D. Ndukwe be advised to patiently await the decision of the Court of Apeal, Enugu division as the petition he brought to the Senate was before the Court of Appeal for determination.

b. Petition from Murtala A. Ibrahim against them Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria for alleged refusal to pay arrears of his entitlements and failure to remit his pension contributions.

Senate resolved to:
Stand down the petition since it had been withdrawn by the petitioner, Mr. Murtala A. Ibrahim, on proper ground that same was being heard in the House Committee on Public Petitions.

c. Petition from Mr. Ekenfkari M. Yerima against the National Examinations Council (NECO) For Alleged Unlawful Dismissal from the Service.

“Mr. Ekenfkari M. Yerima has spent 29 years of service with the National Examinations Council (NECO) only speaks to sentiment but against legality. It has been shown that the dismissal is lawful having followed due process.”- Senator Basiru Ajibola.

“As far as I am concerned the Committee itself ran into problem after finding that his dismissal was wrong yet the recommendation does not tally with their findings.”- Senator Bala Na’allah.

“I think he should be treated on compassionate ground.”- Senator Bassey Akpan.

“The issue is one of beholding principle of fight against corruption. This Senate must uphold its integrity.”- Senator Abdullahi Yahaya.

“If it is true the due process that this man was dismissed, I think the consideration of the leader is in place. The recommendations appear to be very magnanimous. The demotion of two years is not commensurate with what the man did and tomorrow this would be a precedent and an encouragement to people to do the wrong thing and when they suffer the consequences they run to the Senate.”- Senate President, Ahmad Lawan PhD, CON.

Senate resolved to:
Stand down the recommendations by the Committee.

d. Petition from L/Cpl Omoaka Itunoya and Pte Woru Musa against the Military Pensions Board for alleged non-payment of monthly pensions by the board.

Senate resolved:
That the decision of the military pensions board not to pay monthly pension to the two petitioners, L/Cpl Omoaka Itunoya and Pte Woru Musa, be sustained since their service years required by the extant law to qualify for pension as at the time they left the service.

e. Petition from Mr. Ezekiel D. Musa against the Federal Government of Nigeria for the non-inclusion of FCT indigene on the Ministerial List of 2019 screened by the Senate.

Senate resolved that:
The Senate notes the existence of the Court of Appeal’s decision in respect of appointment of the Minister to represent the FCT and refers same to the Executive.

ADJOURNMENT
Senate Leader moved that all items on the order paper be stood down to another legislative day. Minority Leader seconded.

Plenary is adjourned to Tuesday, 4th February 2020.
#GavelBangs

Signed
New Media Unit
Office of the President of the Senate
Federal Republic of Nigeria