News

Tinubu to fix date for 2023 census- Federal Commissioner

Published

3 years ago

June 16, 2023

The Federal Commissioner of the National Population Commission (NPC) in Enugu State, Hon. Ejike Eze has hinted that only President Ahmed Bola Tinubu will decide the date for the 2023 National Population and Housing Census.

Eze dropped this hint, Thursday, at a breakfast meeting with media executives in Enugu on the forthcoming National Population and Housing Census.

The Enugu State NPC boss allayed the fears of the media that the new administration might discontinue the census exercise, expressing confidence that the President, being an accountant and technocrat, appreciates the importance of census information in national planning, especially in policy and programme formulation, budgeting, among others.

Eze said the Commission welcomed the decision of the last administration to postpone the conduct of the census in order to give the new administration the opportunity to make inputs into the process.

He noted that the postponement afforded the commission the opportunity to further perfect its processes and systems for the conduct of the first ever digital National Population and Housing Census in Nigeria.

Harping on the importance of census, he explained that a reliable census data will, among numerous other benefits, immeasurably assist President Tinubu in solving the socio-economic problems arising from the removal of fuel subsidy, including the implementation of palliative measures.

According to him, the objective of the breakfast meeting was to update the media on the status of preparations for the 2023 Census and the next steps forward, in the light of the postponement.

He said, “As you are aware, the Commission has carried out all the preparatory activities towards the census such as the Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD), conduct of pre tests and trial census, recruitment and training of census field staff, procurement and configuration of Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), establishment of ICT infrastructure across the country and logistics support and advocacy and publicity activities.

“Conscious of the enormous human and material resources that have been expended in the implementation of these preparatory activities, the most important task before the commission is to sustain and reinforce the relevance of these activities to the successful conduct of the 2023 Census. This will ensure that the nation does not have to start afresh, the conduct of the census thereby saving costs.

“The processes and systems put in place for the census are therefore being currently reviewed to determine what needs to be done to ensure that the preparations do not become obsolete for the census. The focus of the commission is to ensure that all the resources expended so far are safeguarded and that the nation does not need to start all over when the census is going to be conducted.

“For us at NPC, this is not a difficult task. In coming up with the plan for the 2023 Census, we were not only looking at the immediate needs of delivering the next census, but concerned more with laying a solid foundation for future censuses. This mindset informed the scope and quality of arrangements put in place. For example, the EAD, which involved the division of the country into small land areas, was meticulously undertaken in such a way that only an update will be required for future censuses. Using satellite imageries, the Enumeration Areas (EAs) were all geo referenced with the coordinates of all the buildings established. The products of the EAD are currently being used by other government agencies.”

Speaking further, Eze recalled that the recruitment of the ad-hoc workers had been completed before the postponement through a rigorous online process in which about one million workers were screened and found worthy of assignment.

He said the data base of all the recruited personnel including their contact details is available for the next census, adding that the reserve personnel would be available to handle cases of attrition

“The Commission had commenced training of certain categories of personnel before the announcement of the postponement. These trainings include the facilitators at national, zonal and state levels, Data Quality Managers, Training Centre Managers, Monitoring and Evaluation Officers. The next categories of personnel to be trained are the Supervisors and Enumerators. The Commission will continue to maintain contacts with the personnel through online trainings and mentorship.”

“Equally, the Commission had acquired Personal Digital Assistants for the 2023 Census. About 500,000 of these devices have been delivered to the 36 state offices and the FCT and configured for the exercise. Adequate arrangement is being made for the storage and security of the equipment to prevent damages and theft.”

According to him, in readiness for the census, the Commission had carried out massive advocacy and publicity for the 2023 National Population and Housing Census at national and state levels, intensified media campaigns and strengthened collaboration with stakeholders through the inauguration of Census Publicity Committees at national, state and LGA levels.

He said publicity materials in English and local languages have been disseminated, while social media have been deployed on a massive scale.

He assured that the Commission will continue to carry out advocacy to ensure that the census messages remain at the centre of national discourse.

Stressing the importance of census data, he noted that Section 213 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) made express provision for the conduct of the census and vested the powers to conduct census, civil registration and demographic surveys on the NPC.

Eze said the United Nations recommends that every country should hold population and housing census, at least, once every ten years.

He, however, regretted that the last census exercise in Nigeria was held 17 years ago, precisely in 2006 under the administration of the then President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.

