News
More South-East governors, leaders will join APC, says Uzodinma
There may be mass movement of politicians in the South-East from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress in a desperate attempt by the region to secure an automatic ticket of a major party for the 2023 presidential election.
Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, gave this indication, saying many South-East governors would soon follow Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, to join the APC.
He spoke in Abuja on Monday when he visited the APC’s national secretariat, stressing that more political heavyweights of Igbo extraction would also join the party.
He said, “If you recall when I addressed you here couple of months ago, I told you that the moment I resume office in Imo State, the impression and perception of our party in South East will change and the resultant effect will be that more credible individuals and governors will even join the party.”
He said it would be in the best interest of the South East to join the APC.
Uzodinma said, “Today, I am vindicated because we’re hearing it and I am sure few hours from now we get a confirmation that one of our best will be joining the part; Governor of Ebonyi State. Of course, I will be very glad and it will be my joy to welcome a governor and more governors, not only him, we’re still talking more governors to join.
“The APC is the ruling party and for the interest of national integration and cohesion, Imo and South East indeed, needs to become part and parcel of the ruling party to make the Nigerian project a complete project.”
The governor also said he came “equally to our great party to meet with critical stakeholders and officers of our party as to the status and going on of events in our great party and I had a private audience with the National Chairman and some members of the caretaker committee and also to be able to touch base with our preparedness for the upcoming bye-election.
“Of course, you know any moment from now, there will be a Senatorial bye-election in Imo State, Imo North Senatorial District and I think our party is prepared. In Imo too we are prepared. APC is the party to beat in Imo State. The most important thing is APC to win the election.”
He, however, said only the party could decide the candidate of the party in line with the Electoral Act.
He said, “The party has internal mechanism of confirming who the candidate is. The Supreme Court has said it; the Electoral Act has said it. Every party has the right and it is only the party that sponsors a candidate.
“Of course, we have our candidate. There are some few legal issues going on. I don’t want to go into that because the matter pending in court.”
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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