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Senate

Senate Committee Rejects Paltry Budget Allocation Given to Culture Agencies

by Folarin Kehinde January 15, 2025

written by Folarin Kehinde

……..As NICO laments relegation of Nigeria’s culture

The Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism has expressed worry over the meager amount allocated to agencies under the culture sector, saying there is no way such agencies can be blamed for not meeting their targets.

Chairman of the Committee, Senator Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo made this known when Chief Executives of agencies under the sector appeared before the Committee at the National Assembly Complex to defend their respective budgets for the year 2025.

He lamented that as one of the most important sectors of the economy, the culture sector is yet to receive the appropriate attention it deserves from government. “I don’t see how an agency can be created and no single kobo is given to them from January to December. This is one of the most important sectors of the economy but unfortunately, it is not being given the attention it deserves”.

“Each of the agencies here is capable of generating billions but unfortunately, they cannot do that because they are not properly funded. As a responsible parliament, there is no way we will accept the burden placed on these agencies without adequate funds to operate. The Committee for now is not accepting the envelops given to each of the agencies. This is very sad”.

“If you look at the envelop given to each of them, you will agree with me that it is a far cry but we will sit down and discuss how best to go about it”, he said.

The Committee therefore resolved to present the sad situation of low budgetary allocation to culture agencies before the National Assembly through the President of the Senate to see how their budgets can be reviewed.

Earlier while presenting the budget for the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Executive Secretary/CEO, Otunba Biodun Ajiboye lamented seriously over the regrettable relegation of culture, saying “any country without respect for its culture can never grow”. He therefore assured the eminent lawmakers that the Institute is determined to push culture to the core of policy making and boost international cultural diplomacy.

Other Chief Executives of Culture agencies present at the budget defense were the Director General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Obi Asika; Director General, National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM); Executive Director, National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Shaibu Husseini; Managing Director, National Film Corporation (NFC), Ali Nuhu; Artistic Director, National Troupe of Nigeria (NTN), Hajia Kaltume Bulama Gana, and Aisha Augie, the Director General of the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC).

January 15, 2025 0 comments

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Senate halts action on tax reform bills

by Folarin Kehinde December 5, 2024

written by Folarin Kehinde

The Senate has suspended action on the tax reform bills currently before it.

It further instructed the Committee on Finance to stay action on the public hearing pending the time the agitation in the public space is addressed.

The Senate further constituted a special committee to meet with the executive branch and work with the Federal Government to resolve the issues surrounding the tax reform bills.

This was made known by the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, who presided during the plenary on Wednesday.

There have been a lot of controversies surrounding the Tax Reform Bills since its introduction to the National Assembly.

The bills are the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2024; Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, 2024; Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, 2024 and Nigeria Tax Bill, 2024.

Northern governors have rejected the bills, describing them as anti-democracy.

Following this, the National Economic Council requested that the tax reforms bill be withdrawn from the NASS for more consultations.

Amidst the controversy, Senator Shehu Buba (APC, Bauchi South) in an interview with British Broadcasting Service, Hausa Service said Northern Senators agreed to recall the Tax Reforms Bills.

He said, “These bills are complex and require thorough review by tax policy experts.”

He claimed that northern lawmakers strongly oppose the proposed “derivation” formula in the value-added tax (VAT) distribution system, arguing that northern states would be unfairly impacted.

Also, on Tuesday, the president instructed the Ministry of Justice to liaise with the judiciary.

Speaking about these controversies, the Deputy Senate president noted that the delegation will meet on Thursday at the National Assembly to resolve all the issues that have been the cause of the uproar.

Barau said, “On the tax reform bills currently before us, we acknowledge that the Senate remains the highest legislative assembly in this country.

“The Senate comprises men and women of wisdom and experience, entrusted to legislate for the peace, stability, and development of the nation.

“The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, like similar bodies globally, serves as a stabilising force in times of difficulty or disagreement. Through dialogue and consensus, the Senate has consistently provided solutions to national challenges since 1999.”

