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Kalu Charge NPC To Give Actual Population Figure For Proper Economic Planning

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By Gloria Ikibah
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Kalu has charged the newly inaugurated commissioners on the Board of the National Population Commission (NPC) to ensure that the next census will give the actual statistics of Nigeria’s population.
According to the Deputy Speaker, knowing the figure was essential to economic planning and the spread of infrastructure across the country.
Kalu who gave the charge at the inauguration dinner of the federal commissioner representing Abia State at the NPC Board, Chief Emmanuel Trump Eke over the weekend in Abuja, added that it was not right to continue to hazard a guess about the country’s population each time the issue arises, stressing that it was time the narrative is changed for good.
This was contained in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu.
Naijablitznews.com recalled that Eke was amongst the 17 appointees inaugurated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Kalu said: “The charge to you people as commissioners, to be honest, we don’t know our number in Nigeria. We cannot keep claiming we are the giant of Africa when we don’t have an accurate statistics of our actual number as a nation. It’s embarrassing. Each time they ask you of your population, you said about…When are we going to drop this “about”, that descriptive thing to our number? You people should make it exact. When we call Ogun State, you tell us the number. We call Abia, you tell us. Total number in the South East, you give us. Total in the South West, North West, South South, etc, you give us so that we can plan because economic planning without actual knowledge of the population is a waste of time because you might plan for a few and the infrastructure will be overused by the much you did not capture.
“So, the root of our economic planning is knowing our number and knowing the demography, so that when we want to do project allocation, the spread will be guided by the population. So, census is what you have to do as a service to this nation. Push it hard and make sure that when the result comes, Nigerians will be glad to say yes, we are 250 million but I can assure you by the time you are done, we might be 300 million because we projected that we are going to be, I think, the 4th most populous nation in a few coming years and every nation in the world is looking towards Nigeria for investment because they know the market is there.”
Kalu also commended President Tinubu for running an all-inclusive government, appointing the Igbo in coveted positions of authority despite receiving poor number of votes from the region in the last presidential election.
He expressed gratitude to the Igbo for not participating in the recent protest against the present administration over economic hardship.
The Deputy Speaker who stated that the hardship was not principally created by the Tinubu’s government revealed that the administration is finding lasting solutions to the problems, especially in amid the removal of fuel subsidy which he said gave only the prosperity of the “white washed sepulchre”.
He called on the people of the South East to reciprocate the kind gesture of the administration by supporting the government, recognizing that their own were involved in the leadership.
Kalu stressed that the support will also encourage the President to assent to the South East Development Commission bill sponsored by him for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the region, adding that the President and his team are intentional about giving the South East a sense of belonging.
“This President has shown us love despite the fact that we did not vote as we ought to have voted. He has shown us great love and it’s about time we also started reciprocating the way we support the government in words and in action.
“And I want to thank all of you here who are Igbo people who supported not going on protest. When the calls came that Igbos are not joining the protest, that Igbos should join the protest. We said no. We are not protesting. I am proud of you. I want to thank you.
“The President gave us Chief of Naval Staff, an Igbo man from Enugu. He gave us the Minister of Works from Ebonyi. The President came to Abia and gave us number 6 citizen of the country. The President gave the Chairman of Governor’s Forum to Imo State. The President gave a lot of Ministers from the South East opportunities to head some ministries like Science and Technology and all the rest of them. The way to pay him back is to support him and make sure that we help stabilize national loyalty and increase national cohesion.
“We are working hard to ensure that most of you are strategically positioned. We are working hard to make sure that businesses owned by you are supported. What were not accessible to the Igbos before, we are pushing now for you to access them, leveraging this office. So, let’s be patient”, Kalu said.
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Again, Senator Manu shares 10,000 bags of rice, 15,000 cartons of spaghetti, transport fares to constituents (Photos/Video)

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Just like 2023 Yuletide, Senator Manu Haruna has this year , 2024 distributed 10,000 bags of rice, 15,000 cartons of spaghetti and transport fares to constituents going home to celebrate this festive season.

Manu who represents Taraba Central Senatorial District also just completed a two-day ICT program for students across three local governments in Taraba Central and distributed starter packs and laptops to over 500 students.

