The Speaker of the House, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila presided.
After leading the opening prayer and the National Pledge, the Speaker approved the votes and proceedings of Tuesday, October 4th, 2022
_________________________________________________________________________________________
PRESENTATION OF REPORT
1. Report of the House Committee on Finance on the 2023-2025 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP)
The report was laid following a motion by Rep. James Faleke and seconded by Rep. Saheed Abdullahi.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
Rep. Dachung Bagos rose on a matter of personal explanation on the need to recognize Nigerian teachers in light of the celebration of World Teacher’s Day and it was seconded by Rep. Ndudi Elumelu.
Rep. Dachung Bagos commended the sacrifices of teachers and their contributions to ensuring the successes of individuals in all spheres of life who they taught, including those who rose to become leaders like Members of the House of Representatives. He stated that it is in line with this appreciation and recognition of teachers in building individuals and society that the House has remained committed to intervening to ensure the end of the lingering ASUU strike.
The Leader of the House, Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa stated that the matter should have been taken as a substantive motion and not just a matter of personal explanation and that the House should adopt it as such considering the magnitude of the need to commend teachers worldwide.
The Deputy Speaker of the House, Rep. Ahmed Idris praised the 9th House of Representatives for its continuing contributions to the upgrade of teachers’ welfare in all spheres through legislation and mediatory meetings. He wondered if Rep. Bagos was trying to score political points as it is an election campaign year by bringing the matter under the platform of personal explanation.
The Minority Leader of the House, Rep. Ndudi Elumelu clarified that Rep. Bagos, like any other Honorable Member, had the right to express his position through personal explanation and he believed Rep. Bagos was only bringing to the fore the need to honour teachers as national heroes and he believes Rep. Bagos’ intention was not to score any political points.
Rep. Rotimi Agunsonye clarified that teachers need to be recognized for their sacrifice and duly rewarded and in that light, he strongly supported the motion.
The Chief Whip of the House, Rep. Mohammed Monguno while supporting the motion expressed sadness about how the debate is deviating from the merits and not to personal mistakes. He wished Rep. Bagos had brought the matter as a substantive motion to avoid any suspicion. Rep. Monguno called on the Executive and the Legislature to meet in the middle to ensure the lingering ASUU strike comes to an end, and that the remuneration of teachers should be reviewed upwards so that they can be rewarded here on Earth.
The Speaker of the House, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila stated that matters of personal explanation are not debated, but the fact that the matter is being debated already makes it a motion. He clarified that when Rep. Bagos brought up the need to recognize teachers, he told him to bring it under the platform of personal explanation. Rep. Gbajabiamila stressed that the contributions of Nigerian teachers can never be over-emphasized, he prayed to God to continue to bless them. He then called on some Honorable Members to praise their favourite teachers.
Rep. Ben Kalu rose in that light and praised Sir O.G.B, Sir Akalele, Miss Nwankwo, Sir Wood and Prof. Dada as a few of the outstanding teachers that have influenced his life. He stated that he is glad to keep working with them to upgrade the different schools he attended. He decried the fact that some of these teachers are still being owed salaries and still teach under horrendous conditions. He praised their resilience and resolve not to give up their service to humanity despite the hard conditions of labour they are subjected to.
Rep. Aisha Dukku also praised teachers as a former teacher herself and the daughter of a former teacher. She praised Mal. Almadura of blessed memory who gave his all to the teaching profession and the development of students. She called for the general appreciation of teachers by everyone on individual levels and to go back to develop their Alma maters.
Rep. Ibrahim Isiaka appreciated the spirit of the motion and stated that the 2 Holy Books of the main religions stressed the importance of teaching and learning. He praised his favourite teacher Mr. Shoge of blessed memory for all his sacrifice.
Rep. Sani Bala praised a serving Member of the House as his teacher for agricultural science in secondary school and one Mr. Obi who has recently retired from teaching or positively impacting his life.
Rep. Aniekan Umana praised the spirit of teachers and commended his mathematics and French teachers and some other university lecturers who helped shape his life. He called for the betterment of the remuneration of teachers in today’s Nigeria. He further called for the revival of the Nigerian educational sector to how it was in the glory days.
