Plenary proceedings, House of Reps, Tue, March 4th, 2025
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen presided.
After the recitation of the First stanza of the National Anthem, the National Pledge and opening prayer, the Speaker approved the second votes and proceedings of Thursday, February 20th, 2025.
PETITIONS:
- Hon. Victor Ogene laid a petition on behalf of community against the Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra state on alleged poor treatment of their community which hosts the polytechnic.
- Hon. Billy Osawaru laid a petition on behalf of a complainant against the Honorable Minister of Labor and Productivity over his alleged failure to inaugurate the Board of the National Social Insurance Trusf Fund.
Both petitions were referred to the House Committee on Public Petitions.
MATTERS OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE:
- Hon. Tolulope Sadipe moved a motion on the need to avert further loss of lives due to the invasion of farmlands and attacks by herdsmen in Oyo state and it was seconded by Hon. Uduak Odudoh. Hon. Sadipe in leading the debate stated that the herdsmen have continued to invade farmlands without being apprehended by security agencies who are supposed to ensure the safety of lives and properties of the communities, and this has left the farmers helpless. She recalled the Owo crisis of 2021 which escalated due to such inaction by relevant security authorities. Hon. Sadipe worried that if cognizant and proactive efforts are not taken to prevent the looming conflict, it may degenerate into chaos as there is still a Law against open grazing. She called on the relevant Heads of Security Agencies to apprehend and prosecute the invading herdsmen using weapons against helpless farmers. She also called on the relevant Humanitarian Agencies to provide relief to the victims and that the relevant Committees of the House should ensure compliance. The motion was voted on, adopted and referred to the House Committee on Agricultural Services, Interior, NEMA as well as that on Humanitarian Services.
- Hon. Nnamdi Ezechi moved a motion on the urgent need to address the killing of a vigilante member in Delta State by suspected herdsmen and it was seconded by Hon. Ifeanyi Uzokwe. Hon. Ezechi in leading the debate stated that the killing of the vigilante member has heightened tensions between the residents of the community and herdsmen passing through. He stated that the clashes has led to slowing down of socioeconomic activities in the area, this he stated is threatening the peaceful coexistence once prevalent in the region. Hon. Ezechi called on the Federal Government, the Heads of the Police Force at both the Federal and Delta State level to ensure peace is restored and that other security agencies should also provide coordinated security support services. He further called on the House Committee on Police Affairs, National Security and Intelligence as well as that on Agricultural Services to liaise with relevant authorities to find a long term solution to the problem. The motion was voted on, adopted and referred to the House Committee Police Affairs, National Security and Intelligence as well as that on Agricultural Services.
- Hon. Esosa Iyawe moved a motion on a call to suspend and investigate the proposed subscription price hike for satellite television services by DSTv and it was seconded by Hon. Mohammed Shehu. Hon.Esosa in leading the debate stated that the proposed increase has become too frequent, worrisome and not economically feasible for Nigerians. He stated that the hike has triggered wide spread anger as there is no corresponding increase in service quality-delivery. He called on Multichoice to halt the proposed increase and that the House Committee on Commerce should ensure compliance.
Hon. Felix Uche proposed an amendment to prayer 2 of the motion calling on the House Committee on Information to lead the investigation. The motion was voted on, adopted as amended and referred to the House Committee on Information.
- Hon. Bukar Talba moved a motion on the urgent need to empower the victims of insurgency in the community of Marte, Borno state and it was seconded by Hon. David Agada. Hon. Talba in leading the debate stressed the need for empowering the said victims to restore their means of wealth generation, job creation, agricultural and socioeconomic activities and wellbeing. He called for the provision of agricultural subsidies, starter packs and skill acquisition training for the victims. Hon. Talba called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide relief to the victims and that the Federal Ministry of Labor should ensure the provision of the much needed training and empowerment. He also called on the House Committee on Emergency and Disaster Management, Labor and Productivity as well as that on Internally Displaced Persons to ensure compliance. The motion was voted on, adopted and referred to the House Committee on Emergency and Disaster Management, Labor and Productivity, Agricultural Services as well as that on Internally Displaced Persons and Refugees.
