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  • All arms of govt must work to address security challenges, Gbajabiamila says

    All arms of govt must work to address security challenges, Gbajabiamila says

    The three arms of government must take all necessary actions to face and address the security challenges facing the country, the Speaker of the House of Representatives Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila has said.
    He said this while declaring open a 2-day retreat and workshop on promoting effective legislation and oversight of the security sector in Nigeria organized by the House Committee on National Security and Intelligence in collaboration with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) Foundation in Abuja on Thursday.
    He said: “We are at this moment experiencing in many parts of our country, significant internal security challenges that have disrupted the lives of many of our citizens, and led to a loss of lives and property at a scale that cannot easily be quantified.
    “These internal security challenges threaten the very existence of the Nigerian state because they undermine public faith in the government’s ability to fulfill its fundamental obligation to protect the lives and property of citizens.
    “Across the three arms of government, we have a shared responsibility to take all necessary actions to meet these challenges head-on. This is what the people who elected us rightly expect.
    “National security is generally understood to be the preserve of the executive arm of government. As a result, the general public and even the political class often do not know what the legislative role in national security is, or ought to be.
    “This knowledge gap presents an ongoing limitation on the policy-making and oversight role of the legislature as it pertains specifically to the challenges we face in the national security sector. Workshops such as the one we have gathered here for today are an essential tool in reversing this gap,” the Speaker said.
    Gbajabiamila said the retreat should be “an opportunity to critically assess the legislative role in ensuring a safe and secure country for our children.
    “The realities of the moment require that we be willing to speak honest truths about the things we haven’t gotten right so that we can then focus our energies on making sure that we do better for the future.
    “I encourage all of you to remember that a lot of the hopes we have for our country depend on our ability to guarantee the safety of our people and the security of property and investments. And from this remembrance, I hope we can find the motivation to do all that this moment requires of us.”
    “Key followers of the House would notice that security has been a very important part of our work. It’s part of our legislative agenda. When I came in, I visited three key states affected by insecurity. I went to Katsina, Borno and Zamfara.”
    “We now have in our process the means of alternative funding for the security agencies.
    “I think we should have the roles of each security agencies clearly defined. It’s important that we understand the separation.
    “There’s no way you can have a government that thrives without security. Anything else relies on security. That’s why when this government came in, security was one of the legs,” the Speaker added.
    In an address, the chairman of the House Committee on National Security and Intelligence, Rep. Sha’aban Sharada, said members of the committee were committed to seeing that all security agencies under them are provided with the necessary support to succeed in their mandate.
    Saying the retreat could not have come at a better time than now due to the security challenges facing the country, Rep Sharada noted that the committee is currently working on a bill on proliferation of small and light arms as part of efforts to tackle insecurity.
    He called on all security agencies to strengthen their efforts and that the citizens should give them the maximum support. He thanked the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Nigeria for their support.
    In a remark, the Resident Representative of KAS Nigeria, Dr Vladimir Kreck, said his organization has been partnering with different government institutions in Nigeria, including the House of Representatives, in the area of security to find lasting solutions to the challenges in the sector.
    He said his organization’s partnership with the House of Representatives was very critical in addressing security challenges in the country, hoping that such would yield fruitful results in the end.
    There were goodwill messages from the Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, who was the Chairman of the Committee in the 7th Assembly, and the Minister of FCT, Mohammed Musa Bello, both of whom were represented.

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  • Gbajabiamila in Zaria, condoles with el-Rufai, late Emir’s family,

    Gbajabiamila in Zaria, condoles with el-Rufai, late Emir’s family,

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, on Tuesday visited the Zazzau Emirate where he commiserated with the Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai and the family of the late Emir of Zazzau, Dr Shehu Idris.


