The House of Representatives at its plenary session of Thursday, 1 July 2021, passed for second reading, the Bill to amend the 1999 Constitution to provide for the inclusion of young persons and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) for appointment in Nigeria (HB. 1375)
The Bill which is sponsored by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila (APC: Lagos) seeks to amend sections 147, 151, 192 and 196 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to allow for the inclusion of young persons and PWDs for appointments as Ministers, Commissioners, Special Advisers, Chairman and Members of Statutory Bodies and Boards and Agencies.
According to Hon. Gbajabiamila, the main objective of the Bill is to afford young people and PWDs the opportunity to participate in the system of governance and contribute their own quota to nation building. He explained that the 1999 Constitution (as amended) provides that no person shall be discriminated against on basis of circumstance of birth and that the affairs of government should be conducted in such manner that gives every section and segment of the society a sense of belonging. In addition, he noted that passage of the Bill into law will promote inclusiveness among young persons and PWDs, a key objective in the Legislative Agenda of the 9th House of Representatives.
The Bill which was unanimously adopted has been referred to the Ad-hoc Committee on Constitution Review for further legislative action.