The tireless Senator has left no one in doubt in his constituency that he has good intentions and this is clearly demonstrated in the over 47 projects he has embarked upon within 18 months as a lawmaker.

Speaking after Senator Manu’s constituents were provided with transport fares, Media Director of his campaign organisation, Jovita Safe said:

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“Senator Haruna is a man of honour who keeps to his promises and a politician with a difference.

“He has done this gesture to help cushion the effects of the economic crunch in the country.

“He is reliable and his constituents should not hesitate to give him the necessary support come 2027 to return to the National Assembly.

Beneficiaries who also spoke praised Senator Manu for rescuing them this difficult time of the festive season.

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See video/Photos below:

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Tinubu confesses, says corruption can’t be eradicated in Nigeria

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President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his stance on removing the fuel subsidy, describing it as a necessary step to secure Nigeria’s financial future. Speaking during his first live presidential media chat broadcast nationwide on Monday, Tinubu acknowledged the challenges of combating corruption but emphasized that systemic flaws must be addressed to reduce it.

Corruption: A Persistent Challenge

The president admitted that while corruption cannot be entirely eliminated, it can be minimized through strategic measures.
“Block all the loopholes, where anybody can just gain in the system. Part of the anti-corruption is the removal of subsidy too. It is very, very difficult to say you will eliminate it, but you can reduce it to the barest minimum,” Tinubu said.

He further stressed the need to meet citizens’ needs, support education, and improve living standards as part of his administration’s efforts to combat corruption.

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Fuel Subsidy Removal: No Regrets

President Tinubu stood by his decision to remove the fuel subsidy, arguing that the policy was unsustainable and a drain on Nigeria’s resources.
“We are spending our future. We are spending our generation’s fortunes. We are not investing. We are just deceiving ourselves,” he said.

The president warned that maintaining the subsidy would lead to financial disaster, not just for the current generation but for future ones.
“I don’t have any regret in removing the fuel subsidy. We have no choice. Otherwise, we are headed for the slippery slope,” Tinubu concluded.

Stampede Tragedies: Organisers at Fault

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During the chat, Tinubu also addressed the recent fatal stampedes in Ibadan, Anambra, and Abuja, which claimed over 60 lives during palliative distributions. He described the incidents as a “grave error” on the part of the organisers.

“I’ve been giving to the less privileged at Bourdillon for the past 25 years, and we’ve never experienced a stampede,” the president said.

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command confirmed that 10 individuals, including four children, died in a stampede during a food distribution event at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, Abuja, on Saturday. Similarly, in Ibadan, 32 children lost their lives in a similar incident, as reported by PUNCH Online.

Tinubu extended condolences to the families of the victims and advised against publicizing events when resources are insufficient to meet demand.

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Conclusion

President Tinubu’s media chat highlighted the tough decisions his administration is making to address systemic challenges, including corruption and economic sustainability. While acknowledging the difficulties, he reaffirmed his commitment to reforms aimed at securing Nigeria’s future.

As the nation continues to adjust to these changes, Tinubu’s policies are likely to shape Nigeria’s path toward long-term stability.

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Retired AIG Bola Longe is dead

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Retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Emmanuel Adebola Longe is dead. He died on Sunday.

The Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ibadan branch, Ibrahim Lawal confirmed the news of his death in a telephone confirmation with Tribune Online on Monday.

He has earlier issued a statement to announce his death.

The statement read, “The death has been announced of Pastor Bola Longe AIG (Rtd), a partner at Afe Babalola & co which sad event happened yesterday.

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“The Bar commiserate with the family and Emmanuel Chambers. May Almighty God repose his soul.”

Longe, who burst one of the largest syndicates of railway line vandals in North Central Nigeria in 2021, retired from the service of the Nigeria Police Force. after 33 years and eight months of meritorious service to his country.

Bola Longe retired from the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG in-charge of Federal Operations, (Fed.Ops) Force Headquarters, Abuja.

He was an alumnus of the University of Ibadan, UI), and the University of Lagos.

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He was a renowned student activist, a master of political science, peace and conflict expert, a refined solicitor, investigator, mentor and pastor.

Longe was one of the finest personnel in the Nigeria Police Force who served and left unblemished.

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