2019: SENATE PRESIDENT CALLS FOR MORE

WOMEN IN POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE

APRIL 14TH, 2018 NEWSLETTER. OFFICE OF THE

SENATE PRESIDENT
DR. ABUBAKAR BUKOLA SARAKI (CON)
 SENATE PRESIDENT TASKS MTN ON QUALITY SERVICE DELIVERY TO NIGERIANS
President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has called on the authorities
of the MTN Group to ensure that Nigerian subscribers enjoy top quality voice and
data services from their network.
“
"Ours is not in any way to see that your business goes down but that your business
grow. In doing that, we need to be responsible and ensure that whatever the
interest and concerns of Nigerians are are well taken care of. I can assure you that
the Senate and the National Assembly will be partners with you in the interest of
the country and also to support the industry," he said.
Saraki, made the call when the Chairman of MTN Nigeria, Dr. Pascal Dozie, led
the Group Chairman of the organization, Mr. Phuthuma Nhleko and other
On his part the Group Chairman of MTN, Mr. Phuthuma Nhleko, noted that the
management staff on a courtesy visit to the President of the Senate.
company has continued to have a constructive relationship with the Nigerian
government and private sector in its about 18 years of operation in the country.
Saraki congratulated the MTN management on the successes the company has
  recorded in the last 18 years in the country, saying they have truly impacted
He said the visit was to thank the Senate and indeed the National Assembly for
Nigerians and the way they live their lives. 
their support and providing conducive business environment through legislation and
interventions in the country. 
He appreciated the visit and the hosting of the first retreat of the company outside
South Africa in Nigeria, and the way the company has continued to engage both
NhIeko said: "I am also delighted to say that overall, it has always been a very
the executive and legislative arm of government on issues that concerns their
constructive partnership. We have found ways to find solutions even when things
operations and the economy. 
are difficult.”
SENATE PRESIDENT READS LETTERS FOR On Tuesday, April 10th, the President of the
CONFIRMATION FROM MR. PRESIDENT Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, read
3 letters from President Muhammadu
Buhari, on the confirmation of Executive
nominees.

The letters were on:

- The Request for Confirmation of one

“ Commissioner for the Independent

Distinguished colleagues, it is my appeal to each and every one of
us,National

- elections
Electoral
that our legislative Commission
duty to Nigeria

overshadow our work for

(INEC);
and her people,
uppermost in our minds. We must not allow the upcoming 2019
The toAppointment of theTwo
must be

Non-Legal
people that elected us -
Practitioners as Members of the Federal
or distract us from that which we are mandated to do by the
constitution and the trust reposed in us by the people. This is my
Judicial
appeal: it is Service
too early forCommission;
2019 politicking and
to override the
legislative agenda and the larger work of governance. We have
Thea Confirmation
- begun of thecore
good thing with the economic Appointments
of our agenda; let usof
23 Members of the National Population
see it to its proper conclusion. It would be most insensitive to the
needs of the people of this country if we were to do otherwise.
Commission.
PRESIDENT WRITES SENATE PRESIDENT OVER DEATH OF SENATORS

President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar

Bukola Saraki, on Tuesday, April 11th,
read a letter from President Buhari,
wherein the Commander-in-Chief
condoled with the Senate and the

“
National Assembly over the deaths of
Senators Ali Wakili and Mustapha Bukar.
Distinguished colleagues, it is my appeal to each and every one of
us, that our legislative duty to Nigeria and her people, must be
uppermost in our minds. We must not allow the upcoming 2019
elections to overshadow our work for the people that elected us -
In his letter, the President asked the
or distract us from that which we are mandated to do by the
constitution and the trust reposed in us by the people. This is my
Senate President to convey his heartfelt
appeal: it is too early for 2019 politicking to override the
condolence to the Senators, while
legislative agenda and the larger work of governance. We have
begun a good thing with the economic core of our agenda; let us
describing the passing of the two
see it to its proper conclusion. It would be most insensitive to the
needs of the people of this country if we were to do otherwise.
legislators as a ‘grievous loss.’
SENATE PRESIDENT, SENATORS, On Wednesday, April 11th, the 8th Senate held a valedictory
session for the late Senator Mustapha Bukar. Senators spoke
EULOGIZE SENATOR MUSTAPHA BUKAR glowingly of their late colleague, describing him as a
‘gentleman’, a ‘humble man’ and an ‘intelligent technocrat.’

