The Kebbi State Government has distributed 24 operational vehicles to members of the state House of Assembly.

Distributing the vehicles to the lawmakers in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday, Governor Nasir Idris reiterated his administration’s commitment to providing enabling environment for government officials to operate.

“We are making history again today, because we are handing over 24 vehicles to members of the state House of Assembly to ease transportation challenges in their official engagements.

“This will also enable them to be visiting their people to find out their predicaments and challenges. The gesture is in fulfilment of our campaign promise, in addition, we have distributed 30 operational vehicles to security agencies operating in the state and 28 to members of the State Executive Council, among others,” the governor said.

Mr Idris advised the lawmakers to exhibit the fear God Almighty, adding, “Let me also enjoin you to be just and fair to people of the state in your legislative businesses.”

We have more than five million people in this state, and God has given us the mantle of leadership to govern our people, not because we are better than them but for Him to try our capability and ability to see how we can treat the people.”

The governor thanked the Speaker, Muhammad Usman-Ankwai, alongside other members of the assembly for the cordial relationship the state executive council was enjoying.

This, according to him, had paved the way for rapid growth and development of the state.

The Federal Government is to introduce a $100 million World Bank funded Nigeria for women project, President Bola Tinubu (P-BAT) Cares for Nigerian Women project, amongst others to economically empower women.

Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, made this known while briefing journalists after a solidarity walk with women groups as part of activities to mark the 2024 International Women’s Day celebration in Abuja.

She said the programmes were targeted at empowering women across the country and improving their productivity in whatever capacity they may find themselves.

She stated, “The President will officially be launching the P-BAT Cares for Nigerian Women alongside other programmes such as the Nigeria for Women project and the Integrity Brigade which I want all of you to be part of.

As a people, let us start realising who we are because this is the greatest nation in the whole of Africa.

As members of the integrity brigade, you play a crucial role in helping us fight some of these challenges.

Not just the media, the royal fathers and the religious leaders are also part of this vanguard that the President will be launching. But the media is important to me because it is only you that I can use to achieve our goals for this country.’’

She noted that most of the intervention programs in the form of loans aimed at empowering women, ended up in the hands of a few greedy persons.

The minister expressed worries that some of those she called greedy approached donor organisations in the name of the vulnerable in Nigeria for funds which they ended up pocketing, rather than using them to assist the poor and vulnerable.

“They use terms like consultancy, advocacy, research to get these monies but for how long should we allow this as Nigerians. I want you people, (the media), to join the integrity brigade, that the integrity brigade is to fight these ills. So I am pleading that for the sake of our country we use this opportunity well to get things right,” she said.

According to her, the integrity brigade will aid in preventing misappropriation and discourage counterproductive protests among women, with NGOs expected to play a pivotal role in disseminating information.

Calling on the media to closely monitor projects and programmes to ensure they reach their intended beneficiaries, the minister reiterated the government’s commitment to sustainability and women empowerment.

Also, a former Country Director of ActionAid, Nigeria, and gender activist, Ene Obi, who represented women in the media, highlighted the media’s commitment to supporting initiatives beneficial to women.

Vice President Kashim Shettima has assured that the ongoing reforms by the President Bola Tinubu-led administration will soon guarantee a future for the country.

Mr Shettima gave the assurance in Gombe State at the launch of the “Outsource to Nigeria Initiative,” a drive to redirect the talents and skills that abound in the country.

The initiative is significant to capturing a portion of the global Business Processing Outsourcing Market valued at 8.79 trillion dollars.

Mr Shettima described President Bola Tinubu as “a visionary leader, refined economic strategist who has a firm grip on the distinction between the current situation in Nigeria and the route within the global landscape.”

He assured that all Nigerians would be grateful to Tinubu for the resilience and foresight displayed in navigating the nation towards economic prosperity.

The vice president appealed to Nigerians to be patient with the administration in respect of the economic decisions taken so far.

