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FG Targets April 2023 To Conduct National Census …May Pardon 159 Convicts …Bestow National Honours On 434

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The Federal Government has said it is targeting to hold a national census on April, 2023, after the general election, slated for February and March, 2023.
The National Population Commission (NPC) is to conduct a Pilot Census in June after political parties’ primary elections.
The last census was held in August, 2006.
The Director-General of Nigeria Population Commission (NPC), Nasir Isa-Kwarra, made the disclosure at the end of the Council of State meeting, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday.
The NPC boss disclosed that the commission will deploy high technology in conducting the National Census.
He said through census data is generated for planning, noting that the data currently being used are mere projections and obsolete.
Isa-Kwarra said: “It is very crucial because I have highlighted that the census is a very important exercise for the nation. Because through census we generate the data that we use for policymaking, planning, for development, by the three tiers of government, and the private sector, they all need this.
“If you are a private sector, you’re producing something; certainly, you need to know the population of an area if you want to create a market there.
“So, census data is very crucial, very important. Because, the data we’ve been using are just projections and estimation and are sort of obsolete, we need the actual census data to use for our planning.”
The Jigawa State Governor, Abubakar Badaru, on his part disclosed that Buhari would meet security chiefs next Tuesday over the worsening security situation following recommendations and comments by the Council of State.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, on his part said the Council of State approved 159 out of 162 applications presented for consideration for the prerogative of mercy for convicts and inmates in correctional centres.
The council, he said, rejected a proposal to grant a pardon to one of the prisoners sentenced to 120 years for stealing over N25billion.
The reason for seeking pardon was because of a life-threatening illness.
Although the AGF didn’t mention the name of the convict, a source privy meeting said, the person in question is the former MD of Bank PHB, Francis Atuche.
The second person was converted for forgery, sentenced to 14 years and has stayed in prison for a year and six months.
The third person was obtaining money by false pretence and was sentenced to seven years.
The Minister of Special Duties, George Akume, on his part, said the council approved the conferment of the National Honours Award on 434 Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in their various fields of endeavours.
Earlier, the meeting observed a minute silence in honour of the former head of the Interim Government, Ernest Shonekan who died on January 11, 2022.
This is the fourth time the president will preside over the meeting, with the first being held on October 21, 2015, and the second on September 7, 2016, and the third was held virtually in August, 2020.
The Council of State is an organ of the Federal Government saddled with the responsibility of advising the executive on policy-making matters.
Members of the council include the vice president, past presidents, Senate president, House of Representatives speaker, Chief Justice of Nigeria, serving and past.
Others are the Attorney General of the Federation, all state governors and the minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Those in attendance at the meeting were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Secretary to the government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno; and Chief of Staff to the President, Prof Ibrahim Gambari.
Former heads of state physically in attendance were Gen Yakubu Gowon, Gen Abdusalami Abubakar and Goodluck Jonathan.
Others attended the meeting virtually from their various locations.
State governors in attendance are Hope Uzodinma (Imo), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Bello Matawalle (Zamfara), and Nasir el-Rufai (Kaduna), amongst others.
Other governors attended virtually.

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NDDC Begins N50,000 Monthly Payment To 10,000 N’Delta Youths 

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The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has begun the payment of N50,000 monthly stipends to 10,000 indigenous youths from the Niger Delta under its Youths Internship Scheme.

The Director of Corporate Affairs at the NDDC, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, disclosed this to journalists in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, yesterday.

She explained that the beneficiaries would undergo practical, hands-on training across the various organisations for 12 months to develop critical skills.

Recall that during the inauguration of the scheme on July 31, 2024, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, had announced the Federal Government’s approval of a N50,000 monthly stipend for the trainees.

According to Thompson-Wakama, the commission has successfully completed the selection process and has begun placing trainees in organisations to gain practical experience.

“Consequently, with the completion of these phases, the payment of the monthly stipends has also commenced,” she announced.

She revealed that the 10,000 beneficiaries were transparently selected from over 3.2 million youths who registered for the empowerment programme.

“This unprecedented response highlights the immense potential and aspirations of our youths to improve themselves.

“NDDC remains steadfast in ensuring this life-changing opportunity reaches the most deserving candidates, creating a lasting impact and paving the way for a brighter future,” she stated.

Thompson-Wakama explained that the scheme had enabled the commission to collate essential data, including the qualifications, skills, interests, needs, and employment status of the youths in the region.