According to him, until the latest efforts initiated by the immediate past administration, attempts by successive administrations to hold census proved unsuccessful.

He lamented that the non-conduct of census in Nigeria has hindered planning for socio-economic development in Nigeria, since the country has been planning with obsolete data and projections based on inaccurate estimates.

“This anomaly is what the forthcoming National Population and Housing Census intends to correct.

“Census information is also very useful in tracking progress towards national and internationally agreed development goals. Planners need population information for all kinds of development work, including assessing demographic trends, analyzing socio-economic trends, analyzing socio-economic conditions, designing evidence-based poverty-reduction strategies, and monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of policies.”

News

US based Catholic Priest commits suicide to avoid being sent back to Nigeria

Published

8 hours ago

July 11, 2026

Everydaynewsngr

A Catholic priest from Nigeria who was on a pastoral mission to the United States of America has taken his own life after the expiration of his visa and following prevailing new visa policy of the USA.

Reverend Father Benjamin Okwy Madu (Father Ben) as he was fondly called by his parishioners, aged 54, took his own life Thursday evening, July 2, 2026 after he reportedly expressed unwillingness to go back to Nigeria because he had fallen in love with the community of Cape Ann, the city of North Shore including the parishioners.

Boston Archbishop Richard G. Henning sent a message to fellow priests confirming that Father Ben took his own life.

Local law enforcement and the Essex County District Attorney’s Office investigated the scene and noted that no foul play was suspected.

“Sincerely, it is not my wish to return home right now, but circumstances beyond my control have warranted that my time in the United States come to an end,” Father Ben wrote.

“My heart is broken, yet my joy remains. I will miss the home I found away from home… I will deeply miss the seaside, where I often drive to after Mass to call my family and hear about their Sundays.” he was reported to have posted a farewell message on the parish newsletter.

Father Ben, a 54-year-old Nigerian national from the Diocese of Abakaliki, had been serving as a beloved hospital chaplain and parish priest on the North Shore of Massachusetts since 2021.

His R-1 religious worker visa was expiring, and he was ordered to return to Nigeria. Just days before his death.

The Boston Globe reported that he had expressed deep fears about what would happen to him upon returning to Nigeria, where clergy frequently face severe perils, including violence and kidnapping

News

Two Infected Terrorists Executed As Cholera Outbreak Kills 9 ISWAP Fighters

Published

18 hours ago

July 10, 2026

Everydaynewsngr

A cholera outbreak has reportedly killed at least nine fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the notorious Timbuktu Triangle, one of the group’s major strongholds in Borno State, according to intelligence sources.

The outbreak is said to have spread across several ISWAP enclaves, exposing worsening sanitary conditions and the dwindling availability of medical care within the insurgents’ camps.

Security analyst Zagazola Makama disclosed the development in a post on X, citing intelligence sources familiar with the situation.

According to the sources, two other ISWAP fighters who contracted the highly infectious disease were allegedly executed by members of the group after efforts to treat them in Kimba village proved unsuccessful.

The incident is believed to reflect the increasingly difficult conditions inside the terrorist camps, where sustained military offensives have disrupted supply routes and severely limited access to medicines, healthcare and other essential resources.

Intelligence sources said the combination of poor hygiene, inadequate medical facilities and mounting operational pressure has left many of the insurgents vulnerable to disease outbreaks.

The sources further disclosed that military commanders have been advised to intensify efforts to intercept medical supplies and pharmaceutical products suspected of being destined for terrorist hideouts. Security officials believe cutting off access to healthcare supplies could further weaken ISWAP’s ability to treat injured or sick fighters and reduce the group’s operational capacity.

While the reports have not been independently verified, the development is seen as another indication of the mounting challenges facing the insurgent group as security forces continue sustained operations across the North-East.

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BREAKING: Kidnapped Oyo pupils, teachers regain freedom

Published

18 hours ago

July 10, 2026

Everydaynewsngr

The pupils and teachers abducted in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State have regained their freedom.

The development was disclosed on Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

In a shared post on his verified X handle, Onanuga simply announced that the victims had been released by their abductors.

“Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo have been rescued by our security agencies,” he wrote.

As of the time of filing this report, details surrounding their release, including whether any ransom was paid or the circumstances leading to their freedom, had yet to be disclosed.

The abductions occurred on May 15, 2026, when armed men attacked three schools; Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School, in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area.

No fewer than 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a principal, were taken during the attacks.

During the attack, a teacher, Joel Adesiyan, was killed while attempting to escape.

