PROCEEDINGS OF THE NIGERIAN SENATE OF Wednesday, 5th April 2023
Welcome to a new Legislative Day in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria!
Senate President Ahmad Lawan led the Principal Officers into the Chamber, took the official prayers and began the day’s proceedings at 10:56 am.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS
Senator Abdul Kwari moved for the adoption of the Votes and Proceedings of Tuesday, 4th April 2023.
Senator Abdullahi Yahaya seconded.
PETITIONS
1. Senator Matthew Urhoghide submitted a petition from one of his constituents, Samson Eno, who was wrongly dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force.
The petition was laid and referred to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions to report back within four weeks.
POINT OF ORDER
Senator Emmanuel Bwacha cited Order 42 to draw the attention of the Senate to the incessant attack by bandits on his constituents.
Senate observed a minute silence in honour of the victims of the attack.
PRESENTATION OF BILLS FOR FIRST READING
1. Nigeria Data Protection Bill, 2023 (SB. 1114) by Senate Leader, Senator Ibrahim Gobir
Nigeria Data Protection Bill, 2023 (SB. 1114) was read for the First Time.
2. Nigeria Police Force Training School (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (SB. 1116) by Senate Leader, Senator Ibrahim Gobir
Nigeria Police Force Training School (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (SB. 1116) was read for the First Time.
3. ICPC Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (SB. 1115) by Senator Sadiq Umar
ICPC Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023 (SB. 1115) was read for the First Time.
4. National Eye, Nose and EAR Centre Ehime-Mbano, Imo State (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (SB. 1105) by Senator Frank Ibezim
National Eye, Nose and EAR Centre Ehime-Mbano, Imo State (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (SB. 1105) was read for the First Time.
5. National Council for Christian Education (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (SB. 1112) by Senator Yaroe Binos
National Council for Christian Education (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (SB. 1112) was read for the First Time.
EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS
1. Confirmation of the Nomination of Mr Abdu Abubakar for Appointment as Non-Executive Director of the Central Bank of Nigeria by Senate Leader, Senator Ibrahim Gobir
Senate Leader, Senator Ibrahim Gobir moved that the Senate do consider the request of Mr. President C-in-C on the confirmation of the Nomination of Mr. Abdu Abubakar for Appointment as Non-Executive Director of the Central Bank of Nigeria in accordance with the provisions of Section 10(3)(a) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) (Establishment) Act, 2007.
Minority Leader, Senator Philips Aduda seconded.
The request of Mr President C-in-C was referred to the Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions for further legislative action to report back within two weeks.
2. Issuance of Promissory Notes, in respect of Federal Road Projects executed by the Plateau and Borno State Governments by Senate Leader, Senator Ibrahim Gobir
Senate Leader, Senator Ibrahim Gobir moved that the Senate do consider the request of Mr. President C-in-C for the Reimbursement of the sum of N6,601,769,470.99 to the Plateau State Government and the sum of N3,084,769,393,.63 to Borno State Government through the Issuance of Promissory Notes, in respect of Federal Roads Projects executed by the States.
1. Plateau State – N6,601,769,470.99
2. Borno State – N3,084,769,393.63
Total – N9,686,538,864.62
Minority Leader, Senator Philips Aduda seconded.
The request of Mr President C-in-C was referred to the Committee on Domestic and Foreign Loans to report back within two weeks.
RE-COMMITTAL OF BILLS
1. National Youth Service Corps Trust Fund (Establishment) Act, 2023; and
2. Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
Senate rescinded its decision on the Bills as passed and re-commit same to the Committee of the Whole for reconsideration and passage.
Senate dissolved into a Committee of the Whole to consider the two reports.
Senate reverted to Plenary to report Progress.
i. National Youth Service Corps Trust Fund (Establishment) Act, 2023
The Senate in Committee of the Whole and Plenary considered National Youth Service Corps Trust Fund (Establishment) Act, 2023 and approved Clauses 1-24 as recommended, Interpretation as recommended, Explanatory Memorandum as recommended, Short and Long Titles as recommended.
