Tag: Senate

Insecurity: Senate urges President Buhari to declare bandits as terrorists

Aminu Imam

The Nigerian Senate, yesterday, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to declare bandits as terrorists, while also calling on the president to wage total war against the bandits. The Senate, which made the call in a resolution following a motion by Senator Ibrahim Abdullahi Gobir (Sokoto-East) and eight others, also asked Buhari to declare all the known leadership of the bandits wanted and track them wherever they are for arrest and prosecution. Gobir had noted that Sokoto-East Senatorial District has now become a safe haven for bandits due to the current onslaught…

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Insecurity, Electoral Act top agenda, as Senate resumes after 62 days recess 

Aminu Imam

…Constitution amendment, 2022 Budget, others on front-burner After its 62- day annual recess, the 9th Senate will resume today to face a myriad of challenges facing the nation, especially insecurity, which has witnessed cases of armed banditry, kidnapping and massive killing of persons across the country. Other issues include the Constitution and Electoral Act amendment Bills, National Water Resources Bill and the 2022 budget. In line with the Senate Legislative Calendar, the Senator Ahmad Lawan – led House adjourned on July 15, for its annual holiday. While the lawmakers were…

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Senate passes 2021 N895.8bn Supplementary Appropriation Bill into law

Aminu Imam

…Approves Buhari’s $6.1bn foreign loan request The Nigerian Senate yesterday passed a supplementary budget of N895.842 billion into law. The passage followed a satisfactory report by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation,  Senator Jibrin Barau, where he explained that the supplementary budget would augment the effort of various government agencies to discharge their responsibilities. Barau pointed out that security agencies will be able to procure arms and equipment as they strive to combat insecurity across the country. After the report, Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan during the Committee of the whole considered…

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Senate demands explanation on N7.5bn withdrawals from NSA, Zainab Ahmed

Aminu Imam

The Chairman, Senate Public Accounts Committee, on Wednesday gave the Ministry of Finance, Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Office of the National Security Adviser till Tuesday next week to explain an alleged ‘secret withdrawal of N7.5bn from the 2% National Automotive Council Design, (NADDC) and Development Council Levy Account. The account is domiciled with the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN). The Committee had two weeks ago, while scrutinising the 2015 Auditor-General for the Federation’s report summoned the affected agencies to appear before it. The representatives of…

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Senate confirms AbdulRasheed Bawa as new EFCC Chair

Aminu Imam

The Senate yesterday confirmed AbdulRasheed Bawa as the new chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Bawa, while speaking before the Senate, said Nigeria must recover all stolen assets for the betterment of its citizens. The New EFCC boss further stated that he will work with strategic partners around the world to see that Nigeria benefits from the repatriation of assets stolen from her coffers, adding that the anti-graft agency will achieve its independent objective by sharing information with its partners. Bawa, during his screening, promised that the…

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Insecurity: “Buhari-led FG must act now”, says Senate President

Aminu Imam

President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has said the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government must act now on the issues of worsening insecurity in the country.  Lawan stated this in his concluding remark on a Motion considered during plenary yesterday into the recent kidnapping of students at the Government Science School, Kankara, in Katsina State.  He said the National Assembly would continue to engage the Executive arm of government until appropriate action is taken to address the growing insecurity in parts of the country.  Earlier, coming under Order 42 and…

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BREAKING NEWS. Senator Abbo defects to APC

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

Senator Ishaku Abbo representing Adamawa North, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the floor of the Senate Wednesday, 25 November. Abbo, a first- term Senator from Adamawa, was elected in 2019 to the Senate on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after beating Senator Binta Garba Masi of the All Progressive Congress APC.

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Senate lauds Buhari over assent to Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act 2020

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

The Senate has noted with satisfaction the assent of President Muhammadu Buhari to the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act 2020 (BOFIA) following the passage of the bill by the senate. Senator Ajibola Basiru (APC Osun), Chairman, Senate Committee on Media in a statement on Saturday, said the enactment of the BOFIA followed many other bills passed by the senate on critical areas of the economy. According to him, the bills passed are relevant to the nation’s development. Basiru stressed that assent to the BOFIA has effectively repealed the 1991…

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Boko Haram: FG can’t be resettling, pampering ex-terrorists while country is still at war – Ndume

Aminu Imam

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, Ali Ndume, has again reiterated that the Federal Government cannot be resettling and pampering former terrorists while the country is still at war. Ndume, who has always been of the opinion that de-radicalizing ex-Boko Haram members is a misplacement of priority stressed that he disagrees with the Federal Government’s move to rehabilitate and reintegrate repentant Boko Haram members. His position which was the same as that of the committee was made known on Wednesday at the closed-door budget defense session with the Nigerian…

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Senate assures farmers in northwest of increased security budget

Abdul-Azeez Ahmed Kadir

Senate Committee on Nigerian Army, has lauded the military over its commitment in ensuring restoration of farming activities in the northwest, and pledged increased security budget to effectively tackle challenges. The Committee leader, Senator Ali Ndume, made the commendation during an oversight visit to the 8th Division of the Nigerian Army, Sokoto. Ndume described the current budgetary allocation to the Nigerian Army as grossly inadequate, considering the huge security challenges bedeviling the country. He said the military was always on the warfront executing different operations, aimed at safeguarding the country…

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