Another teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was beheaded in the kidnappers’ den.

The terrorists holding the victims had reportedly made a four-point demand before agreeing to free the captives, including the release of detained terrorist commanders, payment of ransom, two Hilux vehicles and the implementation of Sharia-related law.

The Oyo State Government had consistently maintained that no ransom would be paid to secure the release of any victims.

The incident had triggered weeks of public anguish, with the Nigeria Union of Teachers embarking on a month-long strike in the state to press for the victims’ rescue before suspending the action in July.

It also drew federal intervention, with military and police authorities repeatedly assuring Nigerians that operations to secure the victims’ freedom were ongoing.

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‘N100,000 Is Not Enough’: Veterans, Serving Personnel Fault Soldiers’ Pay

Published

1 day ago

July 10, 2026

Everydaynewsngr

Reactions have trailed to trail the disclosure by the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, that Nigerian soldiers now earn a minimum monthly salary of N100,000 following recent welfare reforms by the Federal Government.

Veterans and serving personnel have described the amount as grossly inadequate in the face of Nigeria’s rising cost of living, while some accused the Federal Government of failing to implement a more substantial salary review promised months ago.

The criticism comes amid renewed concerns over troop welfare, military funding, and the effectiveness of efforts to boost morale among personnel battling insecurity across the country.

A retired soldier, Abdul Isiak, argued that the current salary falls far short of what is needed to meet basic living expenses.

“It is not enough at all. What is N100,000 in the current situation of the country? It cannot go far. They should do better. If soldiers are paid more, they will be more motivated and committed to their duties,” he said.

Another retired military officer, Sergeant Zaki Williams, questioned the accuracy of the figure disclosed by the minister and described the amount as inadequate for personnel who risk their lives in service to the nation.

“I doubt if they are even paying up to that amount now. Even if they are, it is too little. Any government paying a soldier N100,000 in today’s economy is not serious enough about the welfare of its troops,” he said.

Williams noted that soldiers face enormous challenges and deserve better remuneration and working conditions.

Also reacting, the Coordinator of the Coalition for Concerned Veterans, Abiodun Herbert-Durowaye, said the salary does not reflect the sacrifices made by military personnel.

“How can that be sufficient for someone putting his life on the line for the country? Consider the cost of food, housing, transportation, and children’s education. N100,000 is far from adequate for those responsible for protecting the nation’s peace and security,” he stated.

The reactions followed comments by the Minister of Defence during an interview with News Central, where he disclosed that the minimum monthly salary of soldiers had increased from N49,000 to N100,000 under the current administration.

According to the minister, the Federal Government has made deliberate efforts to improve troop welfare despite funding challenges facing the military.

“When they started, a soldier was collecting N49,000 monthly. We tried so hard, now he’s collecting N100,000,” he said.

Musa, however, acknowledged that the defence sector remains underfunded and requires greater financial support to effectively address the country’s security challenges.

The minister also advocated stricter penalties for kidnapping, including the possibility of introducing the death penalty for convicted kidnappers, arguing that stronger deterrents are necessary to curb the growing wave of abductions across the country.

The debate over soldiers’ welfare comes at a time when the military continues to confront multiple security threats, with stakeholders insisting that improved remuneration, better equipment, and enhanced welfare packages are critical to boosting morale and operational effectiveness.

News

Nigerian Visa Applicants Now Required to Submit Applications Directly at Embassy, Consulates

Published

2 days ago

July 9, 2026

Everydaynewsngr

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has announced that travellers in the United States seeking Nigerian visas must now submit their applications directly at Nigerian diplomatic missions following the termination of its contract with a third-party visa processing company.

The new directive, which takes immediate effect, ends the role previously played by Online Integrated Solutions (OIS Services), which had been responsible for receiving and processing Nigerian visa applications through its centres across the United States.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the NIS Public Relations Officer, Akinsola Akinlabi, said visa applicants are now required to submit their documents directly at the Embassy of Nigeria in Washington, D.C., or at the Nigerian Consulates in New York and Atlanta until further notice.

The immigration service did not state the reason for ending its partnership with OIS Services.

However, Akinlabi assured applicants that adequate measures have been put in place at the embassy and consulates to ensure a smooth transition. He added that visa submission, processing and approval would continue without disruption.

He also urged prospective travellers to monitor the official communication channels of the Nigeria Immigration Service and Nigerian diplomatic missions in the United States for updates on visa application procedures.