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What we’ll do differently in 2021 – Gbajabiamila

…promises focus on more people-oriented legislation
…says ‘now it’s time to drop partisanship, politics’

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has said that the Green Chamber would focus its attention on bills and motions that would improve the ease of doing business and unlock economic potential.

Gbajabiamila, in an address to welcome his colleagues from the Christmas and New Year break during the resumption of plenary on Wednesday, said the House would make frantic efforts to surpass its achievements of last year.

He said though the Legislature does not have the control of the various security agencies, it would ensure the use of its appropriation powers to hold those responsible accountable as well as continue to collaborate with the Executive arm to improve the security situation in the country.

“In the 2021 legislative year, we will focus the attention of the House of Representatives on bills and motions that improve ease of doing business and unlock economic potential by stripping away restrictive regulation and ending predatory regulatory practices that deprive our young people the opportunity to conquer new frontiers.

“In this age of technology and innovation, of daring and enterprise, we cannot risk implementing policies that handicap our ability as a nation to participate in new markets and profit from emerging industries,” he said.

He added that “the true test of government is in our ability to protect the most vulnerable amongst us. We cannot separate the goal of economic prosperity from the ambition to ensure that all our people live in a just society free from abuse of power and protected by a justice system built on fairness and the rule of law.

“Therefore, we will shortly begin considering Bills to amend the Administration of Criminal Justice Act. We will follow up with a long-overdue review of the Trafficking In Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement And Administration Act and other legislation that seek to deliver a justice system that works for all.”

He said the constitution vests the responsibility of security and welfare of the people on all those that have sworn to serve in government, saying “Every time a citizen going about their business is killed or kidnapped, loses their property or livelihood, we have failed in our obligation.

“From the abundance of these failures has emerged a culture of self-help in matters of internal security that portends grave danger for our nation’s continued existence.”

Thus, Gbajabiamila called on Nigerians from all walks of life to put all the differences that exist among them aside and unite to face the challenges that confront the country.

“If ever there was a time for us to put aside all other considerations, especially the petty concerns of partisanship and politics, it is now.

“If ever there was a time to set aside our differences of tribe and religion to focus on a concerted effort to defeat the challenges of insurgency and banditry, communal violence, and the violent struggle over land, that time is now.

“The forces that threaten our lives and property, our sovereignty and nationhood, do not make any exceptions based on the God we pray to or the language of our native tongue.”

Noting that the House commenced the new year with a renewed commitment to legislative action that drives the course of progress and brings the House closer to achieving the highest aspirations it holds for the nation, Gbajabiamila said “we remain dedicated to the lofty, yet clear ambitions we articulated in our Legislative Agenda when we resumed in the 9th Assembly.”

He said despite the challenges the House faced last year, it was able to pass meaningful and potentially transformative legislation such as the Nigerian Police Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (Amendment) Bill, Physically-Challenged (Empowerment) Bill, Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contracts Act (Amendment) Bill, and the Companies and Allied Matters Act, amongst many others.

In view of current realities, Gbajabiamila craved the indulgence of his colleagues to be careful with coming up with bills that seek to establish new institutions.

“At a time of reduced revenue, with preexisting and worsening infrastructure deficits requiring significant investments, we cannot afford to keep establishing more institutions that impose a permanent liability on government income. I am not unmindful of the realities that often necessitate such legislation, yet we cannot ignore the facts that lie before us.”

February 10, 2021
Gbajabiamila mobilises Nigerians for APC

…participates in APC’s membership revalidation

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, on Saturday called on Nigerians to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Speaker, who described the APC as the “party of progress”, urged Nigerians to take advantage of the registration and revalidation exercise of the party to become members.

Gbajabiamila spoke at his ward in Surulere Local Government Area of Lagos State, where he had his membership revalidated.

The Speaker, who represents Surulere 1 Federal Constituency, stated that the APC was committed to upholding democratic principles, adding that the exercise was for both existing members and new ones.

He appealed to all party members to join the mobilisation efforts to get more eligible Nigerians to participate in the exercise.

Addressing members soon after he revalidated his membership of the party, Gbajabiamila said, “I want to urge Nigerians to use the opportunity of the registration/revalidation exercise to join the party. APC is the number one party; APC is the party of progress.

“I also urge all our party members to participate in the exercise to update their membership and take ownership of the party.

