Recap Of Senate President Saraki Office’s Activities For The Week

Here’s your recap of the activities of the Office of the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki (CON), week of Monday, November 27th to Friday, December 1st, 2017. 

It covers the 8th Senate’s intervention in the Libyan Slave Trade; to the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, inaugurating the ad-hoc Committee to review Nigeria’s national security infrastructure; to the 8th Senate’s debate on Budget2018.

SENATE PRESIDENT INAUGURATES AD-HOC SECURITY COMMITTEE

On Thursday, November 30th, the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki inaugurated the Ad-Hoc Committee on the Review of the Current Security Infrastructure in the Country.” 

The Chairman of the Committee, Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan, in his opening address emphasized that the committee was set up following the Senate Resolution and debate on the current state of Nigeria’s national security infrastructure. 

Other Members of the Committee include Senator Abdullahi A. Yahaya; Senator Emmanuel Paulker; Senator Biodun Olujimi; Senate Chief Whip, Senator Olusola Adeyeye; Senator Rose Oko; and Senator Sam Egwu.

SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITIES: THE SENATE PRESIDENT’S THOUGHTS

Last week, the recent killings across the country stirred a passionate debate in the Senate about the current state of our national security infrastructure. 

Over the years, we have shown empathy, concern and expressed our condolences to the communities that have been affected, and the families of the victims that have lost their lives. 

However, recent events have shown us that we must have a more holistic approach to the multifaceted security challenges that we have. 

This is why, today, following a Resolution of the Senate, Saraki inaugurated the Ad-Hoc Committee that will be tasked on reviewing Nigeria’s current security infrastructure and coming up with recommendations on the way forward. 

One thing is clear, where we are today in 2017, is far better than where we were in 2015. We have made a lot of progress as a country in our fight against the insurgency. We have done well. 

However, we can still do better. This is because, as long as fellow Nigerians are still losing their lives we cannot yet say that we have a clear ‘pass mark.’ 

As elected representatives of the people, the questions before the Senate are: Can they address our security issues in a more holistic manner? Are these issues that have to do with legislative and/or Constitutional mandates?

SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITIES: THE SENATE PRESIDENT’S THOUGHTS (CONT’D)

Some have argued that they believe that the security in our communities will improve if we make provisions for state and/or community police forces. 

Others have said that the current state of our security infrastructure can be enhanced by better funding and better technology. 

These are questions that will be answered by this Committee. Nigerians should note that we were very careful in selecting this Committee. 

We have put some of our best hands and minds forward. 

What Saraki assures the public is that this Senate is ready, able and willing to do everything within our powers to answer the questions that have been put before us. 

Finally, they are hopeful that the setting up of this Committee will also be an opportunity for our Servicemen and Servicewomen – people of capacity, who might be frustrated and limited by the current inherited framework which they find themselves — to redefine and reshape the security infrastructure of Nigeria to keep our citizens safer. 

Saraki believes that we can solve any problem and wishes the Committee Success as it moves forward with its mandate.

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