ADMITTANCE INTO CHAMBER
Admittance into the Chamber:
Hon. Julius O. Ihonvbere:
“That the House, pursuant to Order Six, Rule 4 (1) and (2) of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives, do admit into the Chamber, a Delegation of the United Kingdom (UK) Branch of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association for the purpose of observing the House Proceedings”.
Hon. Julius Ihonbvere moved the motion for admittance into the Chambers of the House of the visiting UK Parliamentarians representing the Commonwealth Parliament and it was seconded by Hon. Kingsley Chinda.
PRESENTATION OF BILLS
- Federal Polytechnics Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (HB.3014) (Hon. Abbas Tajudeen) – First Reading.
- Federal College of Nursing and Midwifery, Zaria (Establishment) Bill, 2025 (HB.3015) (Hon. Abbas Tajudeen) – First Reading.
- Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (HB.3016) (Hon. Abbas Tajudeen) – First Reading.
- Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (HB.3017) (Hon. Abbas Tajudeen) – First Reading.
- Federal Colleges of Education Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (HB.3018) (Hon. Abbas Tajudeen) – First Reading.
- Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (HB.3007) (Hon. Adewale Hammed) – First Reading.
- Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Ugbogun, Uhunmwode, Edo State (Establishment) Bill, 2025 (HB.3013) (Hon. Billy Osawaru) – First Reading.
- Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (HB.3008) (Hon. Abiodun Isiaq Akinlade) – First Reading.
- Nigerian Meteorological Agency Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (HB.3009) (Hon. Abiodun Isiaq Akinlade) – First Reading.
- Orthopaedic Hospitals Management Board Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (SB.364) (Senate) – First Reading
- Federal Universities of Agriculture Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (SB.720) (Senate) – First Reading
- Federal Universities of Agriculture Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (SB.675) (Senate) – First Reading
- Federal Universities of Agriculture Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (HB.3006) (Hon. Mathew Nwogu) – First Reading
- Federal College of Nursing and Midwifery (Special) Ora Igbimina, Osun State (HB.3012) (Hon. Clement Ademola Akanni) – First Reading
- Nigeria Centre for Animal Disease Control and Prevention (Establishment) Bill, 2025 (HB.2034) (Hon. Sulaiman Abubakar Gumi) – First Reading
- Federal University of Agriculture and Development Studies, Ishiagu (Establishment) Bill, 2025 (HB.2052) (Hon. Nkemkanma Kama) – First Reading.
- Chartered Institute of Public Diplomacy and Management of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2025 (HB.2079) (Hon. Chimaobi Sam Atu) – First Reading.
- Non-Governmental and Civil Society Organisations Agency (Establishment) Bill, 2025 (HB. 3019) (Hon. Sada Soli) – Second Reading.
PRESENTATION OF REPORTS
- Committee on Review of Standing Orders:
Hon. Francis O. Waive:
“That the House do receive the Report of the Committee on Rules and Business on the Further Review of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives”.
The report was laid following a motion by Hon. Francis Waive and seconded by Hon. Bitrus Laori.
- Committee on Pensions:
Hon. Hussaini Mohammed Jallo:
“That the House do receive the Report of the Committee on Pensions to investigate the Administration of Nigeria’s Pension Fund Assets” (HR. 195/10/2023) (Referred: 3/10/2023)
The report was laid following a motion by Hon. Hussaini Jallo and seconded by Hon. Kafilat Ogbara.
- Committee on Pensions:
Hon. Hussaini Mohammed Jallo:
“That the House do receive the Report of the Committee on Pensions on the Plight of Retirees under the Contributory Pension Scheme” (HR. 66/02/2024) (Referred: 20/2/2024).
The report was laid following a motion by Hon. Hussaini Jallo and seconded by Hon. Kafilat Ogbara.
ORDERS OF THE DAY
BILLS
- A Bill for an Act to Amend the Federal Polytechnics Act, Cap. F17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to, among other things, review the Functions of the Polytechnics and for Related Matters (Hon. Abbas Tajudeen and Hon. Fuad Kayode Laguda) – Second Reading.