“You need to take ownership of the party and until you have registered, re-registered or have been revalidated, you are obviously not yet an authentic member of the APC.”

He noted that members could register their grievances, participate in party activities and make any contributions they wished to make to community development in the name of the APC.

He also assured all that the APC would not discriminate against anyone.

Gbajabiamila specifically called on APC members in his constituency to move from communities to communities to mobilise new members to join the party.

He stated, “My charge to you today is to go and look for those who have not registered before, those who were not members of APC.

“Those who were 15, 16, 17 and so on; were not eligible the time we did the last election.

“So, we want the youths, everybody to be registered with the party.”

Many party members swarmed the venue of the exercise in Surulere to witness the speaker as he participated in the exercise.

February 7, 2021
Speaker Gbajabiamila facilitates ‘Free Campus WiFi’ in Public Tertiary Institutions in Lagos

…attracts 10 fully-equipped ICT centres to his Surulere 1 Fed Constituency

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has facilitated the installation of free Wi-Fi in six public tertiary institutions in Lagos State for ease of learning.

The exercise tagged ‘Free Campus WiFi,’ is part of Gbajabiamila’s way of giving back to society, with a view to building a stronger education sector.

This is even as the Speaker also facilitated the construction of fully equipped ICT centres in 10 secondary schools in his Surulere 1 Federal Constituency of Lagos State.

Gbajabiamila’s gesture on free Wi-Fi cuts across both Federal Government-owned and Lagos State Government-owned tertiary institutions in the state.

The six public tertiary institutions that have so far benefitted from the Speaker’s initiative on the free Wi-Fi are University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka Campus; Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo; Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu Campus; Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education (AOCOED), Ijanikin; Michael Otedola College of Education (MOCOPED), Epe, and the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH).

At the Lagos State University, Ojo, the free Wi-Fi was launched for public use on behalf of the Speaker by the immediate past Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun.

With the launch, LASU students can now access the free WiFi at the Babatunde Fashola Senate Building, the Faculty of Sciences, the Faculty of Arts, the Faculty of Education, the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Social Sciences, LASU FM, the School of Communications and the ICT Center and some areas nearby.

As for UNILAG, the free WiFi access points are available at the Faculty of Education, the Faculty of Social Sciences and the School of Management Sciences.

In the case of Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), Ikorodu Campus, access points for the free WiFi are available at the School of Technology, the ICT Centre, the School of Engineering, the School of Architecture, the School of Management and Business Studies, the Library complex, the Skills Acquisitions Center, the Activity Centre (Students’ Union Building), the School of Environmental Studies and the School of Pure and Applied Sciences.

Also, at the Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Ijanikin, access points for free WiFi are obtainable at the Library, the School of Sciences, the School of Education, the Administrative Block, the School of Vocational and Technical Education, the Staff Club, the Gardens within the school premises, the Sports Centre, the School of Arts and Social Sciences and the Arabic Language Department.

Similarly, the free WiFi access points at MOCOPED are available at the ICT building, the school clinic, the science floor, the Millennium Office, the College Library, the UI Directorate, the Directorate of Professional Diploma in Education, the Biology Laboratory, the Science Secretariat, the School of Languages, the Bursary, the Administrative Block, the School of Arts and Social Studies and the Department of Cultural and Creative Arts.

Work is ongoing for various access points at the Yaba College of Technology.

Meanwhile, as part of his efforts to improve and ease learning in Surulere 1 Federal Constituency, Speaker Gbajabiamila also facilitated the construction of ICT centres for smart learning and code programming in 10 public secondary schools.

The beneficiary schools are Onitolo Senior High School; Government College, Eric Moore; Gbaja Boys Senior High School; Ajigbeda Secondary School; Community Grammar School; Ansarudeen High School, Falolu; Iponri Estate High School; Surulere Girls Secondary School, Empire, and Progressive Secondary School, Mba, off Adeniran Ogunsanya.

All the ICT centres had a common building design for all the schools chosen in Surulere 1 Federal Constituency.

February 4, 2021
Gbajabiamila mourns Tony Momoh, commiserates with Abike-Dabiri over mother’s death

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has described the passing away of a veteran journalist, Tony Momoh, as a sad development.

Momoh, a former minister of information under the Ibrahim Babangida era, died on Monday at the age of 81.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, the Speaker said Momoh would be remembered for his selfless service to his fatherland.

