TheNewsGuru

Tag: Buhari

  • 2023 census e-portal now open

    2023 census e-portal now open

    Federal Commissioner, National Population Commission (NPC) in Oyo State, Dr Eyitayo Oyetunji, on Tuesday, said that the e-recruitment portal for the 2023 population and housing census had been opened.

    Oyetunji said at a news briefing in Ibadan that the portal was launched by the Chairman of NPC, Nasir Kwarra, at the commission’s headquarters on Oct. 31.

    “With the launch of the portal, the recruitment process of functionaries for the 2023 population and housing census has formally commenced.

    “Several other publicity activities will follow to ensure that no credible candidate is left behind in the state and to forestall misinformation and exploitation of prospective candidates.

    “As you may recall, the commission had earlier launched the e-recruitment portal for the conduct of the 2022 trial census.

    “I’m happy to inform you all that it was a huge success and that lessons have been learnt and integrated to put up a much-improved e-recruitment portal for the successful conduct of the next population and housing census in April 2023,” he said.

    The federal commissioner added that to carry out the task of conducting accurate and reliable census, there was the need for the recruitment of manpower that would carry out the exercise.

    “Hence the portal has been launched with the some key objectives, one of which is to ensure that the process of recruiting the needed functionaries to conduct the census is fair and transparent.

    “Two, to facilitate the establishment of a database that will create and track the identity of all those to be engaged for the census exercise and three, to pave way for computation and efficient payment of allowances of all engaged functionaries.

    “For the census exercise, applications are to be made through the portal for facilitators, training centre administrators, monitoring and evaluations officers, data quality managers, data quality assistants, supervisors and enumerators.

    “The number of functionaries to be recruited in each category will depend on the number of available vacancies in each state, which will be derived largely from the total number of enumeration areas (EAs).

    “To ensure a fair, efficient and transparent recruitment process, the federal commissioners will, in addition to the existing team at the state level, constitute a Local Government Area Recruitment Team (LRRT), comprising three persons,” he said.

    Oyetunji said that the commission was particular about the quality of staffers that would perform the census activities.

    “This is very important, more so that the commission is conducting a fully-digital census for the first time in the history of census taking in Nigeria.

    “Therefore, having good knowledge of the content of the census document, the technique and the organisation of the census process is key to the success of the exercise.

    “The quality of the recruitment process will reflect on the quality of the data to be collected and ultimately, the success of the census.

    “While a good recruitment exercise will not, by itself, necessarily guarantee a successful census, a badly conducted recruitment process will inevitably lead to problems and increase the risk of an unsuccessful census,” he said.

    Oyetunji assured that bulk of personnel for the census would be drawn from the communities where they were residing.

    “This is to ensure understanding of local languages, elicit acceptance and remove the huge logistics of moving personnel across communities.

    “Consequently, every community will have the opportunity of contributing to the census workforce, thereby ensuring that people are adequately counted.

    “Special provision has been made to accommodate the physically-challenged and other special populations in the recruitment process,” he said.

    The federal commissioner gave the link for the portal as: http//2023censusadhocrecruitment.nationalpopulation.gov.ng

    According to him, the commission has provided hotlines that are open at the situation room at the headquarters for further information and enquiries, that is, 07000236787 and 07000CENSUS.

    Oyetunji, however, re-assured the people of the state that the commission was on course and would continue to be fair and transparent, as the 2023 census approached.

  • KANU RELEASE: “How Buhari failed to keep his promise to late Chief Amechi”- Group mourns

    KANU RELEASE: “How Buhari failed to keep his promise to late Chief Amechi”- Group mourns

    A group known as the Cultural Credibility Development Initiative has explained how President Muhamadu Buhari promised to give a positive answer to the plead for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, during a visit by  the first Minister of Aviation, Chief Mbazulike Amechi.

    The group, in a statement, explained the role played by the noble statesman to ensure the release of Kanu, noting that “sadly, this promise was not kept”.

