Thread by @NGRSenate

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

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Senate President, @DrAhmadLawan leads the Principal Officers into the Chambers, takes the official prayers and begin the day's proceedings at 10:41am.

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Senator Hezekiah Dimka moves for the adoption of Votes and Proceedings for Thursday, 11th February, 2021.

Senator Nicholas Tofowomo seconds.

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Senate President @DrAhmadLawan reads a Letter from President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, requesting the Confirmation of Appointment of Abdulrasheed Bawa as Chairman of the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (@officialEFCC)

Senate President @DrAhmadLawan announces that the screening of the Chairman-Designate will be done in plenary.

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Senator Theodore Orji raises a Petition on behalf of one of his constituent.

Petition is laid and referred to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Privileges and to report back within four weeks.

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Senator Abba Moro raises a petition from one of his constituents concerning the unwillingness of the Pension Management Commission to pay him part of his savings from his Retirement Savings Account according to the rules and regulation guiding such.

Petition is laid and referred to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Privileges and to report back within four weeks.

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Senator Olalekan Mustapha cites Order 43 to inform the Senate on the demise of Senator Jubril Martins-Kuye who served as a Senator during the Third Republic.

Senate resolves to:
Observe one minute silence in honour of the late Senator.

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Senate now moves into Presentation of Bills for First Reading.

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1.Plant Variety Protection Bill, 2021 (HB. 68) by Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (Senate Leader)

Plant Variety Protection Bill, 2021 (HB. 68) is read the First Time.

2. Dangerous Drugs Act CAP D1 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 622) by Senator Abdulfatai Buhari

Dangerous Drugs Act CAP D1 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 622) is read the First Time.

3. Compulsory Free Universal Education Act CAP C52 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 624) by Senator Stephen Odey

Compulsory Free Universal Education Act CAP C52 LFN 2004 (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 624) is read the First Time.

4. Whistle Blowers Protection Bill, 2021 (SB. 625) by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele

Whistle Blowers Protection Bill, 2021 (SB. 625) is read the First Time.

5. National Dermatology Specialist Hospital, Garkida, Adamawa State (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 631) by Senator Aishatu Dahiru

National Dermatology Specialist Hospital, Garkida, Adamawa State (Establishment) Bill, 2021 (SB. 631) is read the First Time.

Senate now moves into Consideration of Bills for Second Reading.

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1. A Bill for an Act to establish the Chartered Institute of Forensic Investigative Professionals of Nigeria for effective regulation, registration of members and determination of what knowledge and skills that a Practitioner is required to attain...

...in order to qualify to practice as a Forensic and Investigative Professionals and for related matters, 2021 (SB. 615) by Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (Senate Leader)

“I rise to support this Bill. The passage of this Bill will do a lot in our financial system.” – Senator Patrick Akinyelure

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The Bill is read the Second Time and referred to the Committee on Establishment and Public Service Matters and to report back within two weeks.

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2. A Bill for an act to alter the Firearms Act, CAP F28, LFN 2004 to amongst other provisions increase the imposition of fines for offences, provide for the destruction of firearms illegally imported into the country or in possession of individuals without valid license...

...in a bid to build public confidence in the overall efforts targeted at preventing and curtailing the circulation of illegal fireams in the country and for related matters, 2021 (SB. 549) by Senator Uba Sani (@ubasanius)

Senator Biodun Olujimi seconds.

The Bill is read the Second Time and referred to the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters and to report back within four weeks.

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3. A Bill for an Act to amend the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act CAP N30 LFN 2004 and for other matters connected thereto, 2021 (SB. 288) by Senator Hezekiah Dimka

Senator ID Gyang seconds. Says “I rise to support the second reading of this Bill. The menace of drugs have a destructive effect on the lives on Nigerian citizens especially the Nigerian youths."

"This Bill is seeking to strengthen and stiffen the sanctions against drug abuse in such a way that it will break the drug chain. I want to further say that one of the ways to amend the menace is to restrict accessibility to drugs." - Senator ID Gyang

"I therefore wholeheartedly support the second reading and passage of this Bill as moved by the sponsor.” - Senator ID Gyang

“I rise to lend my support to the second reading of this Bill which to my mind is very germane in the circumstances in which we find ourselves here. I believe that drug consumption constitute a serious menace in the fight against insecurity.” – Senator Abba Moro

“I rise to support this Bill and all the grounds mentioned by the sponsor because they are very profound grounds.” -
Senator Matthew Urhogide

“I support this Bill to be read the second time. Drug has been doing so much damage to our society. This Bill seeks to amend the provisions that allow for so much lacuna for judges to play around with sentencing." - Senator Sadiq Suleiman

This amendment will ensure firm punishment that has to be obeyed by judges in accordance with the Act. We need to raise the amount of punishment. People must be punished, examples must be made. I urge us all to support this Bill to pass second reading.” – Senator Sadiq Suleiman

A Bill for an Act to amend the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency Act CAP N30 LFN 2004 and for other matters connected thereto, 2021 (SB. 288) is referred to the Committee on Drugs and Narcotics and to report back within four weeks.

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Senate now moves into Motions.

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1. Need for the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control {@NafdacAgency} to move swiftly to regulate formulation and distribution of cosmetics by Senator Oluremi Tinubu

Senator Chimaroke Nnamani seconds.

“Let me join my colleague who seconded this motion in commending the mover of this motion. We must encourage NAFDAC to perform its function properly so that we can protect our people.” Senator Barau Jibrin

“I rise to support this motion ably moved by Senator Remi Tinubu. Cosmetics generally are preparations that we call creams, lotions, solutions and ointment. A lot of the users do not know their content. They use them as cosmetic product or their skin." – Senator Matthew Urhoghide

"There is a need for regulation. NAFDAC now need to go deeply into the market so that they will know the ones to go into our market and the one that should not.” - Senator Matthew Urhoghide

Senate resolves to:

i. Mandate the committee on Health to investigate the procedures in place for certification on quality and safety of Cosmetics, and propose a way forward for accountability;

ii. Direct the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to rise up to its duty of regulating importation, formulation and sale of cosmetics within Nigeria;

iii. Direct the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to maintain a products database, showing anme and address of manufacturers and ingredients list;

iv. Mandate NAFDAC to embark on sensitization and awareness campaign on the ills of these harmful substances; and

v. Direct the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Council (FCCPC) to collaborate towards ensuring the tracking of Consumer injury.

2. Urgent need to promote the establishment and sustainable development of Cottage industries in the 774 LGAs of the country for the creation of job opportunities, reduction of poverty and rural-urban drift by Senator Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo

Senator George Sekibo seconds.

Senate resolves to:

i.Urge the Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs in conjunction with other relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies to develop strategic framework for the promotion of the establishment...

...and development of cottage industries in all the 774 LGAs of the country;

ii. Direct the State Committee on Special Duties to ensure aggressive oversight in the implementation of the Federal Government funded policies and programmes in this direction;

iii. Urge the 36 States of the Federation to earmark certain amount in their yearly budget for the establishment of cottage industries on one or two Local Government Areas in their states;

iv. Direct all the relevant agencies to resuscitate al the federal government moribund industries.

Senate Leader moves that Plenary be adjourned till Thursday, 11th February 2021.

Minority Leader seconds.

Plenary is adjourned till Wednesday 17th February, 2021.
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