National Youth Service Corps Trust Fund (Establishment) Act, 2023 was read the Third Time and PASSED!
ii. Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (Amendment) Bill, 2023
The Senate in Committee of the Whole and Plenary considered the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and approved Clauses 1-2 as recommended, Explanatory Memorandum as recommended, and Short and Long Titles as recommended.
Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (Amendment) Bill, 2023 was read the Third Time and PASSED!
CONSIDERATION OF BILLS FOR SECOND READING
1. A Bill for an Act to Establish the FCT Sports Committee to be charged with the responsibility of administering, encouraging and developing sports and games throughout FCT and for other matters thereto, 2023 (SB. 1108) by Senator Philips Aduda
Senator Smart Adeyemi seconded.
The Bill was read the Second Time and referred to the Committee on Sports and Social Development to report back within four weeks.
2. A Bill for an Act to Repeal the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission Act, Cap R7 LFN 2004 and enact the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission to grant the Commission enforcement powers in the monitoring of accruals to and disbursement of revenue from the Federation Account and bring the new Act in conformity with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and for other matters related therewith, 2023 (SB. 1111) by Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi
Senator Isah Jibrin seconded.
The Bill was read the Second Time and referred to the Committee on National Planning and Economic Affairs to report back within four weeks.
3. A Bill for an Act to Establish the Power and Petroleum Safety Institute, Oraifite and for other related matters therewith, 2023 (SB. 149) by Senator Ifeanyi Ubah
Senator Matthew Urhoghide seconded.
The Bill was read the Second Time and referred to the Committee on Establishment and Public Service to report back within four weeks.
PRESENTATION AND CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS
1. Report of the Committee on Communications
Confirmation of the Nomination of the following persons for Appointment as Members of the Universal Service Provision (USP) Board by Senator Oluremi Tinubu
Senator Ibrahim Bomai, who stood in for Senator Oluremi Tinubu, moved that the Senate do receive and consider the Report of the Committee on Communications on the confirmation of the Nomination of the following persons for Appointment as Members of the Universal Service Provision (USP) Board.
i. Engineer Funke Opeke
ii. Mr. Ahmed Abubakar Walama
iii. Mrs Fatima A. Kyari
iv. Engineer Gbenga Adebayo
Senator Biodun Olujimi seconded.
Senator Ibrahim Bomai laid and presented the report.
“Permit me to commend the Committee for doing a good job in terms of screening of these nominees. In view of recommendations of this Committee, I urge the Senate to give its nod on the confirmation of these nominees.” – Senator Barau Jibrin
Senate dissolved into a Committee of the Whole to consider the report.
Senate reverted to Plenary to report Progress.
The Nomination of Mr Ahmed Abubakar Walama was CONFIRMED as a member of the Universal Service Provision (USP) Board
The Nomination of Mrs Fatima A. Kyari was CONFIRMED as a member of the Universal Service Provision (USP) Board
The Nomination of Engineer Gbenga Adebayo was CONFIRMED as a member of the Universal Service Provision (USP) Board
Senate stood down the approval of the nomination of Engineer Funke Opeke
2. Report of the Committee on Public Accounts
Annual report of the Auditor-General for the Federation on the accounts of the Federation for the year ended 31st December 2016 by Senator Matthew Urhoghide
Senate adopted the report of the Committee.
3. Report of the Committee on Solid Minerals, Mine, Steel Development and Metallurgy
Nigerian Mineral Development Corporation (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (SB. 505) by Senator Tanko Al-Makura
Senator Tanko Al-Makura moved that the Senate do consider the report of the Committee on Solid Minerals, Mine, Steel Development and Metallurgy on the Nigerian Mineral Development Corporation (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (SB. 505)
Senator Oriolowo Adelere seconded.
Senator Tanko Al-Makura laid and presented the report.
Senate dissolved into a Committee of the Whole to consider the report.
Senate reverted to Plenary to report Progress.
The Senate in Committee of the Whole and Plenary considered Nigerian Mineral Development Corporation (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (SB. 505) and approved Clauses 1-32 as recommended, Schedule as recommended, and Short and Long Titles as recommended.
Nigerian Mineral Development Corporation (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (SB. 505) was read the Third Time and PASSED!