    They asserted that the late Amechi, popularly known as Dara Nwafor Igbo, was a great man by all ramifications.

    “He was a recurring decimal at every crucial moment in the history of Nigeria. As a young politician, he physically defended the great Zik, for which he earned the name ‘the boy is good ‘.

    “The most recent assignment he undertook was to lead a delegation of the highly respected Eminent Igbo Leaders to visit President Muhamadu Buhari to plead for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

    “The delegation comprised of Chief Goddy Uwazurike, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife and Bishop Onuoha.

    “Chief Mbazulike Amechi stated firmly that God blessed him with a long life and President Muhamadu Buhari with a second term to bring peace to Nigeria.

    “President Muhamadu Buhari promised to give a positive answer because he would not say no to the delegation on account of the age of Chief Mbazulike Amechi.

    “Sadly, this promise was not kept.
    We are in mourning because a highly respected Eminent Igbo leader has departed without hearing from President Muhamadu Buhari that he has released Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the deceased served as the first Minister of Aviation during the First Republic in Nigeria.

    He was among the few Nigerian involved in the Zikist Movement. After the ban of the movement, he became the Secretary General of NCNC Youth, a youth wing of NCNC.

    Amechi died in his hometown, Ukpor, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State on 1 November 2022, at the age of 93.

  • Nnamdi Kanu: FG is justified within the context of law not to release IPOB leader -AGF Malami

    Nnamdi Kanu: FG is justified within the context of law not to release IPOB leader -AGF Malami

     

    …he can only be released after all legal angles within rule of law have been exhausted

    …says Buhari’s govt has done well in its anti-graft war

    The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami has explained why the leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu cannot be released despite the court verdicts that set him free recently stating that within the context of the law Federal Government is justified in still holding him in custody.

    Malami who explained this in an interview he granted a national daily said: “To release or not to release Nnamdi Kanu is a function of the law and the rule of law for that matter.

    “In arriving at a decision whether to release or not release, one; you look at the rule of law, two; you look at the public and the national interest, three; you look at the security situation, and four; you look at international diplomacy.

    “Let me first talk about the rule of law. This is someone that has been granted bail on account of charges that have been preferred against him at the court.

    “To the international community, a case of fugitive is established against the background of bail jumping. Two, arising from national security, this is someone that is charged with treason, incitement of the public, destruction of civil authority, a kind of murder and assassination of others on account of his incitement. That boils down to issues that bother us on issues of national security and criminality.

    “Three, on account of international diplomacy, this is someone that has turned against his person, using the international community or a foreign country to launch an attack against a nation, against his nation, for example for that matter.

    “So all these naturally come into play to determine what you do. So, if you have equally gone through judicial processes, multiple cases, a case of treason, a case of homicide, a case of jumping bail, among others, the fact that you have indeed succeeded in one case as opposed to multiple others that are pending, goes to establish the fact that that case cannot be the only basis and criteria for determining whether you are entitled to be released or not.

    “So the simple question is, whether what the Federal Government has done, by way of not releasing Kanu, is justified within the context of the rule of law, and my answer is yes; it is justified. This is because the single case that has been determined is not the only pending case against Kanu, as there are other multiple cases associated with treason.

     

    “There exist multiple appeals that are pending and yet to be determined, and then again, there are international public interest dimensions, and the essence of the government is the sustenance of the public and not an individual interest.

    Asked whether the Federal Government would have moved Kanu back to Kenya as ordered by the court, Malami said”When the cases are exhausted, when within the context of the rule of law and the decisions and conclusions are in his favour, the government will comply.

    “But whatever option is open and available to the government, the government will exploit it within the context of the rule of law, within the context of the rights available at his disposal.

    On what he has achieved as AGF, Malami said:”Well, it all depends of the perspective of which you look at it. If you look at it from the perspective of the fight against corruption for example, which is the major policy drive of the Federal Government under the Change Agenda that brought the Buhari administration into government, we have made tremendous achievements.

