At today’s sitting, the House of Representatives deliberated on critical national issues and progressed on several bills and motions aimed at enhancing public safety, institutional development, and social welfare. The House also fulfilled its constitutional duties through the consideration of committee reports and furthered its legislative agenda on responsive representation.
Security and Justice
The House condemned the renewed attacks by the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) in parts of Yobe State and urged the Nigerian Army to intensify counter-insurgency operations to safeguard civilian lives and restore public confidence.
Motion Sponsor:
Rep. Khadijah Waziri Bukar Ibrahim (APC, Yobe)
The House also called on the Inspector-General of Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to commence immediate investigations into the murder of thirteen Ebonyi State indigenes in Ogboji Community, Anambra State, and ensure the swift prosecution of the perpetrators.
Motion Sponsor:
Rep. Igariwey Iduma Enwo (PDP, Ebonyi)
Legislative Progression
The House passed for Second Reading nine bills, reflecting its commitment to strengthening legal frameworks and expanding opportunities for national development.
These include:
* Bill for an Act to Establish the National Sickle Cell Institution: To serve as the principal agency for research, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of sickle cell disease through coordinated national programmes and clinical trials. Sponsors: Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, GCON (APC, Kaduna) and Rep. Ahmed Munir (APC, Kaduna)
* Bill to Establish the South East Institute for Vocational and Entrepreneurial Studies, Umuobun, Imo State. Sponsor: Rep. Ikeogwuonu Ugochinyere (PDP, Imo)
* Bill to Establish Federal Medical Centre, Wurno, Sokoto State. Sponsor: Rep. Ibrahim Al-Mustapha Aliyu (APC, Sokoto)
* Bill to Establish the Lithium Development Commission of Nigeria. Sponsor: Rep. Victor Obuzor (PDP, Rivers)
* Bill to Alter the Constitution on to Create Ethiope State. Sponsor: Rep. Benedict Etanabene (LP, Delta)
* Bill to Provide at Least 15 Percent Women Representation in Recruitment of Police Officers. Sponsor: Rep. Kafilat Ogbara (APC, Lagos)
* Bill to Establish the Chartered Institute of Enterprise Risk Management of Nigeria. Sponsor: Rep. Adamu Tanko (APC, Niger)
* Bill to Establish the Federal Institute of Mining and Geosciences, Ikoro, Ekiti State. Sponsors: Rep. Jonathan Gaza Gbefwi and Rep. Bamisile Olufemi (APC, Ekiti)
* Bill to Establish a Trust Fund for the Reformation and Rehabilitation of Inmates. Sponsor: Rep. Olusola Steve Fatoba (APC, Ekiti)
Presentation and Consideration of Reports
The House received two reports from the Committee on University Education, laid by Rep. Abubakar Makki Yalkeman (APC, Jigawa). At the Committee of the Whole, chaired by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, CFR, the House considered the following reports:
– Federal Road Safety Commission Act (Amendment) Bill
– Akanu Ibiam Federal University of Technology, Unwana (Establishment) Bill
– National Polytechnics Commission (Establishment) Bill
– Integrated Corporate Data Management Commission (Establishment) Bill
– Institute of Debt Recovery Practitioners of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill
– Agro Processing Export Free Trade Zone, Yewa North/Imeko Afon, Ogun State (Establishment) Bill
– Federal Medical Centre, Mangu, Plateau State (Establishment) Bill
– Federal College of Nursing Sciences, Mangun, Plateau State (Establishment) Bill
– Federal Medical Centre, Uluoke–Uzaire, Edo State (Establishment) Bill
– Federal College of Education (Technical), Ogute–Okpella, Edo State (Establishment) Bill
– Federal College of Education, Oyin Akoko, Ondo State (Establishment) Bill
– Report on the need to reverse recent hike in fees in Unity Schools
– Bill for an Act to establish Gifted and Talented Centres in the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria
Public Safety and Disaster Preparedness
In response to flooding in Mokwa and Edu communities in Niger and Kwara States respectively, the House adopted a motion by Rep. Joshua Audu Gana (PDP, Niger), urging the Federal Government to enhance flood control infrastructure and improve disaster preparedness in flood-prone areas nationwide.
Following the recent fire outbreak at the Farm Centre GSM Village Market in Kano State, the House called on the Federal Government to declare the incident a national disaster and to provide relief to affected traders. Motion Sponsor: Rep. Mukhtar Umar Zakari (NNPP, Kano)
The House also urged the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and the North West Development Commission (NWDC) to urgently rehabilitate the Jere–Kurmin Jibrin and Kachia–Kwoi roads in Kaduna State to enhance public safety and support regional commerce.
Motion Sponsor: Rep. Gabriel Saleh Zock (APC, Kaduna)
Public Petitions
In furtherance of its commitment to democratic accountability, the House received eight new petitions from aggrieved citizens. These were referred to the Committee on Public Petitions for appropriate legislative attention.
The 10th House of Representatives remains resolute in its constitutional mandate to legislate for peace, justice, equity, and the wellbeing of all Nigerians.
Rep. Akin Rotimi Jr.
Spokesman, House of Representatives