Debate
Hon. Fuad Laguda moved for the second reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Hon. Mudashiru Lukman. Hon. Laguda in leading the debate stated that the Bill seeks the establishment of Polytechnics nationwide to drive the development of technical education in polytechnics in Nigeria. It also seeks to promote the powers of educational boards and include representation from the Nigerian Technical Board among other things.
The Presiding Speaker stated that the spirit of the Bill is apt as it seeks to among other things abolish the long standing BSc./HND dichotomy by replacing HND with a B.Tech degree in order for such graduates to compete favorably with those from the Universities. The Bill was voted on, approved for second reading and referred to the House Committee on Polytechnics and other Higher Education.
- A Bill for an Act to Provide for Establishment and the Functions of Legislative Security Directorate in the National assembly, Provide for the Qualification and Condition of Service of the Sergeant–At–Arms and other Personnel of the Directorate and for Related Matters (HB.1632) (Hon. Rotimi Akintunde) – Second Reading.
Debate
Hon. Akintunde Rotimi moved for the second reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Hon. Ibrahim Mohammed. The Bill was voted on, approved for second reading and referred to the House Committee on Internal Security of the National Assembly.
- A Bill for an Act to Establish Chartered Institute of Financial and Investment Analysts of Nigeria, to Regulate and Control the Practice of Financial and Investment Analysts in Nigeria and for Related Matters (HB.336) (Hon. Whingan Sesi Oluwaseun) – Second Reading.
Debate
Hon. Whingan Oluwaseun moved for the second reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Hon. Muktar Shagaya. Hon. Oluwaseun in leading the debate stated that the Bill seeks to establish the Chartered Institute of Financial and Investment Analysts of Nigeria to regulate and promote the practice of setting standards, conducting examinations and providing certification for participants. He stated that the Institute will also help to promote the ever growing financial sector of the nation.
Hon. Kingsley Chinda moved a Point of Order that Honorable Members do not have a compendium of debate for Honorable Members to make informed contributions to the debate. Due to the unavailability of copies of the compendium of debate, the second reading of the Bill was then stepped down to the next Legislative date.
- A Bill for an Act to Entrench a Level Playing Field between Holders of Bachelor’s Degree and Graduates of Higher National Diplomas by Providing equal Opportunities between the two categories of Graduates and Prohibit the Discrimination against the Higher National Diploma Qualification in the Consideration for Employment or Promotion in Public and Private Sector in Nigeria and for Related Matters (HB.1443) (Hon. Fuad Kayode Laguda) – Second Reading.
Debate
Hon. Fuad Laguda prayed the House to harmonize the prayers of the Bill with the first Bill of the day. The second reading of the Bill was then stepped down by leave of the House.
- A Bill for an Act to Amend the Federal Medical Centres Act to Establish Federal Medical Centre, Ikwuano, Abia State and for Related Matters (HB.1605) (Hon. Obinna Aguocha) – Second Reading.
Debate
Hon. Obinna Aguocha moved for the second reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Hon. Harrison Nwanozie. The Bill was voted on, approved for second reading and referred to the House Committee on Health Institutions.
MOTIONS
- Waste Pollution and the Management of its Impacts on Health and Environment:
Hon. Julius G. Pondi:
The House:
Notes the difficulties faced by citizens in controlling and managing waste disposals and utilizing production effluents in the manufacturing industries, as well as the oil and gas sectors;
Observes the recurring negative impacts that ineffective waste disposal practices have had on the health of citizens in communities and locations where oil and gas activities are conducted;
Also observes that the major components of environmental pollution are hazardous waste discharges in manufacturing industries, unending gas flaring, crude and refined oil spills, as often happens in the Niger Delta region, in addition to domestic waste disposals;
Also notes that in spite of the numerous laws and regulations on waste management across the country, there are still numerous gaps and lapses in the control and management of industrial and domestic waste across the country;
Worried that the consequences of continued neglect of our environment could result in, as it had often been the case, serious health challenges for our people, all in addition to a degeneration of the nation’s ecosystem, loss of agricultural productivity, and environmental degradation, especially in the coastal regions of the country;
Resolves to:
(i) urge the Federal Ministry of Environment, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), the National Oil Spill Detection, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), to reinforce the enforcement of all environment-related laws and regulations and strengthen the effectiveness of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to:
(a) implore States and Local Governments to closely collaborate with the Federal Government to ensure that Oil Companies and Manufacturing Industries, as well as Small and Medium-Scale Businesses, adopt cleaner and safer waste disposal methods to contain the outbreaks of infections and spread of communicable diseases, and
(ii) mandate the Committee on Environment to conduct a wholesome survey on the extent of environmental pollution across and around major industries and their level of compliance with laws and regulations on pollutions and report within four (4) weeks for further legislative action.