Gbajabiamila said the APC chieftain was one Nigerian who contributed immensely to the development of the party and the country.

The Speaker sent his condolences to Momoh family, the people and Government of Edo State and prayed God would give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss, even as he prayed eternal rest for the soul of the late Momoh.

Similarly, the Speaker has commiserated with Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa over the demise of her mother, Alhaja Sadiat Abeke Erogbogbo.

He said the passing away of Alhaja Sadiat, a retired teacher and businesswoman at the age of 90, was a painful loss, considering the role she played in the family of the chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Diaspora Commission.

As a teacher, Gbajabiamila said, Alhaja Sadiat gave her best to ensure she turned out good students for the benefit of society.

He prayed Almighty Allah to forgive Alhaja Sadiat and reward her with Jannatul Firdaus.

February 2, 2021
Gbajabiamila mourns industrialist, Umar Saro

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has expressed sadness over the passing of a foremost businessman and industrialist, Alhaji Umar Saro.

The Speaker said Alhaji Umar Saro was one Nigerian that did not only employ thousands of Nigerians through his chains of businesses but also engaged in philanthropic activities to help the lives of the people.

He said Kwara State and indeed Nigeria have lost a patriotic citizen whose major preoccupation was to put smiles on the faces of the people.

Gbajabiamila commiserated with the Umar Saro family, the Ilorin Emirate, the governor, the people and Government of Kwara State over the loss.

He prayed Almighty Allah to grant the soul of the late industrialist eternal rest and reward him with Jannatul Firdaus.

February 1, 2021
SERAP Urges Lawan, Gbajabiamila To Probe Missing ₦4.4bn NASS Funds

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Senate President Dr Ahmad Lawan, and Speaker of House of Representatives Mr Femi Gbajabiamila to urgently probe allegations that N4.4 billion of public money budgeted for the National Assembly is missing, misappropriated, diverted or stolen, as documented in three audited reports by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation.

In an open letter dated January 30 and signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “By exercising strong and effective leadership in this matter, the National Assembly can show Nigerians that the legislative body is a proper and accountable watchdog that represents and protects the public interest, and is able to hold both itself and the government of President Muhammadu Buhari to account in the management of public resources.”

The agency believes that if the matter is not satisfactorily addressed, the allegations would undermine public confidence in the ability of the National Assembly to exercise its constitutional and oversight responsibilities to prevent and combat corruption, and to ensure the public interest, transparency and accountability in the management of public resources.

SERAP also expressed concerns that the allegations of corruption, mismanagement and misappropriation of public funds amount to fundamental breaches of the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 [as amended] and the country’s international obligations, including under the UN Convention against Corruption and the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption.

The letter, read in part: “Any failure to promptly, thoroughly and independently investigate these serious allegations, prosecute suspected perpetrators, and recover missing public funds and assets would undermine public trust in the ability of the leadership of the National Assembly to ensure probity, transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.”

“The Auditor-General noted in his 2015 report that the National Assembly account was spent N8,800,000.00 as unauthorised overdraft, contrary to Financial Regulations 710. The National Assembly also reportedly spent N115,947,016.00 without any documents. Another N158,193,066.00 spent as cash advances to 17 staff between January and June 2015 is yet to be retired.”

“The Senate reportedly spent N186,866,183.42 to organise Senate Retreat and Pre-Valedictory Session for the 7^th Senate, although the money was meant to pay vehicle loan. The Senate also reportedly spent N15,964,193.63 as bank charges between July and December, 2015, contrary to Financial Regulations 734.”

“The House of Representatives also reportedly spent N624,377,503.30 to buy 48 Utility Vehicles. However, 14 vehicles were not supplied. The House also failed to make the 34 vehicles supplied available for verification. Similarly, the House spent N499,666,666.00 as cash advances to staff to carry out various assignments but has failed to retire the money.”

“The House of Representatives also reportedly paid N70,560,000.00 as overtime and ‘special’ allowances to officials who are not legislative aides between November and December 2015 without any authority.”

“The National Assembly Service Commission reportedly failed to remit N30,130,794.10 deducted from the salaries of the Executive Chairman and the Commissioners as car loan.”

