Plenary proceedings, House of Reps, Thursday , May 22nd, 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 votes and proceedings of Wednesday, May 21st, 2025.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
- Communication from the President:
I. Rivers state 2025 Appropriation Bill for the consideration and approval of the House of Representatives: This is pursuant to the fact that the declaration of the Supreme Court, makes it clear that due to the state of emergency in Rivers state, also resulting in the suspension of plenary activities of the Rivers State House of Assembly makes the National Assembly assume its functions. This is to ensure continuance of good governance of the state during this period for the good of people living in Rivers state. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expressed optimism at the usual cooperation of the House of Representatives on such critical matters.
- Defection of Honorable Member:
I. Hon. Sunday Umeha (Enugu) from LP to APC
PETITIONS:
- Hon. Esosa Iyawe laid a petition on behalf of a complainant against NPS Technology Ltd. on alleged non payment of due funds.
- Hon. Ibe Osonwa laid a petition on behalf of a complainant against the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on alleged non-payment of salaries and emoluments for many months.
- Hon. Ifeanyi Uzokwe laid a petition on behalf of a community calling for the intervention of the House on the dastardly effects of the gully erosion that has ravaged their community and also resulted in loss of lives. They seek the intervention of the House to ensure saving the integrity of the land before the raining season intensifies.
- Hon. Chike Okafor laid a petition on behalf of a town union in Anambra state against the local security operatives on alleged murder and dumping of the bodies of 2 residents of the community.
The petitions were referred tot the House Committee on Public Petitions.
MATTER OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE:
- Hon. Sani Bala moved a motion on the urgent need to address the rise of insecurity in communities in Kano state bordering Katsina state and it was seconded by Hon. Miriam Onuoha. Hon. Bala in leading the debate stated that the said communities have recently become flashpoints of violence, attacks and abductions and this has negatively affected the socioeconomic activities in the region. Residents of the communities he stated are predominantly engaged in agriculture and mining.
He expressed worry that if not checked; the livelihood of people in the affected communities may be truncated due to increasing disruptions and displacements. Hon. Bala bemoaned the lack of security, care and welfare for the affected victims and called on the National Security Adviser, Inspector General of Police as well as other relevant security agencies to immediately deploy personnel to contain the situation. He further called on the local rulers to continue ensuring local intelligence-gathering for the apprehension of suspected perpetrators.
Hon. Bala further called on the House Committee on National Security and Intelligence, Traditional Institutions, Police Affairs as well as that on State and Local Government to ensure compliance and report back to the House within 4 weeks. The motion was voted on, adopted and referred to the House Committee on National Security and Intelligence, Traditional Institutions, Police Affairs as well as that on State and Local Government.
MATTER OF PERSONAL EXPLANATION:
- Hon. Jesse Onuakalusi rose on a matter of personal explanation that at the Committee of the Whole, his name was conspicuously missing as a Member that participated in the Public Hearing of the Committee that handled a particular Bill.
- Hon. Ibrahim Almustapha rose on a matter of personal personal explanation that on Wednesday, May 15th, 2025 the Fellowship of the NIA recognized the Rt. Honorable Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen as a detribalized leader, a nation and bridge builder and truly patriotic Nigerian democrat with rare and exemplary leadership qualities.
Hon. Julius Ihonbvere as the Leader of the House, also rose on behalf of Honorable Members, to congratulate the Presiding Speaker on this national recognition as a true national leader. He stated that the recognition truly reflects his passionate leadership of the House of Representatives in the interest of Nigerians of all walks of life, creed, religious beliefs and ethnicity.
PRESENTATION OF BILLS
- Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2025 (HB.2347) (Hon. Ibrahim Ayokunle Isiaka) – First Reading.
- Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Sixth Alteration) Bill, 2025 (HB.2348) (Hon. Ibrahim Ayokunle Isiaka) – First Reading.
- Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (HB.2349) (Hon. Awaji Inombek Abiante) – First Reading.
- National Estate Housing Management Commission Bill, 2025 (HB.2350) (Hon. Mallam Bukar Gana) – First Reading.
- Chartered Institute of Human Resource Management (Establishment) Bill, 2025 (HB.2351) (Hon. Zakaria Dauda Nyampa) – First Reading.
PRESENTATION OF REPORT
Committee on Justice:
Hon. Olumide Babatunde Osoba:
“That the House do receive the Report of the Committee on Justice on the Need to Address the Withholding of Bar Results and Backlog of Students awaiting Call to Bar (HR. 105/03/2025) Referred: 27/3/2025.
The report was laid following a motion by Hon. Olumide Osoba and seconded by Hon. Ari Abdumumin.
ORDERS OF THE DAY
BILLS
- A Bill for an Act to Repeal the National Identity Management Commission Act, 2007 and provide for Establishment of National Identity Database and the National Identity Management Commission and for Related Matters (HB. 1281) (Leader) (Hon. Julius Ihonvbere, Owan Federal Constituency) – Third Reading.
Debate
Hon. Julius Ihonbvere moved for the third reading of the Bill and it was seconded by Hon. Kingsley Chinda. The Bill was voted on, read for the third time and passed.
Hon. Julius Ihonbvere moved a motion that the House suspends its relevant rules to enable it step down all other matters on the Order Paper, so that Honorable Members from the caucus of the All Progressives Congress can attend the National Party Summit at the State Banquet Hall and it was seconded by Hon. Kingsley Chinda.
House Adjournment:
The House at 12:11 adjourned plenary to Tuesday, May 27th, 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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