In his comments, President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola

Saraki, said: “As the Senator representing the President, you
would not have known from the way he carried himself.
Whenever we interacted, he was always trying to find solutions
to problems — and he always worked behind the scenes to do
just that.

“
“I was lucky enough to have met him a long time ago, when I
Distinguished
was a banker,
us, that our
Resources
uppermostand
technocrat
colleagues,
and heit was
— legislative
he showed
in our minds.
he was
is my appeal
dutyus
still in tothe
to back
We must
really
Nigeriathen
sound.
each
and that
and every
Ministry
her people,
of one
he wasmust
not allow the upcoming 2019
elections to overshadow our work for the people that elected us -
of
Water
a be
real

or distract us from that which we are mandated to do by the

“You could always see from his contributions on the floor of the
constitution and the trust reposed in us by the people. This is my
Senate
appeal:that he too
it is wasearly
a highly cerebral
for 2019 man who
politicking had a lot
to override theof
ideas. We agenda
legislative have andlost the
a larger
great work
technocrat in the We
of governance. National
have
Assembly and inthing
begun a good the country.
with the economic core of our agenda; let us
see it to its proper conclusion. It would be most insensitive to the
“Ineeds
pray ofthat
the people of this country
the Almighty grants ifhim
we were to do otherwise.
Aljannah Firdaus, and I
also pray that his family is granted the fortitude to face this
incredible loss,” the Senate President said.
SENATE PRESIDENT PRAISES On Wednesday, April 11th, the President of the Senate, Dr.
Abubakar Bukola Saraki, praised the former President of the

PREDECESSOR, SEN ATOR Senate, Senator David Mark for his dedication and service to
Nigeria. In his comments, the Senate President described

DAVID MARK Senator Mark as the longest serving Senator and Senate
President in Nigeria’s history, while also wishing him many more
years of service.

The Senate President said: “Yesterday, we recognized the

birthday of our longest-serving Senator and longest-serving

“
Senate President, but he was not here. Today, I believe that it is
only right for us to once again congratulate him for the ‘young’
Distinguished
age that he hascolleagues,
attained. it is my appeal to each and every one of
us, that our legislative duty to Nigeria and her people, must be
uppermost in our minds. We must not allow the upcoming 2019
“Congratulations sir. We congratulate you for your service to
elections to overshadow our work for the people that elected us -
this great country; for your dedication as an Officer and as a
or distract us from that which we are mandated to do by the
Gentleman.
constitution Those
and theoftrust
us who are inpoliticians
reposed us by the are always
people. This jealous
is my
that you can
appeal: dotoo
it is both. We for
early can 2019
only be gentlemen,
politicking we cannot
to override thebe
Officers.
legislative agenda and the larger work of governance. We have
begun a good thing with the economic core of our agenda; let us
Weseewish
it toyou
its proper conclusion.
many more yearsItofwould
greatbe most insensitive
service. to the
Congratulations
sir,needs
on of the people
behalf of allof this
thecountry if we wereSenators
Distinguished to do otherwise.
of the 8th
Senate,” Saraki said.