“The National Assembly Budget and Research Office reportedly spent N66,303,411.70 as out-of-pocket expenses without any documents. The National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies paid N246,256,060.51 by cheques, despite the prohibition of payments by cheque by the Federal Government, except in extreme cases, and contrary to Financial Regulation 631.”

“According to the Auditor-General Report for 2017, the House of Representatives reportedly spent ₦95,212,250.00 without due process and without any documents. The National Assembly Management Account also reveals that N673,081,242.14 was spent between April and October 2017 without any documents. The Auditor-General reported that the funds may have been misappropriated.”

“The Senate Account also reportedly shows that ₦1,364,816,397.95 was spent on store items without any documents to show for the spending. The Auditor-General stated that his office was denied access to the store and to the Senate’s records.”

“The National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies also reportedly failed to remit ₦2,181,696.50 from contract of goods and services. The Institute also paid ₦67,296,478.00 without any payment vouchers.”

“We would be grateful if you would indicate the measures being taken to address the allegations and to implement the proposed recommendations, within 14 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel the leadership of the National Assembly to implement these recommendations in the public interest, and to promote transparency and accountability in the National Assembly.”

“The Auditor-General also noted in his 2018 report that the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies failed to remit N577,634,638,20 due from contracts and supplies, even though the deductions were made. However, the Institute claimed that it was the National Assembly that was required to remit the money, as it is the body that maintains the account on behalf of the Institute.”

“Our requests are brought in the public interest, and in keeping with the requirements of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], the country’s international obligations including under the UN Convention against Corruption and the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption. Nigeria has ratified both treaties.”

The letter is copied to Mr Abubakar Malami SAN, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice; Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, Chairman Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC); and Mr Mohammed Abba, Acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

January 31, 2021
Despite vested interests, we’ll protect Nigeria’s interest in new PIB – Gbajabiamila

…says House to pass Bill in April
…promises thorough work, engagement of stakeholders

Despite the positions of any vested interest, the House of Representatives will ensure that it protects the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians in the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), which is being considered by the Green Chamber, Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila has said.

Gbajabiamila said though the PIB has been in the National Assembly for decades without much success, the 9th Assembly would ensure that it passes it into law.

The Speaker, who expressed optimism about the process adopted by the House to engage all relevant stakeholders, said he was confident that the Ad-hoc Committee on PIB headed by Chief Whip, Mohammed Tahir Monguno, would do a thorough job.

Declaring open a 2-day public hearing organized by the ad-hoc committee, Gbajabiamila said the House would do all it can to pass the PIB in April.

He said though it was a national consensus that there should be a comprehensive reform of the oil and gas industry, he bemoaned a situation where “this critical national industry underperforms its potential and our national expectations.”

“For the most part, we all agree on the need for legislative action to make improvements through statutory and regulatory reform. Therefore, it is disappointing and frankly difficult to explain how successive governments have failed to deliver on the promise of reform despite this broad agreement. Ladies and gentlemen, we have an opportunity and an obligation to do better, and we will.”

“We are not oblivious to the fact of many contending interests in this sector. These contentions do not need to result in conflict, especially when we know the objective of national prosperity benefits us all. Therefore, the process of engaging with stakeholders will continue beyond this public hearing to accommodate the diversity of interests and ensure all critical views form part of the deliberations that inform the final legislation.

“Regardless of whatever other interests may exist, for this Ad-Hoc Committee and indeed the House of Representatives, Nigeria’s best interest is both our desired outcome and guiding principle. It falls to this Ad-Hoc Committee to engage in a necessary balancing act in the interests of our beloved nation.

The Speaker added that “This bill has been long coming as the chairman said. It has been upcoming in the last 20 years. Because of contending and vested interests, we have not been able to reach the desired outcome over the years.

“A lot of work has gone into the preparation of this Bill, but it’s not strait-jacketed. The idea of a public hearing is to have interests that may have not been accommodated prior to the introduction of the Bill to lend their voices and to understand perhaps the bigger environment where they are coming from.

“So my charge to everyone that will be participating is not to close our minds or our ears to the views and the positions that may be advanced by various interest groups. We are in a world, an economic world, so there must be interest groups, they will be interest groups and we cannot deny that.

“But what should guide the outcome of what we do here as we accommodate more views will be what will be in the best interest of the people.