He explained that the decisions might have presented some temporary challenges, but they were strategic at strengthening the fabric of the nation’s economy.

“The tough decisions we have taken may pose short-term challenges, but rest assured, they are strategic investments to fortify the foundations of our economy. As your guarantee, I affirm that the reforms in progress will not only weather the storms but usher in a future where we shall stand grateful for the resilience and foresight displayed in propelling our nation towards economic prosperity,” he said.

Shettima expressed the confidence that OTNI would turn around the economic fortunes of the country.

He said the initiative would produce millions of job opportunities and spur Nigeria’s BPO and Information Technology-enabled services sector into growth that had never been witnessed before.

The vice president also said that the initiative would link global firms with the abundant talents and skills in Nigeria.

He said that spotlight was now beaming on Nigeria, following the nation’s “abundance of talent, a competitive cost structure, a rapidly improving ICT infrastructure, and a strategically advantageous location.”

He stated, “Outsourcing is also a strategy to counteract brain drain and channel our talents and skills into reconstructing a Nigeria that works. The Outsource to Nigeria Initiative symbolises a pivotal alliance, a collaborative dance between the public and private sectors.

This is a mission to produce millions of job opportunities and propel Nigeria’s Business Process Outsourcing and IT-enabled services sector into unprecedented growth.’’

Earlier, Gombe State governor, Inuwa Yahaya, noted that the decision to launch the initiative in the state was not a mere coincidence.

He pointed out that it was a testament to the state’s burgeoning potential and the exemplary strides it had made in fostering an enabling environment for technology innovation and economic growth.

For her part, the Founder/CEO of OTNI, Amal Hassan, pegged the value of the Global BPO & ITES Market at USD 8.79 trillion in 2024.

According to her, India and the Philippines have at least 60 per cent of the market.She stated, “Nigeria has the highest potential among key African countries and is expected to register the fastest growth in the African BPO industry backed by various tailwinds.’’

She explained that the initiative would be accomplished through streamlined processes, using the initiative’s digital platform WorkNation to help partners find, train, and deploy talents according to their requirements.

“Our goal is to showcase Nigeria as the preferred outsourcing destination, connecting Nigerian youths to global job opportunities and attracting investments,” she said.

Wife of the late Ondo State Governor, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, has described her late husband’s niece, Funke Akeredolu Aruna, as shameless for supporting the sitting governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, ahead of the November governorship election in the state.

Betty spoke through her Instagram account on Monday morning.

The governor, who was formerly Akeredolu’s deputy, was sworn in on 27th December following the death of his former boss.

Before the governor’s death, internal wrangling had severed his relationship with Aiyedatiwa, bordering on alleged disloyalty of the then deputy governor, which led to the disbandment of his aides.

The State Assembly, through the backings of the governor, also attempted to impeach Aiyedatiwa, even though the details of the duo’s quarrel remained sketchy till Akeredolu’s death.

Speaking through her post alongside the picture of her husband’s niece wearing a cap with an inscription “I am lucky”, Betty said, “Behold the face of Aketi’s niece, Funke Akeredolu Aruna, the former deputy chief protocol to Aketi, shamelessly parades as ‘I am lucky’ Bloody serpent! Time will tell if she is truly lucky!”

This outburst has, however, generated outrage on social media as many believe she should be mourning her husband and not engaging in a fight with anyone.

Some appealed to her to maintain her cool on issues relating to the election.

The US Congress has passed a bill to temporarily avoid a partial government shutdown ahead of a Friday deadline to approve a budget deal.

The bill will go to the White House for President Joe Biden’s approval, after the Senate ratified it on Thursday.

The stop-gap bill extends funding for federal agencies later into March.

Lawmakers in the Senate voted 77-13 to pass the legislation on Thursday, hours after it passed in the House by a 320-99 margin.

Under the legislation, the funding deadline for several departments, including Transportation, Housing, Agriculture and Veterans Affairs, will be pushed to 8 March.