He added, “In this regard, we have decided to set aside politics, ethnicity, and regionalism to work together on resolving the issues surrounding the tax reform bills.

“In collaboration with the Executive Arm of Government, we agreed to establish a forum to identify and address contentious areas to ensure national unity and progress.

“Before the introduction of these bills, we faced numerous challenges, including insecurity and economic issues.

“The President has been working to address these problems, and we are committed to supporting these efforts while tackling global economic challenges. We also agreed that no other issues should aggravate the country’s current difficulties.

“It has been mutually decided between the Executive and the Senate to engage the Judiciary to sort out these matters.

“the Attorney General of the Federation will be involved in discussions to identify and resolve areas of disagreement for the nation’s benefit.

“Tomorrow, the committee established by the Senate, along with its leadership, will meet with the Attorney General to address these issues.”

Barau further instructed, “Consequently, the Senate Committee on Finance has been directed to pause further actions on public hearings and other matters related to the tax reform bills until the issues are resolved.”

Members of the committee are all the leadership of the Senate including other members, Adamu Ailero (PDP, Kebbi Central), Orji Kalu (APC, Abia North), Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West) Titus Zam (Benue South), Abdullahi Yahaya (Kebbi), Adeola Olamilekan (APC, Ogun West), Sani Musa (APC, Niger East) and Adetokunbo Abiru (APC, Lagos East).

December 5, 2024 0 comments

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” I will remove you if you don’t perform optimally’ Akpabio threatens chairmen of Senate committees

by Folarin Kehinde December 3, 2024

written by Folarin Kehinde

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, on Tuesday threatened to remove committee chairmen in the Senate who failed to perform optimally in the discharged of their statutory oversight functions.

Akpabio queried how heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the federal government continued to disregard invitation to appear before committees of the National Assembly for questioning.

Akpabio made these assertions during plenary while responding to the concerns of Bauchi Central Senator, Abdul Ningi, alleging that the Senate Committee on Finance failed to carry out oversight on 92 revenue generating agencies.

The Senate President said the Senate leadership would not hesitate to change the composition of its committees so that those who have capacity could take over.

“If for any reason some committees are finding it too difficult to oversight their agencies, we will change the composition of the committees so that those who have the capacity and the capabilities can take over and do the job for the benefits of democracy in this country,” Akpabio said.

Akpabio also called on all chairmen of standing committees in the Senate to submit annual reports about their oversight activities of their respective committees by January 2025.

“I would like a report from almost all the committees to be submitted by January 31st of the activities so far so that we will know where they have difficulties,” he said.

He said the lawmakers have constitutional power to issue a warrant of arrest on heads of MDAs resisting invitation to appeal before National Assembly committees m.

“The powers are there and the constitution backs us. I do not see where any MDAs or any agency will refuse to comply with the invitation or demands from any committee of the Senate or the National Assembly as a whole.

“Where you overlook it as a committee, that is where they get away with it and then it now becomes a norm, so please let us take it seriously.”

December 3, 2024 0 comments

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JUST IN: Senate confirms appointment of Oluyede as COAS

by Folarin Kehinde December 3, 2024

written by Folarin Kehinde

The Senate on Tuesday at plenary confirmed the appointment of Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede as the substantive Chief of Army Staff (COAS).

The confirmation followed adoption of the Committee on Army’s report on the Oluyede screening.

The report was presented by the Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Abdulaziz Yar’adua (APC-Katsina).

Yar’adua said the committee was impressed with the high level of understanding, achievements, and excellence stated in the credentials of the nominee.

He said the nomination of Oluyede is in line with Section 217, Subsection 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.

He also said that the nomination is in accordance with the provisions of Section 18, Subsection 1 of the Armed Forces Act.

He explained that “the nominee possesses the required competence, experience, and educational qualifications to be conferred with Chief of Army Staff.

Yar’adua said the nominee had been cleared by the DSS and went through the correct process of promotion to date, qualifying him to occupy the position of Chief of Army Staff.

He said the committee had diligently and meticulously conducted the screening of the nominee and was satisfied with his conduct, competence, experience, and educational qualifications and urged the Senate to confirm the nomination.

