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Security agencies need superior weapons, not prayers – El-Rufai
Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai, says Nigeria’s security agencies need superior weapons to fight insecurity and not prayers.
El-Rufai spoke on Monday during the town hall organised by the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, which was attended by governors from the North-West region and traditional rulers.
While announcing the rescheduling of the meeting, el-Rufai appreciated the service chiefs for their commitment to ending insecurity, and expressed the hope that the meeting would come up with a road map to end the security challenges in the country.
He noted that security should be the number one priority of the government and collective responsibility of all citizens.
“This town hall meeting is not complete without other stakeholders because of the short notice. So, we agreed that this North-West (meeting) be reconvened in the next two weeks. The date will be announced by the NSA and COAS,” he said.
“Bandits now have the audacity to attack the military men. Bandits have become vulgar. Those who are not informed believe nothing is being done to deal with them.
“We need to support our security agencies not with prayers, but with superior weapons. Security is a collective responsibility.
“All of us, the governors, are going round, talking with stakeholders to calm people down.”
Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum (NGF), Simon Lalong, urged Nigerians to learn to live in peace, irrespective of religious and ethnic differences.
“I came to add my voice on behalf of the entire northern governors. When looking for peace, we have no religion other than peace. We are determined to work for peace in the north and the entire country,” Lalong said.
Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Masari, said government would keep working until everyone is secured.
He said, “Security is community-based. All of us must go back to our community to ensure the security of the areas.
“It is our responsibility to provide security. We take responsibility to protect the people, irrespective of tribe, religion and where they come from.”
In his remarks, national security adviser said some Nigerians believe that the country has come to a dead end, owing to the rising insecurity in the nation.
Monguno noted that though security is the responsibility of the government, adding that tackling insecurity required a multifaceted approach.
He added that President Muhammadu Buhari was deeply worried about the issue and determined to end the menace.
Monguno said, “Buhari is worried and deeply concerned over wanton killings, not only in the north-west but in the whole country.
“We have a lot of suspicious people undermining government efforts. Some of us are spiritual in our thinking. Some believe that we have come to a dead end.
“This is not the end of time as predicted in the Bible. It is in the book of Matthew that when you see brothers killing brothers, son killing father, nations fighting nations, the end of time has come. But this is not the issue with our country.”
He also said, “It is true that security is the fundamental responsibility of government. Insecurity requires a multifaceted approach to overcome it.
“With the new service chiefs, there is a new dimension to ending insecurity. President Buhari is determined to end insecurity in the country. All the tiers of government must cooperate on security.
“It is possible that other people outside the government are sabotaging government’s efforts, but the government will not give up.”
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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