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House of Reps moves against stigmatisation, discrimination against tuberculosis patients
The Chairman, the House of Representatives Committee on AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, Hon Amobi Godwin-Ogah has said that the House of Representatives would enact a law to prohibit Stigma and discrimination against Tuberculosis patients in Nigeria.
He said this in Lagos at the Tuberculosis Law Retreat organized by the Stop TB Partnership and Lawyers Alert and attended by members of the National Assembly, officials of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, national and international experts, and people affected by TB.
The lawmakers and stakeholders had dialogue on strengthening the legal framework governing tuberculosis (TB).
Tuberculosis is one of the deadly diseases causing unwarranted and untimely death across the world and Nigeria has the highest TB burden in Africa as the country contributes 19 percent of the TB burden in the continent and ranked 6th among the high-burden countries globally.
The President of Lawyers Alert, a nonprofit Human rights organisation in Nigeria, said the enactment of a law prohibiting stigmatisation and discrimination against TB patients would prevent the further spread of the disease in the country.
News
NASC appoints Andrew Nwoba as Clerk to Senate, elevates others
The National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) has approved the appointment of Mr Andrew Ogbonnaya Nwoba as the Clerk to the Senate.
The Commission approved the appointment, which takes effect from December 11, 2024, at its meeting held on Wednesday, December 4, 2024.
Before his appointment, Nwoba was the Secretary of the Directorate of Legislative Budget and Planning.
A statement by the NASC Deputy Director (Information), Mr Emmanuel Anyigor, said that the Commission also endorsed the promotion of other key officers of the National Assembly bureaucracy.
According to the statement, “Mr Emmanuel Odo was appointed Deputy Clerk (Administration) Senate, while Vivien N. Njemanze was appointed Deputy Clerk (Administration) House of Representatives.
“Also, Dr Obasi D. Ukoha is now the Secretary of the Directorate of legislative Budget and Planning.
“On the other hand, Mr Rawlings Agada was deployed from his former position of Deputy Clerk (Administration) Senate to Deputy Clerk (Legislative) Senate while Florence Kehinde A. was deployed from her former position as deputy Clerk (Administration) House of Representatives to Deputy Clerk (Legislative) House of Representatives.”
The statement said that the Commission had earlier approved the appointment of Ogundayo Mofoluwake Olufunmilayo as Secretary of the Directorate of Special Duties; Alkali Umar Abubakar as the Secretary of the Directorate of Human Resources & Staff Development and Essien Eyo Essien as Secretary of the Directorate of Zonal Liaison Offices.
THE CONCLAVE
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Affirmative Action for Women is Essential for Equity – Speaker Abbas
The Speaker, House of Representatives, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, has emphasized that affirmative action for women is not a privilege or an undemocratic measure but a necessary corrective step to promote fairness and achieve gender balance in Nigeria’s political landscape.
In his keynote address at a session with Speakers of State Houses of Assembly, held to mark the conclusion of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Speaker Abbas called for the integration of women’s and gender issues into the constitution, policies, statutes, and budgetary processes of the country. The session took place at the National Assembly on Monday.
Reflecting on the significance of the campaign, Speaker Abbas noted, “This action signified our resolve to combat violence against Nigerian women and to reinforce our collective commitment to creating a safer and more equitable society.”
He recalled leading an advocacy walk from the National Assembly to the Force Headquarters, where a petition was submitted to the Inspector General of Police; this, he said, demonstrated the resolve of lawmakers to address GBV comprehensively.
The Speaker commended the 16 Days of Activism campaign, which began on November 25, for uniting various stakeholders in the fight against GBV and the push for women’s empowerment across the nation. He highlighted the National Assembly’s leadership role in legislative reforms aimed at protecting women and promoting gender equity. These efforts include the enactment of key laws such as the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, the Child’s Rights Act, and the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act.
Speaker Abbas stressed that the 10th House of Representatives has intensified these efforts through its Legislative Agenda, prioritizing constitutional amendments that will enhance women’s participation and representation in governance. He underscored the critical role women play, stating, “Women are the cornerstone of our families and communities, yet their political representation remains unacceptably low. This imbalance must change—not for improved statistics but for the transformative value women bring to governance, leadership, and policymaking.”
He further elaborated on the barriers hindering women’s full participation in political and public life, citing cultural norms, economic disparities, and insufficient legal protections as systemic obstacles. According to him, “A society that protects its women and leverages their potential is one that secures its future.”
To address these issues, the 10th Assembly has initiated constitutional amendment processes early, allowing time for thorough consultation and consensus-building. The House Committee on Constitution Amendment has been engaging stakeholders through sensitization and advocacy to garner support for provisions that institutionalize greater women’s representation.
“These efforts go beyond tokenism,” Speaker Abbas asserted. “Affirmative action for women is not undemocratic; it is a necessary corrective measure to address historical inequities and unlock our nation’s full potential. Many African countries, such as Rwanda and South Africa, have successfully enshrined affirmative action in their constitutions.”
The Speaker also acknowledged the critical role of state Houses of Assembly in advancing these reforms, urging state speakers to actively participate in ensuring that gender-focused constitutional amendments and legislation are adopted at the sub-national level.
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