Rep. Taiwo Oluga celebrated teachers and mourned those who lost their lives to banditry attacks on schools. She praised Mr. Aremu who was her geography teacher and praised teachers for putting into perspective the past, present and future of student development. She called on the federal government to incorporate teachers into a large percentage of the ongoing housing ownership scheme being currently conducted.
Rep. Kingsley Uju praised teachers for the opportunities many elites have attained presently. He praised Prof. S.C Chukwu who was his Vice Chancellor and a teacher per excellence despite his office, he stated that this spirit spilled down to other lecturers. He called on the House to devote a significant part of the 2023 budget proposal Mr. President is soon to place before the National Assembly to the development of the educational sector. This Rep. Uju reminded Honorable members is in line with the United Nations prescription for education. He praised the leadership of the House for the continuous intervention with the federal government and ASUU to quickly end the lingering strike.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Admittance into the Chamber:
Rep. Garba Alhassan Ado:
“That the House, pursuant to Order Twenty-One, Rule 8 (1) and (2) of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives, do admit the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and his entourage to address a Joint Sitting of the National Assembly on Friday, 7th October, 2022 at 10:00 am, for the purpose of presenting the 2023 Budget Estimates”
Debate
Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa moved the motion for the admittance of Mr. President to present the 2023 budget estimates on Friday, 7th October 2022 and it was seconded by Rep. Ndudi Elumelu.
The motion was voted on and adopted.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
ORDERS OF THE DAY
BILLS
1. A Bill for an Act to Amend the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, Cap. C15, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004; and for Related Matters (HBs.1819, 576, 859, 955, 1000, 1685 &1805) (Rep. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Rep. Solomon T. Bob, Rep. Obina Chidoka, Rep. Ossai Nicholas Ossai, Rep. Olajide Olatubosun, Rep. Ben Rollands Igbakpa & Rep. Tasir Olawale Raji) – Second Reading.
Debate
Rep. Solomon Bob moved for the second reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Ben Igbakpa.
Rep. Nkem Abonta sought clarification on the aim of the amendment Bill so that the House can make an informed decision.
Rep. Solomon Bob in clarifying stated that the Bill proposes to protect Judicial officers from abuse from the Executive Arm of government in their discharge of duty in line with the provisions of the Constitution. It seeks to arrest the purported abuse of office by removing a Judiciary Official by the Executive when such a Judicial Officer is not in contravention of any Law while discharging his/her duties as was the case of the former Chief Justice of the Nation’, Walter Onoghen.
Rep. Nkem Abonta having heard the clarification by Rep. Solomon Bob expressed support for the amendment Bill for the Judiciary to be truly independent. He called for a clear-cut procedure in removing Justices and making it in line with laid down procedures.
Rep. Ifeanyi Momah expressed concern about how the Bill can be merely amended when the Code of Conduct which oversees the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act is established by the Constitution. He wondered if it can be done without amending the Constitution.
It was however clarified that the Act could be amended via a Bill.
The Bill was voted on, approved for second reading and referred to the House Committee on Anti-Corruption.
2. A Bill for an Act to Establish Federal Medical Centre, Ejigbo, Lagos State to Provide for Legal Framework for the Administration and Management of the Centre; and for Related Matters (HB.1913) (Rep. Ganiiyu Abiodun Johnson) – Second Reading.
Debate
Rep. Ganiyu Johnson moved for the second reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Samuel Adejare. The Bill was voted on, approved for second reading and referred to the House Committee on Health Institutions.
3. A Bill for an Act to Amend the National Agricultural Land Development Authority Act, Cap. N4, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 for the Purpose of Managing and Developing Farm Settlements, Increasing Membership of the Governing Board, Expanding Functions; and for Related Matters. (HB. 1968) (Rep. Adejare Samuel Babatunde) – Second Reading.
Debate
Rep. Samuel Adejare moved for the second reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Aisha Dukku.
The Bill was voted on, approved for second reading and referred to the House Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions.
4. A Bill for an Act to Establish National Research Institute for Chemical Technology, Zaria, Kaduna State to provide Globally Competitive and Environmentally friendly Innovative Research and Development in the Processing and Conversion of Indigenous Raw Materials into valuable Chemicals and Petrochemical Products for the Development of Chemical, Biological and Man-made Fibre Technologies for Industrial Application in Nigeria; and for Related Matters 2022 (HB. 2065) (Rep. Dachung Musa Bagos) – Second Reading.