    “Before we came on board you would recall that a single agency of government for example EFCC recorded around 160 records of convictions.

    “Now, looking at it from what we have done in terms of enforcement as it relates to the fight against corruption, as at last week, within this year alone, we have over 2,665 convictions.

    ” So if you are looking at it from the point of enforcement, a government that succeeded within a year in securing 2,665 convictions by one single agency of government EFCC, even when you have in place additional convictions secured by Federal Ministry of Justice, NDLEA and ICPC, it is a clear proof of establishment of success in the field of enforcement.

    “Now, if you’re looking at it from the international perception, international assessment of the situation, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes, UNODC, by its assessment of the Nigerian situation, assessing about 17 indices of the fight against corruption has established by its 2019 report that the Nigerian government has succeeded in multiplying its success in respect of about 17 items. I am talking of enforcement. Now if you are talking of international recognition as well arising from what our president has been doing as it relates to the Open Government Partnership, arising from what we have been doing as it relates to prevention, our president has been recognized as the champion of anti-corruption by African Union, AU.

    “Now if you are looking at policies for example, what policies do we have in place that establish that we are indeed excelling in the fight against corruption?

    “We have succeeded in deploying technology which has effectively worked well on the issues that bother on bank verification, treasury single account, national extractive industry and associated things, having in place executive orders particularly Executive Order No 6, which has indeed all summed up to support what we are doing.

     

    ” If you are looking at our success in terms of legislations, we can say that this is one government ever since the establishment of Nigeria as a country that has succeeded in having multiple legislative frameworks that support the fight against corruption.

    ” If you are talking of legislations and enforcement, we have succeeded in money laundry prevention and prohibition, Proceeds of Crime Act among others, Terrorism and Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

    Source: Vanguard

  • Rights Activist, Richard Akinnola describes CBN’s Naira redesign policy as “financial coup”

    Rights Activist, Richard Akinnola describes CBN’s Naira redesign policy as “financial coup”

    A veteran Journalist and Rights Activist, Richard Akinnola, has described as “financial coup” the decision of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to launch new designs and replace high value Naira notes, without informing the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning , Zainab Ahmed.

    Recall that the Minister had dissociated herself from the Naira redesign policy fixed for December 15, 2022 by the CBN.

    Akinnola, on social media, stated: “If the current Finance minister was not informed about the present change, l can understand. It was a financial coup that must not leak. Besides, the CBN is an independent institution.”

    He explained that during the currency change of 1984, “the arrangement was basically between the Head of state, Major-General Buhari and the CBN Governor, If I’m not mistaken, Abdulkadir Ahmed.”

    According to him, though, that exercise was more sudden in its implementation than the present one.

    “Years later, l later learnt that Buhari told the then CBN Governor that if the exercise leaked, it must have been from the CBN Governor’s end. I learnt that even the Chief of staff, Tunde Idiagbon was not in the know. So, if the current Finance minister was not informed about the present change, l can understand. It was a financial coup that must not leak. Besides, the CBN is an independent institution,” Akinnola said.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday voiced his support for the decision of the CBN to launch new designs and replace high value Naira notes.

    This was as he noted that the nation would gain a lot by the new initiative, especially its impact on illicit monies.

    According to a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, Buhari spoke in a Hausa radio interview with the famous journalists, Halilu Getso and Kamaluddeen Shawai, to be aired Wednesday Morning on Tambari TV on Nilesat.

    The statement is titled ‘CBN has my backing in replacing Naira notes, says President Buhari.’

    “Buhari said reasons given to him by the CBN convinced him that the economy stood to benefit from reduction in inflation, currency counterfeiting and the excess cash in circulation.

    “He said he did not consider the period of three months for the change to the new notes as being short,” the statement read.

