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SDP Leaders Pay Tribute to Late General Jeremiah Useni

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1 month ago

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The leadership of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has paid tribute to the late Lieutenant-General Jeremiah Timbut Useni, describing his death as a great loss to Nigeria.

The party’s National Chairman, Shehu Gabam, led a delegation, including the SDP’s 2023 presidential candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo, on a condolence visit to the former FCT Minister’s residence in Abuja on yesterday.

Speaking during the visit, Mr. Gabam described General Useni as a patriot who served Nigeria with distinction.

“We lost a great man, a patriot, an excellent leader. Someone who has been tested and has served this country with dedication. We owe it to him, as a father of the nation, to come together and sympathize with his family,” he said.

He noted that the country has only a few individuals of General Useni’s calibre remaining and emphasized the need for younger generations to appreciate the sacrifices made by past leaders in nation-building.

“Many people today do not fully understand what leaders like him went through to keep Nigeria together. It is important to educate the younger generation on the efforts and struggles of those who came before them,” he added.

General Useni, a former military governor and minister, was widely regarded as a key figure in Nigeria’s history. He played significant roles in various political and military capacities, including serving as a senator.

Reflecting on his political career, Mr. Gabam said: “His political influence cannot be ignored, even though he was a military officer. As the presidential candidate has noted, you cannot write the history of the FCT without mentioning General Useni. He transformed Abuja into a place for all Nigerians, ensuring inclusivity in land allocation and development.”

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Mr. Gabam further highlighted General Useni’s impact on Plateau State and his home community, describing him as a “pan-Nigerian” who touched the lives of many.

Prince Adewole Adebayo, the SDP’s 2023 presidential candidate, also paid tribute, describing General Useni as a father figure.

“I used to visit him at this house while he was alive. In honor of his memory, there will be no political discussions here until after his burial,” he said.

He acknowledged General Useni’s contributions to Nigeria’s political and military history, spanning from the 1966 coup to his years in the Senate.

“General Useni saw all Nigerians as his own. In the army, he treated his colleagues as brothers. In politics, he served his community selflessly. As FCT Minister, he ensured that Abuja was accessible to both the rich and the poor,” Mr. Adebayo stated.

The SDP delegation emphasized that they had come not for political reasons but to show their respect for a man whose legacy will not be forgotten.

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National

FG extends civil service recruitment deadline to March 17

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9 hours ago

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March 10, 2025

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The Federal Government has extended the deadline for applications into the Federal Civil Service to March 17, 2025.

The Federal Civil Service Commission initially announced the recruitment exercise on January 27, 2025, offering over 70 positions across various ministries, departments, and agencies.

However, many citizens lamented difficulties accessing the recruitment portal, prompting widespread calls for an extension.

FCSC spokesperson, Hassan Taiwo acknowledged that some applicants encountered technical issues but maintained that others could register successfully.

In an advertisement published in two national dailies and shared by Taiwo on Monday, the commission announced that the new deadline supersedes the previous one, which was initially set for March 10, 2025.

“The Federal Civil Service Commission has extended the closing date for receiving applications for various vacancies in the Federal Civil Service to Monday, March 17, 2025, to allow more eligible candidates to participate in the exercise.”

This announcement supersedes the previous advertisement of Monday, January 27, 2025, in some national dailies, as well as the FCSC website (www.fedcivilservice.gov.ng), where the deadline was initially Monday, March 10, 2025.

 

“Qualified Nigerians are urged to take advantage of this extension and apply for the available vacancies.

“The Commission assures applicants of a merit-driven and transparent recruitment process,” it concluded.

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Nigeria, UAE to resolve visa for Nigerians

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14 hours ago

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March 10, 2025

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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that the Federal Government and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will resolve issues related to visa procurement for Nigerians seeking to travel to the UAE.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mrs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, made this known in a statement following the visit of Amb. Salem Alshamsi, the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu explained that the decision was made during a meeting with Alshamsi.

She acknowledged that Nigerians had faced difficulties in obtaining UAE visas, especially tourism visas.

This challenge, according to her, persisted in spite of the warm diplomatic relations and strategic partnerships between the two countries.

“Nigeria has remained committed to the relationship. The city of Dubai in the UAE has become a popular destination for many Nigerians.

“Officially, about 12,000 Nigerians live in the UAE, ranging from unskilled workers to professionals and students across various institutions,” she said.