Funding for some other federal government agencies will expire 22 March.

Speaking on the Senate floor before the vote, Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York said lawmakers had “overcome the opposition of the Maga hard right” and provided a way to “not shut the government down and capitulate to extremists”.

“Now, let’s finish the job of funding the government so we don’t have to do this again,” he said.

In a statement, Mr Biden also called the passage of the bill “good news for the American people”.

“But I want to be clear: this is a short-term fix—not a long-term solution,” he added.

Democrats and Republicans have been far apart in the budget negotiations on border security and aid to Ukraine.

Republicans control the House by a slim majority, while Democrats hold the Senate by a single seat.

The Republican House speaker has faced fierce opposition from right-wing lawmakers in his ranks who want spending cuts and insist any further support for Ukraine should be tied to more money for US border security.

There have been 10 US government shutdowns or partial shutdowns over the past four decades.

If a deal had not been reached, around 20% of government departments would have had to temporarily close this weekend.

Past shutdowns have also led to furloughs of government workers and the closure of national parks.

A bipartisan group of House and Senate lawmakers were finally able to strike a deal to avoid a shutdown on Wednesday.

The measure, known as a continuing resolution, or CR, includes agreements on six of the 12 annual spending bills. That leaves six other spending measures that lawmakers still have to decide on and pass over the coming weeks to avoid a shutdown.

Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson hailed the passage of the measure, arguing that it was a smart move to break up the budget into “smaller pieces”.

“This was an important thing,” he told reporters.

President Bola Tinubu is set to leave Lagos State for a business forum in Qatar.

This was disclosed on the official X handle of the Presidency Nigeria on Thursday, February 29.

Following an invitation from the Emir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Tinubu will be visiting the country to honour the invitation.

The statement reads: “President Tinubu honours invitation to visit Qatar and participate in business and investment forum”.

Qatar earlier rejected the business forum trip stating that there was no agreement signed between the state of Qatar and the Federal Republic of Nigeria on investment and promotion.

The Senate on Thursday, approved four nominees out of five from President Bola Tinubu to serve on the Board of Directors of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.

In a report which was submitted to the Chambers by the Committee Chairman on Banking, Insurance, and Other Financial Institutions, Senator Mikhail Adetokunbo Abiru, representing Lagos East Senatorial District, the nominees were satisfactorily screened.

The lawmaker maintained that their nomination by President Tinubu was in line with Section 6(1)(10)(D) of the CBN Act.

While he sought their confirmation, Abiru told his colleagues that there was no petition against any of the nominees, adding that there were no security reports about them by the Department of State Service, DSS or the Nigeria Police and that they had also fulfilled the Code of Conduct Bureau requirements.

He said: “He also said, the nominees have knowledge of the industry and have the capability to serve on the CBN board ”Meanwhile, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu representing Abia North Senatorial District disclosed that Urum Kalu Eke who is his constituent excused himself from the nomination for another engagement with the World Bank.

He said: “Mr President and Distinguished Colleagues, Mr Urum is my constituent and he called to say, there will be a conflict of interest in his nomination as CBN board director.

“That he wishes to decline, while he has already informed the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.”

After contributions, the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau who presided over the plenary confirmed the nominees through a voice vote: The nominees confirmed are:

1. Mr Robert Agbede

2. Mr Ado Yakubu Wanka

3. Professor Muritala Sabo Sagagi

4. Mrs Muslimat Olanike Aliyu.

Governor Seyi Makinde has pleaded with Nigerians to endure the current hardship, saying it will end soon.

Mr Makinde made the plea while addressing Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) leaders and other protesters at the Total Garden Roundabout in Ibadan on Tuesday.

The labour leaders and youths began a two-day peaceful protest declared by the NLC over the hardship faced by Nigerians.

The leadership of the NLC initially restricted the governor from addressing the protesters, alleging that he was among the nation’s leaders causing the hardship.

