News Post

The Senate on Wednesday, May 18, 2016 debated and passed for second reading “A Bill for an Act to Establish the Federal University, Wukari and to make comprehensive provisions for Due Management and Administration and for other related matters, 2016 (S.B. 273)”, sponsored by Sen. Emmanuel Bwacha (Taraba South).

Leading the debate on the general principles of the Bill, Sen. Bwacha stated that the institution is one of the six Federal Universities established by the immediate past government but without due management and administration framework. He added that the institution has been accredited by the National University Commission (NUC) but without the much needed legal backing which this Bill sought to provide. Sen. Bwacha disclosed that the financial implication of the University was equally provided for in the 2016 budget.

The Bill sailed through second reading without much ado when it was placed voice vote by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu who presided over the session. The Bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Tertiary Education to report back in two weeks.

Similarly, the Red Chamber has also deliberated upon and passed three Motions which include:

1) The demise of His Highness, Sen. Emmanuel Elaiya who represented the people of Nasarawa South on the platform of Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the Third Republic. The Motion was sponsored by Sen. Solomon Adokwe; stated that the late Senator died two weeks ago. Accordingly, the Motion was passed with a single resolution below;

a) A minute silence was observed in honour of the late Sen. Emmanuel Elaiya.

2) The demise of Six (6) Prominent Medical Doctors and their Driver from Ekiti State, in a ghastly motor accident along Abuja – Kaduna Road, sponsored by Sen. Duro Faseyi (Ekiti North). The Doctors died on Sunday, 24th April, 2016 on their way to the 54th Annual Conference of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Sokoto. The late health officials were: Dr. Aladesanmi of Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Ido Ekiti, Dr. Ojo Taiwo of Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Dr. Akinyele Lexy, Secretary NMA, Dr. Ogunseyi of Ekiti State Health Management Board (HMB), Dr. Olajide, President, EKSUTH Association of Resident Medical Doctors (ARD), Dr. Adeniyi James of Federal Medical Centre, (FMC) Ido Ekiti and Mr. Ajibola, their driver. The Motion was passed with five prayers below:

a) Observe a minute silence in honour of the departed medical doctors and their driver.

b) Condole with the families of the departed, the government and people of Ekiti State, Nigerian Medical Association and also pray for the quick recovery of the survivors.

c) Urge the Federal Government and the relevant government Agencies to set up Ambulances Services along major highways.

d) Urge the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to step up public enlightenment campaign on the use of the highway codes and safe motoring.

e) Mandate the Federal Ministry of Works and FERMA to ensure that a renewed vigour is directed to the maintenance and reconstruction of all portions of road that have become more or less a death trap to motoring public.

3) Demise of his Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa, CFR, the Oba of Benin, sponsored by Sen. Mathew Urhoghide, Sen. Francis Alimikhena and Sen Clifford Ordia.

Sen. Urhoghide noted with grief, the passing of His Royal Majesty, Omo N’oba N’edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Erediauwa CFR, the Oba of Benin to the great beyond as announced by the Iyase of Benin Kingdom, Chief Sam Egbe MFR, on Friday, 29 April, 2016. He ruled for 37 years. The Motion scaled through with two resolutions below:

a) Observe a minute silence in honour of the late Royal Majesty, Oba Erediauwa, CFR the Oba of Benin.

b) Send a delegation of the Senate to commiserate and condole with the Crown Prince, His Highness, the Edaiken of Uselu, Prince Eheneden Erediauwa, the Benin Royal Family, the good people of Benin Kingdom and the government of Edo State.