Debate
Hon. Julius Pondi moved the motion on waste pollution and the management of its impacts on health and environment and it was seconded by Hon. Abubakar Dahiru. The motion was voted on, adopted and referred to the House Committee on Environment.
- Need to Establish Permanent Military Outpost in Shinkafi and Zurmi Federal Constituency of Zamfara State to Curtail the Menace of Insurgency:
Hon. Hassan Bello Shinkafi:
The House:
Notes that Section 14(2) (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) states that the welfare and security of the citizens shall be the primary purpose of government;
Also notes that the persistent and escalating security challenges in Shinkafi and Zurmi Local Government Areas of Zamfara State have led to increase in attacks, killings, maiming, kidnappings posing grievous threat to lives, properties and development of the areas;
Aware that the Governor of Zamfara State has taken series of pragmatic steps in safeguarding the State, including establishing Security Trust Fund, Community Protection Guards, intelligence sharing and provision of logistical support to security agencies, regular security council meetings and blocking logistics supply to bandits;
Also aware that the military personnel has made remarkable efforts in curbing the devastating situation;
Disturbed that the pathetic situation has inflicted untold hardship on the people living in Shinkafi and Zurmi Local government Areas, preventing their access to farmlands, markets, and schools for the general population;
Worried that over 40 villages were affected by bandit invasion, leading to villagers fleeing and leaving the areas deserted;
Informed that the Military men were seen in Shinkafi/Zurmi Federal Constituency for about two weeks, but later withdrew causing bandit Kingpin to resurface and launch attacks on constituents;
Cognizant that establishing a security base will address emerging security threats, provide a secured environment for citizens and residents of Shinkafi and Zurmi, and ensure the return of fled villagers;
Resolves to:
(i) urge the Federal Government to direct the military to as a matter of necessity and urgency construct and station a befitting and well equipped permanent military outpost in Magarya, Kurya, Kware, Dutsi, Mashema, Gurbin Bore, Boko and Dole in Shinkafi and Zurmi Local Government Areas respectively to further enhance security of the areas and reinforce the military personnel to effectively checkmate and confront the nefarious activities of bandits;
(ii) also urge other security, law enforcement agencies and other relevant stakeholders to synergize with the Zamfara State Government to further stem the unfortunate insecurity trend;
(iii) further urge the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction to immediately provide relief materials to the affected victims across Shinkafi/Zurmi Federal Constituency;
(iv) mandate the Committees on Defence, Army, National Security and Intelligence, Humanitarian Services and Legislative Compliance to ensure implementation and report within four (4) weeks for further legislative actions.
Debate
Hon. Hassan Bello moved the motion on the need to establish permanent military outposts in Shinkafi and Zurmi Federal Constituency of Zamfara State to curtail the menace of insurgency and it was seconded by Hon. Etteh Ikpong. The motion was voted on, adopted and referred to the House Committee on Defense, Army, National Security and Intelligence as well as that on Humanitarian Affairs.
House Adjournment:
The House at 12:38 adjourned plenary to Wednesday, March 5th, 2025 by 11:00 A.M following a motion for adjournment moved by the Leader of the House, Hon. Julius Ihonbvere and seconded by the Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda.
Courtesy: LightRay! Media and Media Unit, Office of the Speaker, House of Representatives.
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