The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has begun recruitment and physical screening for about 324,000 applicants who applied for 4,000 jobs in the corps.
Corps Marshall , Boboye Oyeyemi made the disclosure when he paid a visit to the two screening centres in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Monday.
The centres are the Sani Abacha Barracks, Asokoro and the National Stadium Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the screening was for various cadres, including Officers, Marshal Inspectorates and Road Marshal Assistants.
Oyeyemi said “We are working with about 324, 000 applicants nationwide out of which we have about 105, 000 graduates.”
He said those that would be recruited at the end of the exercise “won’t be more than 4,000. “
“Out of the 4,000 slots, 400 is for the officer cadre.
“Inspectorate has 1,000 and Road Marshal Assistants, 3,200 slots.
“It will be a keenly contested exercise that is why they will go for aptitude test to be conducted by JAMB.
“Those being screened from today (Monday) to Tuesday are graduates and you can see their level of discipline.
“The exercise started early today and tomorrow nationwide, it will be for the graduates, I believe with the planning put in place, everything is okay.
“After the aptitude test, they will go for interview then drug test; then the final screening with the corps marshal,” Oyeyemi said.
He commended the smooth conduct of the exercise which he described as having being okay and was not hectic.
“There is orderliness. The exercise began since six o’clock in the morning. This shows the level of planning.
“The officers conducting the exercise are going by directive of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
“He has given directive that we must ensure the planning is much better than the previous exercises,” he said.
Oyeyemi commended the Service Chiefs, Inspector-General of Police and Director-General, and Department of State Services for providing the security.
The corps marshal said there were some irregularities during the exercise, including some pregnant female applicants, over-aged applicants, those short in height and married persons.
NAN reports that the age limit for the officers’ cadre is 30 while the height limit for females is 1.63m while that of the males is 1.68m.
One of the applicants, Mr Solomon Abubakar from Niger who said he had been looking for job since three years, expressed hope that he would to get the job after the screening.
Miss Ifeoma Benjamin, another applicant from Anambra said she had applied severally for Federal Government jobs without success but expressed joy that FRSC accorded her another opportunity to try her luck in securing government job.
The exercise which started Monday is expected to end on Saturday, Sept. 29.(NAN)
A former Minister of Science and Technology, Abdu Bulama and four others have appeared before the Federal High Court Damaturu, Northeast of the country on a seven-count charge of criminal conspiracy and money laundering.
Others defendants , are Mohammed Kadai, a former commissioner in Yobe, Abba Gana Tata, deputy coordinator of Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation, Muhammad Mamu and Hassan Ibn Jaks.
The defendants are being tried for criminal conspiracy and money laundering to the tune of N229 million.
However, after their appearance, the court adjourned as one of the defendants was not in court and required medical attention abroad.
The prosecution counsel, Haruna Abdulkadir, did not oppose the adjournment, noting that “the issue of health is natural, very vital and inevitable.”
The Judge, Justice Hammada Dashen, adjourned the case till Oct. 15, and also ordered the release of the passport of the sick defendant to enable him trave
Nigeria Youth SDGs Network under the chairmanship of Mr. Semiye Michael has launched its first National SDGs Story Summit in Abuja themed “Data, Technology and Agenda. It was held at the National Press Centre Radio House, Abuja on the 6th of September 2018.
The summit provided a platform for young Nigerians actively working to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Nigeria, to profile their experiences, challenges and collectively discuss possible solutions, had a total of 230 participants,a 30-man delegate from the National Youth Service Corps, special guests and other high-level representative across Nigeria.
In the key note address by the Senior Special Assistant to President on SDGs, Mrs. Orelope Adefulure, delivered by the Secretary of Programmes, Mr. Waziri Laminu, Nigeria is said to have moved from commitment to action. This move, according to Mrs. Adefulure was made possible by the inputs of the youths following the government’s strategic direction to build stronger commitment and domesticate the SDGs.
The Coalition Chair and founder of DEAN Initiative, Mr. Semiye Michael in his good will message, appreciated the youths for their resilient and hard work towards achieving the Nigeria we want. He further urged them to intentionally show what is positive about how youth and SDGs work together to develop their communities.
Some of the dignitaries included Jesper Kamp, the newly appointed Denmark Ambassador to Nigeria;
Paul Lehman, the Australian Ambassador to Nigeria; Regina Hess, the Deputy German Ambassador; Sean Hoy, Ireland Ambassador to Nigeria; Dr. Joe Abah, former Director General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms.
