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Enugu Govt suspends another royal father
The Enugu State Government on Tuesday suspended Igwe Anthony Okorie, the Traditional Ruler of Amechi Awkunanaw Autonomous Community in Enugu South Local Government Area.
The suspension is contained in a letter handed over to the royal father by the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Matters, Dr Charles Egumgbe.
Government hinged the action and withdrawal of the Staff of Office from Okorie on the “persistent crisis in the community”.
It stated that the crisis had defied all efforts made to resolve it.
“Undisputably, law and order have broken down in your community, leading to injuries to persons and property.
“And the situation, if not checked, may exacerbate the present security challenge in our land.
“Take notice that your suspension shall subsist, pending the conclusion of investigations,” the letter added.
Reacting to the development in an interview with newsmen in Enugu after receiving the letter, Okorie urged his subjects to remain calm as they await the outcome of the investigation.
He said there was no crisis in his community as alleged in the letter.
He said, “When the commissioner alleged that there is crisis in Amechi, I clearly told him that there is no crisis”.
The traditional ruler said the Divisional Police Officer and Head of the Department of State Service in-charge of the community in all their security reports and meetings with leaders had never complained of any security breach and crisis.
“There is no incident of serious or slight security breach in Amechi.
“I told him that what is causing problems in Amechi community is landed property.
“The community wanted to recover their land earlier given to Satellite Printing and Publishing Press but the company did not take off afterwards.
“I told the commissioner the matter is before the court and we should let the court decide who the owner of that land is.
“But the suspension is a predetermined position. The suspension letter was already written before he invited me to hear from me.
“I urge the entire Amechi and my subjects to keep calm as justice will be served in the matter,” he said.
Commenting on the issue, the President-General of the community, Chief John Egbo, said the state government “may have been misled by people who are interested in taking over our land”.
Egbo said the community earlier donated the land to the state’s Satellite Printing Publishing Press in overriding public interest.
“But where it was not put to use, the community demanded for its return so it could be used for other purposes.
“The matter is in court. We also had a town union matter in court, where we have gone to resolve it. This one again is not a chieftaincy matter.
“So, I did not see why the chieftaincy stool should get involved.
“Our Igwe has never breached any security in the community. I am saying categorically that Amechi community is solidly behind him,” Egbo said.
He called on Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to set up a panel to investigate the issue of land grabbing in Amechi community and “not suspend our Igwe.
“It is not solving the problem rather it is creating more problems,” he said.
Recall that the state government on Sept. 21 suspended Igwe Christopher Okwor, the Traditional Ruler of Ihekwuenu Aku Autonomous Community in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area.
It was alleged that Okwor sponsored thugs to demolish a two-storey building erected in the community by a philanthropist for one Anibueze Nnadi, living with disability.
News
Tinubu not telling Nigerians the truth, says Sule Lamido
Tinubu not telling Nigerians the truth, says Sule Lamido
President Bola Tinubu has been accused of not being forthright about the true state of Nigeria under his administration.
Former Jigawa State Governor and senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member, Sule Lamido, made the accusation while speaking on the BBC Hausa programme Gane Mini Hanya.
Lamido criticized both Tinubu and former President Muhammadu Buhari for what he described as a lack of transparency in governance.
“Buhari’s and Tinubu’s governments are not being transparent with Nigerians unlike during the time when PDP was in power where everything was transparent and open to all Nigerians,” Lamido said.
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He accused the two administrations of relying on propaganda rather than providing citizens with accurate information.
Lamido also expressed concerns over President Tinubu’s recent loan requests, questioning the logic behind them. “If Nigerians are being told the truth then there is nothing wrong with that, but how would you budget N30tn, generate N50tn and then request loan when you have a surplus of N20tn,” he said, referencing last year’s budget.
He described the situation as “reckless” and “selfish,” adding, “This recklessness and clear-cut selfishness is not done anywhere in the world, but yet you find (some) Nigerians supporting it. Visit social media and see how APC is being criticised, being referred to as calamity, yet you find some protecting it.”
Tinubu not telling Nigerians the truth, says Sule Lamido
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.
Nigeria Customs Service begins 2025 recruitment [How to apply]
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
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