The senate addressed very important issues in the country today including drug abuse, the ill-treatment of super eagles in Libya, amongst others.
- Senate condemns ill-treatment of super eagles in Libya.
Following the inhumane treatment the Libya government subjected the super eagles to upon their arrival for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, the senate has called on the government of the country to as a matter of urgency, apologise to Nigeria. The senate also described this act as a very shameful behaviour. OrderPaper recalls that the Super Eagles players were held at the Al Abaq airport since Sunday evening upon arrival in Libya for the second leg of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match, following their 1-0 victory in Uyo, Akwa Ibom on Friday. The players were left without food and other necessities. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) declared on Monday that the Super Eagles would not be participating in the qualification match due to an overwhelming amount of vocal opposition. After an arduous 18-hour experience, the crew arrived back in the country on Monday. Meanwhile, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio said the senate will continue to monitor the situation closely and ensure that the rights and dignity of citizens are protected.
- ‘Most of us have contributed in promoting drug abuse,’ Kawu tackles colleagues
Sen. Sumaila Kawu (NNPP, Kano South) has queried his colleagues alleging that they may have contributed heavily and supported in promoting drug abuse in their constituencies. This is as he called on those who claim to not be guilty of supporting drug abuse to swear before the chamber to prove their innocence. Kawu interrogated his colleagues during a debate on a bill seeking to establish a national institute for drug awareness and rehabilitation to coordinate and promote drug awareness, prevent substance abuse and facilitate the rehabilitation of drug users during Tuesday’s plenary. Speaking during the debate Kawu asserted that every politician must be subjected to drug tests before vying for office. However, senators Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo north) and Gbenga Daniel (APC, Ogun east) argued that creating another institution for the purpose of preventing drug abuse and facilitating rehabilitation of drug users would amount to overlapping duplicity of functions with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). Other lawmakers who contributed to the bill, supported the second reading.
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- FIRS allays fears over tax reforms to Senate
Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Zacch Adedeji, has allayed fears of Nigerians on possible introduction of new taxes through proposed tax reform laws, assuring that the bills do not entail introduction of new taxes or increase of already existing ones. He spoke during an interactive session with members of the senate committee on Finance on Tuesday. According to him, the tax reforms are not meant to tax poverty but prosperity, fruits and not seeds, returns and not investments and basically seeks to increase simplicity and efficiency of tax administration in Nigeria. Adedeji noted that the four executive tax bills forwarded to both chambers of the national assembly aim to harmonize the multiple tax laws in the country.
- Senate passes 3 House bills
The senate has passed three House bills in a concurrence move. The bills are; federal university of sports, Afuze, Edo state (establishment) bill, federal college of nursing and midwifery, Otu-Jeremi (establishment) bill and federal college of nursing, midway free and health sciences, Isiala-Mbano, Imo state (establishment) bill.
BILLS CHART FOR THE DAY
Below is OrderPaper’s signature presentation of bills taken in Senate plenary today. Readers are invited to contact us for further information via info@orderpaper.ng or WhatsApp via +234 704 700 3031.