The participants were urged to use their platforms to tell their stories to the world and to inspire others towards achieving the SDGs.
Member Representing Surulere Constituency 1 in Nigeria's House of Reps, Femi Gbajabiamila,
Member Representing Surulere Constituency 1 in Nigeria’s House of Reps, Femi Gbajabiamila,
Former National Chairman of Mega Progressive People’s Party (MPPP), Hon Aderemi Banjo has lamented what he called leadership failure in Surulere Constituency 1.
Banjo spoke on Thursday at the special meeting of Surulere community leaders.
He told the leaders and elders in Surulere that he was against the 5thterm ambition of Hon Femi Gbajabiamila because of his poor representation.
“The position should not be monopolized by a non-performing person” he said.
In his presentation Titled: Surulere: The Way Forward, Banjo asked the leaders to regard the House of Representatives contest in the constituency as an open one.
Noted for his forthright disposition and virulent hatred for bad leadership, the astute politician called for decisive action against non-performing politicians.
The APC chieftain urged the community leaders to identify with an aspirant that can provide a new lease of leadership for the people.
“Our representative must deliver the dividend of democracy to the people. He must know the problems of the constituency and cover the interests of all the people. His loyalty to the leaders must not be in doubt” he said.
Recalling the pronouncement of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, banning members who had spent a minimum of eight years as a ward, council and state executive members from seeking reelection, the seasoned politician urged the former Lagos State governor and APC members in Lagos State to stop the 5th term agenda of the Majority Leader, House of Representatives.
He described the negative response of some elders to the 5thterm agenda of Gbajabiamila as a move that will bring development to the constituency and an end to poor leadership.
Banjo also took a hard look at political participation in Nigeria accusing the ruling party of trying to frustrate the political ambition of the youths in Nigeria with the ridiculous prices being charged for nomination and expression of interest forms.
“The exorbitant prices of nomination and expression of interest forms and the recycling of non-performing politicians make it hard for many Nigerian youths to take a plunge into the murky waters of politics. It also negates the Not too young or too poor to run philosophy.”
He said his rejection of 5thterm was to allow a fresh person to represent the good people of Surulere with a view to taking the constituency to the next level.
Banjo who volunteered advice on how to steer the constituency on the right course impressed on the leaders the need to adopt his programme on economic and social transformation of the constituency.
“Like previous situations, issues have not been the focus of the campaigns.”
He also condemned the capital-intensive nature of politics in Nigeria.
PDP Gubernatirial Aspirant in Rivers State, Soalabo West
PDP Gubernatirial Aspirant in Rivers State, Soalabo West
By Soalabo W. West
My public declaration to vie for the high office of Governor of Rivers State on the platform of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) has elicited diverse reactions from indigenes and residents of the State. Many Nigerians from different parts of the country have also expressed their views on my aspiration.
No matter the leanings of the opinions that were expressed, my willingness to offer my name for nomination for the position of Governor of Rivers State, has, nonetheless, broadened the ambits of the political discourse within and outside the State. This I believe is good for the PDP and our polity, in general.
For the records, I have been a loyal member of the PDP for over 10 years and even when the party was afflicted by a gale of defections, I remained in the PDP, hoping that the principle of rotational zoning entrenched in the constitution of the party by the elders and founders of the party will continue to guide the leadership of the party in matters relating to elective positions. Alas, this is not the case and I am now hard put to say that, due to the whirlpool of existing political exigencies, I will no longer be aspiring to actualise my governorship ambition under the aegis of the PDP.
In announcing my interest for the governorship position under the aegis of the PDP, I emphasised that my candidature was inspired by the crying need to allow the riverine communities of Rivers State to produce the Governor of the State in 2019. I don’t think that I was asking for too much from the State and National leadership of the PDP as the upland area of the State has produced all the Governors elected on the platform of the PDP since the advent of civilian elective participatory democracy in 1999.
My argument remains that by 2019 the upland communities would have controlled the governorship of Rivers State for 20 years. I am convinced that my request that an indigene of the riverine part of the State, should of necessity be availed the opportunity to govern the State is in tune with the democratic ideals of equity, justice and fairness.