    The President added that ”People with illicit money buried under the soil will have a challenge with this but workers, businesses with legitimate incomes will face no difficulties at all.”

    According to the CBN, the existing notes would cease to be regarded as legal tender by January 31, 2023.

    Explaining the development, CBN Governor, Dr. Godwin Emefiele, lamented that 85 percent of the currency in circulation is being hoarded by Nigerians.

    He urged Nigerians to deposit their Naira notes, adding that the deposit fee would be waived for transactions below N150,000.

    Emefiele added that the redesigning of Naira notes would help to curb counterfeit notes, as well as hamper ramson payment to terrorists and kidnappers.

  • Terror alert: Buhari summons emergency security meeting

    Terror alert: Buhari summons emergency security meeting

     

    President Muhammadu Buhari will on Monday meet with security chiefs in Abuja, to further review and strengthen the security network in the country.

    This was contained in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the president on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu.

    The statement explained that the President, who was initially scheduled to commission the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) new Technology and Innovation Complex, will receive briefs from the security chiefs, and interject on areas that need more attention.

    The commissioning of the NASENI complex will hold at a later date.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) recalled that there has been a security alert that terrorists have planned to attack some designated areas in Abuja, the nation’s seat of power.

    This has led to panic in Abuja and recently the United Kingdom and the United State in their separate security advisory advised their citizens the vacate Abuja.

    End

  • What Buhari, northern APC govs have proved to me – Tinubu

    What Buhari, northern APC govs have proved to me – Tinubu

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Candidate Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that President Muhammadu Buhari and APC governors in the north had proved that Nigeria could survive its unity and surmount challenges.

    Tinubu stated this at the residence of Mr Reuben Fasoranti, leader of Afenifere, Yoruba Socio-cultural group, on Sunday in Akure.

    Tinubu had visited the Afenifere leader to interact with him and present his presidential policy document and Action Plan for a Better Nigeria.

    Tinubu said that the visit was in fulfilment of an earlier promise he made to the Afenifere leader before the APC primaries.

    “I promised to come back after winning the APC ticket.

    “I am here to thank all Yoruba leaders and also ask them to thank Buhari and northern governors for their steadfastness and for being promise-keepers.

    “The North proved to me Nigeria can survive its unity. Some people wanted President Muhammadu Buhari to announce someone, but the President said no.

    “He insisted the process must go on democratically. The President said that anyone that would mess up the APC process would see his other side. He remained upright to the end.

    “Northern APC Governors resolved that the presidency must go to the South and, especially, South West. Governors Nasir El-Rufai, Abdullahi Ganduje and others supported me to the end.

    “The battle was tough and, at a point, I was in doubt. There were many rumours and I became confused over what to believe,” he stated.

    According to him, Buhari also commended the process of the primaries.

    “Buhari told me I promoted his name with the way I won the primary election because the process was clean and transparent and nobody could accuse him of manipulating it.

    “The president said I gave him credibility and I deserved to be President.

    “When I asked him to nominate the Vice Presidential candidate, he said I should pick whoever I wanted and it is the reason I chose a competent man in Kashim Shettima who has never lost any election.

    “I particularly went for him because he had protected Christians in time of trouble in his state,” he stated.

    Immediate past General Secretary of Afenifere, Chief Seinde Arogbofa, tasked  Tinubu to be a leader that would unite Nigeria and work for the progress and development of the country.

    “You are not just a Yoruba man but a Nigerian. When you become president,  take Nigeria into consideration in all you do, but never forget home.

    “Our demands are what you know already – restructuring, security and the economy. Our country is no longer safe. We want state police so that the country will be safe,” he said.

    Ondo State Deputy  Governor, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who received Tinubu and his delegation on behalf of Gov.  Rotimi Akeredolu, said that Ondo State people were ‘Afenifere’  and would support Tinubu to win.

    “Asiwaju has the reach, the competence to lead Nigeria,” Ayedatiwa said.

