News
Speaker Abbas Hails President Tinubu’s Order For Biometric Headcount
By Gloria Ikibah
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, has expressed concern over the prolonged delay in conducting a national population census in Nigeria, emphasizing its importance in establishing the country’s actual population.
While commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive for the National Population Commission (NPC) to conduct a biometric-based census, the Speaker described the exercise as long overdue.
He affirmed his commitment to engaging with the President, following consultations with the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on the matter.
Speaking in Abuja during a courtesy visit by the NPC board and management, led by Chairman Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra and Director-General Dr. Ojogun Tellson Osifo, the Speaker criticized the 19-year gap since the last census, calling it unacceptable for a nation of Nigeria’s size and significance.
Rep. Abbas noted that a fresh population census would help dispel doubts and counter claims of population overestimation by critics. The NPC chairman confirmed that the President had approved the biometric census to take place in 2025.
He said: “Statistics don’t lie,” expressing his belief that the biometric system is the only way to determine the actual population with less deployment of resources.
“I will be part of those who will engage Mr. President on the issue of conducting census this year”.
Speaket Abbas who noted that the budget of NPC was inadequate to conduct a successful census, said the Federal Government may consider other sources of funds, including the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF).
“I will see my counterpart in the Senate on how to see Mr President. It will be a historic thing in Nigeria while it would also be something that will immortalise his (President Tinubu’s) name”, he said.
Earlier, the Chairman of NPC briefed the Speaker on the plans for the census and the preparations made so far. He solicited the support of the House, and National Assembly by extension, with regards to funding and enabling laws.
According to Hon. Kwarra, part of the plans for the census included acquisition of technology, recruitment and training of officials, establishment of a situation room as well as advocacy/stakeholders engagements, including visits to former Presidents and ex-Heads of State.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Activist Omoyele Sowore, has pleaded not guilty to the cybercrime charges against him at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had filed the charges against Sowore for calling him an “illegal IGP.”
Sowore had made the remark on his verified X handle.
However, the activist is standing trial before Justice Liman of the FCT High Court and was docked at about 10:00 am when the charges were read to him.
When the charges were read, Sowore pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Meanwhile, several of his followers had protested in front of the court over Sowore’s arraignment.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Five persons have been reportedly killed during an invasion by gunmen at Ajegunle-Powerline community in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State.
An eyewitness, Mr Akin Olowolafe, a farmer in the community, told newsmen on Thursday in Akure that five people were allegedly killed during the attack, which happened on Tuesday at about 3pm.
Olowolafe said the gunmen entered the farmlands while people were working and started shooting sporadically in the air, which resulted in the death of five farmers.
According to him, the gunmen usually attack the farmlands on a daily basis around the community, and it has made life unbearable for farmers.
Many farmers in the community have fled their farms for fear of being killed. The attacks are unchecked while their is no intervention from the appropriate authorities.
“The incessant clashes and destruction of farm crops are so worrisome and it has led to boycotting of farms by farmers in the area,” Olowolafe said.
Also, a labourer, Mr Fidelis Daniel, who corroborated the story, said that the corpses had been deposited at the mortuary.
“I was inside the farm too when the incident happened, I just heard the sound of guns, and I immediately ran to my house.
It was even God that saved me too, they would have killed me.
They suddenly came with weapons to destroy our crops and killed five people. Three people from Plateau and two from Kaduna State,” he said.
The Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, who confirmed the incident to newsmen, however, denied the number of casualties.
“There was an attack on the community, and police is still investigating, but I cannot confirm the number of people
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