Today's Headlines: Tinubu orders NIMC DG to proceed on retirement leave, African Union suspends Niger over military coup
Tinubu orders NIMC DG to proceed on retirement leave
President Bola Tinubu has directed the Director-General/CEO of the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, Engr. Aliyu Abubakar Aziz to commence on 90-day pre-retirement leave with effect from August 24, 2023, leading to his eventual retirement from service on November 24, 2023.
The President has also approved the appointment of Engr. Bisoye Coker-Odusote to serve as the Acting Director-General/CEO of NIMC for a 90-day period, with effect from August 24, 2023, after which, a full term of four years will begin as the substantive NIMC Director-General/CEO, beginning on November 24, 2023.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajiri Ngelale.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu has approved the appointment of Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub to serve as the Director/CEO of the Directorate of Technical Aid Corps (DTAC).
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African Union suspends Niger over military coup
The African Union said Tuesday it had suspended Niger until civilian rule in the country is restored and would assess the implications of any armed intervention in the troubled Sahel nation.
The Peace and Security Council “requests the AU Commission to undertake an assessment of the economic, social and security implications of deploying a standby force in Niger and report back to Council,” the bloc said, following strong differences on the matter.
Army officers toppled President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26, prompting the West African regional bloc ECOWAS to threaten to use force to reinstate him.
ECOWAS — the Economic Community of West African States — agreed to activate a “standby force” as a last resort to restore democracy in Niger.
It has said it is ready to act, even as it continues to pursue hopes for a diplomatic solution.
The AU last week held a meeting on the crisis against a backdrop of divergent views within the bloc over any military intervention.
The coup has heightened international worries over the Sahel, which faces growing jihadist insurgencies linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group.
Niger is the fourth nation in West Africa since 2020 to suffer a coup, following Burkina Faso, Guinea and Mali.
The juntas in Burkina Faso and Mali have said that any military intervention in their neighbour would be considered a “declaration of war” against their countries.
Unconfirmed number of people electrocuted to death in Rivers
An unconfirmed number of people have been electrocuted to death at the Amaechi-School Road junction in Rumuomasi, along the East-West Road, of Obio-Akpor local government area in Rivers State.
While some reports claim over six persons died from the electrocution, others say there were five casualties.
Some victims were also reported to have sustained various degrees of injuries from the electrocution incident.
An eyewitness told DAILY POST that the victims were trying to mount a church billboard at the junction when the iron from the board touched the high-tension pole.
According to the eyewitness while some died instantly, others were taken to a hospital, where they were confirmed dead by a doctor.
The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the incident and assured that investigation is ongoing.
In the meantime, the Rivers State Signage and Advertising Agency has clarified that the agency had no prior knowledge of the mounting of the billboard.
Oyetola pledges to develop Nigeria’s blue economy
The newly appointed Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has assumed office with a pledge to build responsible management that will ensure efficient utilisation of the nation’s marine resources.
Oyetola, who made this known on his assumption of duty at the ministry in Abuja, expressed happiness at the honour accorded by Mr President to champion and chart a course for the growth of marine resources, urging the management team to support him in delivering on his ministerial mandate.
Oyetola observed that, regarding the size of Nigeria’s blue economy, it cannot but be a significant player in the sector, which is estimated to be worth about $3 trillion globally.
Furthermore, he said the blue economy has the capacity to contribute immensely to revenue generation and provide jobs for the unemployed, hence the need to properly harness it.
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