    Gbajabiamila, who was received by the Secretary to the Government of Kaduna State, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, and some members of the Zazzau Emirate Council, said the late Emir was a man of integrity who dedicated himself to the service of his people.The Speaker personally delivered separate condolence letters to the governor through the SSG and the emirate council through some senior emirate council members. 
    Noting that the demise of the late Emir was a great loss not just to the Emirate but also to the country as a whole, Gbajabiamila said the entire 360 members of the House were sad over the loss. 
    “The people of this great Emirate, let me say to you that you’re not alone on this loss. This is indeed a big loss to the people of the Emirate, the state and the country as a whole. I say a great loss because whenever you go to commiserate, you hear what a loss, what a loss, what a loss!
    “But I say this with profound ‎seriousness because for those of us who have followed our late emir, who have come to know him, knew him for whom he was: a man of integrity, dedicated to the service of his people.
    “I was here some time ago, late last year, in November, when we prayed and we sat, and it was like I had known him forever.
    “Perhaps, one of the most impressive things for me was the way he pronounced my name with ease. It tells you the kind of person the late Dr Shehu Idris was,” he said.
    The Speaker added that: “On behalf of myself and on behalf of every single member of the House of Representatives, on behalf of 360 of us, I pay this condolence visit in my personal capacity as one of his followers and in my capacity as the Speaker.
    “They have sent me here to commiserate with you. We ask that the Almighty Allah will grant him Jannatul Firdaus, that He will forgive him his sins, and that his soul will rest in perfect peace.”
    The Speaker was accompanied on the condolence visit by the House Leader, Rep. Alhassan Ado Doguwa, and some members of the House from Kaduna State.

  • Gbajabiamila mourns Emir of Zazzau

    Gbajabiamila mourns Emir of Zazzau

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila has mourned the passing of the Emir of Zazzau, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Shehu Idris.
    Gbajabiamila said the royal father lived a life worthy of emulation by upcoming generation, saying his demise has left a vacuum too difficult to fill at this time.
    The Speaker noted that the late Shehu Idris was an embodiment of peace, rallying round his people to live peacefully and harmoniously among themselves and with visitors.
    While condoling with the people and Government of Kaduna State, especially the Zazzau Emirate, Gbajabiamila prayed that Almighty Allah will grant the soul of the late Emir of Zazzau eternal rest.
    “For those that knew the late Emir of Zazzau, he stood for peace not just among his subjects but also among Nigerians as a whole.
    “While on the throne, he lived an exemplary life. His was a life worthy of emulation. My heart and prayers go to the people of Zazzau Emirate, members of his immediate family and the entire people of Kaduna State for this painful loss,” Gbajabiamila said.
    The Speaker said the late emir has made his mark and positive impacts in the lives of his people.
    The late Alhaji Shehu Idris, who ascended to the throne in 1975, spent 45 years as the 18th Fulani Emir of Zazzau, one of the longest reigns in Northern Nigeria. He was both the Chairman of Zazzau Emirate Council and the Kaduna State Emirate Council.

  • Gbajabiamila commiserates with Senator Wamakko over daughter’s death

    Gbajabiamila commiserates with Senator Wamakko over daughter’s death


    The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila has condoled with Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko over the demise of his daughter, Sadiya.
    Gbajabiamila, who described the passing away of Sadiya as painful, said he shares in the grief of the Wamakko family at this moment.
    In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, the Speaker prayed for the repose of the soul of Wamakko’s daughter.
    “My heart and prayers go to the family of Distinguished Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko.
    “It is painful losing one’s daughter. I pray that Allah (SWT) will grant her soul Jannatul Firdaus and give the family the fortitude to bear this huge loss,” the Speaker said.

  • Gbajabiamila urges Ghana to revisit law on $1m business capital

    Gbajabiamila urges Ghana to revisit law on $1m business capital

    …seeks bilateral trade law between the two countries…advocates application of ECOWAS protocols 

