The Bauchi State House of Assembly has adopted Hausa as the second language of communication for members at plenary.
Hon Abubakar Y Suleiman, speaker of the house, announced this at a plenary on Tuesday shortly after member representing Shira Constituency, Hon. Auwal Hassan, moved a motion for the adoption and seconded by the majority members.
The speaker referred to Section 97 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and order 3 rule 8 of the standing orders of the Bauchi State House of Assembly 2017, which states that proceedings and debates should be conducted in English but the house may also conduct its business in other languages spoken in the state.
While stressing that more than 90% of the state’s residents speak Hausa as opposed to English, he explained that it became important for the house to adopt Hausa as a language of business in the House.
“Hausa being the most popular spoken language in Bauchi State used for communication by over 90 percent of people living across the state, should be adopted in addition to English as second official language in conducting business of the House,” the speaker said.
The house unanimously approved the proposal after the speaker put it to a voice vote.
