Tinubu rejects N942bn census budget, proposes use of NYSC members – Newstrends
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Tinubu rejects N942bn census budget, proposes use of NYSC members

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Tinubu rejects N942bn census budget, proposes use of NYSC members

President Bola Tinubu has rejected a N942bn proposal by the National Population Commission (NPC) for the conduct of the national housing and population census.

According to insiders, Tinubu and the commission’s top officials discussed cost-cutting measures on Monday, February 24, 2025, at the State House.

Tinubu suggested deploying members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for the exercise.

After being informed by officials of the NPC led by its Chairman, Nasir Kwarra, Tinubu committed to setting up a committee to align the census budget to the government’s existing financial reality.

In a statement titled ‘Nigeria draws closer to fresh census, President Tinubu to set up committee,’ Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, reported Tinubu as saying, “This stop-and-go behavior on the census cannot work with me. So we better have a clear path.

“I will set up a committee for you to look at the issues critically and do a source and application of resources. Where can we get help, and what can we lift before we embark on the proclamation?” Tinubu queried.

The government official said, “The main issue from that meeting was that the money they were proposing was quite a lot. It is around N942bn. That is almost N1tn. And the president felt that it was too much. That is why he said there would be a committee to look at the issues altogether because that cost must come down.

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“He wants to do it. He wants the census to happen. But the cost is too high. His goal is that they should do it for less.”

Another insider at the conference revealed that Tinubu proposed a nationwide deployment of NYSC members to reduce personnel expenditures.

“He was even suggesting that they recruit youth corps members to make it cheaper,” the official revealed.

However, another source confirmed that the constituents and activities of Tinubu’s new committee were still unclear.

“We have heard nothing about that committee for now. It is still being put together as we speak. But the agencies concerned will be on it,” the source explained.

It was gathered that at the meeting, Tinubu had affirmed that the National Identity Management Commission must be part of the review.

“We must ascertain who we are, how many we are, and how to manage our data. Without an accurate census, we can’t successfully plan for employment, agriculture, and food sovereignty.

“So many problems come up without accurate data,” Tinubu stated.

The president also stated that government incentives, such as the sale and distribution of fertilizer, could be easily enhanced with more reliable data and demography.

He explained to the NPC delegation that biometric capture should be central to the process, with multiple identification features such as facial and voice recognition.

According to him, “We should work on our financial muscle well in place to lift our burden before we go and meet development partners for the census. We should work out the figures before discussing the role of development partners.”

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Since former president Muhammadu Buhari’s administration ended in November 2006, Nigeria’s housing and population census has been plagued by delays and logistical challenges.

Although the NPC invested in new technologies, such as digital mapping and biometric capture, to improve accuracy and transparency, challenges such as insufficient budgets, unrest in particular regions, and the outbreak of COVID-19 all contributed to a succession of delays.

The 2023 census, in particular, has been postponed due to overlapping issues, ranging from budget restrictions to political shifts, making it difficult for stakeholders to complete preparations before Buhari leaves office.

Plans to reschedule the census have also experienced challenges during the Tinubu government, as the Federal Government remained unsure about scheduling, methodology, and how to best capture data on large, transient populations, including internally displaced persons.

Meanwhile, Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, stated that census data would be critical to future planning and resource allocation.

The minister stated that the commission and everyone on the team were required to agree on the minimal amount that could be raised to assist the president in reaching the final decision.

“Mr. President, we have been having ecosystem meetings to link the identity agencies, even the geo-spatial chaired by the ministry, because of our mandate as the supervising ministry of the National Bureau of Statistics.

“So, the NPC, NBS, NIMC, Ministry of Digital Economy, passport, social register, voters register, and even telecoms data have been meeting with the National Space Research and Development Agency to see how much is available to the government regarding data and how much optimization can take place.”

In his presentation, the NPC chairman stated that 760,000 tablets had been obtained and held at the Central Bank of Nigeria, and that the commission would communicate with development partners to request assistance if Tinubu declared the new census.

 

Tinubu rejects N942bn census budget, proposes use of NYSC members

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Obi lied, I blocked him from visiting IDP camp – Alia

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April 25, 2025

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Obi lied, I blocked him from visiting IDP camp – Alia

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has given the major reason for blocking major opposition figure Peter Obi from visiting the IDP camp in the state.

Alia accused the Labour Party leader of violating standard protocols by failing to inform the governor ahead of his visit as courtesy demands.

Alia, in an interview with TVC on Thursday, said Obi was blocked from visiting the Benue IDP camp because his “intention” was unknown, and he violated protocols by not informing him in advance.

“A very respected Peter Obi was a governor. If you are coming into someone’s state, there are protocols. Very high personality; you are coming into someone’s state, and your party does not even know you are coming.

“I, the sitting governor, did not know you were coming. Then, you are going into where I’m protecting even the most, the IDP camp. It’s my duty to protect them. They’ve been displaced. I need to protect them even some more. I don’t know the intent you have,” Governor Alia said.

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He added, “Is it not courteous enough for me to know as a sitting governor and even to provide more security for you and prepare the minds of the IDPs that a guest is coming to visit them?”

The governor denied claims that he was unreachable when the former Anambra governor called to inform him of his visit.

“No, that’s not the right narrative. I can never politicise that. I’m the one bearing the brunt, pain and sorrows of the IDPs in my state,” Alia stated.

He added, “If he (Obi) couldn’t reach me, I have a chief of staff, I have an SSG, (and) I have a PPS.”

