We Passed „Not Too Young To

Run Bill‟ To Ensure Youth Partici-

pation In Governance - Dogara
The speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon
Yakubu Dogara, has charged all youths to take full
advantage of the " Not too young to run" Bill, explain-
ing that the National Assembly passed the popular bill
with the objective of lowering the age requirement for
elective offices in line with its commitment to youth
participation in governance.

He also added that House of Representatives is com-

mitted to the enactment of youth friendly legislations
that will aid the total development of our youths into
productive citizens, encourage them to imbibe and
sustain the spirit of commitment to civic obligations,
Delivering a lecture as the guest speaker at the 31st
annual All Rotaract Multi-District conference in Abuja,
he also added that the National Assembly is dedicat-
ed to ensuring the observance and appropriation of
fundamental human rights of youths and full partici-
pation in governance though all the available oppor-
tunities under the law.

The Speaker, who was conferred the prestigious

merit award of Exemplary Leadership & Humani-
tarian Services, also restated his view that the fast
depleting values among the younger generation
is a consequence of uninspiring leadership, He,
however, expressed optimism that the organisa-
tion will provide fertile environment for inspira-
tional interaction with youth who have, by choice,
dedicated themselves to the promotion of the
enthronement of critical human values and pos-
sess the potential to massively replicate same.

The Speaker also lectured and advised them on

the need to participate in governance as the true
essence of democracy is that power belongs to
the people and not officials who exercise govern-
mental power, be it in elective or appointive ca-
pacity and urged them to shun violence and
thuggery while always exercise their voting rights.
 The Speaker assured them that the House of Repre-
Dogara Urges Media To Check sentatives and, indeed, the National Assembly in
Dictatorial Tendencies In Lead- general, will continue to partner and support the
media in guaranteeing free press including the safe-
ers, Defend Democracy ty of journalists through the instrumentality of the
legislature, as practiced in other climes.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Ya-
kubu Dogara, has urged journalists to ensure that
they unreservedly monitor public office holders in The speaker said the Distinguished Friend of the
order to stop all dictatorial tendencies and protect Media Award given to him by the NUJ will “motivate
Nigeria‟s hard-earned democracy. and spur us to continue to support and protect de-
mocracy and press freedom.”
The Speaker, who gave this charge while delivering
brief remarks at the NUJ 2018 Press Freedom
Awards night, also emphasised that as the watch-
dog of the society and fourth estate of the realm,
the media plays a pivotal role in protecting and
promoting democracy, human rights and the rule
of law.

He asked them to always “tell the right stories, es-

pecially those that promote unity, peace and har-
mony as well as stand up for the right to truth, es-
pecially now that we inch towards the 2019 general
elections,” and commended them for the role they
played in the struggle for the restoration of democ-
racy in 1999, while noting that many journalists
paid the supreme price during military dictatorship. Representative of the Speaker , Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara & Special
He stated, “The theme for this year's celebration, Adviser to the Speaker on Media & Publicity, Mr. Turaki Hassan
(right ) receiving on behalf of the Speaker, an Award for Distin-
which is "Keeping power in check: Media, Justice guished Friend of the Media from NUJ, President, Abdulwa-
and the Rule of Law,” is apt and timely because heed Odusile (left ) at the 2018 Press Freedom Awards Night, orga-
nized by Nigeria Union of Journalist ( NUJ ) in Abuja
those who hold levers of power must be put in
check so as to stop all dictatorial tendencies and
protect our hard-earned democracy.”

While speaking on free press, he stated that it is a

necessary ingredient of true democracy as the im-
portance of the media in promoting democracy
and the rule of law cannot be over emphasised.

Furthermore, he called for improved welfare for

journalists by media organisations, harping on the
need to pay salaries and provide health insurance
for their staff who are exposed to all sorts of risks
while doing their jobs. I will call on all proprietors of
media organisations to promptly pay the salaries of
their staff.
Representative of the Speaker , Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara & Special
Adviser to the Speaker on Media & Publicity, Mr. Turaki Hassan, US
Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. W. Stuart Symington and an America Jour-
nalist, Mrs. Linda Hervieux during the 2018 Press Freedom Awards
Night, organized by Nigeria Union of Journalist ( NUJ ) in Abuja

