Nigeria took a step closer to conducting a new national population and housing census with biometric and digital components.

LEADERSHIP reports that Nigeria last held a census exercise in November 2006.

President Bola Tinubu, at a meeting at the State House with officials of the National Population Commission (NPC) on Monday, said he would set up a committee to align the census budget to the government’s present financial realities.

In a statement by presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, on Monday, he said the National Identity Management Commission(NIMC) must be part of the review.

“We must ascertain who we are, how many we are, and how to manage our data. Without an accurate census, we can’t successfully plan for employment, agriculture, and food sovereignty. So many problems come up without accurate data,” President Tinubu was quoted as saying.

He reiterated his commitment to ensuring accurate and reliable figures from the national census to strengthen development planning and improve Nigerians’ living conditions through more efficient social security.

The NPC chairman, Nasir Isa Kwarra, and some other members briefed the President.

President Tinubu noted that government incentives, such as the sale and distribution of fertilisers, could be easily improved with more reliable data and demographics.

The President told the delegation that biometric capturing should be central to the process, with multiple identification features, including facial and voice recognition.

“We should work on our financial muscle well in place to lift our burden before we go and meet development partners for the census. We should work out the figures before discussing the role of development partners.

“This stop-and-go activity on the census cannot work with me. So we better have a definite path. I will set up a committee for you to look at the issues critically and do a source and application of resources. Where can we get help, and what can we lift before we embark on proclamation?”

The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, said the census data would be central to future planning and resource distribution.

“At a retreat for the ministers in 2023, Mr President, you reiterated your commitment to the census, so there is no doubt about your desire and commitment to have the census. In fact, at the last Federal Executive Council meeting, you asked me what the problem was, and I told you it was simply an issue of lack of ability to fund the census.

“Even today, before this meeting, I called the NPC Chairman and restated your commitment to the census. However, the commission and all of us in the team need to agree on the minimum amount we can source to support Mr President in making the final decision.

“The NPC indicated that 40 per cent of the funding for the 2006 census came from development partners,” Bagudu stated.

Bagudu noted that the enumeration done by NPC so far has been helpful.

“Mr President, we have been having ecosystem meetings to link the identity agencies, even the geo-spatial chaired by the ministry, because of our mandate as the supervising ministry of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). So the NPC, NBS, NIMC, Ministry Of Digital Economy, passport, social register, voters register, and even telecoms data have been meeting with the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) to see how much is available to the government regarding data and how much optimisation can take place.”

In his presentation, NPC chairman Kwarra said the last census took place in 2006, and 19 years later, the figures were no longer relevant in planning, particularly for key sectors that directly impact the population.

He said 760,000 tablets had been acquired and stored with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), assuring the commission would engage with development partners to seek support whenever President Tinubu proclaim the new census.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the immediate past governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, of stoking ethnic tensions and plotting against President Bola Tinubu’s re-election ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, made the accusation on Sunday, alleging that El-Rufai’s actions were driven by his frustration over his failure to secure a ministerial appointment in Tinubu’s administration.

El-Rufai, a former Federal Capital Territory minister, was initially nominated for a ministerial position but was rejected by the National Assembly on security grounds.

Since then, his relationship with President Tinubu has reportedly soured, with the former governor engaging in meetings with key northern political figures, including opposition leaders.

In recent weeks, El-Rufai has held discussions with former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar.

His growing rapport with Atiku has fueled speculations of a possible political realignment ahead of the next election cycle.

Last Friday, El-Rufai joined Atiku’s entourage on a condolence visit to the family of elder statesman and Niger Delta leader, Chief Edwin Clark. Speaking during the visit, El-Rufai praised Atiku’s contributions to Nigeria’s economic reforms during the Olusegun Obasanjo administration.

Following the visit, the former governor and Atiku observed the Juma’at prayer together, further cementing speculations about their growing political alliance.

On Saturday, El-Rufai intensified engagements with the opposition by meeting with the Kaduna State executive committee of the PDP.

The closed-door meeting, which was attended by his former Chief of Staff, Bashir Saidu, has fueled discussions about potential bipartisan cooperation in the buildup to 2027.

Speaking on El-Rufai’s political moves, the APC National Secretary, Basiru, said they no longer pay attention to his activities after the party discovered he was “an overrated ethnic champion” who is always ready to pitch northern politicians against their southern counterparts.