The data, she explained, would guide the commission in designing programmes tailored to address the unique challenges faced by young people.

She disclosed that the NDDC partnered with KPMG, a global audit and consultancy firm, to enhance the commission’s corporate governance framework.

“KPMG has produced a Governance Advisory Report that will serve as a tool to support the commission’s transition from a transaction-based to a transformation-focussed policy,” Thompson-Wakama added.

The director commended the youths for their patience and cooperation during the selection process for the scheme.

  

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Fubara Attends PDPGF Meeting In Asaba …..Back Court Verdict On National Secretary Position

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Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, last Friday, attended the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum (PDP-GF) meeting in Asaba, the Delta State capital.

 

The Rivers State Governor, who is the Vice Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, attended the meeting, alongside 10 other Governors of the party’s controlled states across the six geopolitical zones of the country.

 

The first PDPGF meeting in 2025, was held at the Government House in Asaba, at the end of which a seven-point resolution was reached.

 

Reading the communique at the end of the meeting, the Chairman of the Forum, and Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed urged the National Working Committee (NWC) to put every machinery in place to ensure a hitch-free NEC meeting on March 13, 2025.

 

The communique stated:

“The Forum, having examined all the notices required by law to be given to validly convoke NEC, advised NWC to reschedule NEC to the thirteenth (13Th) of March 2025.”

 

The Forum further noted the Court of Appeal judgment affirming Udeh Okoye as the National Secretary of the party, saying that as a party that believes in the rule of law, it will respect the position of the Appellate Court on the matter.

 

“The Forum noted with delight the ongoing efforts at resolving the crisis in the National Working Committee, NWC, on the position of the National Secretary, and has reaffirmed its support for the Court of Appeal judgment; consequently, the Forum advised the NWC to set up the machinery for the effective implementation of the court judgment.

 

“While commending the country’s valiant and patriotic Armed Forces and Security Agencies for maintaining the frontline in securing the country and the gains of our gallant personnel against bandits in parts of the country, the Forum viewed with deep concern, the resurgence of brazen non-state actors. It, therefore, calls for the strengthening of the nation’s security architecture.”

 

Governors in attendance include: H.E Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed (Bauchi State); H.E Sir Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers State) – Vice Chairman; H.E Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta State) – Host; H.E Dr. Agbu Kefas (Taraba State); H.E Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa State); and H.E Dr. Dauda Lawal (Zamfara State).

 

Others are H.E Senator Ademola Adeleke (Osun State); H.E Senator Douye Diri (Bayelsa State); H.E Pastor Umo Eno Ph.D (Akwa Ibom State); H.E Dr. Peter Mbah (Enugu State); H.E Barr. Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau State);

and H.E Bayo Lawal (Deputy Governor, Oyo State), who represented Governor Seyi Makinde.

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NGO Implants Free Pacemakers Into 22 Cardiac Patients In PH

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A United States based Non Governmental Organisation, Cardiovascular Education Forum, in collaboration with the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), has successfully implanted free pacemakers into 22 patients with different cardiac cases in Port Harcourt.

 

This is in a bid to save lives and encourage patients with low heartbeats to live longer.

 

The implantable device, which costs $20,000 each, was inserted free of charge on the selected patients.

 

Speaking during a Special Hospital Ground Rounds at the UPTH with its Theme, “Recent Advances in Cardiac Pacing,” a cardiac Physiologist, Dr Neil Grub, said the NGO was in Nigeria to  improve training and learning on cardiac issues and help patients with cardiac problems.

 

Accompanied by a team of experts comprising a cardiologist and cardiac device implanter, Dr Jagdeep Siagh, and  UPTH interventional cardiologist, Dr Edafe Emmanuel, Dr Grubb said pacemakers were inserted on patients with low heartbeats to boost their heart rates.

 

Earlier, the Chief Medical Director, UPTH, Prof Henry Arinze Ugboma, said each of the implantable devices cost over $20,000.

 

Ugboma, represented by the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, UPTH, Prof Datonye Alasia, said the partnership between UPTH and the foreign NGO was to build networks, and improve services in terms of healthcare delivery, training and learning.

 

According to him, there is now a ray of hope in terms of treatment of patients with cardiovascular cases in the hospital.

 

He said the UPTH started the collaboration with Cardiovascular Education Forum in 2018 to boost health, training and learning on cardiac health.

 

He assured that, “in coming years, the scale of our collaboration with the mission will be higher.”

Chinedu Wosu

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