News
SULEIMAN’S HALF TRUTHS ABOUT THE “BUHARI’S 2.6BN SEVERANCE PACKAGE”
By Richard Oduma
In the Daily Trust White Paper Column of Monday, 17th April 2023, Suleiman A. Suleiman, took to mischief against the conduct of Nigeria’s forthcoming national population and housing census to unprecedented levels in his column titled, “BUHARI’S $2.6 BN SEVERANCE PACKAGE?” In the vexatious column, Suleiman questioned the desirability and credibility of the process that has been put in place, not only for the conduct of the exercise but also paints the entire exercise as a national jamboree and the national census budget as a parting gift by the Buhari administration to officials of the outgoing government. This is not the first time a noble objective is being attacked by people who once claimed to be its strong supporters. It is on this note that every good citizen of Nigeria must read Suleiman’s wild and long diatribe against the National Population Commission as well as the Buhari-led administration with eyes wide open as it is not only out to cast aspersion on the entire process but also have it truncated or, at least, dampened the high hopes Nigerians have expressed about the exercise. Suleiman’s claims of being supportive of the national population census exercise twelve months ago, therefore, are in doubt. If it is not so, why did he come out now when the Commission is only in its final stages of having the exercise conducted in May 2023.
The preparation for this year’s housing and national population census exercise predates this administration. Yet, Suleiman who claims to support the national population census exercise now views it as a mere conduit for siphoning government money. He does not see the merit of the timely conduct of the exercise any longer. He does not take into consideration the coincidence between the lifespan of the current government and the time the census is expected to be conducted as long as it is within the powers of the Commission to do so. Above all, he does not state why conducting the census by the officials of the Commission after the lifespan of the current administration would make it extremely high for them to siphon money earmarked for the exercise or not to siphon money when a new government is inaugurated . Because government must continue. Will census ever hold without such baseless innuendos? This is the perception and thinking of a typical dark mind who views everything negatively. As long as they are not the ones at the helm of affairs, they view everyone as unfit to lead.
Suleiman thinks very low of the Nigerian state and the effectiveness of its organs, institutions, and officials to execute their programmes and policies independently without the interference of the president and without comparison with other nations. Despite the openness and transparency with which the Commission carries out its census activities in the 774 local government areas across Nigeria, Suleiman still supports that the progress the Commission has made should be halted because they are on the verge of going home with “stolen money” since the organs of state under Buhari have gone on “hibernation” in readiness for the inauguration of the next president. As the Commission has repeatedly explained, the entire budget for the exercise is $1.89 covers pre-census and post-census activities. The pre-census activities, such as the recruitment and training of ad-hoc staff for Enumeration Area Demarcation, began in 2013. It was followed by massive campaigns and awareness across Nigeria. Sensitization workshops were organized for communities and groups. Over 500, 000 Personal Digital Assistants were procured and over one million ad-hoc workers were recruited and trained. It is therefore absurd for anyone to think that the census would be a single-day event in which the entire budget would be pilfered by officials of the Commission who have been working in the last thirteen years to ensure the success of the national census exercise.
The budget for the exercise is moderate compared to that of other smaller African countries, such as Swaziland, South Africa, Malawi which are ahead of Nigeria in the deployment of digital devices in the conduct of their censuses. The Commission should go ahead with the census because it will provide the incoming government with better data and statistics to develop policies and programmes that will benefit the people. The new government should not be overburdened with the inefficiency and laxity of some MDAs. All must therefore support the Commission to go ahead with the national census exercise. It will cost the Commission more if the exercise is put on hold. Some of the ad-hoc staff might not be available in the future if the census is not conducted now. Some of the digital devices, when kept too long, might develop technical hitches. As the economic situations across the globe seem to be deteriorating, it is better to conduct the census now to avoid any unforeseeable situation. A stitch in time saves nine! Delay, as they say, is dangerous!
Richard Oduma is a public affairs commentator and writes from Abuja.
…Commend NCDC, 20-Year North Central Development Plan
Youth groups have hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for regional development following the establishment of the North Central Development Commission (NCDC) and other regional development commissions.
The groups made the commendation in separate statements on the sidelines of a stakeholders’ engagement organised by the NCDC in Abuja.
The President of the Nigerian Youth Congress, Jethro Annum, and the NYCN State Chairman of Niger State, Ambassador Abdullahi Muhammed Ishaq, who spoke on behalf of the NYCN North Central Chairmen, described the NCDC as a catalyst for development.
They said the Commission’s 20-year development plan reflects the need for long-term planning and aligns with the broader development vision of President Tinubu for the country.
Similarly, the Empowerment for Unemployed Youth Initiative (EUYI), in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Danesi Momoh, and the North Central Youth Mobilization and Sensitization (NOCYMS), led by Hon. Iorwuese Ayo Fidelis, commended the NCDC for convening a broad stakeholders’ engagement aimed at developing a clear and sustainable development direction for the region over the next 20 years.
The engagement, which brought together key stakeholders and voices from across the North Central region, was described as a significant step towards developing a plan that reflects the aspirations, realities and potential of the people.
