News
#EndSARS protesters arrested in Egypt
Some Nigerians protesting against police brutality in their home country were arrested in Cairo, Egypt on Sunday.
However, The Punch reported that the Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri, denied the Nigerian government involvement in the Nigerians’ arrest.
She also explained that the Nigerians were not arrested at the Nigerian Embassy but at another location.
In a video that surfaced online, the Nigerians were seen chanting solidarity songs.
While the policemen attempted to disperse them at the Nigerian Embassy, the protesters continued to chant the #EndSARS songs.
One of the protesters in the video told the policemen that the protest was not against the police authorities in Egpyt.
Another protester was heard clarifying that by protesting at the Nigerian Embassy, they were believed to be in their country – Nigeria.
A Twitter user, @DrOlufunmilayo, said, “Nigerians were having a peaceful protest in Cairo Egypt today (Sunday) and the Nigerian Embassy called Egyptian police to arrest them; 20 people now arrested. How can Nigerians be arrested for peaceful gathering in a Nigerian embassy?”
“Consular to Nigeria Embassy in Cairo, Egypt refused to interact with peaceful protesters. They were all arrested shortly after their demand to speak with the consular,” @AdebayoApanpa stated.
A popular actress, Toyin Abraham, said, “Aunty Abike @abikedabiri, please we are waiting to hear from you ma. The peaceful protesters that were arrested in Cairo should be released.”
Dabiri, in her response, said, “The Egyptian police dispersed them, then traced them to a very far place. They didn’t arrest them at the mission. They came in a bus driven by an Egyptian. The driver has also been arrested. The mission will do all they can. Egypt is very strict with its laws.
“Nigerian mission did not call police. In Cairo, gatherings without permits are banned. In Egypt, you can’t even travel from one part of the country without a permit to travel from the state you live in. They have their own rules which they strictly enforce.
“However, the mission will be engaging with the authorities to see what can be done.”
News
Nigeria Customs Service begins 2025 recruitment [How to apply]
Nigeria Customs Service begins 2025 recruitment [How to apply]
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the commencement of its recruitment exercise, assuring Nigerians that the process is entirely free and fair.
The agency has cautioned the public to be vigilant against scammers who may attempt to exploit unsuspecting applicants during the recruitment period.
Applications are invited for positions in the Superintendent, Inspector, and Customs Assistant cadres as part of the Service’s plan to recruit 3,927 officers in 2025.
This initiative is aimed at enhancing trade facilitation and supporting Nigeria’s economic recovery efforts.
“Our recruitment is entirely free and fair. At no stage do we charge fees. Anyone requesting payment is a scammer,” the agency emphasized, urging applicants to be wary of fraudulent schemes.
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The NCS outlined eligibility criteria, stating that applicants must be Nigerian citizens by birth, possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN), and have no criminal record or ongoing investigations.
Academic qualifications for the three cadres are as follows:
Superintendent Cadre: A university degree or Higher National Diploma (HND) along with an NYSC discharge or exemption certificate.
Inspectorate Cadre: A National Diploma (ND) or Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) from an accredited institution.
Customs Assistant Cadre: At least an O’Level certificate (WAEC or NECO).
In addition to these qualifications, the NCS stressed that all applicants must be physically and mentally fit, providing evidence of medical fitness from a recognized government hospital.
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News
Tinubu to critics: I won’t reduce my cabinet size
Tinubu to critics: I won’t reduce my cabinet size
President Bola Tinubu on Monday unequivocally responded to critics who described his cabinet as “bloated” by saying he is unprepared to reduce the size of his 48-man cabinet.
“I am not ready to shrink” the size of my cabinet, Tinubu said during a media chat at his Bourdillon residence in the highbrow Ikoyi area of Lagos State.
“I am not prepared to bring down the size of my cabinet,” the former Lagos governor said, arguing that “efficiency” has been at the core of his selection of ministers.
The president also said he has no regret removing the petrol subsidy in May 2023, saying Nigeria cannot continue to be Father Christmas to neighbouring countries.
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“I don’t have any regrets whatsoever in removing petrol subsidy. We are spending our future, we were just deceiving ourselves, that reform was necessary,” he told reporters.
Tinubu appointed 48 ministers in August 2023, three months after his inauguration. The Senate immediately screened and confirmed the ministers. One of the ministers, Betta Edu, was suspended in January while another, Simon Lalong, moved to the Senate.
There were calls for the President to reshuffle his cabinet as many Nigerians have not been impressed by the performance of some of the ministers, especially in the face of unprecedented inflation, excruciating economic situation and rising insecurity.
In October 2024, Tinubu re-assigned 10 ministers to new ministerial portfolios and appointed seven new ministers for Senate confirmation. He also sacked five of his ministers but critics insist that the President’s cabinet remains large, especially with the creation of a Livestock Ministry with a minister.
Tinubu to critics: I won’t reduce my cabinet size
News
Tinubu: Food stampede incidents, grave error
Tinubu: Food stampede incidents, grave error
..Don’t publicise gifts distribution if you don’t have enough
President Bola Tinubu has described the recent three stampede incidents during distribution of relief materials to children and others as a grave error.
He told people to be more organised and stay away from giving palliative or publicity of the giving if they had insufficient materials.
He stated this during his first presidential media chat on Monday.
The President said he had been sharing palliatives in his Lagos residence for 25 years without any incident and blamed the recent food stampedes in the country on poor organisation.
A total of 35 children died on December 18 during a stampede that happened at a funfair event in Ibadan, Oyo State.
10 people, including children, also died on December 21 in another stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in the Maitama district of Abuja during the distribution of palliatives.
Another 22 people were reported dead during a rice distribution event at Amaranta Stadium in Ojika, Ihiala LGA, on the same day.
“It’s unfortunate and very sad, but we will continue to learn from our mistakes. I see this as a grave error on the part of the organisers,” he said.
But the President insisted that the incidents should not dampen the “happiness of the season”.
“It is very sad that people are not well organised. We just have to be more disciplined in our society. Condolences to those who lost members, but it is good to give,” Tinubu said.
“I’ve been giving out foodstuff and commodities, including envelopes in Bourdillon, for the last 25 years, and I’ve never experienced this kind of incident because we are organised and disciplined.
“If you know you won’t have enough to give, don’t attempt to give or publicise it.”
The President compared the situation to food banks in countries such as the United States of America (USA) and Britain, noting their structured approach.
“Every society, even in America, has food banks. They have hungry people. In Britain, they have food banks and warehouses, and they are organised. They take turns m lining up and collect,” he added.
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