The party scribe slammed El-Rufai over his continued posture as the mouthpiece of the North and recent fraternity with top opposition figures.

He said, “I have told you before and am still telling you again that we are concerned about our affairs in the APC. For parties in Nigeria, it is free exit and free entry. So anybody is free to exit if he wants to exit. But we will not dignify such moves with any comment for now.

“We understand that sectional politics is what makes some people tick. Unfortunately, he (El-Rufai) is not thinking about the development of the country but is stoking up the ethnic nationality agenda. This South versus North posture shows that all along, he has been overrated as a person.”

Hinting at El-Rufai’s grievance, Basiru noted, “The only thing we want to say is that governance is a serious matter and nobody has the birthright to be an appointee of government. There are more than 180 million Nigerians and quite a number of them are qualified. So, if you don’t have an opportunity to serve in a government, it does not mean that you should be going around and trying to become an emergency activist. As I said before, politics is a free exit and free entry. The APC is solid and we are forging ahead.”

Amidst the growing tensions, El-Rufai has openly criticized the APC, alleging a lack of internal democracy within the party.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has begun moves to consolidate its presence in Adavi local government area with the construction of a Mini APC Secretariat at Inorere, Ogaminana Central Ward.

Speaking at the ceremony for the construction of the mini secretariat, special adviser to the governor on media, Hon Ismaila Isah, said it will serve as a modern and accessible hub for APC members in the ward.

He said the project aims to enhance mobilisation efforts, improve party administration, and strengthen political engagement within the community.

He said the initiative aligns with Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s vision of taking governance to the grassroots, fostering greater political participation, and solidifying the party’s presence in communities across the state.

The project, he assured, will be completed within a short timeframe.

In his remarks, the APC chairman in Adavi local government, Hon Oyibo Barnabas, described the mini secretariat as a strategic step towards strengthening the party’s structure at the grassroots.

Similarly, the councilor representing Ogaminana Central Ward, Suberu Ahuoiza Khadijat, expressed enthusiasm about the project, emphasising its potential to unify party members and boost political activities in the area.

A Bill to establish the Kano State Security Corps has scaled the second reading stage in the State House of Assembly on Monday.

The Bill, co-sponsored by the member representing Nassarawa and Kiru State constituencies, Hon. Yusuf Aliyu and Usman Tasiu, respectively, seeks to enhance security of lives and properties in the state.

Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Lawan Husseini, took the second reading of the Bill during Monday’s plenary presided over by the speaker, Hon. Ismail Falgore.

Shortly after plenary, Hon. Husseini explained to journalists that the outfit, when established, will provide security for citizens and assist the conventional Police in maintaining law and order in the state.

“As you are all aware, there is a widespread of insecurity in the state ranging from phone snatching to thuggery activities and rampant sale of Illicit drugs in the state. When established, it will really help in reducing the menace of all the types of crimes.”

He also highlighted that the Corps will have power to carry weapon, make arrest and hand over suspects to the Police for prosecution while there will also be a hierarchy in their status with a commander-general who will chair the operational section and a governing council comprising of people with proven integrity, void of partisan politics.

The Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, (FUNAAB) in Ogun State, in collaboration with Musarchy Farms, recently recorded bountiful harvest from habanero and bell pepper cultivation.

Chief Executive Officer of Musarchy Farms, Mr. Taiwo Ojediran, who disclosed this via a statement posted on FUNAAB Facebook page on Tuesday, highlighted the feat as part of the University’s contributions to addressing food insecurity in the country.

He described habanero pepper as a hybrid version of the Scotch Bonnet, known as ‘Ata Rodo’ in Yoruba language, stressing that the variety offers several advantages, which include its unique aroma, flavour, and affordability.

“With only 3-4 pieces, a family can prepare a meal, making it an attractive option for consumers,” he added.

He added that the pepper is sold at ₦4,000 per kilogram, making it significantly cheaper than market prices.

Ojediran also noted that interested staff of the institution can purchase the pepper directly from FUNAAB Integrated Ventures (FIV).

Aside from the habanero pepper, FUNAAB also recorded bumper harvest from bell pepper, a hybrid version of the variety commonly called ‘Tatase’ among the Yoruba people.

Ojediran said a kilogram of bell pepper is sold at ₦4,500, disclosing that the pepper has a longer shelf life and can be preserved for up to three weeks.

He encouraged students of the institution to take advantage of the partnership between Musarchy Farms and the University.