Debate
Rep. Dachung Bagos moved for the second reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Rep. Mohammed.
The Bill was voted on, approved for second reading and referred to the House Committee on Science Institutions.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
MOTION
5. Need for the National Commission for Museums and Monuments to ensure that some Monuments in Oyo State are Declared National Monuments:
Rep. Abass A. Adigun:
The House:
Notes that one of the functions of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments is to manage and preserve National Museums, Antiquities and Monuments and oversee the process of declaring Antiquities and Monuments as National Antiquities and Monuments;
Also notes that heritage endowments such as traditional, unique streetscapes and historic sites are viable economic resources in both developed and developing countries;
Further notes that improving the conservation and management of the heritage is not only for the preservation of its historic significance but, also increases its income-earning potential, community livability and competitiveness;
Aware that the conservation and preservation of cultural and natural heritage sites are of paramount importance in attracting local, national or international tourism and investment through its beauty and distinction, thus, increasing the income-generation capacity of the State;
Also aware that Oyo State is endowed with enormous and diversified heritage sites, like the Alaafin’s Palace, Oyo; Soun’s Palace, Ogbomoso; Sogidi Lake, Awe; Kurunmi Battleground, Ijaye; Asabiri Hills, Saki; Agbele Hill Rock formation, Igbeti; Ado-Awaye suspended Lake; Royal forest (Igbo oba); Mapo Hall; David Hinderer’s House; Bower Tower, Agbaku Cave and Irefin Palace;
Worried that Oyo State has none out of the sixty-five (65) National Monuments in Nigeria, hence the inability of the State to contribute to the rich national and world heritage thus, leaving the sites abandoned;
Resolves to:
(i) urge the National Commission for Museums and Monuments to set machinery in place to declare at least 3 of the Historical Monuments in Oyo State as National Monuments;
(ii) mandate the Committee on Legislative Compliance to ensure implementation.
Motion stepped down by leave of the House
_________________________________________________________________________________________
CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS (HOUSE IN THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE) Rep. Ahmed Idris Chaired:
6. A Bill for an Act to Establish Chartered Institute of Forensic And Investigative Professionals of Nigeria for effective Regulation, Registration of Members and Determination of what Standard of Knowledge and Skills to be Attained by Persons seeking to become Registered Members, and Qualification to Practice as Forensic and Investigative Professionals; and for Related Matters (HB.791) (Leader) – Committee of the Whole: 21/6/2022.
Synopsis of the report:
Rep. Nkem Abonta stated that the establishment Bill has been worked on and every concern has been cleaned up and polished for the enhancement of forensic studies and investigation. The Bill he stated aims to create an environment that will be extremely helpful to all professionals seeking forensic services.
Summary of voting:
Clauses voted on and approved: 1-21
7. A Bill for an Act to Provide for Establishment of National Religious Harmony Commission; and for Related Matters (HB. 1103) (Leader) – Committee of the Whole: 27/9/2022.
Synopsis of the report:
Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa stated that the Bill seeks to ensure religious harmony among Nigerians and urged Honorable Members to support it.
Summary of voting:
Clauses voted on and approved: 3-23
Clauses amended and approved: 1 & 2
8. A Bill for an Act to Establish Agency for National Ethics and Values Compliance to Provide for the Functions and Powers of the Agency, the qualifications and procedures for the appointment of the Chairman and Members; and for Related Matters (HB. 242) (Leader) – Committee of the Whole: 5/11/2019.
Summary of voting:
Clauses voted on and approved: 1-20
_________________________________________________________________________________________
HOUSE IN PLENARY
The House reverted to plenary and adopted the report of the Committee of the Whole following a motion by Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa and seconded by Rep. Ahmed Jaha
________________________________________________________________________________________
Adjournment:
The House at 14:27 adjourned plenary to Thursday, October 6th, 2022 by 11:00 following a motion for adjournment moved by the Leader of the House, Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa and seconded by the Minority Leader, Rep. Ndudi Elumelu.
Courtesy:
Media Unit, Office of the Speaker, House of Representatives.
Stay ahead with the latest updates! Join The ConclaveNG on WhatsApp and Telegram for real-time news alerts, breaking stories, and exclusive content delivered straight to your phone. Don’t miss a headline — subscribe now!
