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 11:06am.
CLOSED DOOR SESSION
Senate moved into a closed door session at 11:07am.
Senate resumed plenary at 11:24am.
Senate President Ahmad Lawan reported that the Senate in a Closed Door Session deliberated on issues bordering on the workings of the Senate in particular and National Assembly in general.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS
Senator Danladi Sankara moved for the adoption of the Votes and Proceedings of Wednesday, 27th April, 2022.
Senator Adetokunbo Abiru seconded.
PRESENTATION OF BILLS FOR FIRST READING
1. Federal University of Health, Sciences and Technology, Enugu (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 1604) by Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi
Federal University of Health, Sciences and Technology, Enugu (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 1604) was read the First Time.
2. Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 1002) by Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege
Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 1002) was read the First Time.
3. Child Right Act (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 954) by Senator Uba Sani
Child Right Act (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 954) was read the First Time.
4. Renewable Energy Bill, 2022 (SB. 975) by Senator Tolulope Odebiyi
Renewable Energy Bill, 2022 (SB. 975) was read the First Time.
5. Compulsory Free Universal Basic Education Act (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 986) by Senator Orji Kalu
Compulsory Free Universal Basic Education Act (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (SB. 986) was read the First Time.
POINT OF ORDER
Senator Rochas Okorocha cited Order 42 to inform the Senate on the demise of Chief Arthur Nzeribe, who died at the age of 83 years. The late Nzeribe was a member of the Senate.
Senate observed a minute silence in his honour.
CONSIDERATION OF BILLS FOR SECOND READING
1. A Bill for an Act Repeal the National Secondary Education Commission etc Act Cap. N73, LFN 2004 and Enact the National Senior Secondary Education Commission Act, 2022 to prescribe minimum standards for senior secondary education in Nigeria, manage the National Senior Secondary Education Commission Fund, and for other related matters, 2022 (SB. 996) by Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi
The Bill was read the Second Time and referred to the Committee on Education (Basic and Secondary) for further legislative action to report back within four weeks.
2. A Bill for an Act to Amend the 2022 Electoral Act No. 13 and for other related matters, 2022 (SB. 1002) by Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege
Senator Omo- Agege, in his lead presentation, said the amendment seeks to make provision for delegates who will not be elected as ad-hoc delegates to participate in the conventions, congresses or meetings of political parties.
“I think this is a very straightforward amendment. Without this amendment, most of us will not have the liberty of voting during convention. I support the amendment. Let us have it for second reading.” – Senator Uche Ekwunife
“This Bill is a very straightforward Bill and let us put in on record that this error was something that happened inadvertently. We have seen the error and that is why we are back here to ensure nobody suffers any harm.” – Seantor Sabi Abdullahi
“I second this amendment moved by the Deputy Senate President. I don’t think that this Bill needs further debate. Just put it on a voice vote so we can proceed.” – Senator Aliyu Wammako
The Bill was read the Second time and refereed to the Committee of the Whole.
Senate resolved into Committee of the Whole to consider the Clause.
Senate reverted to Plenary to report progress.
Senate in the Committee of the Whole and Plenary considered A Bill for an Act to Amend the 2022 Electoral Act No. 13 and for other related matters, 2022 (SB. 1002) and approved Clause 84(8).
A Bill for an Act to Amend the 2022 Electoral Act No. 13 and for other related matters, 2022 (SB. 1002) is read the Third Time and PASSED!
“Let me explain a little bit of what we have done. The amended Electoral Act of 2022 that we passed this year has a deficiency that was never intended and that deficiency will deny all statutory delegates in all political parties from participation in congresses and conventions and therefore such a major misplaced Clause ought to be amended before the party primaries starts in the next eight days. And therefore, this is an emergency legislation. The National Assembly will finish with the processing of this amendment on this Bill between today in the Senate and tomorrow in the House of Representatives, and then the Executive will do the assent within the week. That is so important to enable every statutory delegate to participate in the party primaries. This is an emergency effort to ensure that nobody is denied his/her rightful opportunity as a delegate.” – Senate President Ahmad Lawan.
BILLS FOR CONCURRENCE
1. Federal Medical Centre Ogoja, Cross-River State (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 276) by Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi
Federal Medical Centre Ogoja, Cross-River State (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 276) was read the Second Time and referred to the Committee of the Whole.
2. Federal Medical Centre Igboora, Oyo State (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (HB. 347) by Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi
Federal Medical Centre Igboora, Oyo State (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (HB. 347) was read the Second Time and referred to the Committee of the Whole.
3. Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria Bill, 2022 (HBs. 137 & 518) by Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi
Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria Bill, 2022 (HBs. 137 & 518) was read the Second Time and referred to the Committee of the Whole.
4. Arbitration and Mediation Act, 2022 (HB. 91) by Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi
Arbitration and Mediation Act, 2022 (HB. 91) was read the Second Time and referred to the Committee of the Whole.
Senate resolved into Committee of the Whole to consider the Four Bills.
Senate reverted to Plenary to report progress.
1.Federal Medical Centre Ogoja, Cross-River State (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 276)
The Senate in Committee of the Whole and Plenary considered Federal Medical Centre Ogoja, Cross-River State (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 276) and approved Clauses 1- 26 as recommended, Schedule as recommended, Interpretation as recommended, Short and Long Titles as recommended, Explanatory Memorandum as recommended.
Federal Medical Centre Ogoja, Cross-River State (Establishment) Bill, 2022 (HB. 276) was read the Third Time and PASSED!
2. Federal Medical Centre Igboora, Oyo State (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (HB. 347)
The Senate in Committee of the Whole and Plenary considered Federal Medical Centre Igboora, Oyo State (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (HB. 347) ) and approved Clauses 1- 26 as recommended, Schedule as recommended, Interpretation as recommended, Short and Long Titles as recommended, Explanatory Memorandum as recommended.
Federal Medical Centre Igboora, Oyo State (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (HB. 347) was read the Third Time and PASSED!
3. Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria Bill, 2022 (HBs. 137 & 518)
The Senate in Committee of the Whole and Plenary considered Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria Bill, 2022 (HBs. 137 & 518) and approved Clauses 1- 61 as recommended, Schedule 1-3 as recommended, Interpretation as recommended, Short and Long Titles as recommended, Explanatory Memorandum as recommended.
Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria Bill, 2022 (HBs. 137 & 518) was read the Third Time and PASSED!
4. Arbitration and Mediation Act, 2022 (HB. 91)
The Senate in Committee of the Whole and Plenary considered Arbitration and Mediation Act, 2022 (HB. 91) ) and approved Clauses 1- 90 as recommended, Schedule 1-3 as recommended, Interpretation as recommended, Short and Long Titles as recommended, Explanatory Memorandum as recommended.
Arbitration and Mediation Act, 2022 (HB. 91) was read the Third Time and PASSED!
ADJOURNMENT
Deputy Chief Whip, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi moved that Senate do adjourn Plenary till another legislative day.
Minority Leader seconded.
Plenary was adjourned to Wednesday, 11th May, 2022.
#GavelBangs
#TodayInSenatePlenary
Signed
New Media Unit
Office of the President of the Senate
Federal Republic of Nigeria
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