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The Nigerian Senate has passed for second reading a bill that seeks to mandate all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to prioritize locally manufactured automobiles and indigenous products in their procurement processes.The bill, sponsored by Senator Patrick Ndubueze, was debated during plenary on Thursday and received widespread support from lawmakers across party lines.Speaking in favour of the legislation, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin said the move reflects growing public demand for government backing of local industries.“There has been a clamour for the government to patronize locally made goods. This is not just patriotic it is a sound economic decision. Supporting indigenous companies will help grow our economy, create jobs, and reduce our dependence on imports,” he said.The proposed law aims to bolster Nigeria’s automobile manufacturing sector, stimulate job creation, and reduce capital flight by encouraging government patronage of domestic products.Senate Seeks Swift Presidential Action on Forest Security BillIn a separate development, the Senate also called on President Bola Tinubu to swiftly assent to the Nigerian Forest Security Service (Establishment) Bill, 2025, which has been passed by the National Assembly and is awaiting presidential approval.The resolution came on the heels of two motions sponsored by Senator Abba Moro (Senate Minority Leader) and Senator Sunday Karimi, condemning recent security breaches including the abduction of a traditional ruler in Kogi State and deadly attacks in Benue State.Senators decried the kidnapping of Oba James Dada Ogunyanda, the Obalohun of Okoloke in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi, who was seized from his palace in the early hours of Thursday, May 15, by armed assailants.The upper chamber called for immediate security intervention in affected areas and urged relevant agencies to prioritize the rescue of the monarch. Lawmakers further recommended revisiting the forest security bill to align with the President’s proposed Forest Guard Initiative, intended to combat rising insecurity in rural and forested regions.Senator Moro, in his motion, drew attention to coordinated attacks by suspected herdsmen on Akpete and Ojantele communities in Apa Local Government Area of Benue State, which took place on May 1 and May 7, claiming over a dozen lives.The Senate strongly condemned the violence and called on the Federal Government to direct all security agencies to deploy resources for both rescue operations and the restoration of safety in rural communities.
