Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Tag: Speaker of House

  • Gbajabiamila Distraught Over Newspaper Vendor’s Killing by Security Officer Attached to Convoy

    Gbajabiamila Distraught Over Newspaper Vendor’s Killing by Security Officer Attached to Convoy

    Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has sadly recounted how a security officer attached to his convoy killed a newspapers’ vendor in Abuja.

    The vendor, who’s simply identified as Ifeanyi, was fell by stray bullets when security men attached to the speaker shot into the air to disperse “unidentified men” who obstructed the convoy.

    Gbajabiamila described the incident as horrible, saying he’s “personally distraught” and offered his deepest sympathies to the deceased’s family and Abuja vendors.

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    The speaker added that as someone who has value for human life and respect for all people – irrespective of social economic status, he has caused a report to be made to the local police station and an investigation has commenced.

    Gbajabiamila also said the security officer who fired the fatal shot has been suspended from the convoy pending the conclusion of the investigation.

    According to him, “A horrible incident has taken place. This evening (November 19) as I left the National Assembly, I stopped as usual to exchange pleasantries with the newspaper vendors at the corner. Many of them have known me since I first moved to Abuja and it was a friendly exchange.

    “Unfortunately, after the convoy set out in continuation of movement, unidentified men obstructed the convoy which got the attention of security men in the convoy who shot into the air to disperse them.

    “Some hours later, after getting to our destination, it was brought to my attention that someone was hit by a stray bullet, contrary to an earlier report by men in the convoy that they applied their security discretion to shoot in the air.

    “I have caused a report to be made to the local police station and an investigation has commenced.

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    “In the meantime, the officer who fired the fatal shot has been suspended from the convoy pending the conclusion of the investigation.

    “My value for human life and my respect for all people – irrespective of social economic status – is what endeared me to these vendors and these are the reasons why I stop my convoy quite often to connect with them.

    “For one of them to have been shot by my security detail is horrific and I cannot begin to imagine the grief and loss Ifeanyi’s family must feel on this sad day. No family should have to go through this.

    “I am personally distraught about this incident and my deepest sympathies go to the victim, his family and Abuja vendors.”

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • We’re Determined to Pass PIB in Six Months, Says Gbajabiamila

    We’re Determined to Pass PIB in Six Months, Says Gbajabiamila

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has authoritatively declared that the Green Chamber is determined to pass the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) within the next six months.

    “On the PIB, there are two things that the House would want to do. First, the House is determined to pass the bill within the next six months, or probably less, because the clock has already started running from the time it was presented.

    “Two, the House is determined to pass a PIB that is satisfactory to all. I know it’s difficult to satisfy everybody, but we will try our best to satisfy everybody,” Gbajabiamila said.

    Speaking when he played host to a delegation of the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS) under Lagos State Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the speaker said the House would ensure that it carried all stakeholders along in working on the draft legislation until its passage.

    The speaker urged members of OPTS led by their Chairman, Mike Sangster, to avail themselves the opportunity they have at hand to reach out to the House Adhoc Committee on PIB to make their inputs.

    He expressed concern over the submission by Sangster that PIB in its present form, would not make the Nigerian oil and gas industry competitive globally.

    “PIB has been long coming. Because of the various interests, it’s difficult to pass a bill that addresses the interests of everyone. But PIB luckily will involve local content.

    “I’m very concerned about what you said that PIB as it is, doesn’t allow Nigeria to compete favourably in the global market,” he said, adding: “We’re not competitive, yet there’s the presence of oil majors here.”

    According to him, “We need to look at it, but I think it will be difficult to tell members that we should go back to the old arrangement that we had.

    “I need to ask the question that where were you when they were making this law? Your inputs should have been there. It’s never too late for you to have your inputs.

    “I’m sure the committee will do justice to the other issues you raised.”

    Earlier, Sangster raised concerns about the present form of PIB, which he said if passed the way it is, it would negatively affect Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global market.

    He noted that in the past years, the African continent attracted about $70 billion of investment in the oil and gas industry but that only about $3 billion came to Nigeria despite being a major player continentally.