She noted that in 2015, nearly a million Nigerians visited the UAE, particularly Dubai, spending between 100 million dollars to 150 million dollars on visas alone, and more than 1 billion dollars on shopping, school fees, tourism, and other activities.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu stressed the need for a more balanced economic relationship between both countries.

The minister further mentioned concerns regarding the current visa status for the UAE, noting that even some top Nigerian government officials had raised their concerns.

She also pointed out that a joint commission between the two countries was due after the one hosted by the UAE in 2022.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu expressed appreciation to the UAE government for their recent donation of relief materials to flood victims in Nigeria, as well as vaccines for chickenpox patients to support Nigeria’s health institutions.

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“There is a need to communicate the new visa policy, if any, to Nigerians.

“We want to reciprocate by hosting the joint commission in Nigeria, where we will address various bilateral issues, including power, renewable energy, and more,” she said.

Alshamsi congratulated Odumegwu-Ojukwu on her appointment and lauded the progress made in the 50-year Nigeria-UAE relationship.

He acknowledged that visas for both government officials and private individuals had been issued over the past year and a half, with the process handled by an appointed agent.

He assured that the UAE was committed to resolving the visa challenges faced by Nigerians and emphasised that both countries would work together to foster stronger economic partnerships.

“We have issued more than 700 tourism visas since July 2024, and I have had zero visa rejections since I assumed office,” Alshamsi stated.

He also promised to continue signing agreements to further strengthen bilateral ties, with a major agreement expected to be signed ahead of the Nigerian president’s visit to the UAE in the second quarter of 2025.(NAN)

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Abacha’s Family Rejects Babangida’s Claim On June 12 Election Annulment

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14 hours ago

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March 10, 2025

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The family of a deceased former Nigerian military leader,General Sani Abacha has said their patriarch was neither the Head of State nor the Commander-in-Chief when the June 12, 1993, presidential election was annulled.

According to the family, the decision to annul the election was made under the administration of General Ibrahim Babangida, who, as the then Head of State, held absolute executive powers and was solely responsible for his government’s actions.

Babangida, popularly known as IBB, alleged in his recently launched book, “A Journey in Service,” that the late General Abacha was responsible for annulling the June 12, 1993, presidential election.

However, refuting the claims, Mohammed Abacha said any attempt to shift that blame to the late General, a senior military officer within the regime, was a deliberate distortion of historical facts.

Mohammed said the memory of their late father and leader, General Abacha, must not be tarnished by baseless accusations meant to absolve those who were truly responsible.

“Our attention has been drawn to recent claims made by former Head of State, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, in his newly launched book, “A Journey in Service”, where he alleged that the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election was the responsibility of the late General Sani Abacha.

“These claims have sparked widespread controversy and necessitate a clear response from the immediate family of General Sani Abacha and the entire Abacha clan in the interest of historical accuracy and justice.

“It is important to state unequivocally that General Sani Abacha was neither the Head of State nor the Commander-in-Chief when the June 12 election was annulled. The decision to revoke the election was made under the administration of General Ibrahim Babangida, who, as the then Head of State, held absolute executive powers and was solely responsible for his government’s actions.

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“Any attempt to shift this blame onto General Sani Abacha, who was a very senior military officer within the regime, is a deliberate distortion of historical facts.

“For years, various actors have attempted to rewrite the history of that critical period in Nigeria’s democratic evolution. However, the facts remain unchanged. We urge Nigerians to be wary of revisionist narratives that seek to manipulate public perception for personal or political reasons. The memory of our late father and leader, General Sani Abacha, must not be tarnished by baseless accusations meant to absolve those who were truly responsible.

“Furthermore, we wish to emphasise that despite this unfortunate attempt to shift blame, General Sani Abacha remained a faithful and loyal friend to General Ibrahim Babangida until his death. He was a man of unwavering commitment to his comrades. We also find it necessary to state that when General Babangida’s life was under threat, General Abacha came to his rescue, ensuring his safety.

“We take this opportunity to express our heartfelt appreciation to the many Nigerians who have risen in defence of General Sani Abacha to set the record straight. Your unwavering commitment to truth and historical accuracy is deeply appreciated, and we acknowledge the outpouring of support from those who refuse to allow history to be distorted.

“As we reflect on Nigeria’s history, we acknowledge General Sani Abacha’s time in leadership and his role in the nation’s development. Like past leaders, his contributions remain part of our country’s history. We believe that history is best judged with fairness and objectivity,” he added.

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