COVER STORY: SENATE PRESIDENT
CALLS FOR MORE WOMEN IN
POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE
President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Wednesday
pledged to work with relevant political stakeholders to ensure that a
greater number of women are given the opportunity to vie and
occupy elective offices during the 2019 general elections.  Saraki,
gave the pledge when the Conference of Nigeria Female
Parliamentarians paid him a courtesy visit at the National Assembly.
He said that there is nothing to fear about having more women
occupy political offices saying that such a development can only
but help to strengthen the nation's democracy.  terms  of both elective and appointive offices.
Saraki said: "Anybody in this country today will agree that from the statistics you
have given out here today, it is clear that definitely, we are not doing enough in
the inclusion of women in politics and governance. We must change and turn the
tide in this direction. We cannot continue with this low level of participation. 
"What I want to assure you is that you have my full support and the full support of
the  National Assembly to see what we can do to ensure that as we go into 2019,
it will be a year that we will change the level of participation of women in politics
in this country.
"The challenge we have is that such an action is something that must be done
collectively. We will champion it but it is something that requires all of us to work
very hard for it to happen. I believe that what we will do is to make it clear that it
must happen. It has to happen and it is in the interest of this country for it to
happen. We want to reassure those that have fears about it that there is noting to
worry about. It will only strengthen our democracy and make our country better. 
"I am convinced that your visit is timely that in this 2019, we must make a
difference. We must see a real change in this area. Political parties are now
gearing up for election, this is the right time we must begin to demand from
political parties and candidates that they must tell Nigerians what their policy is on
gender affirmation. 
"You have the votes, at least you have 46 - 48 per cent, let your votes do the work
and if your votes do the work, then you will make the work easier for all of us. 
"I think when you build a country and you build a political space, what is
important is consistency and sometimes loyalty," he said. 
Earlier, the Chairperson of the group, Hon. Elizabeth Uyinmwen Ativie, decried
the low level of women participation in the nation's governance since 1999, in
 
SENATE PROPOSES SOLUTIONS TO On Thursday, April 12th, the Senate resolved that security agencies must
CLASH BETWEEN EFCC, NIA AND DSS be guided against conducting blanket investigations, and that the EFCC,
when dealing with other sister security agencies, must conduct its
investigations with minimum publicity.

This was contained in a Report of the Ad-hoc Committee on the

Investigation of the Arrest Episodes of Tuesday, 21st November, 2017
between officers of EFCC, NIA and DSS.

Speaking on the Report, the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola

Saraki, said: “Such conflicts are not in the interest of the security of the
country.

“
“For us to see this kind of unhealthy inter-agency rivalry between
agencies that need each other is not good. Today we have all seen how
Distinguished colleagues, it is my appeal to each and every one of
the issue of our security is of great concern. We want to charge these
us, that our legislative duty to Nigeria and her people, must be
agencies — pending the intervention of Mr President — to see themselves
asuppermost
professionals in who
our minds.
must riseWe musttheir
above not individual
allow thedifferences.
elections to overshadow our work for the people that elected us -
upcoming 2019

or distract
“On our ownuspart from as that
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I thank the
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this job well done,”and the larger work of governance. We have
he said.
begun a good thing with the economic core of our agenda; let us
The
seeSenate
it to its also
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It would Buhari to tofurther
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amendment of
National Security Agencies Act to give powers of control to a National
Security Coordinator, who will act on behalf of the President.
SENATE CONFIRMS NDDC On Thursday, April 12th, the Senate confirmed 3
NOMINEES nominees for the Niger Delta Development
Commission (NDDC), submitted by President
Muhammadu Buhari.The nominees are:

1. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, Non-Executive

Director, Ondo State;
2. Hon. Chuka Ama Nwauwa, Non-Executive

“
Director, Imo State;
3. Nwogu N. Nwogu, Non-Executive Director, Abia
Distinguished colleagues, it is my appeal to each and every one of
State.
us, that our legislative duty to Nigeria and her people, must be
uppermost in our minds. We must not allow the upcoming 2019
elections to on
Speaking overshadow our work for the
the confirmation, people President,
Senate that elected usDr.
-
or distract us from that which we are mandated to do by the
Abubakar
constitution andBukola Saraki,
the trust reposedsaid:
in us “Let
by theme on behalf
people. This is myof
the Senate
appeal: it is congratulate
too early for 2019 the three newto members
politicking override theof
legislative agenda and the larger work of governance. We have
the Niger Delta Development Commission. I wish
begun a good thing with the economic core of our agenda; let us
them
see it ato successful tenure Itand
its proper conclusion. wouldhope
be mostthatinsensitive
they use the
to the
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people of this country
to theirif wecommunity
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and their
constituencies.”
SENATE PRESIDENT MEETS NASIR YAMMAMA,
WINNER OF QUEEN ELIZABETH’S YOUNG LEADERS
PROGRAMME
On Thursda y, t he
President of the Senate,
Dr. Abubakar Bukola
Saraki, met with Nasir
Yammama, the Founder
of Verdant Agritech and
winner of Queen
E l i z a b e t h ’ s Yo u n g
Leaders Programme.
The conversation
centered around
promoting more
innovation in Nigeria’s
agricultural sector.