Mr Makinde urged the labour leaders to make their demands to his government, stating areas they would want the government to assist in ameliorating the hardship faced by the masses.

He said his administration had been living up to its expectations as regards the welfare of its workforce.

“The government has started paying N25,000 and N15,000 wage awards to all state civil servants and pensioners, respectively, since October,” he said.

The governor assured the people that his government remained committed to implementing programmes which would cushion the removal of the fuel subsidy effect.

He appealed to the NLC to let the protest remain peaceful.

The Police Command in Kano State has placed its personnel on red alert ahead of Tuesday and Wednesday’s proposed protest by members of the organised labour unions in the state.

The state Commissioner of Police, Hussaini Gumel, said in Kano that proactive security measures had already been adopted to ensure peaceful and orderly protest in all parts of the state.He said the deployment was in recognition of the right to peaceful protest, in line with extant laws, as a fundamental right of citizens.

Mr Gumel explained that an operational order for the personnel had been issued to area commanders, tactical commanders, and divisional police officers across the 44 local government areas of the state.

He said the command was working with other security agencies in the state to ensure crisis-free movements of those who wanted to protest.

“We have mobilised sufficient armed personnel to provide security at all flashpoints, including political party offices, banks, commercial areas, recreation centres and motor parks before, during and after the protest.

“I am giving 100 per cent assurance to all law-abiding residents of the state to go about freely with their legitimate daily activities without threat to lives and property,” the commissioner said.

He said armed security personnel would be in identified strategic locations in different parts of the state, to ensure surveillance duties and provide physical security during the protest.

The commissioner expressed optimism that security measures already put in place would promote peaceful coexistence amongst the residents during and after the protest.

He said that the command would not tolerate any form of violence during and after the protest as officers were on red alert to confront any form of security threats in and outside the metropolis.

He added, “We call upon those that want to protest to go about it in a civilised manner as our professional security personnel would carefully monitor the entire exercise.’’

The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mr Kanayo Uzuegbu, has ordered adequate deployment of police operational and intelligence resources to ensure security and peaceful conduct of the NLC protests in the state.

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and its affiliate organizations had proposed two days nationwide protests slated for Tuesday and Wednesday.

The commissioner gave the order in a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, on Tuesday in Enugu.

The commissioner, however, cautioned the leadership of the NLC in the state against conducting the exercise in ways capable of breaching public peace.

The police boss noted that, while it is within the organizers’ statutory rights to express their grievances through protests, “they must also ensure that persons within their ranks do not disrupt the exercise or cause havoc.

“I warn miscreants to steer clear of the protests, as police will not hesitate to deal decisively with individuals found acting contrarily.

“I enjoin residents of Enugu State to remain law-abiding, vigilant, and report to the nearest police station, suspected criminals or anyone found acting in ways contrary to the peaceful conduct of the protest,” he said.

The Federal Government has opened an analytical laboratory of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research for the North East zone.

Inaugurated in Yola on Monday, the laboratory is planned to provide scientific conservation of food for export from the North East.

Speaking for Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs Esuabana Asanye, said the ministry is targeting developing the nation’s economy through science and technology.

The minister said the new office in Yola would develop technologies that promote the ideals of entrepreneurship development.

She said the Federal Institute of Industrial Research would open up and boost farming and fishing as well as small and medium-scale enterprises.

Also speaking, the Director General of the Institute of Industrial Research, Dr Jummai Adamu, said the institute is providing a platform for people to excel through the impartation of innovative skills for job creation.

The Adamawa State Deputy Governor, Professor Kaletapwa Farauta who also spoke on the occasion, stated the government’s commitment to enabling the environment for a technologically-driven society.

Farauta said the state government has invested hugely in scholarships to students in tertiary institutions for science and technology courses for the good of society.

The Arewa Youth Assembly, AYA, has called on politicians in the Federal Capital Territory to give the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, the time he requires to do his job as the head of the FCT Administration.

