Senate Approves Tinubu’s Anti-Doping Bill For Second Reading
By People’s Voice Nigeria | News
The Senate, on Wednesday, passed for second reading, a bill seeking to prohibit Nigerian athletes from consuming substances that could enhance their performances during or after sporting competitions.
President Bola Tinubu forwarded the bill titled “National Anti-Doping Bill 2024,” to the Senate last week, through a letter read on the floor by the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, who presided over the plenary.
The bill which was also meant to establish the Nigeria anti-doping centre to implement Nigeria’s obligations to the World Anti-Doping Code in conformity with International standards, was designed to domesticate and enforce in Nigeria, the international convention against doping in sports.
Leading the debate on the bill, the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, explained that the proposed legislation, when signed by President Tinubu, would to the establishment of an independent body.
He said that the body would be charged with the responsibility for the implementation of the World Anti-Doping Code, and International standards subscribed to, by Nigeria.
Bamidele said it would protect the rights of athletes to participate in doping-free sporting activities, saying that it would promote fair and equal treatment of all athletes and their health.
The Senate Leader said, “It will co-ordinate and harmonise effective sports anti-doping programme at the national and international levels, with regard to detection, deterrence and prevention of doping.
“It will provide measures for the prevention and control of doping in sports. The UNESCO Convention, had, in October 2011, made an interim arrangement whereby the National Anti-Doping Committee was established.
“However, in legislation, its Committee was not backed by legal instrument or legislation, and its operation and objectivity remain weak and unattainable. As a result, the current administration deemed it necessary to introduce this Bill because of its strategic importance and in recognition of the fact that Nigeria is a sport-loving country.
“The country has numerous sports enthusiasts, who view sports as an epicentre of unity and togetherness. Therefore, it is imperative that the Senate aligns itself with the reasoning of the Executive as this Bill seeks to bring about improvement and ensure fair play in the sporting environment.