The Senate, thereafter, confirmed the appointment of Oluyede as substantive COAS.

December 3, 2024 0 comments

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BREAKING: Tinubu writes Senate, seeks confirmation of Oluyede as Chief of Army Staff

by Folarin Kehinde November 22, 2024

written by Folarin Kehinde

President Bola Tinubu has sent a letter to the Senate seeking confirmation of Lieutenant General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede’s appointment as the substantive Chief of Army Staff.

Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu’s spokesman, revealed this in a statement on Friday, November 22.

He said President Tinubu is seeking Oluyede’s confirmation by the provision of Section 218(2) of the 1999 Constitution as amended and Section 18(1) of the Armed Forces Act.

President Tinubu appointed Oluyede as the Acting Chief of Army Staff on October 30 following the illness of Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja. General Lagbaja, however, died on 5 November.

“President Tinubu is confident about the leadership qualities, professional integrity, and experience of Lt. General Oluyede to lead and inspire the army to ensure national security and stability,” Onanuga stated.

Before he was appointed Acting Chief of Army Staff, Oluyede, a member of the 39th Regular Course, like his predecessor, served as the 56th Commander of the elite Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army, based in Jaji, Kaduna.

He was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1992, effective from 1987. He rose to Major-General in September 2020. Since his commissioning as an officer, Oluyede has held many command positions.

November 22, 2024 0 comments

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BREAKING: Senate sacks Danladi Umar as CCT chair over misconduct

by Folarin Kehinde November 20, 2024

written by Folarin Kehinde

The Senate on Wednesday invoked section 157 (1), officially removing Yakubu Umar as the Chairman of Code of Conduct Tribunal.

According to the Senate, it became imperative to remove him from that sensitive position because his actions were unbecoming of a holder of such an office and his level of gross misconduct no longer acceptable.

The sack of Umar as Chairman of CCT was sequel to two third of Senators as 74 members signed, 10 senators present, totally 84 Senators.

The Senate had at 1.17pm gone into a closed door session on the matter that was listed as the first motion in the order paper and soon after the came out of the closed door session at 2,36pm, the Senate Whip, Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, APC, Borno North moved that the action can be carried out in line with Section 157 (1) of the Constitution.

The motion to sack Umar as CCT Chairman was moved in the Order Paper by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, APC, Ekiti Central.

It was titled, “Invocation of the provision of Section 157 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended for the removal of the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal.”

According to Bamidele, ‘The Senate: Notes that the Code of Conduct Tribunal is one of the key components of Federal Institutions in the country, saddled with the sacred statutory responsibilities of maintaining high standard of morality in the conduct of government business and to ensure that the actions and behaviours of public officers conform to the highest standards of public morality and accountability;

“Also notes that a statutory institution of such magnitude is expected to be an epitome of moral rectitude and should be seen to uphold the virtues of integrity, probity and accountability. However, the conduct of Mr. Yakubu Danladi Umar, who is the Chairman of the Tribunal has fallen short of the requisite standard of a public officer to conduct the affairs of such Tribunal;

“Concerned that the Senate has been inundated with series of petitions and allegations of corruption/misconduct against the Chairman, a situation that necessitated the 9th Senate, through the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions to invite him to series of its investigative hearings in order to unravel the circumstances surrounding those allegations.

November 20, 2024 0 comments

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BREAKING: Senate laments as Auditor-General’s Report Uncovers N105.6bn Fraud in MDAs

by Folarin Kehinde November 19, 2024

written by Folarin Kehinde

The Nigerian Senate has raised serious concerns over the Auditor-General’s report, which exposed a staggering misappropriation of N105.6 billion across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

The upper chamber has promised firm sanctions against erring agencies, emphasising the need for accountability and compliance with legislative directives.

At a legislative oversight workshop in Abuja, Senator Garba Maidoki, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Legislative Compliance, expressed dismay at the financial irregularities.

“We cannot condone such a humongous misappropriation, especially in these critical times. Sanctions will be imposed on MDAs that ignore this report,” Maidoki declared.