The group spoke following a recent comment by Ireti Kingibe, the senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, who accused the former Rivers State governor of displaying an “I don’t care attitude” towards the security of the Nigerian capital.

The group said that the current state of the nation does not require politically motivated statements, slander, witch-hunt, or image tarnishing but all hands being on deck to for the betterment of the residents of the FCT.

The group said that Wike has shown some signs of a committed servant in the areas of security and infrastructural development.

In a statement signed by Mohammed Salihu Danlami, its Speaker,

Arewa Youth Assembly, called on all politicians, irrespective of their political background, to work together in ensuring security of lives and properties of all residents.

The group recalled that Wike had recently made it clear that without security, no meaningful development can be achieved.

It caution politicians to desist from “using cheap tricks of playing politics with the precious lives of FCT residents and, causing nuisance.”

AYA called on residents to “remain calm, comply with security agents in carrying out their jobs, and report anything suspicious, as security is the responsibility of us all.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has accused Governor Siminialayi Fubara of foot-dragging on implementing two critical resolutions of the December 2023 agreement for ending the political crisis in the state.

Although the party admitted that Fubara had implemented six resolutions, it wondered why he left the two critical components of the pact: the re-presentation of the state’s 2024 budget before the House of Assembly and the conduct of local government elections.

The party’s Chairman, Tony Okocha, argued that by not fully honouring the agreement, the governor had unwittingly put the state on “a keg of gunpowder.”

Okocha accused Fubara of being teleguided by a “purported elders forum’’ to deviate from implementing all the resolutions in the agreement.

He said it was hard to believe that a “career civil servant” who became a governor after the Federal Capital Territory(FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike “sat on the noses of politicians and threw him up” has “reneged on agreements reached in the bedroom.”

He criticised the governor’s leadership style, saying the APC might go to court to compel compliance with the agreement.The APC chairman said: “When the matter reached a crescendo and was almost turning into an emergency, several calls were put across to President Tinubu to wade in.

“The President subsequently invited all the stakeholders from both sides, and we had a very decent meeting devoid of intimidation, harassment, duress or undue advantage given to anyone.

“During the meeting, the President emphasised the importance of upholding democracy and opted for a diplomatic approach.

“Following the discussions, the President presented an eight-point proclamation document and handed it over to former Rivers Governor Peter Odili.

“At every point, Odili read each point from the document, Tinubu interjected and asked if we were okay, and everybody echoed ‘yes.’

“After all parties agreed to the resolution, Governor Fubara, his deputy (Ngozi Odu), former Governor Nyesom Wike, myself, PDP chiefs in Rivers, National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; and Martins Amaewhule, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, all signed the document.”

The APC chieftain said that after the agreement was signed, Fubara requested protection for his supporters against victimisation, which was granted.

“The governor has implemented six resolutions, including withdrawing all cases before the courts, freeing the legislature, paying allowances due to lawmakers, and recognising Amaewhule as speaker.

“But, he has refused to implement two crucial agreements – the re-presentation of the state budget before the 27 lawmakers and the conduct of local government elections,” he stated.

He recalled that the President informed Fubara that no other titles outside those recognised by the 1999 Constitution would be used for the leadership of local governments.

His words: “Specifically, the President kicked against caretaker committees or sole administrators for the local government councils.

“So, Governor Fubara cannot, in his wildest imagination, continue to do as he pleases. He cannot continue to run the state without a budget.

“We will not stand aside and watch him violate the legal and constitutional agreement. We will not allow Fubara to disrespect the office of the President.

“Drafting a chairman or a sole administrator to oversee a local government is an aberration; only elected executives are recognised by law.

“Although no time frame was given for implementing the resolution, the governor cannot run the state without a budget.”

President Bola Tinubu has said his administration will continue to put in place measures to bring succour to Nigerians.