Sen Melaye: Life Must Be Se-
cured Before Prosecution,
Speaker Dogara Tells Security
Agencies
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yaku-
bu Dogara has asked security agencies handling Sen
Dino Melaye‟s case on alleged gun running to do
everything possible to ensure that his life is secured
first before prosecution.
He said if anything happens to the senator due to
disregard of his health status, the security gencies
would be liable for it.
The Speaker‟s warning followed a point of order by
Rep. Sunday Karimi ( PDP, Kogi), who said Melaye
was transported in an ambulance to Lokoja to face
trial despite the state of his health.
Hon. Sunday Karimi raised a motion on the treat-
ment being meted to Senator Dino Melaye by agen-
cies of the federal government, explaining that the
Senator was being persecuted for his beliefs. He
asked the Speaker to use his position to ensure the
rule of law prevails.
The Speaker responded by stressing that the rule of
law must prevail in the situation. He asked the secu-
rity agencies to ensure his safety, as a trial should
not hold at the expense of one‟s life.
Reps Resolve To Probe CRFFN
Management Over Misappro-
priation of Funds, Embezzle-
ment
The House of Representatives has mandated its
Committee on Ports, Harbours and Waterways to
investigate the alleged financial and administrative
infractions committed by the Registrar/Chief Execu-
tive of the CRFFN.
Hon. Prestige Ossy had raised a motion on the need
to investigate the alleged financial and administra-
tive Infractions by the registrar of the Council for
the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria
(CRFFN).
The House noted that the sum of N3, 942,709,857
billion was approved for both Capital and Recurrent
Expenditures for CRFFN in the Appropriation Act
2017and in the same financial year, CRFFN generat-
ed the sum of N14, 124,888.77 out of the projected
Internally Generated Revenue of N5,042,348,663,00;
which clearly shows poor performance by any
standards.
The lawmakers added that the sum of
N2,725,000,000 Billion was released and disbursed
to CRFFN as Capital Expenditures, out of which the
sum ofN2,414,636,805.66 billion is alleged to have
been expended, while expressing concern that the
sum of N2.5 billion was paid to contractors prior to
the execution of the projects in breach of extant
financial laws and regulations.
The registrar/chief execution officer of the CRFFN
was alleged to been involved in several other finan-
cial scandals which include unilateral approval of an
undisclosed sum for the purchase of two Toyota
Land Cruisers and fifty Toyota Hilux vans but pur-
chased only one Land cruiser and ten Hilux vans,
and diverted the rest of the funds, another divertion
of the sum of N35 million meant for the opening of
Micro Finance Bank for Freight Forwarders, renting
of his own personal house as office of CRFFN in
Abuja for an undisclosed sum and unilateral promo-
tion and sack of some staff of the council.
 The lawmaker added that the agency under-
remits debts owed the country by shipping firms,
with the consent and connivance of the agency
and offers billion naira contracts to dubious com-
panies.

Hon Shawulu also stated that there are other alle-

gations of abuse of office, corruption and other
unwholesome practices within the agency, award
of contracts to the DG's cronies and other top
management staff of the agency in clear violation
of the Procurement Act and other Financial Regu-
lations, as well as cases of round-tripping and un-
der declaration of foreign exchange earnings from
House To Launch Enquiry Into the agency's foreign account.

NIMASA Management Over Fi-

nancial Recklessness
Following allegations of award of fictitious contracts
and gross mismanagement of billions of naira by the
Nigerian Maritime Administration (NIMASA), the
House of Representatives has resolved to mandate its
Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Ad-
ministration to carry out an investigation on the mat-
ter.
This was sequel to a motion raised by Hon.
Rimamnde Shawulu kwewum, Hon. Gabriel Onyen-
wife, Hon. Ibrahim Baba and Hon. Chris Agibe.

Leading the motion, Rep Shawulu noted the current

Administration's anti-corruption posturing and recent
developments in the Nigerian Maritime Administra-
tion and Safety Agency (NIMASA) as it relates to the
award of questionable contracts, fraudulent forex
transactions and other unwholesome and corrupt
practices;

He alleged questionable, inflated and fictitious con-

tracts were awarded by the Nigerian Maritime Ad-
ministration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), particularly
for non- operational speed boats, security surveil-
lance known as 'Deep Blue Water Contract', revenue
leakages and the award of contracts to cronies of the
Director-General and other top management staff of
the Agency, and suspicious forex transactions.
Magu Hails Speaker Dogara
Over 24bn EFCC HQ
Acting chairman of the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, has
expressed appreciation to the speaker of the
House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara
and other stakeholders at the National Assembly
for their continued support.
This, he said, while briefing the press on the sta-
tus of the ultra modern EFCC head office, which
has been in the works since 2010.
The Speaker had, in 2017, given assurances of
parliament‟s support for the building project via
the appropriation process when he toured ghet-
to construction site.
He had argued then that it was imperative to
complete the head office after so many years in
order to provide a more conducive working envi-
ronment for staff of the commission, and for the
country to demonstrate its commitment to effec-
tively combating corruption.
Magu lauded the executive and the legislature
for putting up a united front against corruption.
House Ready To Pass Minimum
Wage Bill-Dogara
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yaku-
bu Dogara, has reiterated the desire of the House to
provide a better life for workers, adding that the leg-
islature is still waiting for executive to forward the bill
for an upward review of minimum wage to the Na-
tional Assembly for passage.
In a statement to mark the 2018 Workers‟ day cele-
bration, Hon Dogara said he is not unmindful of the
struggles and hardship faced by Nigerian workers in
their daily lives, which is why the National Assembly
is committed to putting more resources in the hands
of workers.
He expressed optimism that the Federal govern-
ment‟s Committee on Minimum Wage which is cur-
rently conducting public hearings across the six geo-
political zones in the country will soon conclude its
assignment and a new national minimum wage bill
will be transmitted to the parliament by the presi-
dent.
He said the parliament is very much aware of the
sufferings and hardship the Nigerian worker face s
due to poor remuneration and welfare, while empha-
sising the importance of workers to the growth and
prosperity of Nigeria.
Speaker Dogara assured them that the National As-
sembly will give expeditious passage to the Mini-
mum Wage Bill whenever it is transmitted by the ex-
ecutive as well as any other initiative that will pro-
mote the welfare of the Nigerian worker.