Ojediran stressed that the collaboration provided students with training opportunities in crop management, greenhouse fabrication, and installation, which ultimately prepare them for entrepreneurial ventures in agriculture.

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Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice for Al Nassr in a 3-1 victory over Al Khaleej on Tuesday night to move atop of the Saudi Pro League goalscoring chart, above Aleksandar Mitrovic and Karim Benzema.

The five-time Ballon D’Or winner fired Al Nassr into the lead after 65 minutes, finding the net with a low shot from the edge of the area for his 100th goal contribution since joining the Riyadh-based club in December 2022.

While Al-Khaleej made it 1-1 after 80 minutes, Sultan Al-Ghannam quickly restored the lead for Al Nassr.

ESPN reports that Ronaldo sealed victory eight minutes into stoppage time from close range for his 13th Saudi Pro League goal of the season. He is one ahead of Al Hilal’s Mitrovic and two in front of Al Ittihad’s Benzema of Al Ittihad.

Al Nassr climbed into third but are 11 points behind Al Hilal, who later defeated Al Wehda 4-1 to go three points clear of Al Ittihad.

The chief executive officer of Clearview News Desk, Sam Odion Bello, has commended the member representing Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency of Kano State in the House of Representatives, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin Kofa, over his effort to reconcile Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

Speaking during a radio interview in Kano on Thursday, Hon. Jibrin described the lingering feud between the two political heavyweights as unfortunate and detrimental to the state, saying if need be, they will force Kwankwaso and Ganduje to reconcile. He urged well-meaning citizens to join hands in reconciling the duo for the progress of Kano State and the country at large.

While showering encomiums on Jibrin for the move, Odion Bello called on all well-meaning Kano indigenes to consider true reconciliation between the two brothers who have a lot to offer the state in terms of development.

“Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God,” he stated, referring to the steps being taken by the Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin for an urgent reconciliation between the two former governors of the state, Rabiu Kwankwaso and Umar Ganduje.

This was just as Jibrin charged all well-meaning citizens of Kano to join hands together in reconciling the two political leaders for the betterment of the state.

Jibrin, who is the Chairman of the House Committee on Housing and Habitat, described the feud between the duo as unfortunate and a setback for Kano State.

According to him, “They were friends for a long time, and they started good things together but what is happening between them is sad and painful.”

Commenting further, Odion Bello said Jibrin has to be determined to achieve the feat as those who were feeding fat on the strained relationship will not want it to work.

 

Odion Bello prayed God to guide the elements onto the right path.

 

He concluded that, while Kwankwaso started in the Kano State Civil Service and later became the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, rising through the ranks to become a two-term governor, Minister of Defence, Senator, Ambassador and presidential candidate, Ganduje was, on the other hand, a civil servant, Director in FCTA, Commissioner, Deputy Governor, Executive Secretary, two-term governor, and now the Chairman of the ruling party.

Governor of Sokoto State, Ahmed Aliyu, has stated his resolve to revive the state’s mining sector.
The governor stated this while receiving members of the National Miners Association during an interactive meeting with state government officials.

The governor, who was represented by the commissioner for solid minerals development, Alhaji Yusuf Muhammad Maccido, disclosed that a contract has already been awarded to revive the miners’ market in the state.

According to him, solid minerals in the state would be mined to add value to the government’s economic projections.

Maccido stated that reviving the miners’ markets was a step towards restoring the centre’s lost glory, adding that it would help coordinate mining activities in the state.

He also disclosed that with the reactivation of the market, the government would be able to monitor miners’ activities to ensure peaceful management of the sector.

He said Governor Aliyu was determined to revive the mining sector, adding that this vision informed his decision to approve a contract to purchase vital mining equipment to change the narrative before the end of the year.
Maccido, who described the interactive meeting as timely, said it would complement his initiative to develop the ministry to compete with its counterparts in Kebbi and Zamfara states.

While thanking association members, the commissioner promised to carry them along so that he could succeed in his assignment.

In separate speaking, Ibrahim Muhammad Dan Yaro, national officer of the miners association, Ibrahim Garba Marnona, and Tippers Shu’aibu Musa, state chairmen of gypsum Mainasara Asarakkawa Miners, told the commissioner that they were in his office to congratulate him on his appointment as commissioner for solid minerals development in the state.

They assured him of their sustained support for him to succeed in his new assignment.