The Nigerian Senate has passed two crucial bills to second reading, which many lawmakers consider vital to the socio-economic development and well-being of Nigerians. The bills were deliberated during Thursday’s plenary session.
Among them is the bill for an Act to Establish the National Agency for Malaria Eradication, sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North).
According to the sponsor, the bill seeks to create a dedicated national agency focused on the eradication of malaria in Nigeria.
He described malaria as a national emergency due to its devastating impact on public health and productivity across the country.
Presenting his submission on the bill, Senator Ned Nwoko cited the 2024 report of the World Health Organization, which states that the death rate across African countries due to malaria reached up to 6,000 cases.
He noted that Nigeria accounts for approximately 154,000 malaria-related deaths annually, the highest burden globally.
He emphasized that malaria is not merely a public health problem, but a structural crisis, contributing significantly to maternal health issues and accounting for up to 11 percent of maternal mortality in the country.
Economically, malaria affects the nation through the loss of many productive man-hours each year.
Despite this, malaria is not receiving the necessary attention required to address the root causes of the disease, unlike efforts seen in the fight against polio and similar illnesses.
Many Senators who contributed to the debate, including Senator Victor Umeh and Senator Babangida Hussaini, supported the bill.
In his submission, Senator Babangida noted that it would be very difficult to find a Nigerian who, when tested, does not carry the malaria parasite.
He, therefore, urged the lawmakers to support the bill, saying it is high time to have an agency that will derive the fight against maleria in Nigeria
In a related development the senate also passed to second reading a Bill for an act to make it mandatory for the Ministries Departments and Agencies to prioritize on the Local Automobile Manufacturers and Indigenous Companies in the procurement processes and other matters related there with.
This bill was sponsored by Senator Patrick Ndubueze (Imo North) and it seeks to prioritize the use of the local automobile manufacturers and indigenous companies
Briefing newsmen on the importance of the bill, Senator Patrick expressed his belief that the Nigerian government could make it compulsory for ministries to patronize locally manufactured goods, such as automobiles.
He said this would reduce car importation, strengthen the naira, create jobs, and revive economic activities similar to what was experienced during the era of Peugeot Automobile Company in Kaduna and other local firms.
In addition, several bills have successfully scaled first reading, including the Federal Polytechnics Act (Amendment) Bill, sponsored by Senator Aminu Abbas; and the National Commission on Environmental and Social Safeguards (Establishment) Bill, sponsored by Senator Michael Bamidele (Ekiti Central) and Senator Peter Jiya (Niger South).
Others include the National Universities Commission Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, sponsored by Senator Ibrahim Jimoh (Ondo South); the Armed Forces Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, by Senator Abdulaziz Yar’adua (Katsina Central); and the Nigeria Maritime Academy (Establishment) Bill, sponsored by Senator Sanni Eshilokun (Lagos Central).
The bills demonstrate the Senate’s commitment to addressing critical issues affecting the nation, including public health, economic development, education, and national security.
Bashir M
