NEWS
Police Recruitment: PSC Decries Reluctance Of Southeast Youths
The Police Service Commission (PSC) has called on the youths in the southeastern part of Nigeria to give more serious thoughts to pursuing careers in the Nigerian Police Force (NPF).
This was contained in a statement from the PSC on Wednesday, signed by its Head, Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani in which he gave an update on the applications so far received in the ongoing recruitment exercise for General Duty Constables (GDC).
Ani pointed out that while Kaduna and Adamawa States were leading as at day nine of the exercise with 20,259 and 18,933 applications respectively, Anambra and Ebonyi States led from the back with 541 and 737 applicants in that order.
At the moment the statement has it, “Meanwhile 242, 391 males have already completed their applications while only 35,405 females have registered their presence.”
The statement cited Chairman, PSC, Solomon Arase (IGP, Rtd) as expressing concern at the lethargy of the youths of the southeast, in the ongoing exercise.
According to, “the leadership of the zone ought to find a way of convincing its youths to embrace the opportunity of the ongoing recruitment has provided.”
It read, “Kaduna State is currently leading in the number of applications already received as at day 9 in the ongoing recruitment exercise for General Duty Constables into the Nigeria Police Force.
“20,259 Kaduna State youths have already completed the online applications to lead the table while Anambra State leads from behind with only 541 applications.
“Following Kaduna state at the top are Adamawa State with 18,933 applications; Borno state with 18,305; Bauchi state, 16,554; Katsina state, 16,232 and Kano state, 15,888.
“Next to Anambra State from the rear are; Ebonyi, 737; Abia, 966 and Imo 999. Bayelsa, has 1020; Enugu, 1036; Lagos, 1259; Delta, 1338 and Edo 1526.
“Meanwhile 242, 391 males have already completed their applications while only 35,405 females have registered their presence.
“The Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Solomon Arase, CFR, retired Inspector General of Police has expressed concern in the continued disinterest of South East youths in pursuing a career in the Nigeria Police Force.
“Dr. Arase noted that the South East, currently a hot bed for non-state-actors’ rebellion in the country should have been in the forefront to join the Nigeria Police Force and bring indigenous solution to the menace.
“He called on the leadership of the zone to find a way of convincing its youths to embrace the opportunity of the ongoing recruitment has provided.
“The PSC Chairman said it will be difficult for any body to listen to cries of marginalisation from leaders of the zone if they choose to remain indifferent to Government’s generous decision to offer employments to Nigerian youths into the Police Force.
“He said they should maximise the remaining five weeks open for their youths to get into the train.”
NEWS
Tinubu To Attend Africa Heads of State Energy Summit In Tanzania
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja on Sunday, January 26, 2025, to participate in the Africa Heads of State Energy Summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The two-day summit, scheduled for January 27-28, 2025, is aimed at advancing “Mission 300,” a pan-African initiative to provide electricity to 300 million people across the continent by 2030.
Hosted by the Tanzanian government in collaboration with the African Development Bank Group and the World Bank, the summit will bring together African leaders, private sector stakeholders, development partners, and civil society organizations.
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The goal is to develop strategies for accelerating energy access in underserved regions, increasing renewable energy adoption, and mobilizing private sector investment.
According to a statement released on Saturday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President, the summit will serve as a platform for sharing expertise, knowledge, and resources to address Africa’s energy challenges.
The first day of the summit will feature ministerial-level discussions, during which participating nations, including Nigeria, will present their national energy strategies, or “compacts,” detailing their plans to achieve universal energy access within five years.
On the second day, African Heads of State will sign the Dar es Salaam Energy Declaration, a unified roadmap for achieving the goals of Mission 300.
President Tinubu is expected to deliver a national statement reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to universal energy access and its leadership role in the continent’s energy sector.
He will also highlight Nigeria’s ongoing clean energy initiatives and integrated energy delivery strategies aimed at fostering sustainable development across Africa.
Accompanying the president will be key government officials, including Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu, and Special Adviser to the President on Energy Olu Verheijen.
President Tinubu is set to return to Abuja immediately after the summit concludes.
NEWS
Italy Collaborates With Edo To Combat Irregular Migration
The menace of illegal migration is getting diplomatic attention from the Italian authorities and the Edo State Government.
The Chief Press Secretary to Edo State Governor, Fred Itua divulged this in a government house statement issued in Benin City on Saturday.
He explained that the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, Edesili Anani had expressed the readiness of the Governor, Monday Okpebholo-led administration to tackle the menace of irregular migration among youths in the state.
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It was gathered that Anani made the stance public on Friday in Government House, Benin City, when Dr. Alberto Cilala, a consultant to the European Union and President of Mattei Africa for Humanitarian Aids Initiative in Italy, led a delegation to her office.
Welcoming the delegation, she highlighted the importance of collaboration to address the challenges posed by irregular migration.
The Coordinator expressed her gratitude to the delegation, and emphasized the transformative impact the partnership will bring to Edo State.
In her words, “This initiative will reduce unemployment, create job opportunities, and address human trafficking and irregular migration. It will also enhance education, skills acquisition, agricultural investment, and infrastructural development for our people.”
On his part, Dr. Cilala emphasized that the Mattei Plan would provide valuable skills to Edo State residents, including tailoring, furniture-making, shoemaking, and more.
“The Mattei Plan was launched by the Italian Government with a focus on six key sectors: education and training, health, security, agriculture, and renewable energy. The goal is to promote integrated development and improve living conditions, particularly in rural areas.
“These projects will be fully funded by the Italian Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Labour,” he stated.
Former Senior Special Assistant to the Edo State Government on Anti-Human Trafficking and Irregular Migration, Solomon Okoduwa, in his remarks, said the Mattei Plan prioritizes practical measures to reduce irregular migration and human trafficking.
“Although nine African countries are involved in this initiative, Edo State is a crucial partner for Italy. This partnership will strengthen bilateral relations under the leadership of His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo,” he said.
Brand Ambassador of the Mattei Plan, Olorogun John Paul, popularly known as Daddy Showkey was at the event and lauded the initiative.
He noted, “This program provides an opportunity for Edo State beneficiaries to gain training in various skills, equipping them for sustainable livelihoods.”
NEWS
JUST IN: Security Beefed Up As Obasa’s Supporters Occupy Speaker’s Lodge
Supporters of the impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, on Saturday morning stormed the Speaker’s Lodge located at 47 Joel Ogunnaike Street, GRA Ikeja, Lagos.
The supporters, dressed in pro-Obasa vests and caps, arrived in large numbers at the premises.
According to multiple sources, the group was planning a “heroic welcome” for the former Speaker, who was recently removed from office by a majority of lawmakers in the House.
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Obasa, who was out of the country at the time of his impeachment, was replaced by the former deputy speaker, Mojisola Meranda.
Since her emergence as Speaker, Meranda has presided over two sittings, with Obasa absent from both.
The choice of the Speaker’s Lodge as the location for Obasa’s supposed welcome sparked controversy, as he is no longer officially entitled to the property following his removal.
A resident in the area expressed surprise over the situation, saying, “I didn’t expect that the lodge would be opened for them.”
Armed security personnel, including police officers, were deployed to the area to maintain order and prevent any potential disruption.
As of the time of filing this report, Obasa had yet to arrive at the lodge.