Lack Of Opportunities Contrib-
uting To Social Unrest In Nigeria-
Dogara
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu
Dogara, has challenged the banking sector to contribute
to the fight against violence, terrorism and sundry acts
of criminality by providing opportunities to Nigerians to
pursue dreams that will yield positive outcomes.
The Speaker stated while receiving a delegation from
the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria in his of-
fice, that the inability of many young, talented and gift-
ed Nigerians to access funds to take their dreams to real-
ity has led to their involvement in activities that are det-
rimental to the growth and development of the society.
He urged them to take a very in-depth look at the possi-
bility of reducing their bank rates to encourage small
and medium businesses in the country to thrive as this
would lead to strengthening of the democratic architec-
ture of the country and enable Nigerians to enjoy life,
liberty and pursue what makes them happy.
Hon Dogara also expressed confidence that with the
commitment of bankers, reduced interest rates can be
achieved, while assuring that the House is committed to
the ease of doing business in Nigeria.
1
Banking Reform: Dogara Calls
For Review Of Interest Rates
The Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has called for action to be
taken concerning prevalent banking practices
which have adverse effects on business growth
and entrepreneurship in Nigeria.
Speaking at the launch of a book on banking re-
forms by a member of the House of Representa-
tives, Dr. Bode Ayorinde, representing Owo/Ose
Federal Constituency, Dogara highlighted issues
such as high lending rates and difficulties in ac-
cessing loans; and compared prevalent practices
in the country with what is obtainable in other
climes.
He queried the likelihood of success of business
reforms in the country, in light of the fact that
loans remain largely inaccessible to those who
most require such financial aids to grow their
businesses.
The Speaker, who lamented that the political will
to tackle the challenge has been lacking, called on
all stakeholders to work together to strengthen the
various institutions within the country in line with
international best practices.
Reps To Remove Ajaokuta Steel Lawmakers To Probe Embezzle-
Company From List Of Compa- ment Of $150, 000 By AFN
nies That Can Be Concessioned
The House of Representatives has started an investigation
By Federal Government of the Athletics Federation Of Nigeria (AFN) over the
alleged disappearance of $150,000.

The House of Representatives has resolved to raise a
Bill for the amendment of the Privatisation Act to re-
move Ajaokuta Steel Company from the list of compa-
nies that can be concessioned by the federal govern-
ment, as well as delete the powers of the National
Council on Privatisation to amend an Act passed by
the National Assembly.
It also mandated its Ad-hoc Committee on Ajaokuta
Steel Complex to
The lawmakers resolved to probe the embezzlement after
adopting the resolution of a motion sponsored by Hon.
Diri Duoye.
He explained that the International Association of Athlet-
ics Federations (IAAF) had, instead of $15,000, which is
it annual grant to member federations for the year 2017,
paid $150,000 to the Athletics Federation of Nigeria
(AFN).

include the urgent consideration of the possibility of a But rather notify the IAAF of the mistake, the AFN em-
Bill for an Act to Provide for the Completion of bezzled the excess of $135,000, which the IAAF has now
Ajaokuta steel Company and prohibit the concession- asked it to refund.
ing prior to its completion.
The House, therefore, resolved to mandate its Committee
Adopting the resolution of a motion moved by Hon
Ahmed Yerima and 24 others, the House also urged on Sports to carry out a forensic audit on the alleged loot-
the executive to declare the steel segment of the econo- ing of the excess grant payment and determine the steps
my and urge the Senate to comply in line with section being taken to refund the money to IAAF to prevent Ni-
16 of the constitution. geria being banned, and measures being put in place to
prevent further infractions in future.
Also, the committee is to determine whether or not
there is peculiar interest of the minister in the appoint- The House also resolved to invite the Minister of Youths
ment of Greenwich Trust Ltd headed by wife of his and Sports, AFN and Central Bank of Nigeria and any
political mentor as Transaction Adviser for Ajaokuta other connected parties to explain their roles in the mat-
Steel Company.
ter.
The lawmakers also mandated the Ad-Hoc Committee
on Ajaokuta Steel Complex to further unravel why Mr.
Kayode Fayemi engaged a globally discredited firm,
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) in auditing Ajaokuta
Steel Complex, without due process in spite of the fact
that the firm is neck deep in promoting corruption and
has been so indicted and punished in many jurisdic-
tions, as well as the nature of the conflict of interest
that may have arisen on account of Mr. Kayode
Fayemi appointing a firm, Greenwich Trust Ltd.
Going further, they urged President Muhammadu
Buhari, to stop the Mr Kayode Fayemi, from proceed-
ing further with concessioning processes of Ajaokuta
Steel Complex, pending a review ordered by the House
of Representatives, in the interest of the national econ-
omy and the anti- corruption fight of the Buhari gov-
ernment.