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila has made some far-reaching proposals that would bring an end to the attacks on Nigerian traders doing business in Ghana. 
    During a ‘Legislative Diplomacy’ bilateral meeting with Ghanaian lawmakers and some top government officials as part of his ongoing visit to Ghana to resolve the crisis, Gbajabiamila advocated for an amicable settlement of trade disputes through arbitration and fair judicial processes. 
    The Speaker also said he would be glad to champion a law to improve the bilateral trade relations between Nigeria and Ghana, noting that citizens of the two countries remain brothers and sisters.
    He called on Ghanaian authorities to revisit the component of the law that requires a capital base of $1 million for businesses to start, saying as Africans, Ghana should encourage brotherliness. 
    “First, amicable settlement of trade disputes through arbitration and fair judicial processes. In this context, we do believe that while it is the sovereign right of the government of Ghana to pass and implement the GIPC Act, we would implore you to explore alternative and less aggressive options of engaging, sanctioning and relating with our traders and business people who operate in your country, pay taxes and contribute to the development of both our nations.
    “Secondly, we would encourage you to revisit the component of the law that requires a capital base of $1,000,000. We are all Africans, we all have towns and villages, and we know only too well that majority of our traders across the continent are petty traders. The prospect of them being able to raise a capital base of $1,000,000 before they can trade in goods that may be worth less than $1,000, clearly is a major challenge.
    “Thirdly, one of the things we are all proud about and the common surname that we all bear is ‘ECOWAS’ and as you know, by virtue of being ECOWAS countries, our nations and our citizens should be able to live, work and thrive in any of our nations without any form of hindrance or discrimination.
    “It is in this light we would encourage that we explore how the principles and the application of ECOWAS protocols – which we are both signatories to – may perhaps conflict with the application of the GIPC Act, especially vis-à-vis the recent adoption of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (ACfTA) by African nations; and also the movement towards a single currency in the West African subregion. 
    “Fourth, is the importance of strengthening legislative diplomacy and collaboration. Legislative diplomacy is a tool that has been used across the world – both in developing and developed nations – to negotiate, to arbitrate and to find peaceful resolution to disputes between nations. Legislative diplomacy is akin to back-channel diplomacy, which in many cases, makes it more possible for countries to debate and find solutions to problems, without any country losing face publicly. 
    “In this regard, I do believe that this step both our parliaments have taken to sit, to discuss, deliberate and find solutions; is a sterling example of legislative diplomacy, which the rest of the continent can follow to ensure that while the executive arm of government is performing its duties, that we in the legislature can also leverage our knowledge, our experience, the relationships we have amongst ourselves, to complement efforts in finding collective solutions to our shared problems. 
    “Fifth, like I said right from the beginning, Nigeria and Ghana are siblings from the same family. I for one, would be willing to champion a law that helps to improve the bilateral trade relations and reciprocal legislation between our two countries and in this regard, we would like to explore the possibility of jointly passing what we could potentially call a Nigeria-Ghana Friendship Act – or something in that line, which will help to cement into law the good relations between our countries and also create a legal framework for further camaraderie that will enable us to ensure that, when it comes to Nigeria and Ghana, our laws will support efforts to improve relations, trade and positive and friendly interactions between our citizens, institutions and our governments.
    “We do not have an exact title for such a law as at now, but agreeing on reciprocal legislation that cements the friendship between our nations; and ensures that it continues to thrive and benefit all our citizens – no matter where they live – would go a long way in strengthening our relations on all levels,” Gbajabiamila said. 
    Noting that the relationship between Nigeria and Ghana is one of the most important in Africa, Gbajabiamila said at a time the world is battling the Covid-19 pandemic and the economic impacts and the pressures on public coffers “and service delivery systems are weighing heavily on us all, it is clear that this is not a time for conflict and disagreements, but a time for partnership and solidarity.”
    He said it is in a bid to improve the bilateral relationships among African countries that he has been championing the creation of the Conference of Speakers and Heads of African Parliaments ( CoSAP) aimed at identifying, discussing and resolving issues and challenges that affect growth, stability and development within different regions and across the continent.
    “While our countries share a constructive and healthy rivalry in several areas – ranging from football to music, food and movie production, amongst others – we know that our healthy rivalry is based more on friendship than enmity and more on healthy competition than destructive confrontation.
    “We are friends, we are family, we are one and are determined to remain so, as we continue what our founding fathers started over six decades ago. These reasons, ladies and gentlemen, is why we are here: to deliberate on how we can jointly overcome current challenges and together, build the peaceful and prosperous future we both seek for our countries and our citizens.”
    He said the challenges that Nigerian traders face in Ghana are a cause for deep concern for all arms of the Nigerian government and the Nigerian people, calling for urgent action to end the hostility.
    Gbajabiamila added that: “The escalation of the tensions between our citizens and our nations is nothing for either of our countries to be proud of. And therefore, as I said today at the Nigeria High Commission, it is important that we leaders ensure that our utterances and our actions; and what is reported in our media do not fan the flames of conflict and confrontation, but instead, fuel the possibilities of first de-escalating tensions; finding constructive options for resolution; and working together to effectively implement those solutions, both here in Ghana as well as in Nigeria.”
    Speaking, the Ghanaian Minister of Trade and Industry Hon. Alan Kyeremateng, said there are many Ghanaians and Nigerians who are going about their lawful duties without difficulties. 
    “The incidence that has occurred where some shops were locked up must have risen out of situations where there were clear abuses of the application of the laws.
    “I was happy that the Nigerian Speaker of the House of Representatives mentioned that if they are doing legitimate business, please allow them as brothers and sisters to continue to do so. I want to give you that assurance that that will be the case. Anybody engaged in business, trading, doing the rightful things, they must have no difficulties.
    “Even in cases where we found that in some instances where the laws were not being followed, I, in my capacity as the Minister of Trade, had ordered that they shut the office and those who are being seen as offending the law be given an opportunity to regularize their documentation.
    “I say this, being the Minister of Trade and Industry, this is not something that is new, I have always since the time I’ve been a Minister found a way of going along, so that those who needed to regularize their businesses would do so.
    “Also as indicated by the Speaker, that it will be a desire to see whether certain aspects of the law could be looked at, I’m sure the Speaker will look at that request and appropriate Committees would be engaged on the subject
    “As long as the laws remain on our statute books, I will like to request that, you send a strong signal to our brothers and sisters who are engaged in retail trading that at least for now until further considerations are made on our statute books, they should just respect the law because Ghanaian traders themselves are required to respect the laws of our country. And in that sense, it will be discriminatory for us to require Ghanaians to respect the same laws in our statute books and not require foreigners to do so.”
    Arising from the meeting, which lasted into the night on Wednesday, a communique would be issued.