“More importantly, we intend to pass this Bill by April. That is a commitment we have made. Some may call it a tall order, but we will do it, and we will do it with every sense of responsibility without compromising the thoroughness of the work that will be done,” the Speaker said.

He said the outcome of the Bill will determine a lot of things such as the diversification of the economy, saying “for you to diversify your economy, you have to invest money, and for you to invest money, the resources you would use to invest and develop your economy, as it is in Nigeria for now, comes from the petroleum industry.

“Whether you believe in the finite or infiniteness of the product, the point that needs to be made is that we need to derive as much profit for the time when the product is still available. We need to derive as much profit to be able to diversify into other areas.”

He said the bill would provide an opportunity for the country to “meet the obligations owed to the communities that host oil and gas exploration and transportation activities and pay a high environmental price as a consequence.”

“There have been various prior attempts to meet this obligation. Let us remember those attempts and be motivated by the knowledge that we can now correct past mistakes and fulfil the responsibility we owe these communities once and for all.”

January 27, 2021
Gbajabiamila mourns ex-Lagos military governor, Ndubuisi Kanu

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has expressed sadness over the passing of a former military governor of Lagos State, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Godwin Kanu (rtd).
He said the late Kanu, who passed on at the age of 77, would be remembered for his commitment to the development of Lagos State and the other states he governed.
Gbajabiamila noted that the late Rear Admiral Kanu would be remembered by all those who knew him as a patriotic Nigerian who played a role in the making of Lagos state.
The Speaker prayed God to grant the soul of late Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Godwin Kanu eternal rest.
He sent his condolences to the late Kanu family over the irreparable loss.

January 13, 2021
Gbajabiamila congratulates Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, on 50th anniversary

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has congratulated the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, on his 50th anniversary on the throne.

Gbajabiamila said since his ascension to the throne 50 years ago, the Alaafin has been a source of inspiration not just to the people of the Oyo kingdom but also to the entire nation.

The Speaker noted with delight how Alaafin became an embodiment of peace and unity among Nigerians in the last 50 years.

He said the people of Oyo kingdom are lucky to have Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III as their leader.

Gbajabiamila said apart from being a foremost peacemaker, the Alaafin happens to be a man of honour and integrity, which he said characterize his 50 years of peaceful reign as the Alaafin of Oyo.

The Speaker congratulated the sons and daughters of the Oyo kingdom, including the Oyo State Government, for witnessing the 50 years of the Alaafin on the throne.

“Kabiyesi Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III is one man that believes in the unity of his people and the entire nation. This much he has guided his people to achieve in the last 50 years.

“I am particularly delighted that the 50th anniversary of the Alaafin of Oyo is happening during my lifetime. I believe every Yoruba son and daughter, irrespective of where they are, should be proud of the Alaafin for the kind of leadership he has been providing in the past 50 years.

“We cannot forget in a hurry how the Alaafin used his good office and leadership style to make the Oyo kingdom a reference point. He is indeed a man blessed with abundant wisdom.

“To think that the Alaafin is marking his 50 years on the throne at the age of 82 in sound health is another source of joy.

“I join millions of Nigerians, especially the sons and daughters of Yoruba land, in wishing the Alaafin God’s protection, blessings and wisdom,” Gbajabiamila said.

January 13, 2021
Gbajabiamila celebrates Senate President Lawan at 62

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has felicitated with the President of the Senate, Sen. Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, as he marks his 62nd birthday.

Gbajabiamila, in a congratulatory message, described the President of the Senate as a worthy partner and dependable ally in the task of nation-building.

He said Lawan has brought his wealth of experience to bear since his assumption of office as President of the Senate, being the most ranking member of the National Assembly to date, having served as a member of the Green Chamber between 1999 and 2007 before joining the Senate where he has been ever since.

The Speaker, who paid glowing tributes to the President of the Senate, said together, they have been working assiduously to give Nigeria and Nigerians legislation that would enable good governance in the country.

“I consider Distinguished Senator Ahmad Lawan, who is the President of the 9th Senate, a democrat and a patriotic Nigerian who believes in delivering good governance to the Nigerian people using the Legislature.

“I must say that the President of the Senate comes across as a very committed and dedicated lawmaker to the Nigerian project. In the past one and a half years, we have worked harmoniously to take the country forward.

“As you mark your 62nd birthday, I wish you God’s guidance and protection,” Gbajabiamila said.

January 11, 2021