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Recruitment: Senate probes MDAs’ compliance with federal character principle

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The Senate has mandated its Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs to investigate the compliance by ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) with federal character principle, in line with sections 14(3) and 14 (4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The upper chamber said that the investigative hearing was to ensure fair and equitable representation across all zones and ethnic groups in appointments, promotions and recruitment.

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Sen. Osita Ngwu (PDP-Enugu) at plenary on Tuesday in Abuja.

Ngwu, in the motion entitled: “Urgent need to address systemic abuse and ineffective implementation of federal character principle in Nigeria’s public sector”, said systemic abuse had become a major challenge to achieving balance and equity within Nigeria’s public service.

He said that the challenge was due to limited recruitment opportunities, skewed promotions based solely on years of service and insufficient avenues for worker-mobility outside the public sector.

According to him, the federal character principle mandates fair representation in federal appointments to reflect linguistic, religious and geographic diversity of the country.

Ngwu quoted section 14(3) and (4) of the constitution as stipulating that “no predominance of persons from a few states or from a few ethnic or sectional groups should exist within the federal government or its agencies.

He said that despite the focus on geographical quotas, imbalances still persisted with some institutions, often relocating problems rather than resolving them, while certain zones remained under-represented.

The senator expressed concern that the process of addressing public sector disparities had been undermined by institutional inertia and lack of accountability.

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This, he said, was particularly prevalent in the area of recruitments at senior levels and influenced more by internal preferences than by merit and fairness.

“The quota system has, in many cases, created confusion between merit-based recruitment and equitable state representation, to the detriment of discipline, morale and institutional efficiency,” he said.

The lawmaker said that the constitutional criteria for equitable distribution of employment required that each state contributes its proportionate quota of 2.75 per cent to the national workforce.

“The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) account for 1.00 per cent of the workforce, while catchment areas are to address localised recruitment for junior staff up to 75 per cent of positions,” he said.

He also said that Order 96(27)(b) of the senate rule 2023 and sections 62, 88, 89, 143-(4) of the constitution gave its committee power of legislative oversight on matters relating to implementation and monitoring of policy on federal character.

Ngwu alleged that various federal institutions had consistently failed to adhere to federal character mandates, often by-passing regulations in their recruitment exercises, adding that evidences abound.

He listed some of the agencies to include: Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and its subsidiaries like Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

Others, he said, were NAFDAC, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), National Pension Commission (PenCom), Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) and Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA).

He also listed Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN),Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) and National Library of Nigeria (NLN) among those flouting the federal character principle.

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He said that the contempt emanating from the foregoing, if unchecked, would continually erode efficacy of section 14(d)(e) of the Legislative Houses Powers and Privileges Act, 2017, Part 1(1)-(2) of the Subsidiary Legislation 23 of 1997 and section 11(2) of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.

Ngwu expressed concern that the Federal Character Commission (FCC), although constitutionally empowered, remained hindered by chronic underfunding, political interference and limited enforcement capabilities.

The senate, following intense debates from Sens. Abba Moro,(PDP-Benue), Adamu Aliero (PDP-Kebbi), Seriake Dickson (PDP-Bayelsa), Olalere Oyewumi (PDP-Osun), Victor Umeh (LP-Anambra), Anthony Ani (APC- Ebonyi),Adams Oshiomhole (APC-Edo), mandated the committee to turn in its report in three months. (NAN)

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Troops Crack down on Crude Oil Thieves, Foil Attack in Anambra, Abia, Imo

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The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) yesterday stated that troops of Operation Delta Safe have sustained their operational tempo against crude oil thieves and other criminals in the Niger Delta, recording significant successes in their efforts to curb illicit activities in the region.

A statement by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, revealed that troops recovered a substantial quantity of stolen crude oil, illegally refined AGO, and PMS, totalling 392,174 litres, 138,757 litres, and 830 litres, respectively.

He stated that the troops also discovered and destroyed 29 crude oil cooking ovens, 31 dugout pits, 48 boats, 21 storage tanks, 18 drums, and 16 illegal refining sites.

Additionally, they recovered various items, including pumping machines, drilling machines, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones and four vehicles.

The operation, according to General Kangye, resulted in the arrest of 11 oil thieves and other criminals, with assorted arms and ammunition, as well as dynamites, also being recovered.