4. Report of the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development and Tertiary Institution and TETFUND
Senator Yahaya Abdullahi moved that the Senate do receive and consider the report of the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development and Tertiary Institution and TETFUND on:
i. National Veterinary Research Institute, Gombe (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (SB. 782);
ii. Federal University of Agriculture, Ogoja, Cross River State (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (SB. 809); and
iii. Federal College of Agricultural Technology Opialu-Ojapo, Benue State (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (SB. 897).
Senator Abba Moro seconded.
Senator Yahaya Abdullahi laid and presented the three reports.
Senate dissolved into a Committee of the Whole to consider the three reports.
Senate reverted to Plenary to report Progress.
i. National Veterinary Research Institute, Gombe (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (SB. 782)
The Senate in Committee of the Whole and Plenary considered National Veterinary Research Institute, Gombe (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (SB. 782) and approved Clauses 1-23 as recommended, Interpretation as recommended, Schedule as recommended, Explanatory Memorandum as recommended, Short and Long Titles as recommended.
National Veterinary Research Institute, Gombe (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (SB. 782) was read the Third Time and PASSED!
ii. Federal University of Agriculture, Ogoja, Cross River State (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (SB. 809)
The Senate in Committee of the Whole and Plenary considered the Federal University of Agriculture, Ogoja, Cross River State (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (SB. 809) and approved Clauses 1-30 as recommended, Interpretation as recommended, Schedules 1-3 as recommended, Explanatory Memorandum as recommended, Short and Long Titles as recommended.
Federal University of Agriculture, Ogoja, Cross River State (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (SB. 809)
iii. Federal College of Agricultural Technology Opialu-Ojapo, Benue State (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (SB. 897)
The Senate in Committee of the Whole and Plenary considered the Federal College of Agricultural Technology Opialu-Ojapo, Benue State (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (SB. 897) and approved Clauses 1-2, Short and Long Titles as recommended.
Federal College of Agricultural Technology Opialu-Ojapo, Benue State (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (SB. 897) was read the Third Time and PASSED!
5. Report of the Committee on ICT & Cyber Security
Institute of Information and Communication Technology Nsu, Ehine-Mbano (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (SB. 1105) by Senator Yakubu Oseni
Senator Yakubu Oseni moved that the Senate do receive and consider the report of the Committee on ICT & Cyber Security on the Institute of Information and Communication Technology Nsu, Ehine-Mbano (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (SB. 1105).
Senator Frank Ibezim seconded.
Senator Yakubu Oseni laid and presented the report.
Senate dissolved into a Committee of the Whole to consider the report.
Senate reverted to Plenary to report Progress.
The Senate in Committee of the Whole and Plenary considered the Institute of Information and Communication Technology Nsu, Ehine-Mbano (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (SB. 1105) and approved Clauses 1-23 as recommended, Interpretation as recommended, Schedule as recommended, Explanatory Memorandum as recommended, Short and Long Titles as recommended.
Institute of Information and Communication Technology Nsu, Ehine-Mbano (Establishment) Bill, 2023 (SB. 1105) was read the Third Time and PASSED!
6. Report of the Ad-hoc Committee on Resuscitation and Refurbishing of Nigerian Navy Ships NNS ARADU
Urgent Need to resuscitate the Nigerian Navy Flagship “NNS ARADU” by Senator Yahaya Abdullahi
Senator Yahaya Abdullahi moved that the Senate do receive and consider the report of the Ad-hoc Committee on Resuscitation and Refurbishing of Nigerian Navy Ships NNS ARADU regarding a motion on the urgent need to resuscitate the Nigerian Navy Flagship “NNS ARADU.”
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe seconded.
Senator Yahaya Abdullahi laid and presented the report.
Senate adopted the recommendation of the Ad-hoc Committee by commending President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, for graciously giving his approval and release of funds to the Ministry of Defence for the refurbishing of the Flagship in order to bring it back to life.
ADJOURNMENT
Senate stood down the consideration of all other items on the Order Paper to another legislative day.
The Plenary was adjourned to Tuesday, April 25th, 2023.
Signed
New Media Unit
Office of the President of the Senate
Federal Republic of Nigeria