    In his remark, Gov. Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti assured the Yoruba leaders that all the governors of South West and people were solidly behind Tinubu.

    “We are happy to receive our leader, Asiwaju Tinubu, today. I want to assure him and our fathers that we will support him to the end,” he said.

    Chief Olu Falae, former  Secretary of the Government of the Federation and an Afenifere leader, asked the APC presidential flagbearer to work to fix the economy.

    Chief Falae decried the falling value of the Naira, adding that he spent his life serving Nigeria and would not be happy if such efforts went in vain.

    “When you become president,  please work to fix this country. We are here to offer advice. I am old and no longer looking for job. We need to fix security, fix our economy.

    “Our naira is almost becoming useless and will soon become N1000 to a dollar. We must change that. I know your ability. We will always be here to support and I wish you well.

    “We will be here when you bring the trophy home by the grace of God,” he said.

    NAN reports that leaders of Afenifere from the six South-West States, including Kwara and Kogi, were present at the Akure residence of the Afenifere leader to offer support to Asiwaju Tinubu.

  • Terror alert: Hours after Buhari assured Nigerians to calm down, US orders family members, employees to vacate Abuja

    Terror alert: Hours after Buhari assured Nigerians to calm down, US orders family members, employees to vacate Abuja

     

    Few hours after President Muhamadu Buhari assured Nigerians not to panic, the US has ordered all family members, employees to vacate the seat of government, Abuja.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) recalls barely 72hours ago, the US, British and other major European countries advised their citizens resident in the capital city to relocate immediately.

    The United States (US) in a fresh directive on Friday ordered family members of its employees resident in Abuja to leave the area.

    The announcement was contained in a travel advisory issued on Thursday.

    The latest advisory is an update to an alert published on Tuesday, which had asked only non-emergency employees and their family members to leave Abuja.

    “On October 27, 2022, the Department ordered the departure of family members of U.S. government employees from Abuja due to the heightened risk of terrorist attacks there,” the latest advisory reads.

    “On October 25, 2022, the Department authorized the departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees and family members from Abuja due to the heightened risk of terrorist attacks there.

    “U.S. Embassy Abuja is only able to provide emergency assistance to U.S. citizens in Abuja.

    “U.S. Consulate in Lagos is providing all routine and emergency services to U.S. citizens in Nigeria. U.S. citizens in Nigeria who require assistance should contact LagosACS@state.gov or +234 1 460 3410.”

    The US also warned its citizens against travelling to Abuja “due to terrorism”, while Borno, Yobe, Kogi, and “northern Adamawa states” are off limits “due to terrorism and kidnapping”.

    Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, and Zamfara states were listed as no-go areas “due to kidnapping”, while coastal areas of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, and Rivers states (with the exception of Port Harcourt) were also listed as areas to be avoided “due to crime, kidnapping, and maritime crime”.

    The development comes amid warnings also from the UK and Canada asking their citizens in Nigeria to be cautious over the possibility of terror attacks in Nigeria.

    Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has insisted that the country is safe.

  • Breaking: After three years, Buhari finally sends list of nominees for NDDC board

    Breaking: After three years, Buhari finally sends list of nominees for NDDC board

     

    Finally, after three years of illegality, President Muhammadu Buhari has sent to the Senate for confirmation, the names of people who are to form the governing board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Umana Umana, disclosed this development on Thursday during a working visit to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, according to a report by The Nation newspaper.

    TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) recalls that since 2019 that former minister of Niger Delta, Godswill Akpabio turned NDDC into his personal estate, the NDDC has operated without a board contrary to the laws setting it up. An earlier list sent by President Buhari was disregarded.

    While the Senate was busy screening nominees, Akpabio constituted an interim management committee headed by Joi Nunieh, who was also in the list of Buhari’s nominees.

    The NDDC headquarters is in Port Harcourt.