In related developments, troops conducted successful offensive operations, arresting six criminals, including a suspected kidnapping kingpin, and recovering a locally made pistol and live cartridges.

The Director also stressed that troops rescued two kidnapped hostages and recovered a vehicle during counter-kidnapping and anti-criminality operations in Ndokwa West LGA of Delta State.

These successes, he said, demonstrate the effectiveness of Operation Delta Safe in combating crude oil theft and other criminal activities in the Niger Delta.

Meanwhile, troops of Operation Udo Ka foiled planned kidnapping and terrorism attacks in Anambra, Imo, and Abia states, arresting several suspects and rescuing kidnapped victims.

According to Kangye, “On 20 and 21 March 2025, troops conducted offensive operations in Igbariam Local Government Area of Anambra State and Owerri Municipal Local Government Area of Imo State, resulting in the arrest of three suspected terrorists/kidnappers and the rescue of four attempted kidnapped victims.”

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He stated that troops also recovered arms and ammunition, including several Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and live cartridges, as well as a vehicle and tricycle.

He said that troops arrested many extremists in Imo and Enugu states, recovering one pump-action gun, live cartridges, and some quantities of illicit drugs.

Additionally, troops rescued a kidnapped victim in Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia State, arresting the suspects and recovering a locally made pistol and a tricycle.

Also, troops of Operation Hadin Kai recorded significant successes against ISWAP/JAS terrorists in the North-east region.

Kangye said that between 21 and 26 March 2025, scores of terrorists, including adult males, females, and children, surrendered to troops following intense military operations.

He revealed that troops also conducted offensive operations in various locations, including Konduga, Gwoza, and Bama, resulting in the neutralisation of several terrorists, the apprehension of others, and the rescue of kidnapped hostages.

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Afghan Taliban release nearly 2,500 prisoners ahead of Eid

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Afghanistan’s Taliban government released nearly 2,500 prisoners ahead of celebrations marking the end of Ramadan, the supreme court said on Saturday, in a country where the UN has warned of a growing prison population.

The exact number of prisoners held by various security bodies in Afghanistan is unclear, but a spokesman for the Office of Prison Administration (OPA) told AFP on Saturday between 11,000 and 12,000 convicted prisoners were in the authority’s custody.

Around the same number are in detention awaiting trial, sentencing or appeal, spokesman Mohamad Nasim Lalahand added.

The supreme court said on X that “2,463 prisoners who were eligible for amnesty were released, while 3,152 others received sentence reductions” as per a decree by the Taliban supreme leader.

The release of prisoners convicted of minor crimes is common practice ahead of the Eid al-Fitr holiday, expected to start on Sunday or Monday.

Last year, Taliban authorities released around 2,800 prisoners ahead of the end of Ramadan, local media reported.

Last October, the United Nations mission to Afghanistan, UNAMA, said it was informed by the OPA that the prison population was growing, “with more detainees admitted daily than are released”.

UNAMA warned of high volumes of arrests and lengthy jail-time sentences putting “unsustainable pressure on prison facilities”.

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Tsafe residents applaud defence Matawalle as Military eliminates bandit leader

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Residents of Tsafe in Zamfara State have expressed gratitude to the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, following the successful elimination of the notorious bandit leader, Dan Isuhu.

The community hailed the development as a significant step towards restoring security in the region.

In a statement signed by its chairman, Engr Muhammad Hussaini, residents attributed the success to Dr Matawalle’s strategic directives, which have bolstered military operations against terrorist elements, including the notorious bandit kingpin, Bello Turji.

Dan Isuhu, known for orchestrating kidnappings, killings and other criminal activities, had terrorised communities across Tsafe, Funtua and Gusau for years.

He said ” His death is considered a major breakthrough in the fight against insecurity in Zamfara.

“Dr Matawalle has been instrumental in driving intensified military operations in the state, ensuring the dismantling of criminal networks and the liberation of affected communities from the grip of banditry.”

With Dan Isuhu eliminated, residents are optimistic that it is only a matter of time before Bello Turji, the most wanted terrorist in the region, is brought to justice. As military efforts continue, there is renewed hope that Zamfara will soon experience lasting peace after years of violent attacks.

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