The youth leaders described the initiative as timely and forward-looking, stressing that young people and students must remain an integral part of conversations about the future of the region.
They noted that the North Central is home to millions of young Nigerians whose energy, skills, ideas and innovation can contribute significantly to the region’s economic and social transformation when provided with the right opportunities.
“Students and young people are not only beneficiaries of development; we are also partners in building the future we desire. Any 20-year development plan for the North Central must therefore give serious attention to education, skills development, employment, entrepreneurship, technology and youth participation,” they said.
The youth representatives further assured the NCDC of their readiness to work closely with the Commission and other relevant stakeholders to advance initiatives that will create meaningful opportunities for students and young people across the region.
They expressed confidence that sustained collaboration among the Commission, governments, educational institutions, organised youth bodies, traditional institutions, the private sector and other stakeholders could help translate the region’s enormous potential into measurable and sustainable development.
…Commends Commission, Urges Quarterly Engagements
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Zone C, has called for sustained inclusion of students and young people in the North Central Development Commission’s (NCDC) 20-year development agenda.
The association made the call while commending the NCDC for convening a broad stakeholders’ engagement to shape a long-term development direction for the region.
The Coordinator of NANS Zone C, Comrade Abiola Azeez Babatunde, said students and young people must not be treated merely as beneficiaries of development, but as active partners in shaping the future of the North Central.
According to him, the region’s large youth population represents a significant pool of energy, skills, ideas and innovation that can contribute to economic and social transformation if properly harnessed.
“Students and young people are not only beneficiaries of development; we are also partners in building the future we desire,” he said.
Babatunde said any 20-year development plan for the region should give serious attention to education, skills development, employment, entrepreneurship, technology and youth participation.
He described the NCDC stakeholders’ engagement as timely and forward-looking, saying it provided an important platform for different interests across the region to contribute to the development conversation.
Also in attendance was Comrade Anzaku Shedrack CNS, Head of Emergency and Disaster Management, NANS, who represented the NANS President, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde GCNS.
Shedrack commended the Commission for the initiative and urged it to sustain similar engagements quarterly.
He also assured the NCDC that NANS was pleased with the 20-year development roadmap and would continue to support the Commission in advancing initiatives aimed at developing the region.
NANS Zone C further pledged to work with the Commission and other stakeholders to promote initiatives capable of creating opportunities for students and young Nigerians across the North Central.
The association called for continuous engagement with the student constituency, stressing that their experiences, concerns and ideas should form part of the region’s long-term development agenda.
It expressed optimism that sustained collaboration among the NCDC, governments, educational institutions, organised youth bodies, traditional institutions, the private sector and other stakeholders would help unlock the region’s potential and promote inclusive growth.
Aluta Continua, Victoria Ascerta.
Imo Lawyers for the Defence of Democracy have called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to stop what it termed public attacks on Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, saying political disagreements should be resolved through democratic dialogue and constitutional means.The group made the call in a statement signed by its Secretary, Ifeoma Chukwunyere on Friday, September 18, 2026, amid what it described as increasingly personal exchanges between Wike and Uzodinma over political developments within the All Progressives Congress.The lawyers said the APC Governors’ Forum had rejected what they described as Wike’s “Rainbow Coalition” political arrangement, arguing that the disagreement should be addressed with the forum rather than through personal attacks on Uzodinma.According to the group, the forum’s position was based on concerns that the political arrangement could weaken the APC or create divided loyalty within the party.“We recognise the constitutional right of every Nigerian, including public officials and political actors, to express political opinions, criticise policies and participate in political activities,” the group said.“However, that freedom must not become a licence for personal attacks, intimidation or unnecessary escalation.”The lawyers said Uzodinma, as the governor of Imo State, should be allowed to discharge his responsibilities without political exchanges creating tension capable of affecting the peace and stability of the state.They urged Wike to desist from further public comments concerning the governor, insisting that political disagreements should focus on policies, programmes, political positions and verifiable facts rather than personal exchanges.The group also warned political actors against turning Imo State into a battleground for political supremacy.“Imo State is not a battlefield for political supremacy. Its people have the constitutional right to choose their leaders and determine their political future without undue interference, intimidation or external pressure,” it said.The lawyers further called on political parties, leaders, supporters and media platforms to avoid inflammatory language that could provoke confrontation.They urged Uzodinma to continue to operate within the Constitution and the laws of the country, while allowing relevant political and legal institutions to handle legitimate disagreements.The group also appealed to President Bola Tinubu to encourage restraint among political actors, particularly in relation to the dispute between Wike and Uzodinma.Addressing Wike directly, the lawyers said: “Mr. Minister, Imo State belongs to its people. You are not from Imo, so stay off Imo.”They stressed that disagreements over political strategies, elections, alliances and political actors in the state should be settled through democratic debate and constitutional processes.The group said it would continue to monitor developments affecting constitutional governance, democratic participation, political freedom and peace in Imo State.“Our position is simple: Democracy must prevail. The Constitution must prevail. The rule of law must prevail,” the statement added.
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