Below is a summary of proceedings during the plenary of the Bauchi State House of Assembly presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abubakar Y Suleiman, today, 8th August, 2023 as compiled by Abdul Ahmed Burra, Spokesperson to the Speaker.
1. Votes and proceedings of Thursday 3rd August, 2023 were adopted as amended by the Honourable House as moved and seconded by the Majority Leader Hon. Saleh Hodi Jibir (Disina Constituency) and the Minority Leader Hon. Bala Abdu Rishi (Lame Constituency).
2. Majority Leader Hon. Saleh Hodi Jibir (Disina Constituency) announced the release of the sitting calendar of the first session of the 10th Assembly of Bauchi State.
According to him, the First term has commenced on 20th June ad will end on 7th September 2023 while recess commences 8th September 2023 and ends 23rd October, 2023. Second term commences 24th October, 2023 and ends 4th January 2024 while recess commences 5th January, 2024 and ends 5th February, 2024. Third term commences 6th February, 2024 and ends 1st May, 2024 while recess commences 2nd May, 2024 and ends 19th June, 2024.
The Majority Leader stated that in the first session, the Honourable House will sit for 181 days which conforms the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and will have total 62 days for recess and will will commence 2nd Session on 20th June, 2024.
3. Member representing Itas/Gadau Constituency Hon. Yusuf Abdullahi Maiyadi moved a motion calling on the State Government to renovate and reboard Government Day Secondary School Itas in Itas/Gadau Local Government.
Leading debate on the motion, Hon. Yusuf Maiyadi explained that the School was established by the Administration of the then Governor of Bauchi State Late Abubakar Tatari Ali to serve as boarding school to Itas District and its sorrounding communities and it was well equipped with learning facilities and qualified teaching staff, with requisite qualification and experience, thus it became learning hub and produced important personalities who are now contributing their quota in various spheres of life.
He however lamented that, as a result of neglect, the school is now in deteriorating condition where structures are obsolete, some at the brink of collapse and roofing blown off.
According to Hon. Maiyadi some classrooms collapsed in which one fell down on a student who eventually lost his life.
He added that the school lost its glory when it was deboarded in 2020 in which so many problems emanated and compounded because it’s the only boarding secondary school in the District.
Hon. Yusuf Abdullahi therefore urged the Honourable House to request the State Government to reverse the de-boarding of the school and maintain the status quo by reboarding it so as to regain its past glories, embark on total rehabilitation of dilapidated structures, construction of new classrooms, hostels, parameter fencing and equipping of the school with learning materials and teachers.
While seconding motion, Hon. Dr. Nasiru Ahmed Ala (Chinade/Madara Constituency) said that the importance of education can’t be overemphasized and learning can’t take place when environment is not conducive.
He noted that when basic infrastructures are not available teachers will not get the motivation to teach, therefore the motion is timely and importance.
Hon. Nasiru Ala called on Government to look at the condition of the School, rehabilitate and reboard it as well as other schools deboarded such as GSS Chinade and GSS Madara.
In his response the Speaker said that any Honourable Member who has similar can sponsor his own motion on the matter and the Honourable House will give it consideration.
The Honourable House adopted the motion after the Speaker puts the prayers to voice vote.
6. The Honourable House adjourned to Wednesday 9th August, 2023, as moved and seconded by the Majority Leader and the Minority Leader.