  • Gbajabiamila hopeful of Mutually acceptable resolutions to Ghanaian Diplomatic Face-off

    Gbajabiamila hopeful of Mutually acceptable resolutions to Ghanaian Diplomatic Face-off


    …as Nigerian Traders narrate ordeals to Gbajabiamila
    The Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila says he is hopeful that Nigeria and Ghana will arrive at mutually acceptable resolutions to the trade disputes that erupted some weeks back. 
    The Speaker, who led a delegation of lawmakers from the House of Representatives, said this when they were received by the Speaker of the Ghanaian parliament, Rt. Hon. Prof. Mike Oquaye, as they arrived Accra, the capital of Ghana, on a legislative diplomatic mission. 
    Gbajabiamila said the two-day visit to Ghana was meant to explore legislative diplomacy towards resolving the issues affecting both countries. 
    Alongside the Speaker on the legislative diplomatic mission to Ghana are the Chairman House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Rep. Buba Yusuf; Chairman House Committee on Media, Rep. Benjamin Kalu; House Member of Ecowas Parliament, Rep. Bayo Balogun, Rep. Ikenna Elezieanya, Rep Ephraim Nwuzi and Rep. Balarabe Shehu. 
    Welcoming the Nigerian delegation, the Speaker of the Ghanaian Parliament, Rt. Hon. Prof. Oquaye, who expressed confidence for an amicable resolution of the issues said, “Ghana and Nigeria are like the tongue and the teeth, they must interact, and sometimes the teeth may do havoc, and yet it never regrets the taste that the tongue gives to it. That’s what happens if we don’t interact. 
    “Even when we step on one another’s feet, in the process we should come to realize that there’s a need to continue to be together and we, therefore, welcome you, thank you very much for your keenness in responding to my call that we should meet and you took a quick step in arranging to be here today.