SENATE PRESIDENT SEEKS REFORM
OF INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL
COURT
President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki on Thursday,
April 12th, called on the new President of the International Criminal
Court (ICC), Justice Chile Eboe-Osuji, to among others, embark on
urgent reforms in the court in order to reassure some African leaders
who accuse the ICC of discrimination.
Saraki who gave the charge when Justice Eboe-Osuji visited him at
the National Assembly, also urged the international jurist to use his
tenure at the Court to restore confidence in the ICC.
The President of the Senate said: "You have come at a very challenging time
because as you know there are brother African countries that have different
views about the ICC at this particular time and Nigeria will continue to play the
role to stand firm to be able to be a kind of arbiter between different
countries. 
"I think having you as the President is well thought out. It is very important to
have someone like you heading the place. I think there’s need to look at
reforms  in order to give everybody a sense of belonging and fulfil the goals
and objectives of the ICC. I think that there will be need to always do that
which is right to give all countries a sense of belonging".
He also assured Justice Eboe-Osuji of the National Assembly's support saying,
“
"What I can assure you, is that here in the National Assembly, we will support
you and ensure that you make your mark and be a shinning star among us and
other countries.
"I am very certain that you will make a very successful tenure as the President
of the ICC. Let me also reiterate our country's and National Assembly's
commitment to support the vision of the ICC, which is to ensure that we do as
much as we can to fight crimes against humanity."
The President of the Senate lauded Justice Eboe-Osuji for the visit and pledged
the support of the National Assembly to the success of the objectives and
goals  of the founding fathers of the ICC.
Earlier, Justice Eboe-Osuji told the President of the Senate that his visit was to
appreciate the support and encouragement from the government and people
of Nigeria when he contested for the presidency of the ICC.

SENATE PRESIDENT REITERATES CALL FOR
LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTONOMY
President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has
reiterated his support for local government autonomy.
Speaking in Abuja this week, during a courtesy call by the
National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE),
led by its National President, Comrade Ibrahim Khalil and
other national officers, the Senate President stated that the
Senate and the National Assembly appreciate the
importance of independent and autonomous governance in
the third tier of government.
The Senate President said: “Here in the Senate and the National Assembly, we
appreciate the importance of governance in the third tier of government — the
local government. As such, it is very important that we strengthen local
government administration.
“Part of strengthening local government administration is ensuring that there is
autonomy.
“I also believe that strengthening local government administration means that
we all do our best to increase the capacity at the local government.
“It is important that we see how local governments can be independent, how
local governments can have more autonomy, and Governors cannot interfere
“
with what is due to local governments.
“In all of this, there must still be a cordial and symbiotic relationship. If we just
say that local governments should just be on their own, it might have some
disadvantages.
“We must also look at how we can ensure that local governments have funding
of their own without any interference.
“If we look at the last Constitutional Review exercise, unfortunately, I must say
that we have a lot to do. I don’t think that we got up to 9 states that were in
support of local government autonomy.
“I will ensure that we do more to rectify this issue. I am proud to say that my
home state, Kwara, was one of those 9 states that supported local government
autonomy,” the Senate President said.
 WATC H: Nasir Yammama, t he
VIDEO OF THE WEEK Founder of Verdant Agritech and
winner of Queen Elizabeth’s Young
Leaders Programme, talks about his
meeting with the President of the
Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

Link:
https://goo.gl/
mvkkj1
SENATE PRESIDENT, JOINS FORMER SENATE
PRESIDENT, MARK, AT CELEBRATION OF 70TH
BIRTHDAY
On Friday, the President of
the Senate, Dr. Abubakar
Bukola Saraki and his
Distinguished Colleagues
from the 8th Senate, joined
former Senate President,
David Mark, at the
celebration of his 70t h
Birthday.

The Senate President, and

Senators of the 7th Assembly
presented the former Senate
President, Senator David
Mark, with a picture of the
inaugural sitting of the 7th
Senate (2011-2015) at the
occasion.
w w w. s e n a t e p r e s i d e n t . g o v. n g