SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES OF SENATOR (DR.) AJIBOLA BASIRU BETWEEN 28TH – 31ST JAN. 2020
Posted at 19:53h in News by Taye Paul Olubayo
TUESDAY 28TH JANUARY, 2020
Distinguished Senator Ajibola Basiru was resumed for Senate Business for the new year with other Senators after a well deserved rest from Senate duties. He joined other Senators at Plenary where the Senate President delivered his welcome address after which the Senate Leader informed the members of the demise of Honourable Muhammadu Fagen Gawo who died on the 31st day of December, 2019, as customary, this culminated in the adjournment of Senate sitting to the next legislative day.
Senator Ajibola Basiru later retired to his office where he had some discussions with his team on their agenda and target for the current year, he also attended to other matters chief among which are matters concerning the Senate Committee on Diaspora, Non-Governmental Organisations and Civil Societies which he is the Chairman.
WEDNESDAY, 29TH JANUARY, 2020
At plenary today, Sen. Kabir Barkiya moved for the approval of votes and proceedings of Tuesday, the 28thday of January 2020, the motion was seconded by Sen. Elisha Abbo.
Some petitions were read and the senate President referred them to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions for a report back to the Senate in two weeks.
Sen. Gyang Istifasnus moved a motion concerning the abduction and killing of Plateau State origins by Boko Haram.
A bill sponsored by Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru Ajibola Basiru, A Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide for the establishment of the Political Parties Registration and Regulatory Commission and for related matters, passed first reading today, 29/01/2020. This is the third Bill sponsored by Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru that has passed first reading.
The objectives of this new Bill among others include: to ensure independent registration and balanced monitoring of political parties and their activities, guaranteeing an unbiased monitoring of the affairs and or conduct of political parties to ensure compliance with the Constitution, the Electoral Act, and the new Bill and also to ensure accountability of political parties.
Sen. Abdullahi Yahaya moved a motion on Nigerian Security challenges and in his usual characteristic and candour, SRJ as he is popularly called by his teeming admirers dissected the issue of insecurity in Nigeria and proffered some practical and workable solutions. According to Senator Ajibola Basiru, It is on record that Nigeria had witnessed a drastic and frantic insecurity challenges in the last few years.
This crisis is in various forms; communal, religious, political and socio-economic with varying degree of casualty, mostly innocent citizens of this country. While some see this phenomenon as a calculated attempt by the international community to divide the country while others believe it is the phantom sectarian violence that is responsible. This suspicion remains speculations and the effect of the challenges today is that Nigerians live in absolute suspicion and constant feeling of an impending disaster. A major fall out is that most economic activities have come to a halt and private businesses are crippling. All these are the direct outcome of insecurity in the Country.
In proffering solutions to the challenges of security in the country, the Distinguished Senator among other suggestions advised that; Good Leadership and Governance is key, the state of insecurity in Nigeria requires a leadership that is broad minded and will properly manage the nation’s affairs in a manner that is transparent, accountable, equitable and responsive to people’s needs.
Legislative Intervention: Laws that tackle the issues of insecurity have to be enacted and implemented. In this regard, there Is Bill for an Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide for the establishment of State Police and to ensure effective community policing in Nigeria. The inability of the Nigerian Police to tickle the challenges of insecurity will be significantly resolved with state police when established.
State Police would be dealing with a smaller terrain,
using locals who will act as informants and spies to reveal the hideouts of criminals.
solve the problem of under-policing with recruitment of more police officers.
The benefits of this proposal according to Senator Basiru among others include the fact that State Police will effectively assess crime, because the Policemen operating in familiar terrains, would be much more effective, efficient and less costly given the familiarity of the operatives with the people, cultural and geographical circumstances of their States. This would also foster and entrench the concept of community policing and improve police efficiency.
The Senate later adjourned till the next legislative day and the Distinguished Senator returned to his office to attend to other official and constituency matters.
THURSDAY, 3OTH JANUARY, 2020
Senator Ajibola Basiru reported in his office as usual before proceeding to the Senate Chambers for business of the day.
At plenary, Sen. Uba Sanni moved for the approval of votes and proceedings of Wednesday, the 29th day of January 2020. Sen, the motion was seconded by Senator Michael Nnachi. The newly elected Senator representing Akwa-Ibom North west, Christopher Ekpenyong, also took the oath of office and was welcomed by other Senators into their fold.
Petitions were raised and were referred to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions for report to the Senate within two weeks.
Sen. Yusuf moved a motion on the state of the four NNPC refineries and Senate resolved on it as follows:
urge the NNPC to evaluate the dilapidated state of the refineries for total overhauling; and
directed Joint Committees on Downstream, Upstream and Gas to look into the issues raised and report to the senate.
Bills were presented for first reading and Reports were presented for consideration by Committees saddled with the responsibility.
The nomination and appointment of Dr. Kingsley Isitua Obiora as the Deputy Governor, CBN was confirmed by the Senate ditto for the nomination for appointment of Chairman and other members of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria.
Sen. Ajibola Basiru spoke on the legality of the dismissal of Mr. Ekenfikari M. Yerima from NECO, and pointed out that the dismissal is lawful as it followed due process of law. The senate thus resolved and unanimously stood down the petition of Mr. Ekenfikari M. Yerima based on the fact that he was legally dismissed in accordance with the due process of law.
Plenary was further adjourned to Tuesday, the 4th day of February 2020. Senator Ajibola Basiru later withdrew to his office to attended to other official and private engagements.