    “I trust in the next two days we will bring a beautiful reunion to our two Nations.”
    Responding, Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, while thanking his counterpart for the warm welcome, emphasized that within the next two days of discussions, hopefully, they would be able to arrive at a mutually acceptable resolution between both countries. 
    He said, “There’s something in modern-day parlance called legislative diplomacy or parliamentary diplomacy, and that’s what obtains all over the world today. Diplomacy is done from all angles including backchannel such as what we are doing now and sometimes you get results that you can only imagine. So I look forward to a fruitful discussion as we move forward. 
    “Like you rightly said, Nigeria and Ghana are more like Siamese twins, and brothers. I love the analogy you came up with, like the tongue and teeth. Brothers will always have squabbles, healthy ones, national interest on both side will always come to play but it’s not the misunderstanding that matters, it’s how you resolve it that matters. 
    “In Africa, you cannot talk about Nigeria without talking about Ghana and you cannot talk about Ghana without talking about Nigeria and therefore it has become incumbent on us, one as leaders of parliament and two generally as parliamentarians to bring to bear this concept of legislative diplomacy for fruitful results. 
    “The weight and burden of our international relationship rest actually on parliamentary shoulders and it is my hope that we will, in two days, reach some resolutions that will settle both countries.”
    Afterwards, the Speaker and his delegation made their way to the Nigerian High Commission where they met with Leaders of the Nigerian Union of Traders and Selected Stakeholders. It was a chance for the Speaker and his team to hear from the traders about their experiences.
    The leader of the Nigerian traders in Ghana, Chief Chukwuemeka Levi Nnaji, informed Gbajabiamila and his entourage that Nigerian traders have been subjected to a lot of hardship by the Ghanaian authorities since 2007.
    According to him, despite complying with laid down laws, Nigerians traders were always the target for harsh treatments whenever both countries are having issues.
    He added that Nigerians traders have their trades registered with appropriate agencies, pay their taxes as and when due, yet they were still subjected to harsh treatment by the authorities.
    For instance, according to him, while many Nigerian traders could not afford the latest $1m trade registration fees, those that paid still had their shops under lock and key.
    With about 250 shops locked up by the authorities, the situation has led to the death of some of their members, he disclosed.
    He, however, appealed to the Speaker to follow up on the legislative diplomatic initiative in order to ensure that the resolutions arrived at are implemented by the Ghanaian authorities.

  • BREAKING: Gbajabiamila arrives Ghana over Traders’ crisis

    BREAKING: Gbajabiamila arrives Ghana over Traders’ crisis

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has arrived in Ghana in a bid to resolving the issues arising from the $1m levy imposed by the West African country on traders from Nigeria.

    Gbajabiamila announced his arrival via his Twitter handle on Wednesday.

    “Initial meeting with my host the Speaker of Ghanian Parliament who met me at the airport Hon Prof Mike Oquaye. We will meet again this evening,” he tweeted.

    The Nigerian speaker had told State House correspondents at the end of a meeting he had with the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), at the Presidential Villa on Tuesday that he had received Buhari’s nod to embark on the trip.

    Recall that the Federal Government, through the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, had last week protested the development, saying it would no longer accept humiliation of Nigerians by Ghana.

    Ghananian authorities had since responded to the statement, saying Mohammed’s claims on the issue and previous ones were inaccurate.

    But Gbajabiamila said he would be embarking on what he called “legislative diplomacy” to Ghana.

    Gbajabiamial, who had earlier said the closure of Nigerian shops in Ghana contravened Economic Community of West African States trade protocols, told reporters that he would find a way forward during his trip.

    He said, “I am leaving for Ghana tomorrow (Wednesday) to meet with the Speaker of the parliament in Ghana to look at the issues on ground as they affect our citizens, and to try and calm things down.

    “I informed the President and he is aware of every single step that we are taking, and we hope that we will come to an amicable settlement one way or the other.

    Gbajabiamila recalled that he had led a similar delegation to South Africa at the peak of a crisis involving Nigerians there.

    “It is called legislative diplomacy. If you remember very well, during the days when I was Leader of the House, I led the delegation to South Africa during the crisis there with Nigerians and we were able to accomplish quite a bit, to simmer things down at that time,” he said.

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has arrived in Ghana in a bid to resolving the issues arising from the $1m levy imposed by the West African country on traders from Nigeria.

    Gbajabiamila announced his arrival via his Twitter handle on Wednesday.

    “Initial meeting with my host the Speaker of Ghanian Parliament who met me at the airport Hon Prof Mike Oquaye. We will meet again this evening,” he tweeted.

    The Nigerian speaker had told State House correspondents at the end of a meeting he had with the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), at the Presidential Villa on Tuesday that he had received Buhari’s nod to embark on the trip.

    Recall that the Federal Government, through the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, had last week protested the development, saying it would no longer accept humiliation of Nigerians by Ghana.

