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Poverty, unemployment behind banditry in Northwest – Uba Sani
Poverty, unemployment behind banditry in Northwest – Uba Sani
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has said poverty and unemployment are responsible for the banditry and kidnapping bedeviling the Northwest.
He said the solution to the security challenges in the region lies in ensuring that the residents get good governance from those in positions of authority.
Sani said this while hosting members of the state’s Elders’ Forum, led by General Zamani Lekwot (retd.) and Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha, at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House yesterday in Kaduna on his election victory at the Supreme Court.
He said as Kaduna State intensified military actions against banditry and kidnapping with the support of the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) to build two additional Forward Operation bases in the state, his administration was also adopting good governance as the best non-kinetic solution to the security challenges.
The governor, who decried the increasing number of out-of-school children must also be addressed to ensure a secured state and region, added that the state was getting $28 million support from Kuwait to help the education of such children.
Sani said: “The Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army, and the Chief of Air Staff have assured us of their support to our security efforts. They have decided to set up two Forward Operation Bases (FOBs) in Kaduna: one in Southern Kaduna, at Zangon Kataf to be precise; and another in Birnin Gwari, to serve Birnin Gwari down to Giwa. The FOBs will be set up in the next three weeks.
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“This is one of the most important interventions by the Defence Headquarters because we have always said that we need more boots on the ground and we need the support or the military generally, and we are grateful that we are having that support.
“We also announced last week that we would be setting up a security trust fund. By the grace of God, tomorrow (today), I would be signing the Bill for the Establishment of Security Trust Fund 2024. We are amending the one that is obsolete and coming up with a new one. This will give room for the private sector to come in and work with us.
“We are also looking at the non-kinetic approach to addressing the security challenges. But the issue of non-kinetic approach is not just about talking with the bandits, negotiating, and asking them to submit their weapons; that is only one aspect of it.
“The most important aspect of non-kinetic approach is good governance. No matter how much we talk and try to bring about peace, if we don’t look at the area of good governance, we will never end the problem of insecurity in northern Nigeria in particular.
“People always talk about how the problem of insurgency was ended in the Northeast. But insurgency is not the same with the problem of banditry and kidnapping that we have in the Northwest. The Northeast issue was about people that came from nowhere and talk about an ideology of Boko Haram.
“What we have in the Northwest is an economic problem where people kidnap and ask for money. What brought about that? It’s hopelessness, lack of education, and lack of economic prosperity.”
Poverty, unemployment behind banditry in Northwest – Uba Sani
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
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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]
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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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