By Chuks NZEH
The organisers of the monthly Youth Dialogue, with the Ambassador of Ecuador in Nigeria, Leopoldo Rovayo, Young Journalists Forum, Nigeria and Africa Youth Welfare Advocacy Initiative, have commended the commitment of the 8th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, on the review of the Electoral Act and almost concluded controversial Petroleum Industry Bill amongst others.
This was contained in a statement by the Secretary, YJF, Comrade Ene Okon and Ekasa Benson, Secretary, AYWAI , it reads ” We join millions of well meaning Nigerians to commend the established commitments of the 8th Senate, under the leadership of His Excellency, Senator, Bukola Saraki, who has brought to bare, a more transparent and pragmatic leadership to the entire National Assembly and particularly the Senate.
“As a youth organisations, in a country where about 70 percent of our young people are not engaged, we identify with the Special Adviser to the Senate President on Youth Affairs, Barr. Oscar Obi, who is fostering youth inclusion in the Annual Budgeting for Nigerians and commend especially the quick review of salient aspects of the Electoral Act, so we can have more credible elections, which literally means more dividends of democracy.
We appreciate the fact that the controversial Petroleum Industry Bill, which was hitherto ‘no go area’ is almost been concluded by this Senate, attracting healthy debates amongst legislators, because of its importance to the revival of the economy of Nigeria.
“We laud the effort of the senate for treating the issue of the nation’s economy with urgency, especially the Procurement Act Amendment; this has led to the provision to protect the interest of Made-in-Nigeria products. We see this as an effort geared towards transforming the country’s economy.
The legislature is now more pro-business, pro-private sector, pro-made in Nigeria.
Worthy of note, also is the fact that Senators have passed more Bills in this Legislative year than in the previous one, when within three months 14 Bills were passed, compared to the same number of Bills that were passed throughout the previous year.
We also urge public institutions to always be willing to submit their selves and activities, for scrutiny and instructions from the National Assembly in line with the 1999 Constitution, as amended, being the most organised gathering of all Nigerians, evident in the spread of representation. We call on all legislators to ensure that the independence of the 3 Arms of government especially the National Assembly is not compromised for any reason.