    Ghananian authorities had since responded to the statement, saying Mohammed’s claims on the issue and previous ones were inaccurate.

    But Gbajabiamila said he would be embarking on what he called “legislative diplomacy” to Ghana.

    Gbajabiamial, who had earlier said the closure of Nigerian shops in Ghana contravened Economic Community of West African States trade protocols, told reporters that he would find a way forward during his trip.

    He said, “I am leaving for Ghana tomorrow (Wednesday) to meet with the Speaker of the parliament in Ghana to look at the issues on ground as they affect our citizens, and to try and calm things down.

    “I informed the President and he is aware of every single step that we are taking, and we hope that we will come to an amicable settlement one way or the other.

    Gbajabiamila recalled that he had led a similar delegation to South Africa at the peak of a crisis involving Nigerians there.

    “It is called legislative diplomacy. If you remember very well, during the days when I was Leader of the House, I led the delegation to South Africa during the crisis there with Nigerians and we were able to accomplish quite a bit, to simmer things down at that time,” he said.

    “Initial meeting with my host the Speaker of Ghanian Parliament who met me at the airport Hon Prof Mike Oquaye. We will meet again this evening,” he tweeted.

    The Nigerian speaker had told State House correspondents at the end of a meeting he had with the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), at the Presidential Villa on Tuesday that he had received Buhari’s nod to embark on the trip.

    Recall that the Federal Government, through the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, had last week protested the development, saying it would no longer accept humiliation of Nigerians by Ghana.

    Ghananian authorities had since responded to the statement, saying Mohammed’s claims on the issue and previous ones were inaccurate.

    But Gbajabiamila said he would be embarking on what he called “legislative diplomacy” to Ghana.

    Gbajabiamial, who had earlier said the closure of Nigerian shops in Ghana contravened Economic Community of West African States trade protocols, told reporters that he would find a way forward during his trip.

    He said, “I am leaving for Ghana tomorrow (Wednesday) to meet with the Speaker of the parliament in Ghana to look at the issues on ground as they affect our citizens, and to try and calm things down.

    “I informed the President and he is aware of every single step that we are taking, and we hope that we will come to an amicable settlement one way or the other.

    Gbajabiamila recalled that he had led a similar delegation to South Africa at the peak of a crisis involving Nigerians there.

    “It is called legislative diplomacy. If you remember very well, during the days when I was Leader of the House, I led the delegation to South Africa during the crisis there with Nigerians and we were able to accomplish quite a bit, to simmer things down at that time,” he said.

  • Recess: House activities not totally shut down, says Gbajabiamila

    Recess: House activities not totally shut down, says Gbajabiamila

    …says oversight function still ongoing

    Recess: House activities not totally shut down, says Gbajabiamila …says oversight function still ongoing
    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has corrected the impression that the House totally shut down its activities during its six weeks annual recess.
    According to Gbajabiamila, the leadership of the House decided to suspend pubic and investigative hearings for the three weeks remaining of the annual recess to put in place more measures in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.
    He disclosed that House’s oversight functions of government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) are still ongoing.
    While answering questions from reporters after an executive/legislature consultative meeting  convened by President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House on Monday, Gbajabiamila explained that the House has not breached any law or known convention by embarking on an annual recess, while recalling that members were working during the recess until when it became imperative to suspend the public hearings.    
    “First of all, whatever form of democracy you practise around the world, there’s always an annual recess; we are not reinventing anything. Recess has only one meaning: it’s either you are on recess or you are working. 
    “I’ve been in the National Assembly, I’ve never known of a situation, and I’m yet to be proven wrong where, when on an annual summer recess, members are working, conducting public hearings, doing investigations.
    “I’m not talking about other recess, it’s a different thing when you close plenary and committees are still working, there’s a big difference. But in the summer, we go on an annual recess,” he said.
    Gbajabiamila however noted that the House was not insensitive to the realities of the coronavirus pandemic that disrupted activities globally, which was responsible for the continuation of legislative activities well into its annual recess.  
    While noting that the House has always conducted its responsibility with utmost dedication, Gbajabiamila said, “You can see that some members are actually on the road right now doing their work, that’s a different kind of oversight.  “Members are actually out working and that hasn’t stopped, except for public and investigative hearings.
    “Now, because there’s COVID-19 and people are forced to adhere, it’s no excuse to continue to work the way we used to. 