    When the speaker sought to know from Sangster if PIB had any positives, OPTS chairman responded in the affirmative, noting that PIB represented the much-needed reforms in the sector.

    He noted, however, that in its present form, the bill “doesn’t provide the environment for future investments.”

    He raised other issues to include the preservation of the oil and gas business in the country, royalties, tax, how to handle NNPC’s outstanding liabilities, segregation of the upstream and downstream, complexities in the implementation of the bill, among others.

    Noting that the petroleum industry had the capacity to create thousands of jobs in the next 10 years, Sangster said: “We would encourage the House to reach out to other sources to have a better analysis of PIB.”

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • President Buhari to Present Abridged Budget Proposal at COVID-19 Compliant Presentation – Gbajabiamila

    President Buhari to Present Abridged Budget Proposal at COVID-19 Compliant Presentation – Gbajabiamila

    The 2021 budget expected to be presented to the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday will be COVID-19 compliant.

    This was disclosed by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila when he read a letter from the President proposing budget presentation, during plenary on Wednesday in Abuja.

    The Speaker noted that the budget presentation by President Buhari, to a joint session of both the Senate and House at 11am on Oct. 8, will be in full compliance to COVID-19 protocol.

    Gbajabiamila said that members would be mandated to wear their face masks as part of compliance to COVID-19 protocol.

    An abridged version of the budget would be presented by the President in order to limit the session to a hour, the Speakers said.

    Similarly, the Speaker noted that his speech and that of the Senate President would be abridged so as to further reduce presentation time due to COVID-19.

    According to him, the budget presentation will not be the usual annual presentation, it will be abridged because of the need to comply with COVID-19 guidelines.

    Gbajabiamila added that the presentation, billed to commence at 11am, will adhere to social distancing rules as members would be allowed to sit in the gallery.

  • Reps to Partner FHA on Delivering Housing for Nigerians – Gbajabiamila

    Reps to Partner FHA on Delivering Housing for Nigerians – Gbajabiamila

    The House of Representatives on Tuesday says it is ready to partner with the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) to deliver housing for Nigerians.

    This was disclosed by Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila when he hosted the management of FHA, led by the Managing Director, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, on a courtesy call, a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, Lanre Lasisi said.

    Gbajabiamila said he believed Nigerians deserve the best in terms of housing, hence the House’s readiness to collaborate with the current management of FHA to achieve the mandate of the agency.

    The Speaker said with the calibre of the team in the agency, he was of the firm conviction that they would take the agency to enviable heights.

    “We’re happy that you’re here. We look forward to collaborating with you on very pertinent issues. I have no doubt that with the kind of team you have, the FHA is about to witness turnaround for good,” he said.

    Gbajabiamila added that the current team, whose MD, Senator Ashafa and the Executive Director, Business Development, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin were former members of the National Assembly, has a responsibility, which they must carry out diligently.

    “There’s no way you’ll talk about the development of any country without talking about housing or shelter.

    “By God’s grace, with you guys on the saddle, Nigeria will witness a lot of roofs on our heads. So, we are very ready to collaborate and partner with you.”

    Earlier, Senator Ashafa said they visited the Speaker to familiarise themselves and seek for collaboration with the House, having been recently appointed and inaugurated.

    He appealed for the amendment of certain aspects of the Act establishing FHA, which he said would make their work more efficient and effective.

    “I would want to emphasize the main reason why we are here, which is the collaboration with the National Assembly to achieve our mandate.

    “We have found out of recent that some of the items under the Act needed to be worked on. It’s on this regard that we came for this visit and crave the indulgence of the House.”

    The FHA team comprised of the MD and some top management staff, including Jibrin, who was the Director-General of the Gbajabiamila/Wase Speakership campaign team last year.

    Photos:

    Tobiloba Kolawole

  • Labour Strike: How Speaker of House, Gbajabiamila Pushed for Further Talks Before Expiration of Notice

    Labour Strike: How Speaker of House, Gbajabiamila Pushed for Further Talks Before Expiration of Notice

    • Gbajabiamila Calls for More Time to Negotiate with Executive on Labour Demands

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, on Sunday implored the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to give room for enough time for negotiations with the executive arm of government over the industrial action scheduled to commence on Monday.