Last week, Alia said he could not guarantee the safety of any individual or group visiting Benue without his knowledge or clearance, barring Obi from visiting the state.

However, Obi expressed displeasure at how Governor Alia’s government allegedly politicised his planned visit to the troubled Benue.

Obi lied, I blocked him from visiting IDP camp – Alia

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Zulum meets with Cameroonian troops after deadly Boko Haram attack

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April 25, 2025

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Zulum meets with Cameroonian troops after deadly Boko Haram attack

Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, has commiserated with the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) following the recent Boko Haram assault in Wulgo, a border town with Cameroon.

Governor Zulum paid a visit on Thursday to Cameroonian troops under Sector 1 of the MNJTF, where he also extended sympathies to both the government and citizens of Cameroon over the devastating attack.

In Wulgo, located roughly 15 kilometres from Gamboru Ngala, the governor was welcomed by Major General Godwin Michael Mutkut, the Force Commander of the MNJTF.

“I am here to commiserate with you, and with the government and people of the Republic of Cameroon, over the recent unfortunate incident. I wish to salute your bravery and unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property in the region,” stated Governor Zulum.

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The governor also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to supporting the MNJTF and Cameroon in their fight against terrorism and insurgency in the Lake Chad region.

“The Government of Nigeria will explore all possible avenues to complement the efforts of the Multinational Joint Task Force and the government of Cameroon to bring lasting stability to the Lake Chad basin,” he assured.

Alongside the Federal Government’s support, Governor Zulum pledged additional assistance from Borno State to the troops operating in the region.

The governor was accompanied by Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan of Borno Central, Special Advisers Hon. Idrissa Jidda and Hon. Mustapha Dalatu, Hon. Yuguda Saleh Vungas, Chairman of the Borno State Social Investment Programme, the Chairman of Ngala Local Government Area, and his Principal Private Secretary.

Zulum meets with Cameroonian troops after deadly Boko Haram attack 

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Tribunal upholds Nigerian government $220m fine against Facebook, WhatsApp

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April 25, 2025

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Tribunal upholds Nigerian government $220m fine against Facebook, WhatsApp

The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal on Friday delivered its judgment in the appeal filed by Meta Platforms Incorporated (Facebook) and WhatsApp LLC against the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), affirming the Commission’s authority and actions in nearly all the contested issues.

A statement signed by Ondaje Ijagwu, Director, Corporate Affairs of FCCPC,  said the Tribunal specifically determined that the Commission complied with prevailing laws, discharged its mandate, and exercised its powers within the confines of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

It ruled that the multiple actions by WhatsApp and Meta, for which the Commission made findings of violations, were correctly identified, and that the Commission did not err in making those findings.

“In addition to upholding the major aspects of the FCCPC’s Final Order, the Tribunal awarded the sum of $220 million against Meta Platforms Incorporated and WhatsApp LLC as an administrative penalty, and further awarded $35,000 to the FCCPC as cost of investigation.

“The tribunal’s three-member panel was led by Honorable Thomas Okosun,” the statement said.

WhatsApp and Meta’s legal team was led by Professor Gbolahan Elias (SAN) while the FCCPC’s legal team was led by Mr. Babatunde Irukera. Both teams had made their final arguments on behalf of their respective clients on January 28, 2025.

PlatinumPost reports that FCCPC had on on July 19, 2024, issued a Final Order imposing a $220 million administrative penalty after concluding that the companies engaged in discriminatory and exploitative practices against Nigerian consumers.

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The case arose from a 38-month joint investigation initiated by the FCCPC and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) into the conduct, privacy practices, and consumer data policies of Meta Platforms and WhatsApp.

Dissatisfied with the Order last year, Meta and WhatsApp appealed to the Tribunal, challenging both the legal basis and the findings of the Commission.

While ruling on Meta’s appeal, the Tribunal also validated the Commission’s investigative procedures and processes.

The Tribunal resolved Issues 1 to 7 largely in favour of the FCCPC, dismissing the appellants’ objections to the Commission’s findings, orders, and legal competence.

One of the central issues (Issue 3) which alleged a breach of fair hearing, was decided in favour of the Commission, with the Tribunal affirming that the FCCPC fully discharged its quasi-judicial responsibilities by affording the appellants ample opportunity to respond.

The Tribunal found no violation of constitutional due process.

On Issue 4, which questioned the Commission’s powers in matters of data protection and privacy, the Tribunal held that the FCCPC acted within its statutory mandate, reaffirming its authority under Section 104 of the FCCPA to regulate competition and consumer protection even in regulated industries.

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On Issue 5, which challenged the Commission’s findings regarding Meta’s privacy policies, the tribunal also resolved in the FCCPC’s favour. The Tribunal found no error in the Commission’s conclusions and held that the privacy policy in question did, in fact, offend Nigerian law.

While Issue 7 was largely resolved in favour of the Commission, the Tribunal set aside Order 7 of the Commission’s Final Order, stating that it lacked sufficient legal basis.

While expressing delight at the landmark judgement, FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Mr. Tunji Bello, thanked the Commission’s legal team for their exceptional diligence and forensic skills in assembling evidence and marshalling their argument.

He restated FCCPC’s unwavering commitment to not only championing the rights of Nigerian consumers but also ensuring fair business practices in the country in accordance with FCCPA (2018) and consistent with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Tribunal upholds Nigerian government $220m fine against Facebook, WhatsApp

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