Kalu Leads Push for Wider Probe of Safe Schools Funds as Senate Extends Committee’s Mandate*
The Senate through the committee chaired by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu on Tuesday approved a three-week extension for the Ad-hoc Committee investigating the Safe Schools Initiative, while expanding its mandate to cover key government intervention agencies in a move aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability and the effective utilisation of public funds dedicated to education and humanitarian programmes.
The extension followed a Point of Order raised by the Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, Senator Kalu, who appealed to the Red Chamber to grant the panel additional time to conclude its assignment.
Kalu explained that the committee’s work had been delayed by members’ participation in political party primaries and constituency engagements.
In approving the request, the Senate also broadened the committee’s scope of investigation to include the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, and the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA).
Senator Kalu said the expanded investigation would ensure transparency, accountability and prudent management of intervention funds intended to protect and support Nigerian students across the country.
”The safety of our children and the future of their education must remain a national priority. We owe Nigerians a holistic report that will strengthen our institutions and safeguard every kobo committed to educational and humanitarian interventions,” Kalu said.
Following plenary, the former Abia State governor joined members of the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions, chaired by Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru, for the screening of the Chairman-designate of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Mr. Lamido Yuguda Abubakar. The Senate considered the report of the Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions, leading to the passage of the relevant bill after its third reading.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu actively participated in the day’s legislative proceedings, leading debate on the extension of the Ad-hoc Committee on Safe Schools, which the Senate unanimously approved with an expanded investigative mandate.
Lawmakers stepped down consideration of the report of the Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions, as well as the National Health Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024, due to the absence of the bill’s sponsor.
The Senate debated and passed for Second Reading the Food, Drugs and Related Products (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill, aimed at establishing a new legal framework for regulating food and pharmaceutical products.
Similarly, the Federal College of Education, Dengi-Kanam (Establishment) Bill passed Second Reading and was referred to the appropriate committee, while the University Teaching Hospitals (Reconstitution of Boards and Amendments) Bill successfully passed its third reading after consideration by the Committee of the Whole.
The day’s proceedings revealed the Senate’s continued focus on education, healthcare reforms, financial sector oversight and institutional accountability, with Senator Orji Uzor Kalu making notable contributions to debates on educational intervention funds and legislative oversight.