Tag Archives: Femi Gbajabiamila

Xenophobia: Why Nigeria won’t retaliate against South Africans – Gbajabiamila

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Leader of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Tuesday stressed that retaliation would be the last resort in the efforts being made by the Federal Government to resolve the renewed xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja, the lawmaker who will be leading the House’s six-man delegation to South Africa next Monday, maintained that “retaliation is not in the best interest of both nations.

Gbajabiamila disclosed that lawmakers during their 5-day trip to South Africa would discuss with the South African Parliament on the possibility of both countries enacting hate crime laws.

The Minority Leader said they will interface with their South African counterpart on the possibility of compensating those affected by the xenophobic attack.

According to Gbajabiamila, the delegates will also seek to strengthen bilateral ties between both countries.

He said, “We hope to meet with Nigerians who reside in South Africa and assure them of government’s intervention.

“We will advance and hopefully get a commitment on the need for payment of compensation for the victims of this last attack.”

Gbajabiamila promises speedy passage of 2017 Budget

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Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, the Majority Leader in the House of Representatives, on Sunday said that the nation’s lawmakers would work toward speedy passage of the 2017 budget, but would not sacrifice thoroughness in doing so.

Gbajabiamila spoke with newsmen in Lagos on the occasion of his constituency’s celebration of the New Year baby at the Maternal and Child Care Hospital, Surulere.

He also donated gift items to children with health challenges at the Heart of Gold Children’s Hospice, also in Surulere, to mark the New Year.

”It’s unfortunate that the budget was presented late. I have always been an advocate that budget be presented in September or first week in October as done in advanced democracy.

”You don’t present the budget late in December and expect quick passage. The financial year is supposed to start by Dec. 31 or Jan.1.

”We cannot sacrifice thoroughness and good work on the altar of time, we still need to do our work; we will ensure we fast track the passage in the shortest possible time.

”When we go back to the house, we will double and triple all efforts and make sure that this budget is passed on time,” he said.

Gbajabiamila said that hopefully, the budget would revive the country’s economy and make life better for Nigerians.

”The good thing is that the budget year has been extended to March and there are safeguards in the constitution that provide that when the budget has not been passed during a certain period, there are certain things that can be done to keep the government running.

”But the budget will be passed soon and like it has been tagged -‘Budget of Recovery and Growth’, hopefully, that is what we will see in 2017,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Muhammadu Buhari on Dec. 14, 2016 in Abuja, presented a budget proposal of N7.30 trillion for 2017 before a joint session of the National Assembly.

Femi Gbajabiamila: Amendment of CCB Act will not see the light of day.

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Femi Gbajabiamila, majority leader of the house of representatives, says the amendment of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) Act by the national assembly will “not see the light of day”.

The majority leader had made an attempt to revisit the bill but when Yakubu Dogara, the speaker, put it to a vote, the legislators kicked against it.

Gbajabiamila, while giving an end of year report on activities of the lower legislative chamber over the weekend, said the amendment to the CCB Act was an “error” and as such, “unconstitutional.”

“Sometimes some things slip through the cracks. That is why I brought a motion to debate it again when I discovered the error. It is unconstitutional,” he said.

“It is not going to see the light of day. It is pertinently unconstitutional.”

Gbajabiamila further said the house took the necessary steps against Abdulmumin Jibrin, who accused Dogara and other legislators of budget padding.

“I believe the house felt that Jibrin went against the ethics of the institution and they took the necessary steps to address it so that it does not occur in future. Not everyone will agree with this decision.The house has since moved on,” he said.

He said that he did not see anything wrong in the budget processes but there may be need for improvements in some areas.

The majority leader added that the petroleum bill, though not debated on the floor of the house, is being considered an engagement is ongoing with stakeholders.