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Tinubu cancels 72nd birthday celebration, urges well-wishers to donate to charity

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President Bola Tinubu, who will be turning 72 on Friday March 29, said he will not be hosting a birthday event.

He also stated that he does not want any of his associates and numerous well-wishers across the country to organise any celebratory event on his behalf or in his name.

This was made known in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Sunday, March 24.

The statement reads: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will turn 72 on Friday March 29, 2024. The day will be another important milestone in his life as a leader and a statesman.

“During an auspicious occasion as this, it is customary for family members, friends and associates to celebrate him in different ways.

“As the leader of our country, President Tinubu in deference to this challenging times will not host any birthday event and does not want any of his associates and numerous well-wishers across the country to organise any celebratory event on his behalf or in his name.

“President Tinubu appreciates the honour of being the leader of Africa’s leading nation at this time and he is working very hard to make life better for the generality of our people.

“According to him, because of the present mood of the nation and recent killing of the officers and men of our Army and Police in Delta State and recent spate of security breaches by criminal elements in different parts of Nigeria, there should be no form of birthday event and placing of birthday goodwill advertorial messages in newspapers. Goodwill messages should not be placed on radio and television stations too.

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“President Tinubu enjoins friends and associates who may wish to place goodwill advertorials to kindly donate the money to charity organisations of their choice in his name.

“Although the President appreciates the gallantry of our armed forces in freeing our children kidnapped in Kuriga, Kaduna State and in Sokoto State, he will use the opportunity of his birthday to reflect and re-dedicate himself to the task of building a more stable, more secure, virile, prosperous and united Nigeria.“

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Rev. Joseph Habap Elected Chairman Of Northern CAN

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By Abubakar Yunusa

A The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has elected new executives, with Rev. Joseph Habap emerging as Chairman.

The new leadership will oversee the association’s affairs for the next five years.

In his acceptance speech during the unopposed election in Abuja, Rev. Habap reaffirmed his commitment to integrity, unity, and transparency.

He emphasised that his administration would not be driven by greed but by service to the Christian community and Nigeria as a whole.

“We will not allow greed to take over our conscience. We will always be proud of you, and we will make you proud. I want my children to grow up and be proud of their father, son, and son-in-law with integrity,” he said.

He stressed that CAN is an organisation for Christians, believers, Nigerian unity, and progress. He assured members that his leadership would foster dialogue and cooperation with churches across different denominations.

Rev. Habap acknowledged the contributions of the outgoing leadership and called on them to support the new administration. He urged Christian leaders to respect leadership transitions and avoid conflicts during handovers.

“This was not a coup. It was simply a day for them to leave. If we start respecting leadership transitions, we will set a good example for others. Unlike the political class that seeks tenure elongation, we will serve our term and leave,” he stated.

He also underscored the role of the church in promoting truth, peace, and unity, assuring that CAN would engage constructively with the government without hostility.

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“We will speak truth to power, but we are not enemies of the government. We want every administration to succeed, and we will contribute to that success by offering honest counsel,” he added.

Bishop Stephen Adegbite, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), congratulated the new CAN leadership and reiterated the importance of religious harmony.

He highlighted the government’s commitment to supporting both Christian and Muslim communities.

“Mr. President is not a religious bigot. What he promised Muslims, he has also done for Christians. We have ensured that chairmen from all states can participate in pilgrimages free of charge. Nigeria remains one indivisible entity, and we must stay together,” he said.

He further urged prayers for the country’s leadership, adding that his office would continue to promote interfaith relations in line with the president’s vision.

Some of the newly elected officials include:Chairman: Rev. Joseph John Habap,Vice Chairman: Rev. Dr. Jonah Samson TEKAN (ECWA, FCT),Secretary: Bishop Mohammed Naga (PFN/CPFN, Borno State),Assistant Secretary: Ven. Tajudeen Azeeze Afolabi (OAIC Bloc, Zamfara State),
Treasurer: Rev. Fr. Polycarp Lubo (CSN Bloc, Plateau State), and Director, National Issues: Pastor Dr. Simon A.S Dolly (CCN Bloc, Nasarawa State)

The new leadership has pledged to strengthen CAN’s presence in Abuja, ensuring that Northern CAN is more visible at the national level.

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Senate accuses CBN of obstructing probe into N30trn Ways and Means

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The Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Ways and Means Advance has accused the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) of frustrating its investigation into the N30 trillion Ways and Means Advance and the Anchor Borrowers’ programme under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

The committee made the accusation after receiving an interim report from its consultants at a meeting where they expressed frustration over the bank’s failure to provide crucial documents required for the probe. The committee, which was inaugurated a year ago by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, stated that the delay has significantly stalled progress on the investigation.

Chairman of the committee, Senator Isah Jibrin, criticised the CBN for withholding vital information, despite multiple requests, revealing major infractions with the preliminary reports of the CBN.

He dismissed speculations that the Senate had been compromised or gone to sleep, reaffirming its commitment to ensuring accountability and transparency in the management of public funds.

“The information we have here is not different from what we have heard all along. What we did was to hand over the documents to the consultants, and when the consultants made available to us this interim report, our intention was to hold onto the interim report on the final report,” he said.

“But we’ve been compelled to make available this interim report to the general public so that they know that we let them know where the problem is, and the problem is that the Central Bank of Nigeria has denied us consistently the documents that we need to complete this assignment. That is the truth.

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“It was at the CBN sometimes, I met Bala the deputy governor. And they promised, but nothing came out of it. The Clerk has been there several times. Nothing has come out of it. The consultants themselves even took it upon themselves to go with CBN directly, because we introduced them to CBN and nothing has come out of it.”

Although Hamisu Abdullahi, the Director of Banking Services at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), claimed that the apex bank had provided all the requested documents, Senator Isah Jibrin, the committee chairman, refuted the claim, insisting that the facts tell a different story.

The committee issued a strong warning to the CBN representatives, emphasizing the need for full disclosure of how the funds were utilized to address Nigeria’s economic challenges.

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Police begin recruitment medical screening

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The Zonal Police Command, Onikan, Lagos, has announced the start of medical screening for constables as part of the police recruitment process.

The Zonal Public Relations Officer (ZPRO), CSP Umma Ayuba, confirmed this in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos.

Ayuba confirmed that the medical screening would begin on Wednesday

The police recruitment medical screening for constables will take place nationwide from Feb. 26 to March 12.

Prospective candidates from Lagos and Ogun States should note that the screening will be held at Police College, Ikeja.

Candidates are advised to visit the recruitment portal at https://apply.policerecruitment.gov.ng to verify their status, date, time, and other requirements.

Applicants must appear in a clean white T-shirt and shorts, bringing their national identity card, medical examination slip, and all necessary documents.

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police for Zone 2, AIG Adegoke Fayoade, wished all candidates success in the screening process.

Fayoade also reminded candidates that the screening exercise is free of charge and warned them not to make any payments to anyone.

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