Sadly, I have come to realise that the leadership of the party in the State and at the National level of the PDP may never be prepared for an indigene of the State from the riverine area to govern Rivers State in 2019.
The reason that is being bandied around is that the incumbent Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, an Ikwerre man who also took over from former Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, also from the Ikwerre ethnic stock, is doing well and as such should be allowed to continue for a second term of four years, up to 2023 does not trump the existential imperatives of the riverine people of the State.
I have written to the leadership of the party at the State and National, asking for a commitment that the party will, in pursuance of the provisions of the PDP constitution, zone the Governorship position of the party, in 2023, to the riverine communities. But that commitment has not been made.
Let me say this: Rivers State has all that is required to bring growth and development to any modern state. We have excellent human resources, very fertile land, two seaports, huge hydrocarbon deposits, an international airport, miles of beaches caressing the Atlantic and so much more.
We’ve got great plans for Rivers State and believe that she can be better. We will break her away from the shackles of underachievement and usher in a new era of peace and progress where everyone can fulfill their potentials with the government providing the enabling environment.
What if we could plan most future developments in our State and pass laws to ensure that we operate substantially within the ambits of those plans? Be they educational, infrastructural, entrepreneurial, cities development, waste management or even multiyear budget plans.
What if we could employ 300-500 new professionals incrementally- lawyers, doctors, nurses, teachers, scientists, administrators, engineers, surveyors, agricultural extension services providers, etc- to work and reside in each local government area of Rivers State? Providing them staff quarters and other incentives to ensure they stay and pursue their lives there?
What if we could get manufacturers and service providers back to Trans Amadi Industrial Estate and build new industrial parks in Abonnema, Ahoada, Bori, Degema, Omoku, Oyigbo, Etche or Omuma and engender improved security in the State together with facilities (including a short emergency number like 112) to cater to all emergencies?
What if we could deploy a statewide fibre optics backbone in partnership with telecoms service providers to deliver cheaper internet bandwidth and support the development of tech innovation and incubation hubs to provide a springboard for our teaming youths, startups and small businesses to leapfrog into a successful future?
What if we could enhance school sports, build centers of sporting excellence in each of our Local Government headquarters in partnership with the Federal Government, multinational companies, international sporting agencies and businesses together with organizing regular competitions between the different LGAs?
What if we could reclaim lands swallowed up by sea rises and clean up our polluted lands, swamps, creeks and seas, then introduce lost land and marine resources using an integrated partnership funding model to harness the participation of the federal government and international multilateral agencies and multinational companies working in our communities?
What if we could enhance our existing healthcare systems to drastically reduce HIV/AIDS, malaria, maternal, neonatal and infant mortality rates and deliver at least 2 world class tertiary healthcare institutions one of which can deal with various body organ challenges and, above all, cancer?
These are a few of the things that we have planned to do and which will be greatly beneficial to Rivers State and all our people.
Although, I will no longer be vying for the position of Governor of our State on the platform of the PDP, I am still very interested in the governorship race of Rivers State and in the coming days will, after due consultations, inform on the new direction that God has led us to.
Importantly, I am convinced that our developmental ideas will usher in a new paradigm of peace and progress to Rivers State anchored on equity, justice and fairness. So in the spirit of oneness, collective growth and development of our State, all are allowed to utilize any of our developmental models and harness our ideas for the common good of our people. After all we are striving for a greater Rivers State first!
Against accusations of manipulations, preparatory to its primary elections, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Kaduna State chapter has assured all aspirants that transparent primaries would be held.
Some gubernatorial aspirants had accused the leadership of allying with a particular candidate and called on the National Secretariat to take over affairs of the party in the State.
But a statement signed by the State Publicity Secretary, Abraham Alberah Catoh, made available to news men in Kaduna, Northwest of the country on Saturday, refuted the allegations.
“The Party leadership promised all aspirants into various positions of a transparent State Party Congresses (Primaries),” it stated.
The party however, expressed shock over the press conference held at the NUJ Secretariat on the 21st Sept, 2018, by the Unity Forum of Gubernatorial Aspirants under the PDP platform.
“The Party further expressed its surprise over the allegations raised by the governorship aspirants, due to the fact that the Aspirants met yesterday with the State Working Committee,SWC, of the Party and discussed very important issues that would ensure free and fair gubernatorial Congresses (primaries) on the 28th September, 2018.