    The Speaker, who gave the appeal when he met representatives of organised labour later met with the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Boss Mustapha to deliberate on the outcome of his meeting with the labour leaders.

    The labour unions had threatened to embark on industrial action from Monday if their demands for the reversal of the increase in electricity tariff and Premium Motor Split (PMS) were not met.

    Gbajabiamila, while meeting with the President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wabba, and the President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Quadri Olaleye, in his office on Sunday, expressed concern over the consequences of a shutdown of the nation’s socio-economic activities on Nigerians, while disclosing his intentions to interface with the executive for a possible amicable resolution of the demands of the Labour unions.

    Gbajabiamila said it is incumbent upon the House as elected representatives to see how they can intervene and perhaps a third voice, would be able to broker some kind of amicable solution to the ongoing impasse while citing instances where the House had successfully intervened.

    He said: “In good conscience, we are on the same page, or most of the time, we’re on the same page, and you know, that we, the leadership of the House of Representatives are on the same page with you.

    “But what is the consequence, and that’s the bigger picture of going on strike. When we have a complete government shutdown, the people we seek to protect, invariably end up holding the short end of the stick.

    “So it ends up defeating the purpose. You know, sometimes, no matter how long negotiations or talks last, sometimes at the end of the day, it may be the better route to take.

    “The budget is coming to the National Assembly. Some policies that are being considered and that will make sure to cushion the effect of this includes the provision of food items, distribution of grains, reduction on taxes on minimum wage, payment of some special allowances from October to January 2021, involvement in the ownership of housing programs through household and mortgage outlets by the NLC and TUC members, and special policy of government vehicles autogas, which is an alternative to PMS for public establishments.

    “I think these policies and more will go a long way and this can be provided in the budget but it is a couple of weeks away or less. So this is an appeal”.

    After the meeting, Wabba said the outcome of the interface with the executive as promised by the Speaker would determine the next line of action of the Labour unions.

    He said: “We told the Speaker how the discussion with the Federal government went and how the meeting was adjourned, so, he has also promised to try and intervene at his own level to see to it that we don’t inflict more pains on Nigerians.

    “In the course of the discussion, we had also realized that the House of Representatives has actually done a lot on these issues, including recommendations to the government which we have shared mutually

    “But the bottom line is that we want this burden that has now been shifted to Nigerians as consumers is also lifted so that we can have a decent life”.

    On the strike, he said, “If the issues are not addressed, we have given notice and that notice will certainly expire by tomorrow (Monday) and all the actions we have pronounced will take effect”.

    Present at the meeting were Deputy House Leader, Rep. Peter Akpatason; Chairman, House Committee on Labour, Employment and Productivity, Rep. Mohammed Ali Wudil and the Chairman, House Committee on Power, Rep. Magaji Da’u Aliyu.

  • Condolences Pour in For Late Emir of Zazzau

    Condolences Pour in For Late Emir of Zazzau

    • Gbajabiamila Pays Condolence Visit to Zazzau Emirate
    • Jonathan, PDP Mourn

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, Tuesday visited the Zazzau Emirate to commiserate with the family of late Emir of Zazzau, Aliyu Idris and Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.

    Gbajabiamila was received by the Secretary to the Government of Kaduna State, Balarabe Lawal, and members of the Zazzau Emirate Council.

    He described late Emir as a man of integrity who dedicated himself to the service of his people, noting that the demise of the Emir was a great loss not just to the Emirate but also to the country as a whole.

    According to him, “The people of this great Emirate, let me say to you that you’re not alone on this loss. This is indeed a big loss to the people of the Emirate, the state and the country as a whole. I say a great loss because whenever you go to commiserate, you hear what a loss, what a loss, what a loss!

    “But I say this with profound ‎seriousness because for those of us who have followed our late Emir, who have come to know him, knew him for whom he was: a man of integrity, dedicated to the service of his people.

    “I was here some time ago, late last year, in November, when we prayed and we sat, and it was like I had known him forever.

    “Perhaps, one of the most impressive things for me was the way he pronounced my name with ease. It tells you the kind of person the late Dr Shehu Idris was.