2

House Moves To End Stealing
Of Relief Material, Rape In IDP
Camps
The House of Representatives has mandated its Commit-
tee on IDPs, Refugees and Initiatives on North East to
investigate the rampant cases theft of relief materials,
rape, teenage pregnancy, and extortion in Internally Dis-
placed Persons (IDPs) Camps across Nigeria with a view
to ending them.
In a motion moved by Hon Hassan Saleh, the House not-
ed with concern, the publication in the Nation Newspa-
per of December 17, 2017, on how the Internally Dis-
placed Persons Camps in Nigeria are poorly managed
and the harrowing experiences of rape committed
against women and girls by men in the camps especially
those who are supposed to protect them.
The lawmakers expressed worry that the stories are the
same in all the camps across the country, while noting
that Human Rights Watch had reportedly written to vari-
ous government agencies requesting comments on the
various allegations emanating from all the camps, but
has not received any response.
They also added that the effort of government concern-
ing the care and protection of the IDPs is not enough,
stressing the need for government to do more to protect
them.
3
Due Process Abuse: Reps To Re-
view Audit Of Remittance By
AICL
In a bid to check abuses of due process in revenue remit-
tance process by the Abuja Investment Company Lim-
ited (AICL), the Committee on Federal Capital Territory
has been mandated by the House of Representatives to
carry out an extensive audit of all contract agreements
entered into between the Abuja Investment Company
Limited (AICL) and its Subsidiaries/affiliates and reve-
nues accruable from the contracts as well as remittances
made to date and losses.
The committee is also to investigate the immediate and
remote causes of breach of due process.
This was sequel to a motion raised by Hon. Prestige Os-
sy.
The House noted that the Abuja Investment Company
limited oversees the Abuja Markets Management Lim-
ited, Abuja Urban Mass Transport Company Limited,
Abuja Property and Development Limited, Abuja Tech-
nology Village, and Abuja Film Village International.
It also controls varying stakes in various affiliates of the
Abuja Investment Company Limited which include the
Abuja Leasing Company limited, Abuja Connect limited,
Power North AICL Equipment Leasing Limited, Abuja
Power Company limited, Aso Properties and Investment
Management Limited, Aso Savings and Loans limited,
among others.
The House said as a result of the abuse of due process by
the Abuja Markets Limited and other subsidiaries, the
AICL signed a Facility Management Agreement which
has been consistently disregarded to the detriment of the
Federal Government.
The lawmakers noted that sharp practices have led to
revenue losses, as seen in the annual N1 billion on diesel
by the company, while expressing concern that in spite
of the capital invested by the Federal Government to es-
tablish the Abuja Investment Company Limited, its sub-
sidiaries and affiliates have become a source of revenue
leakages and fraud running into billions of naira.
It also expressed worry that efforts by the new manage-
ment of AICL to sanitise the activities of its subsidiaries
are being frustrated as laid down agreements are blatant-
ly disregarded.
Courtesy visit to the Speaker by a
Committee on Power in Public Hearing
Delegation from UNN

Courtesy visit to the Speaker by Courtesy visit to the Speaker by the

Kpankpando Foundation Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria

4
House To Pass People With Dis-
ability Bill In Few Days- Dogara
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yaku-
bu Dogara, has disclosed that the House of Repre-
sentatives will give expeditious passage to the People
With Disabilities Bill within the next few days.
He gave the assurance when he received a delegation
from Kpankpando Foundation For Persons With Dis-
abilities in his office.
The speaker said it was unjust for about 25 million
Nigerians living with disabilities to be excluded from
the benefits of democracy, adding that the House is
committed to passing laws that will enable the All
Progressives Congress to implement its promise in its
manifesto to include people with disabilities in gov-
ernance.
He also encouraged the disabled in Nigeria not to see
themselves limited by their disabilities as it does not
stop the talent or potential buried in them.
Earlier, founder and chairman, board of trustees of
Kpankpando Foundation For Persons With Disabili-
ties appealed to the speaker to ensure speedy passage
of the Bill to enable the disabled in Nigeria exercise
their rights, especially by participating in the oncom-
ing 2019 general elections.
5
House Asks NBC To Put Warn-
ing Labels Of Dangers Of Tak-
ing Fanta And Sprite With Vita-
min On Packs.
Following the adoption of the report by the Hon. Femi
Gbajabiamila’s Ad-hoc Committee Investigating the
Production and Distribution of Drinks Manufactured by
the Nigeria Bottling Company Limited and other
Drinks Produced or Marketed in Nigeria, federal repre-
sentatives have asked that warning labels be printed on
Fanta and Sprite that the products are harmful when
taken with Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C).
They also directed the National Agency for Food and
Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to com-
pel producers/manufacturers to indicate all chemicals,
acids, colorants and preservatives contained in their
products on the packs or bottles no matter how negligi-
ble they are.
Furthermore, they added that the regulatory agencies
should be adequately funded by the government to ena-
ble them effectively monitor and ensure compliance.
The House stated that expiration dates must be printed
on all carbonated and non-carbonated drinks produced
and marketed in Nigeria; standard review should be
carried out biannually by the Regulatory Agencies, par-
ticularly the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON)
partnering with NAFDAC and that the Committee on
Health Services should pay critical attention to the ac-
tivities of NAFDAC.
6
 I Lost a Brother, Confidant, Dogara Mourns
Sen. Wakili
The Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Hon. Yakubu Dogara has described as devastating
and heart breaking, the news of the death of Sena-
tor Malam Ali Wakili.
The Speaker who could not control his emotions
on getting this sad news, described the late Sen.
Wakili as a personal friend, true brother and de-
pendable ally.
" The death of Sen. Ali Wakili is a personal loss
to me. I'm short of words to describe how devas-
tated and heart broken I am over the passing away
of this true friend, brother and confidant, with
whom I had excellent brotherly relationship
and association".
"We have indeed lost a distinguished parlia-
mentarian, easy going and courageous person
who had worked tirelessly both in the Senate
chamber and outside to defend the interest of
his constituents, Bauchi State and the down-
trodden members of the society in the country
at large".
"Within his short but eventful sojourn in the
National Assembly, Sen. Wakili had distin-
guished himself with his characteristic display
of patriotism, forthrightness and logical skills
during debates and other legislative duties".
"We in Bauchi State and in particular, Bauchi
South Senatorial District, have lost a worthy
ambassador and a distinguished gentleman.
But we'll take solace in the fact that his human-
itarian services and other accomplishments
will continue to be a source of inspiration to us
all".
"Our deep condolences go to his immediate
family, constituents, the people of Bauchi
State and the nation atlarge over this irrepara-
ble loss."
The speaker prayed God Almighty to grant his
soul eternal rest.