At today’s plenary session, the House of Representatives advanced its legislative and oversight mandate through a series of resolutions aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s foreign policy engagement, expanding access to quality education and healthcare, and addressing urgent national security and environmental concerns.
Nigeria’s Engagement with the OACPS–EU Partnership Following a Matter of Urgent Public Importance moved by Rep. Ibrahim Ayokunle Isiaka (APC, Ogun), the House mandated its relevant Committees to assess the strategic benefits of Nigeria’s continued membership in the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States–European Union (OACPS–EU) partnership.
The House further called on the relevant authorities to expedite the payment of Nigeria’s outstanding financial contributions to the Organisation to avert sanctions and potential diplomatic embarrassment.
Education and Legislative Reform
The House passed four bills, including the National Teachers’ Institute Act (Amendment) Bill, presented by the House Majority Leader, Rt. Hon. Julius Ihonvbere, CON (APC, Edo). The bill seeks to empower the Institute to award the Nigeria Certificate in Education, as well as undergraduate, postgraduate, and research degrees in teacher education, and to formally constitute its Governing Council.
Other bills passed at the plenary included the establishment of:
Federal College of Education (Technical), Uzebba–Iuleha, Edo State, Federal College of Education, Suleja, Niger State Auctioneers Registration Council of Nigeria.
In pursuit of enhanced access to technical education, the House passed for Second Reading two establishment bills: one for the Federal University of Oil and Gas Technology, Igbokoda (sponsored by Rep. Donald Ojogo, APC, Ondo), and another for the Federal College of Technical Education, Lafiagi (sponsored by Rep. Ahmed Saba Adamu, APC, Kwara).
The House also received the Committee Report on a bill to establish the Federal College of Nursing Sciences, Ikot Mboho, laid by Rep. Patrick Umoh (APC, Akwa Ibom).
Healthcare Advancement
To expand healthcare access and infrastructure, the House passed for Second Reading three bills to establish Federal Medical Centres in Gwadabawa, Ore, and Ukana. These bills were sponsored by Rep. Isa Bello Ambarura (APC, Sokoto), Rep. Festus Adefiranye (APC, Ondo), and Rep. Patrick Umoh (APC, Akwa Ibom), respectively.
In addition, the House considered a report on a bill for the establishment of an Orthopaedic Hospital in Toro, Bauchi State, along with five other reports from the Committee on Health Institutions. These were reviewed during Committee of the Whole, chaired by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, CFR.
Security and Environmental Concerns
In response to growing insecurity, the House adopted motions calling for urgent intervention in affected areas. Rep. Shehu Saleh Rijau (APC, Niger) moved a motion for the deployment of military forces to dislodge bandits in Magama and Rijau Federal Constituency.
Similarly, Rep. Ahmed Saba Adamu (APC, Kwara) raised alarm over the increase in banditry and abductions in Edu, Moro, and Patigi Federal Constituency, prompting a House resolution urging swift action by security agencies.
On environmental matters, the House resolved that the Federal Ministry of Environment should commence erosion and flood control interventions in Mashi and Dutsi Federal Constituency, as canvassed by Rep. Salisu Yusuf Majigiri (APC, Katsina).
Representation and Electoral Inclusivity
To promote equitable representation, the House adopted a motion by Rep. Nnamdi Ezechi (APC, Delta), calling for the creation of additional State Constituencies in Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West, and Ukwuani Local Government Areas in Delta State.
Public Petitions
Two petitions from aggrieved citizens were laid before the House and referred to the Committee on Public Petitions by Rep. Jesse Okey-Joe Onuakalusi (LP, Lagos), further demonstrating parliament’s responsiveness to citizen concerns and the pursuit of justice.
The 10th House of Representatives remains resolute in its mandate to legislate for peace, progress, equity, and the welfare of all Nigerians.