    “For the Civil Society talking about why the House is going on recess, well, we are always happy to look at advanced democracies, whether it’s Germany, United States, United Kingdom; we are always happy to compare the Nigerian Legislature to those places. 
    “As I speak to you, the United States Congress is on annual recess. You won’t hear of legislative hearing or any public hearing.
    “Just last week, the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the US Congress had to call her members back through a zoom conference because of the issue of US…. and the impending elections. But right now they are back in their constituencies. That is the way it is done the world over.
    “Secondly, back home in Nigeria, the judiciary is on its annual recess, but you will not say because there’s a corruption case, you will find one court opening and sitting and hearing one corruption case. No, they have one or two courts that are open for administrative purposes, but they are on recess.
    “And recess is only two to three weeks to go and then work continues as usual. 
    “To take a clearer picture, we are only doing what is in keeping with all that has been done since I got to the House.
    “There might be one or two issues where there’s an exception. In fact, the first time ever when the House had to recall itself was some years ago, when Tambuwal was the Speaker. There was an oil crisis in the summer and we reconvened the House on a Sunday because of the urgency of that moment”.

  • Gbajabiamila congratulates Adesina on re-election as AfDB President

    Gbajabiamila congratulates Adesina on re-election as AfDB President

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has described the re-election of Dr Akinwunmi Adesina as President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) as a triumph of integrity and dedication to duty.

    Adesina was returned unopposed for a second term of five years as president of the continent’s apex bank at a virtual Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the bank on Wednesday.

    While expressing his happiness at the development, the Speaker in a statement by his Media Adviser, Lanre Lasisi, sais the re-election has provided Adesina with another opportunity to consolidate and sustain AfDB as a global financial force, even as it pushes African development agenda.

    He said: “Your clearance by the independent review panel and Ethics Committee of the bank as well as the bank’s Bureau of Governors’ independent review panel was an affirmation of your integrity, dedication to duty and diligence.

    “Your return for a second term without opposition also attests to the confidence the continent and its partners have in your leadership qualities.

    “As I congratulate you on this historic milestone with the belief that the bank is in good hands, this is to remind you that your re-election is a call to rededicate yourself to duty towards positioning the bank as a global financial institution to reckon with”.

  • House ready to partner insurance industry for improved services – Gbajabiamila

    The House of Representatives is willing and ready to partner with the Nigerian insurance industry for improved services to Nigerians, Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila has said.

    The Speaker said the insurance industry is one of the most important sectors in the country hence the need to improve its services.

    Gbajabiamila spoke when he hosted the Nigeria Insurers Association (NIA) during a courtesy visit in his office in Abuja on Tuesday.

    “The House of Representatives is always happy to collaborate with sectors, businessmen and professions such as yours.

    “There’s no gainsaying the importance of insurance in any economy, in any country. Insurance is perhaps one of the most important areas in any business.

    “You secure our lives and our property, so you’re very important to us. We are more than ready to always partner with you.”

    Speaking on the amendment of the Insurance Act, Gbajabiamila said it is work in progress as a Bill on that has already passed first reading in the House.

    “You talked about the amendment to the Insurance Act. I’m aware that it has been long coming. In this 9th Assembly, I think it has gone through first reading before it comes for second reading and then the public hearing.

    “You should work with the committee so that you guys can work and agree on what should go in and what should go out of the amendment. I think that’s already in the works. We’re glad to see you. We’re open to discussing further with you.”

    The chairman of the association, Ganiyu Musa, who led the delegation, had earlier told the Speaker that the insurance industry needed the support of the House to make the sector better.

    While wishing the Speaker a successful tenure, the chairman said: “We share your aspirations for the country; we share your dreams for a better Nigeria; we assure you that we’ll like to collaborate with you and the House to contribute to the overall welfare of the citizens.

    “The industry contributed to the fight against COVID-19. Our desire is to improve engagements. We’ve not been as present in the House as we should.

    “We want a new start. We need your help. We need the help of the House. We seek appropriate legislative intervention and assistance. We need you to address some of the bottlenecks that militate against the realisation of our work.”