A call to investigate recruitment dispute between the Police Service Commission (PSC) and the IGP, a revisit of the school feeding, and welfare scheme for youths are major highlights from plenary of the House
Reps to intervene in PSC and IGP recruitment face-off
The House of Representatives on Thursday mandated its standing committee on police to investigate and resolve the ongoing recruitment dispute between the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun and the Police Service Commission (PSC). This move aims to address the lingering 2023 recruitment issues that have affected the capacity of the Nigeria Police Force. The House also called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to provide adequate funding and resources necessary to support the recruitment and training of police officers. It emphasized the need to increase the number of police personnel and ensure that federal character principles are followed. The resolutions followed a motion of urgent importance by Rep. Mitema Obordor (PDP, Bayelsa), who highlighted that the Nigeria Police is under the supervision of the Police Service Commission, which has the power to appoint, promote, and dismiss officers, excluding the IGP. Obordor expressed concern over the dispute between the PSC and the IGP, which has halted police recruitment, resulting in a shortage of police personnel in communities. He underscored the urgent need to strengthen the Nigeria Police by setting a ratio of one police officer to 200 citizens or by adopting the United Nations’ recommendation of one police officer to 450 citizens, to address the escalating security challenges facing the nation.
Reps want FG to bring back School feeding in public schools
The House of Representatives has urged the federal government to revisit the school feeding program in all public primary schools, six months after President Bola Tinubu suspended the scheme. The House mandated the committees on special duties and finance to invite the ministers of special duties and inter-governmental affairs, education, and finance to propose solutions for the program’s future success. The decision to probe the scheme followed the adoption of a motion moved by Muktar Zakari (APC, Kaduna) during Thursday’s plenary session. Leading the debate, Rep. Zakari argued that the program’s suspension is hurting beneficiaries and contributing to the increase in out-of-school children. He explained that the current administration should consider alternatives instead of an outright suspension. “The suspension of the NHGSFP by the current administration is unsettling for several reasons, including reduced school enrolment and attendance, compromised health and cognitive development of the children, and disruption of the income of smallholder farmers,” Zakari said. “Addressing the program’s challenges is crucial, but a complete suspension may cause more harm. Therefore, it is important to find alternative solutions or ensure efficient implementation of the NHGSFP to benefit Nigerian children.”
Reps advance bill to establish a welfare scheme for youths
A bill for an Act to establish the national youths welfare scheme fund passed the second reading in the House of Representatives on Thursday, July 11, 2024. The bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Establish National Youths Welfare Scheme Fund to Manage and Coordinate Youth Welfare Services to Reduce Challenges in Governance and Security in the Country and for Related Matters (HB. 04),” was sponsored by Speaker Rep. Tajudeen Abbas (APC Kaduna) and cosponsored by Rep. Makki Yelleman (APC Jigawa). Leading the debate, Rep. Makki stated that the bill seeks to manage and coordinate youth welfare services to mitigate governance and security challenges in the country. He emphasized that the vibrancy, sociability, and adventurous nature of youths could become negative if left idle, leading to issues such as street hawking by female youths and involvement in cultism and terrorism by male youths. He stated, “any responsible government must put in place policies that will address the menace of unemployment and out-of-school problems in Nigeria. Therefore, the fund shall be responsible for working out the possible requirements and details that will enhance the welfare of our youths.”
BILLS CHART FOR THE DAY
Below is OrderPaper’s signature presentation of bills taken in House plenary today. Readers are invited to contact us for further information via info@orderpaper.ng or WhatsApp via +234 704 7003031