    “I am happy to state that some of the serious pending issues, like the absence of the NDDC Board, have also been addressed. And as we speak, Mr. President has transmitted the names of members of the Board to the Senate,” The Nation quoted Mr Umana as saying, when he visited the Ahoada axis of the East-West Road, which has been washed off by flood.

    Mr Umana was accompanied by the acting Managing Director of NDDC, Emmanuel Audu-Ohwavborua, other officials of the NDDC and the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.

    The minister said the Senate, on its resumption, would act on the president’s nomination for the NDDC board.

    “Some of the impending matters that impeded the performance of the commission have been dealt with. I have presidential approval for the transmission of the 2021/2022 budget of the Commission.

    “I also have presidential approval that recovered funds be released. The President directed that those funds should be used to fund core infrastructural projects in the region,” he added.

  • Emergence of Owodunni as Canadian City Councillor excites Buhari

    Emergence of Owodunni as Canadian City Councillor excites Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has applauded the emergence of Ayo Owodunni as the first black person to become a City Councillor in Kitchener, London Ontario, Canada.

    Ayo won the Municipal elections for Ward 5 in a keenly contested race for the office.

    The president made his feelings known in a statement by his media aide, Malam Garba Shehu, on Wednesday in Abuja.

    He praised the contributions of the Diaspora in promoting Nigeria’s image abroad and acting as brand ambassadors,

    The president lauded them for supporting businesses in their efforts to promote learning and bring diversity, inclusion, and cultural understanding in the workplace.

    Speaking on Ayo’s historic victory, Buhari said the record-setting election of the Nigerian, the first ever for a black person highlighted the various initiatives undertaken by him as a consultant, facilitator, and trainer.

    He, therefore, congratulated Ayo and his spouse, Folake, and their two children on this very important election victory.

    The president urged Nigerians in the Diaspora to always promote the government’s development agenda wherever they lived and ”never be afraid to dream big and never give up on your dreams.”

  • Security: My administration ‘ll build on Buhari’s achievements — Tinubu

    Security: My administration ‘ll build on Buhari’s achievements — Tinubu

    Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Presidential Candidate in 2023 general elections, says his administration will build on President Muhammadu Buhari’s efforts to end terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and other violent agitations in the country.

    Tinubu made the commitment in his campaign manifesto tagged: ‘’Renewed Hope’’ unveiled in Abuja on Friday.

    The former Lagos State governor said he would expand on Buhari’s current application of modern technology to fight insecurity and secure the nation.

    He also promised to mobilise the military, enhance recruitment of more security personnel and support other existing security agencies to achieve the feat.

    Tinubu praised the current administration for making important inroads in the area of security, which according to him has led to reclaiming of parts of the country initially overtaken by terrorists.

    ‘’We will mobilise the totality of our national security, military and law enforcement assets to protect all Nigerians from danger and from the fear of danger.

    ‘’We will expand and improve upon the use of technology, enhance recruitment of personnel and bolster existing agencies and systems to achieve this fundamental national security goal.

    ‘’The current government has made important inroads. When it came into office, the Buhari government met situation in which terrorists had planted their flags and claimed Nigerian territory as their own.

    ‘’The Buhari government eliminated these incursions against our national sovereignty, bringing peace to many areas. Thousands of formerly displaced people have returned home to rebuild their lives,’’ he said.

    Tinubu further proposed adoption of a proactive and intelligence-driven security approach to sufficiently address the nation’s security threats.

    ‘’Our administration will accelerate the reforms commenced under the present administration in building a more robust and re-energised armed forces.

    ‘’As such, we shall recruit, train and better equip additional military, police, paramilitary and intelligence personnel.’’

    Among others; he promised to reposition the police, create anti-terrorism battalions, upgrade tactical communications and transportation and improve the nation’s weaponry system.

    He also promised to exploit aerial and technological superiority against terrorists, kidnappers and bandits, in addition to improved welfares and salaries of security personnel across the board.