“At the meeting, four of the aspirants that gave the Press release were present, namely :-
1) HE. Mukhtar Ramalan Yero
2) Dist. Sen Suleiman Othman Hunkuyi
3) Dr. Moh’d Sani Bello
4) Hon. Sani Sidi
“The aspirants also made valuable contributions that would lead to a successful primaries, at the meeting.
“Resolutions reached and ratified were all accepted by the governorship aspirants, and they even commended the party leadership of their efforts in preparing a transparent, free and fair gubernatorial primaries,” it stated.
The party further assured that the list of delegates as submitted by the 255 ward’s Party Chairmen, through their Local Governments Party Chairmen is still intact, assuring that nobody has tempered with it.
“The party leadership is assuring all contestants of various positions of their resolve to give every one of them a level playing ground to achieve their aspirations
“Thus, we do not intend to join issues with our party members because all issues discussed and ratified by the SWC are sacrosanct,” it said.
Kaduna State Commissioner for Education Ja'afar Sani, briefing Journalists
Kaduna State Commissioner for Education Ja’afar Sani, briefing Journalists
Kaduna State Government in northern Nigeria has announced free education for female students in its post primary schools.
A total of 191,445 female students who are currently in the public schools would benefit from the gesture estimated to cost N143.587 million every term and N430.791 million every year.
The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Ja’afar Sani who announced this at a news briefing in Kaduna, Northwest Nigeria, explained that government’s decision had become necessary in order to remove all obstacles against the girl-child in acquiring education in the state.
”We hope by this gesture parents will have no excuse not to send their girl-child to school and significantly increase enrolment and retention of the girl-child in school.This was in line with the significance the current administration placed on educating the girl-child.
“It will be recalled that that the female students were accorded priority when the government distributed 15,000 tablet computers to secondary school students.” Sani noted.
Sani who acknowledged supports from some philanthropic organisations also said that about 900 million and 70, 335 million Naira have been expended on girl-child scholarship and female teacher support respectively under the World Bank’s 21.5 million dollars grant for Global Partnership for Education project.
“Similarly, Mercy Corps Foundation in collaboration with the education ministry had equally returned 100 married women dropped-out back to school. You can see that Kaduna State has demonstrated its resolve in many ways for female students to receive the best of education.
“This we are doing by removing any hindrance on the way of the girl-child in acquiring quality education,” the commissioner said.
He restated that the state government has recruited additional 13,606 qualified teachers for its public primary schools, including a PhD holder.
This exercise, Sani explained, completed the recruitment of 25,000 vacancies announced after the sacking of about 22,000 alleged unqualified primary school teachers in January 2018.
Sani added that apart from the one PhD holder, 8,494 out of the 25,000 recruited teachers were first degree holders, while the rest were National Certificate in Education (NCE) holders.
Garri, Nigerians' Stable Food (Photo: Public Health)
Garri, Nigerians’ Stable Food (Photo: Public Health)
Prices of garri, a stable food on Nigerians table, continued to crash in some Enugu markets, South East of the country.
A market survey by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in some major markets in Enugu metropolis on Saturday revealed that the prices of the white and red garri nosedived by about 36 per cent.
Some sellers said that the fall in price was due to massive production of cassava by farmers in the state.
Miss Eby Ofor, a garri seller at Akwata market, said that the price of a 4.5 litres bucket of white garri which was sold at N450 now sells at N280.
Offor added that the red garri is now sold at the cost of N350 as against the old price of N550.
“For almost four months, I have been selling a measure of white garri and red garri for N450 and N550 respectively, but now as I am talking the price has further gone down. As at around May, it used to cost between N1,200 and N1,100,” she said.
Mr. Jude Ugwueze, another garri dealer at Garki market, said that a bag of garri is now sold at N5,000 as against the previous price of N8,000.
A buyer at Ogbete Main Market, Mrs Joy Solomon expressed joy that the prices of garri has continued to fall as there was not much money in circulation.
“At least with the fall in prices of foodstuff like gari and with the little amount someone has, one can manage to feed his or her family,” she said.
Mr. Romanus Eze, the Chairman of the Cassava Farmers Association, Enugu Branch said that mass production of cassava has contributed to the reduction in the price of garri.
Eze said that cassava farming activities increased tremendously in all part of the South-East States in 2017 leading to fall in the prices of garri in various markets in 2018.