The Auditor-General’s report highlighted systemic violations, including N18.36 billion spent on contracts awarded without adherence to the Public Procurement Act. Maidoki criticised agency heads for frequently failing to appear before the Senate to explain their financial dealings, warning, “Firm action will be taken against any agency head who disregards Senate directives.”

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, represented by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, reinforced the Senate’s resolve to uphold legislative compliance.

“Adherence to legislative resolutions is crucial for achieving Nigeria’s development goals and maintaining public trust,” Akpabio remarked.

The workshop, organised by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) in collaboration with Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), also featured insights from key stakeholders.

Professor Abubakar Sulaiman, NILDS Director-General, outlined systemic challenges such as weak enforcement, bureaucratic inertia, and insufficient political support. “These issues erode public trust and undermine governance efforts,” Sulaiman cautioned.

The Senate’s Committee on Public Accounts has already initiated an investigation into the reported financial mismanagement.

Acting Clerk to the National Assembly, Mr. Kamoru Ogunlana, stressed the importance of compliance in building public confidence, stating, “For laws to have meaning, there must be consistent and effective compliance with legislative directives.”

As the Senate intensifies its oversight functions, Maidoki reassured the public of its commitment to holding MDAs accountable.

This effort underscores the legislature’s determination to curb corruption, restore trust, and efficiently use public funds for Nigeria’s sustainable development.

November 19, 2024 0 comments

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Senate reveals date for Tinubu’s 2025 budget presentation to National Assembly

by Folarin Kehinde November 11, 2024

written by Folarin Kehinde

Nigeria’s 2025 budget presentation to the National Assembly could be postponed until December 2024, with no clear timeline set by the executive.

As of early November, essential documents such as the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) have yet to be submitted, a significant delay compared to previous years when these documents were typically ready by October.

The budget estimates were presented in previous administrations by the first week of October, following the National Assembly’s review of the MTEF and FSP.

However, this year’s delay in submitting these key fiscal documents has raised concerns, with the process already running behind schedule.

Senator Sani Musa, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, clarified that President Bola Tinubu’s administration determines the timing of the 2025 budget presentation.

“The decision lies with the executive, not the National Assembly,” Musa said.

He explained that the National Assembly had recently engaged with figures like the Minister of Finance and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPCL) CEO to discuss the performance of the 2024 budget.

“They are working on the 2025 budget, and once completed, it will be forwarded to us,” he added.

While the delay in submitting the MTEF, which outlines critical fiscal parameters such as oil price benchmarks, exchange rates, and inflation projections, has raised concerns, Finance Minister Wale Edun remains optimistic.

“The economy is taking good shape, and we see positive indicators,” he remarked following a recent interactive session.

Senator Musa also noted a reduction in Nigeria’s debt-to-GDP ratio as a sign of ongoing economic reforms. He assured the public that significant improvements would materialise within 16 to 18 months.

The delay in presenting the 2024 budget resulted in its late passage, and President Tinubu signed it into law on January 1, 2024. As the executive branch finalises the 2025 budget, the National Assembly will be ready to scrutinise the document once it is submitted.

November 11, 2024 0 comments

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BREAKING: Senate confirms all seven of Tinubu’s new ministerial nominees

by Folarin Kehinde October 31, 2024

written by Folarin Kehinde

The Nigerian Senate has confirmed the seven ministerial nominees recently submitted by President Bola Tinubu.

The decision followed an expedited screening process by the upper chamber, which was concluded today, October 30.

The confirmed appointees include Nentawe Yilwatda for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Muhammadu Dingyadi for Labour and Employment, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and Jumoke Oduwole for Industry, Trade, and Investment.

Other appointments are Idi Mukhtar Maiha for Livestock Development, Yusuf Ata as Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, and Suwaiba Ahmad as Minister of State for Education.
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The Senate’s rapid confirmation process was directed by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who referred the request to the committee of the whole for consideration shortly after receiving the nominees’ profiles.

October 31, 2024 0 comments