At a tripartite meeting with governors and business people in Abuja on Sunday, Mr Tinubu said that options would be explored to resolve the nation’s socio-economic challenges.

The President met with governors Charles Soludo of Anambra State and Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, Aliko Dangote, Abdulsamad Rabiu, Tony Elumelu and the Director-General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Segun Ajayi-Kadir.

At the meeting, Mr Tinubu said that the government was ready to rub minds with stakeholders to find lasting solutions to the current situation in the country.

Mr Tinubu said, “Let’s look at what we’re doing right and what we’re doing wrong to bring life back to the economy. Like I said, many times, the people of this country are only the people who we have to please.”

We are very much concerned from students to mothers and fathers, farmers, the traders and realising that everyone of us will have to fetch water from the same well. We are looking for additional efforts that might help the downtrodden Nigerians and we will provide that hope and reassurance that economic recovery is on its way. We are not saying that we have all the answers. But we will not be blamed for not trying. We assure Nigerians that we will do our best to get our marshal plans in place and fashion out the best economic future for this country.’’

Mr Soludo also said that the meeting allowed for cross fertilisation of ideas on the state of the economy and the way forward, adding that every Nigerian needs to contribute to its growth.”

We have all the potential and we have all that it takes to make Nigeria ride through these turbulent times and put the economy back on a sustainable growth path. I think there is unity of purpose, determination, the sense of patriotism and determination by all to make it happen and by the special grace of God, it’s now the execution, execution and execution,” he said.

The governor of Ogun State said that governors had resolved to join hands with the President to provide the necessary intervention to cushion the effect of the administration’s reforms.

Mr Abiodun assured Nigerians that the government at all tiers would not abandon them in this trying period, adding that better times were coming shortly.

He said, “In my state and in other states, we are bringing in rice, we’re bringing food items and we’re selling at rates that can be obtained before the downslide of the naira.”

Dangote, after the meeting, also disclosed that the committee deliberated on issues concerning the economy, food security, security and job creation.

He expressed the confidence that Nigeria and Nigerians have the potential to be great once again, adding that the nation was on the path of transformation.

Mr Rabiu, who is the Chairman of the BUA Group, said that the meeting dwelt on issues about the foreign exchange rate and how to bring it down.

He added, “We discussed how to bring the foreign exchange rate down because we all know that what is happening as regards the foreign exchange is artificial, it is manipulative and thank God the CBN is doing quite a lot.”

Mr Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings, said that the various discussions and solutions would reshape the country, alleviate poverty, create employment and put food on the tables of Nigerians.

Also, Mr Ajayi-Kadir of MAN, said that the private sector was looking forward to the implementation of the decisions taken at the meeting.

He stated, “The issues surrounding foreign exchange, insecurity and general operating environment were discussed and we received the assurances of Mr President that soon we are going to start to see some major changes. I think in the advisory committee that has been formed, the private sector will play a significant role, and Nigerians, going forward should be hopeful that we are having solutions to the challenges that we have.’’

Sen. Ireti Kingibe (LP-FCT) has provided 2000 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board(JAMB), forms for distribution to indigent students in the territory.

Ms Ireti said this when she spoke with journalists on Saturday in Abuja.

“The free forms are meant for students who cannot afford them, irrespective of their tribes, religions, party affiliation and so on.

“I urge potential beneficiaries to study hard and ensure good conduct not just in the examination hall alone but also when admitted into the university,”she said.

Ms Ireti re-affirmed her readiness to provide more interventions in the education sector in the FCT.

She added that such interventions were part of her Impact Development Programmes(IDP), for her constituency, Abuja.

Former National President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Olumide Akpata, has emerged as the Labour Party, LP, governorship candidate in Edo State.

Akpata won the LP primary election held in Benin City, the state capital, on Friday.

He was declared the winner of the primary after polling the highest number of votes.

Akpata scored 316 votes to defeat other aspirants in a landslide victory.