    “On behalf of myself and on behalf of every single member of the House of Representatives, on behalf of 360 of us, I pay this condolence visit in my personal capacity as one of his followers and in my capacity as the Speaker.

    “They have sent me here to commiserate with you. We ask that the Almighty Allah will grant him Jannatul Firdaus, that He will forgive him his sins, and that his soul will rest in perfect peace.”

    The Speaker personally delivered separate condolence letters to the governor through the secretary and the Emirate council through some senior Emirate council members.

    Gbajabiamila was accompanied on the condolence visit by the House Leader, Alhassan Doguwa, and some members of the House from Kaduna State.

    Also, former president Goodluck Jonathan Tuesday visited Kaduna to condole with the family of late Emir of Zazzau, Shehu Idris, the Zazzau Emirate, and Kaduna State Government.

    Jonathan paid a glowing tribute to late Emir, describing him as a renowned custodian of people’s custom and culture.

    “The late monarch who was on the throne for almost half a century left enviable footprints in peace-building, and as a renowned custodian of his people’s custom and culture,” the former president said.

    He prayed Allah to grant him Jannatul Firdaus.

    In a related development, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has mourned the death of the highly revered Emir of Zazzau, describing his death as an irreparable national loss.

    The party also described late Idris as an “extraordinary and exceptionally loved monarch, who served his people with utmost dedication and spent his life in the pursuit of their happiness as well as the wellbeing and peaceful coexistence of all Nigerians.”

    PDP said: “The late Emir of Zazzau was a selfless leader and outstanding nationalist, who made immeasurable sacrifices in his relentless roles towards the development and stability of our dear nation, and demonstrated that the essence of statesmanship is in employing its values to the advantage of others rather than the self.

    “Our party calls on the Federal Government to take steps to further immortalise the late Emir, including naming a national monument after him.”

    The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, commiserated with Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, and the state government; the family of the departed Emir as well as the good people of the Zazzau Emirate.

    PDP prayed Allah to console them and grant the faithful departed an eternal rest.

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • Insurance Act amendment in the works, House to partner industry – Gbajabiamila

    Insurance Act amendment in the works, House to partner industry – Gbajabiamila

    The House of Representatives says it is willing and ready to partner with the Nigerian insurance industry for improved services to Nigerians.

    A statement from the Special Adviser to the Speaker on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, stated that the Speaker of the House of Representatives made this commitment when he hosted the Nigeria Insurers Association (NIA) during a courtesy visit in his office in Abuja on Tuesday.

    The Speaker noted that the insurance industry is one of the most important sectors in the country hence the need to improve its services.

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    “The House of Representatives is always happy to collaborate with sectors, businessmen and professions such as yours.

    “There’s no gainsaying the importance of insurance in any economy, in any country. Insurance is perhaps one of the most important areas in any business.

    “You secure our lives and our property, so you’re very important to us. We are more than ready to always partner with you.”

    Speaking on the amendment of the Insurance Act, Gbajabiamila said it is work in progress as a Bill on that has already passed first reading in the House.

    “You talked about the amendment to the Insurance Act. I’m aware that it has been long coming. In this 9th Assembly, I think it has gone through first reading before it comes for second reading and then the public hearing.

    “You should work with the committee so that you guys can work and agree on what should go in and what should go out of the amendment. I think that’s already in the works. We’re glad to see you. We’re open to discussing further with you.”

    The chairman of the association, Ganiyu Musa, who led the delegation, had earlier told the Speaker that the insurance industry needed the support of the House to make the sector better.

    While wishing the Speaker a successful tenure, the chairman said: “We share your aspirations for the country; we share your dreams for a better Nigeria; we assure you that we’ll like to collaborate with you and the House to contribute to the overall welfare of the citizens.

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    “The industry contributed to the fight against COVID-19. Our desire is to improve engagements. We’ve not been as present in the House as we should.

    “We want a new start. We need your help. We need the help of the House. We seek appropriate legislative intervention and assistance. We need you to address some of the bottlenecks that militate against the realisation of our work.”

    Photos:

    Tobiloba Kolawole