Betty Apiafi
Betty Jocelyne Okagua - Apiafi (born 19 February 1962) is a Nigerian Politician, economist, retired banker and educationist. Apiafi was elected to the Nigerian Senate [1] for Rivers West Senatorial District [2] in 2019. She has also served as a House of Representatives Member [3] for Abua/Odual- Ahoada East [4] Federal Constituency of Rivers State since 2007. She is a member of the People's Democratic Party (PDP).[5]
Betty Apiafi | |
|---|---|
| Senator for Rivers West | |
| Assumed office 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Osinakachukwu Ideozu |
| Member of the House of Representatives for Abua/Odual—Ahoada East | |
| Succeeded by | Solomon Bob |
| In office 2007–2019 | |
| Preceded by | Osinakachukwu Ideozu |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 19 February 1962 Rivers State, Nigeria |
| Political party | PDP |
| Spouse(s) | Kalada Apiafi |
| Alma mater | University of Port Harcourt Rivers State University |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Star of Rivers State (DSSRS) |
Early life and Education
Betty Jocelyne Okagua - Apiafi was born on 19 February 1962. She earned a bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Port Harcourt and a master's degree from the Rivers State University of Science and Technology.[6]
House of Representatives
During her tenures at the House of Representatives (2007-2019), Apiafi was a strong advocate for women affairs, education and bank sector reforms. Other women elected included Folake Olunloyo, Maimunat Adaji, Martha Bodunrin, Suleiman Oba Nimota, Mulikat Adeola Akande,[7] Uche Lilian Ekunife,[8] Beni Lar,[9] Linda Chuba-Ikpeazu,[10] Mercy Almona-Isei, Doris Uboh, Olubimi Etteh.[11][12] She sponsored several Bills and undertook several assignments some of which are mentioned below;
Committee memberships
Apiafi chaired several committees during her tenures in the House of Representatives between the years 2007 to 2019. They include:
1. Chairman House Committee on Health
2. Deputy Chairman House Committee on Diaspora
3. Member House Committee on Agriculture
4. Member House Committee On Niger Delta Development Commission
5. Member House Committee on Banking and Currency
6. Member House Committee on Electoral Matters
7. Member House Committee on National Security
8. Member House Committee on Women Affairs
9. Member House Committee on Women in Parliament
10. Member House Committee on Aviation
Bills sponsored
1. HB 837: National Agency for the Research and Management of Persons with Special Needs (Est. Etc.) Bill, 2018
2. HB 1496: Medical Laboratory Science Council Act (Amendment) Bill, 2018
3. HB 982: Medical Residency Training Bill, 2017
4. HB 1095: Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill, 2017
5. HB 1157: Orthopaedic Hospital Management Board Act (Amendment) Bill, 2017
6. HB 534: National Health Insurance Scheme Act (Amendment) Bill, 2017
7. HB National Drug Formulary and Essential Drugs List Act (Amendment) Bill, 2016
8. HB 646: The Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (Establishment, Etc.) Bill, 2016
9. HB 868: Tertiary Education Trust Fund Act (Amendment) Bill, 2016
10. HB 172: Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2015
11. HB 191: Medical and Dental Practitioners Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015
12. HB 192: Psychiatric Hospitals Management Board Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015
13. HB 194: Marketing (Breast Milk Substitute) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015
14. HB 195: National Mathematical Centre Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015
15. HB 196: National Eye Centre Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015
16. HB 197: Inland Fisheries Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015
17. HB 198: Public Private Partnership Regulatory Commission Bill, 2015
18: HB 199: Food Drugs and Related Products (Registration, Etc.) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015
19: HB 200: Loans (State Development) Act (Repeal) Bill, 2015
20. HB 201: Medical Rehabilitation Therapists (Registration, Etc.) Bill, 2015
21. HB 203: Pre-Shipment Inspection of Exports Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015
22. HB 204: Pharmacists Council of Nigeria Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015
23. HB 205: Casino Taxation Act (Amendment) Bill, 2015
24. HB 75: Chartered Institute of Finance and Control of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2015
25. HB 34: Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2011 National Youth Service Corps Decree 1993)
26. HB 35: Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill, 2011
27. HB 231: Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2009 (National Youth Service Corps Decree 1993)
28. HB 232: Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (Repeal and Re- Enactment) Bill, 2009
Among her many prowess politically, she also sponsored Medical Residency Training Bill, 2017; National Medical Laboratory Science and Technology College Jos Bill, 2017 which were eventually signed into Law by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
House assignments
In 2011, Hon. Betty Apiafi was among a select number of Nigerian Parliamentarians to successfully amend the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria which was assented to by the then President of Nigeria which was assented to by the then President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.
She was also a member of the PAN African Parliament 2007-2015, leader of Delegation House of Representatives to PAN African Parliament 2011- 2015.
Senate
Betty Apiafi was elected into the Nigerian Senate of the 9th Assembly in 2019 under the People's Democratic Party. She currently represents the Rivers West Senatorial District. She is the first female member of the Nigerian House of Representative and Member of the Senate from Rivers state.
Committee memberships
1. Chairman Committee on Women Affairs
2. Member Committee on Health 3. Member Committee on Legislative Compliance
3. Member Committee on Rules and Business
4. Member Committee on Petroleum (Upstream)
5. Member Committee on Interior
6. Member Committee on Environment
7. Member Committee on SDG
8. Member Committee on Banking and Other Financial Institutions
9. Member Committee on Ferma
Bills sponsored
Currently, as a distinguished member of the 9th Nigerian Senate, she has presented the following Bills before the Senate and they include:
1. SB 94: Federal Medical Centres (Establishment. Etc.) Bill, 2019 2. SB 90: Tertiary Education Trust Fund Act (Amendment) Bill, 2019
3. SB 126: Occupational Safety and Health Bill, 2019 (CO-SPONSORED BY SEN. BENJAMIN UWAJUMOGU [13])
4. SB 91: Police Act (Amendment) Bill, 2019
5. SB : National Agency for the Research and Management of Persons with Special Needs (Establishment) Bill, 2019 (Awaiting 1st Reading)
6. SB 92: Criminal Code Act (Amendment) Bill, 2019
7. SB 175: Marketing (Breast-Milk Substitute) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2019
8. SB : Banking and Other Financial Institutions Act (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill, 2019 (CO-SPONSORED BY SEN. UBA SANI https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uba_Sani)
9. SB : Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (Alteration) Bill, (Federal Character and Related Matters 2020)
References
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senate_of_Nigeria
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rivers_West
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Representatives_(Nigeria)
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abua%E2%80%93Odual
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People%27s_Democratic_Party_(Nigeria)
- "National Assembly compiles for review 250 laws that hamper businesses in Nigeria". Business Day. 3 May 2016. Retrieved 31 October 2017.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mulikat_Adeola_Akande
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uche_Ekwunife
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beni_Lar
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynda_Chuba-Ikpeazu
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patricia_Etteh
- "Women who will shape Sventh National Assembly". Vanguard News. 2011-06-06. Retrieved 2020-05-03.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Uwajumogu