Lawan, Akume Sworn in as Committee Chairmen

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Friday, November 20th, 2015

Ayodele Afolabi, Abuja

Prominent members of the Senate Unity Forum, loyal to Senator Ahmad Lawan(APC Yobe North) were Thursday part of the committees inaugurated at the National Assembly.

They were part of the chairmen and members of 10 committees inaugurated by the senate president, Bukola Saraki, contrary to stance taken by one of them last week ( Kabiru Marafa) that he would never be part of the inauguration due to alleged irregular ways, the committees were set up by Saraki.

But SUF members, who were before now referred to as anti-Saraki senators inaugurated Thursday included Senators Lawan, George Akume, Abdullahi Adamu, and Abu Ibrahim.

The committees and their chairmen include Defence, Senator Ahmed Lawan; Army, George Akume; Navy, Isa Hamman Misau; Police Affairs, Abu Ibrahim; Agriculture, Abdullahi Adamu; Tertiary Institutions & TETFUND, Binta Garba Mashi; Air Force, Duro Faseyi; Water Resources, Mohammed Ubali Shittu; Niger Delta, Peter Nwaboshi; and Media & Public Affairs, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi.

Saraki, while inaugurating the committees, urged leadership of the committees to “run an inclusive structure and avoid creating an impression that the affairs of the committee is a one-man show”.

“This senate will not tolerate such because it is against the spirit and commitment embodied in our legislative agenda which we have freely given to ourselves”, he warned.

The senate president added that “the 8th Senate expects that you will immediately roll up your sleeves and face the work ahead”.

He said the committees are also expected to treat all bills and reports referred to them expeditiously, especially those relating to the senate’s legislative agenda, adding that same applies to all their oversight reports.

According to Saraki : “The 8th Senate has put innovative mechanisms in plans to empowered the committees to act efficiently and independently in the discharge of their duties.

“Necessary resources will be made available to cover relevant activities of the committees in line with approved guidelein especially. Let me assured you that there will be no need to look elsewhere off resources to carry out your legitimate duties”.

When contacted for comment after the inauguration, Senator Lawan simply told newsmen that ” I am on a retreat as far as press interview is concern”.

But Senator Abu Ibrahim in an interview with senate correspondents, advocated for the introduction of a ‘localised police ‘ to address the insecurity challenges in the country.

He said the introduction of the localised police would enhance the performance of the country’s Police Force.

His words: “What I will suggest is not a state police but a localised police where Policemen from the rank of Sergeant downward would be recruited from their states of origin as they are familiar with their terrains and have a thorough grasp of their local languages.

“Policemen from the rank of ASP upward should be sourced nationally since they will be operating at higher levels. If you take Policeman from Musawa in Katsina to a village in Bayelsa, he would be feeling as if he was transfered to China”.

He said the committee would give necessary attention to the funding and training of the Nigeria Police to enhance their performances.