Tobi Soniyi and Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja
The Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, yesterday assented to seven bills earlier passed and transmitted to the Presidency by the National Assembly.
According to a statement last night by Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Enang, the bills are: Oaths (Amendment) Act, Defence Administration Act Surgeons (Amendment) Act, National Film and Video Censors Board (Amendment) Act, Pension Judges (Amendment) Act, Nigeria Institute of Soil Science (Establishment, etc.) Act, Institutions (Amendment) Act. According to Enang, the Acts, except Defence Administration Act and the Institute of Soil Science Act are mainly amendments to the principal Acts intended to bring them in conformity with realities.
He explained: “The Oaths Amendment Act establshes courts which were not in existence at the time the Oaths Act was made and which came upon Constitution amendment.
The administration establishes the Space Administration to develop technology and of the security cyber activities.
“Surgeons (Amendment) Act reduces the membership of the Veterinary Council. National Film and Video Censors Board (Amendment) Act reduces the membership of the Governing Board and empowers the board to regulate the export and import of movies.
“Pension Judges (Amendment) expands the meaning of a judicial officer to cover the offices of the Chief Judge or the President, Appeal
Court, Chief Judges of Industrial Court and Chief Judge or Judges of High Court of the Federal Capital Territory. “Nigeria Institute of Soil Science(Establishment, etc.) Act establishes Nigeria Institute Science which is charged with the responsibility of regulating the profession of Soil Science. “Institutions (Amendment) Act reviews the penalties.”
Osinbajo has been acting for President Muhammadu Buhari since January 19, almost a month today. Buhari, who is in London, United Kingdom partially on medical vacation, was initially intended to resume on February 6, but he asked for an indefinite extension, to enable him get the results of some medical tests from his doctors, a NAN report also noted.