President Bola Tinubu has directed that policies impacting the welfare of Nigerians and the economy must be treated with urgency, diligence, and a strong sense of duty.

The president gave the directive at a meeting with the head of service, the body of permanent secretaries, and some directors-general of agencies on Thursday in Abuja.

He admonished senior civil servants to rededicate themselves to duty and work with dispatch on matters of citizens’ welfare towards improving the lives of Nigerians.

Mr Tinubu warned that ineffectiveness and unnecessary bureaucracy that delay interventions on the economy and programmes targeting vulnerable citizens would not be tolerated.

He directed that a monthly briefing by the head of service and submission of key performance indicator reports be made to his office for review.

Mr Tinubu added that quarterly interactive meetings between him and the permanent secretaries would be scheduled. He also mandated the head of service and the secretaries to consistently measure progress in actualising the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of his administration.

“Before the next meeting, I want to see progress in the civil service. I have been sending people to check the level of work that gets done. Service to the nation is extremely important. We are to change the narrative on Nigeria. You and I can change the perception about Africa, not just Nigeria.”

We might not get it 100 per cent right, but if we are focused, I think we can totally change and reshape the trajectory of our country in the right direction,’’ said the president.

Mr Tinubu urged public servants to always think and work with a generational understanding of their role in shaping national history.

He said he recognised that as the engine room of the government, their actions would affect more than 200 million people in the country and abroad.

“Let us make our children’s dreams come true. Why are we slowing that down? It is not just shameful. It is unacceptable. We made a pledge to bring our people out of poverty.”

You should not increase their vulnerability. Help Nigerians to get out of these problems, do not compound the tough situation with unacceptable delays,’’ the president explained.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the National Population Commission, NPC, to release details of expenses on the aborted 2023 Population Census to an Abuja based lawyer, Opatola Victor, within seven days.

Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo issued the order in Abuja on Thursday while delivering judgment in a suit instituted against the Commission.

The judge declared that the refusal by the NPC to release the information or records of spendings on the aborted census as requested by the lawyer on March 30, 2023, was wrongful, illegal and unconstitutional.

Justice Ekwo, who invoked Section 4 of the Freedom of Information Act, (FOI) in the judgment, held that the refusal of the Commission to provide the plaintiff with information on the companies that provided due diligence report on the technology to be deployed for the ill-fated census was a gross violation of the right of the plaintiff as enshrined in Section 4 of the FOI Act.

The court, however, refused to grant N500,000 in favour of the plaintiff as he requested in the suit.

In the judgment, the judge granted an order of mandamus compelling the NPC, its servants, agents privies and officials to furnish the lawyer with comprehensive and detailed information concerning the Quality Test Assurance Report on the devices and technology to be deployed for the postponed 2023 population census.

Justice Ekwo rejected the claim by the defendant that bureaucracy and the absence of the Commission’s executive chairman at the time were responsible for the refusal to make the requested records available to the plaintiff, adding that the claim was untenable.

The judge also dismissed the claim by the NPC that some of the requested information were classified, which prompted the refusal to make the records available to the plaintiff, adding that from the definition of classified information, there was nothing secret on the issue of population census.

Justice Ekwo also said that the position of the Commission that the record sought by the plaintiff was already in the public domain was not tenable because the request of the plaintiff was on record at the disposal of the NPC and not the one in the public domain.

The Abuja lawyer had, in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/ 503/2023, prayed the court for an order that the refusal of the Commission to make the record of spendings on the aborted population census among others, available to him was a breach of his rights under Section 4 of the FOI Act 2012.

He prayed the court for an order of mandamus compelling the population commission to make the requested records of the aborted 2023 population census available to him in line with the provisions of the FOI Act.

Although the plaintiff requested for a compensation of N500,000 for the breach of his rights by NPC under the FOI Act, Justice Ekwo turned down the request on the grounds that the Commission was not convicted for any offense.