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SENATE PASSES INTO LAW PHARMACY COUNCIL OF NIGERIA BILL

SENATE PASSES INTO LAW PHARMACY COUNCIL OF NIGERIA BILL
The Senate on Thursday, March 8, 2018 considered and passed into law the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (Establishment, etc.) Bill, 2018 (H.B. 364 & 656), sponsored by the Senate Leader, Ahmad Lawan (Yobe North). The two Concurrence Bills were consolidated into one because they sought to address similar subject matter and originated from the House of Representatives.
The passage of legislation into law followed the expeditious debate on the general principles of the Bills that led to their second reading and referred to the Committee of the Whole where clauses 1 – 72, short and long titles, schedules 1 & 2 as well as explanatory memorandum of understanding of the Bill were approved as recommended or amended. Thereafter, it was read the third time and passed.

Similarly, the general principles of two Bills were debated and passed for second reading. They include:
1) A Bill for an Act to establish the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute and for other related matters, 2018 (S.B. 452), sponsored by Sen. Mustapha Bukar (Katsina North). The Bill has been referred to the Senate Committees on Housing and Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND to report back in four weeks.
2) A Bill for an Act to establish the Federal Polytechnic Daura to provide full time courses in technology, applied sciences management and other fields of studies and make provision for the general administration of the Polytechnic and for matters connected therewith, 2018 (S.B. 465), sponsored by Sen. Mustapha Bukar (Katsina North). The legislation has been referred to the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institution and TETFUND to report back in four weeks.

Meanwhile, the Red Chamber has joined Women world over in celebrating the United Nations (U.N.) World’s Women’s Day Celebration. This was sequel to a point of order 42 and 52 moved by Sen. Biodun Olujimi (Ekiti South) to draw the attention of the Chamber on the U.N. World’s Women’s Day celebrated every 8th of March globally. Accordingly, the Senate resolved as thus:
i) Senate felicitate with the Nigerian women and girls in celebrating the U.N. World’s Women’s Day.
ii) Senate summon the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Chief of Army Staff to brief the Chamber on efforts so far made in the rescuing the abducted Chibok and Dapchi girls.

Also, Sen. Obinna Ogba came under point of order 43 to draw the attention of the Senate over an alleged plan by Sen. Abdullahi Adamu and others to change the leadership of the Senate. He disclosed that he has recorded conversation and documentary evidence to back his allegation which he presented to the Chamber. Ruling on the matter, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu who presided over the session referred the matter to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to investigate and report back to the Chamber in four weeks.

Nevertheless, Sen. David Umaru rose under point of order 43 to report to the Senate an incidence of fire outbreak in Bidda Market on the 1st of March, 2018. The Senate accordingly resolved to:
i) Urge the Niger State Government and Bidda Local Government Area to improve the sanitation in and around the market area.
ii) Senate commiserate with the Bidda Market traders over their losses.
iii) Direct National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to send relief materials to affected victims. 

In the same vein, Sen. Suleiman Adokwe equally came under point of order 43 to report the demise of former Governor of Nasarawa State, Aliyu Akwe Doma in Israel. The matter has been referred to another legislative date. 

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