News Post

The Senate on Thursday, May 25, 2017 rejoiced and celebrated with the Nigerian Child on the celebration of the 2017 National Children’s Day. The Chamber in celebrating the Nigerian Children, deliberated upon and passed a Motion titled “2017 Children’s Day Celebration”, sponsored by Sen. Binta Masi Garba and four others. Thereafter, it considered and passed into law one of the priority Bills of the 8th National Assembly, “Petroleum Industry Governance Bill, 2017 (S.B.261), sponsored by Sen. Donald Alasoadura (Ondo Central). 

The Upper Legislative Chamber noted that the 27th of May each year is observed as Children’s Day in Nigeria. It also recognized the significant role of the Nigerian Children in the nation’s development and the need to lay a good foundation as well as secure their future through the domestication and implementation of the Child’s Rights Act, 2003, in every State of the Federation.

According to Sen. Binta Masi Garba, the Senate appreciated the Children of Nigeria through the passage of Legislation in all the States of the Federation such as:

a) The Child’s Rights Act, 2003, which defines a new child protective system and allows opportunities for the participation of children in matters that concerned their rights and welfare which had been adopted and is being implemented in 23 states including the Federal Capital Territory.

b) The Universal Basic Education Act, 2004 which makes the education of Nigerian Child free, compulsory and enforceable right; with penalty for parents and guardians who fail or neglect this obligation. 

Consequently, the Motion sailed through with five resolutions below:

i) Congratulate the Nigerian Child on the celebration of the 2017 Children’s Day

ii) Felicitate with the Federal Government and the Families of 82 + 1 Chibok Girls that were recently released.

iii) Urge the Federal Government to ensure the rehabilitation of the Girls through the provision of adequate welfare, education, health services while intensifying efforts to rescue the remaining Girls.

iv) Mandate the Committee on Women Affairs to liaise with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to domesticate the Child Rights Act in the thirteen States that are yet to enact same.

v) Urge Government at all levels to urgently roll out actions against Child Labour, Street Hawking and Cultism in the country.

Meanwhile, the Red Chamber has considered and passed into law one of the priority Bills of the 8th National Assembly, the Petroleum Industry Governance and Institutional Framework  Bill, 2017 (S.B. 237), sponsored by Sen. Donald Alasoadura (Ekiti Central). The Bill is one of the three Executive Bills presented to the Apex Legislature for consideration and passage by President, Muhammadu Buhari which are intended to unbundle the nation’s oil and gas sector for a more transparent, accountable and prudent exploration, exploitation, management, refining, marketing and environmental friendly  venture that involved all the stakeholders of the industry. 

Accordingly, the Senate resolved into the Committee of the Whole where it considered and approved clauses 1 – 133, schedules 1 - 5, short and long titles, explanatory memorandum of understanding of the Bill as recommended or amended. Afterwards, the Bill was read the third time and passed. 

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki, who presided over the session asserted that this is a Bill that is believed by both Nigerians and the International Community to instill in the nation’s oil and gas sector the much needed sanity, transparency, accountability and prudent management of both human and natural resources with strict adherence to laid down environmental laws and best practices.  

Similarly, the Upper Legislative Chamber has received, adopted and approved the Conference Committee Report on “Secured Transactions in Movable Assets Bill, 2017 (S.B. 261), sponsored by Sen. Rafiu Adebayo (Kwara South). The Report on the harmonized Bill was presented by the Sen Adebayo before the Chamber.