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Tinubu swears in RMAFC, FCC commissioners, permanent secretaries

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President Bola Tinubu on Monday presided over the swearing-in of newly appointed members of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), the Federal Character Commission (FCC), and the National Population Commission (NPC).

President Tinubu also swore in eight former directors in the Federal Civil Service as Permanent Secretaries (PS).

Twenty-one members of the RMAFC, along with one new member each for the FCC and the NPC, took their oaths of office at the Council Chamber before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.

The newly appointed permanent secretaries from eight states passed a rigorous selection process, including a written and oral examination and an ICT competency test.

Among the permanent secretaries was Dr Onwusoro Ihemelandu, an optometrist from Abia and a World Bank-certified procurement expert.

Ihemelandu joined the Federal Civil Service in 1997 as a Senior Optometrist with the Federal Ministry of Health and later transitioned into the procurement cadre.

Also sworn in was Mr Philip Ndiomu, from Bayelsa. He holds a Bachelor’s in Animal Science from Rivers State University of Science and Technology and a Master’s degree in the same field from the University of Ibadan.

Ndiomu joined the Federal Civil Service in 1992 as an Agricultural Officer with the Directorate for Foods, Roads, and Rural Infrastructure (DFRRI).

Also appointed was Dr Anuma Nlia, a medical doctor from Ebonyi State, also a healthcare administrator.

Nila holds a Master’s in Medical Microbiology and is a Medical College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Fellow at the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria.

Also sworn in as PS was Mr Chinasa Nnam Ogbodo, an accountant from Enugu State, who joined the Federal Civil Service in 1993.

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He rose to become Director of Finance and Accounts in 2017. He held various roles in the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, the National Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission, and the Ministry of Transportation.

Before becoming Permanent Secretary, Ogbodo was Director of Special Duties in the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation.

Dr Kalba Usman, a medical doctor from Gombe State, also made the rank of PS. He joined the Federal Civil Service in 2008 as an Assistant Director and became a Director in 2017.

Kalba is a Fellow of the West African College of Surgeons and the first Nigerian Fellow of the World Endourology Society from the United States.

Dr Salihu Aminu Usman, from Kebbi State, who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, a Master’s in Business Management, and a Ph.D. in Management, was also sworn in as PS.

Usman began his career in 1995 with the Kebbi State Local Government Service, where he advanced to the position of Director of Finance and Internal Audit.

Another permanent secretary sworn in was Patience Oyekunle from Rivers, a holder of a bachelor’s and master’s in Biochemistry.

She joined the Federal Civil Service in 2013 as an Assistant Director (Administration) and rose to Director in 2022. She served various ministries, including Agriculture, Aviation, and Humanitarian Affairs.

Similarly, Mr Nadungu Gagare, an agricultural engineer from Kaduna State, was sworn in as PS.

He began his career in the Federal Civil Service with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and rose to Director in 2022.

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The new RMAFC Commissioners sworn in are: Nkechi Linda, Abia; Barr Imo Akpan, Akwa Ibom; Hon. Ekene Enefe, Anambra State; Prof. Steve Ugbah, Benue; Ntufam Whiley, Cross River and Aruviere Egharhevwa, Delta.

Mr Henry Nduka Awuregu, Ebonyi; Victor Eboigbe, Edo; Hon. Omowumi Ogunlola, Ekiti State; Hon. Chief Ozo Obumneme Obodougo, Enugu State; and Mohammed Kabeer Usman, Gombe State, were also sworn in.

Others are: Kabir Muhammad Mashi, Katsina State; Hon. Adamu Fanda, Kano State; Prof. Olusegun Wright, Lagos State; Aliyu Abdulkadir, Nasarawa State; Ibrahim Shettima, Niger; Akeem Amosun, Ogun; Dr Nathaniel Adojutelegan, Ondo State; Hon. Sa’ad Bello, Plateau; Madu-Aji Juluri, Yobe; and Bello Garba, Zamfara.

Mr Kayode Oladele was sworn in as the FCC’s Federal Commissioner, while Pastor (Mrs) Iyantan Victoria took the oath as the NPC’s federal commissioner. (NAN)

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National

FG extends civil service recruitment deadline to March 17

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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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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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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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