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Cabinet Reshuffle: ActionAid Nigeria Says Tinubu Should Have Increase Female Ministers
Cabinet Reshuffle: ActionAid Nigeria Says Tinubu Should Have Increase Female Ministers
By: Michael Mike
ActionAid Nigeria has decried the non increment in ministerial slot to women after the newly announced cabinet reshuffling by President Bola Tinubu.
The Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu, in a statement on Thursday said the organisation “acknowledges the recent cabinet reshuffling, along with the disbandment and merging of some Ministries, as an effort towards recalibrating governance. While restructuring is within the President’s prerogative, this moment demands that government agendas are decisively aligned with the needs of citizens, with a focus on inclusivity, cost-efficiency, and competent service delivery.
“The ousting of three female portfolio Ministers and appointment of seven new portfolio Ministers, three of which are women, raises serious questions about the government’s commitment to advancing gender equality, youth engagement, social development and the fulfillment of the 35% Affirmative Action benchmark. In a country with an already low representation of women in both elective and appointed positions, this was a crucial opportunity for the government to advance gender parity.
“Appointing more women would have signaled a decisive step toward closing this persistent gap. Instead, this move reinforces systemic exclusion and undermines years of advocacy for gender inclusion.”
He added that: “The decision to replace underperforming Ministers highlights the President’s intention to ensure accountability, improve delivery and address the current situation in the country. However, it also raises critical questions about the original appointments: Why did these officials fail to deliver? What lessons have been learned about the pitfalls of appointing political cronies at the expense of governance? We urge the administration to ensure thorough capacity-building for the new ministers and to take decisive action to prevent a repeat of previous shortcomings. Investigating the root causes of the failures is essential to avoid the same governance lapses.”
He further said: “As this cabinet grows to become the largest since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, concerns about the rising cost of governance become even more pressing. Although some Ministries were merged or disbanded, the net effect has been an increase in the number of Ministers.
“We call on all newly appointed Ministers to resist the temptation to introduce new personal agendas that deviate from the mandates of their Ministries. Governance should be focused and aligned with public needs, particularly in critical areas such as poverty reduction, social protection, and humanitarian support. The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction must act swiftly to revive key initiatives, such as the school feeding program and the national social register, to address the urgent needs of vulnerable populations.
ActionAid Nigeria urges the President to ensure that ministers follow the existing frameworks and strategic objectives of their Ministries. Policies and programmes must be people-centered, reflecting the current socio-economic realities of the nation.”
He said: “Citizens expect a government that prioritizes their well-being and delivers results efficiently and transparently.
In these challenging times, it is essential that governance reflects the principles of equity, accountability, and fiscal responsibility. We remain committed to holding leaders accountable to these standards and advocating for a government that works for the benefit of all Nigerians.”
Cabinet Reshuffle: ActionAid Nigeria Says Tinubu Should Have Increase Female Ministers
Govt Namadi Awards Special Scholarship to 801 PWDs, Destitute Children
By: Aminu B Dutse
No fewer than 801 People Leaving With Disabilities (PWD), PWDs and other destitute children students studying in various tertiary institutions across the country got special scholarship in addition to general scholarships from Jigawa State governor Malam Umar Namadi.
Speaking while launching the programme, governor Malam Umar Namadi at Banquet Hall at government house, said the programme is under the “Danmodi Students Care” initiative where the beneficiaries drown from 27 local government areas of the state.
Malam Umar Namadi explained that the initiative complements the state’s annual local and foreign scholarship program, which benefits over 36,000 of students from the state.
He revealed that in 2024, his administration reviewed and increased the annual scholarship allowance by 150%, ensuring it covers at least 50% of undergraduates’ registration fees.
Governor Namadi emphasized his administration’s commitment to investing in human capital development, particularly in education and empowerment, which are fundamental to achieving sustainable growth and development.
According to him “Education is a key pillar in our 12-Point Agenda, and we will continue to invest in our students, who are the future assets of our dear state, he said.
At the event, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Student Affairs and President of “*Danmodi Students Care”, Comrade Salisu Muhammad Seeker, explained that the special scholarship targets students studying Medicine, Health Sciences, Engineering, Agriculture, and selected Arts and Social Science courses.
“Additionally, students under the ‘Women for Health’ program” , selected from rural areas, are among the beneficiaries,”* he said.. “The scholarship will support them from admission until graduation, subject to annual academic performance reviews based on the program’s criteria.” Comrade Salisu stated.
He noted that the initiative aligns with Governor Umar Namadi’s agenda to ensure access to education for every child in the state, regardless of their parents’ socioeconomic status.
Comrade Salisu further stated that, For the 2024/2025 academic session, Danmodi Student’s Care assisted over 1,000 students to gained admission into various universities and tertiary institutions, with 400 of them qualifying for this scholarship.
He revealed that “Danmodi Students Care” is an initiative designed to support rural and underprivileged students in securing tertiary education admission while providing comprehensive welfare and academic support to enhance their performance.
Govt Namadi Awards Special Scholarship to 801 PWDs, Destitute Children
Police Conduct Raids Across Abuja, Arrest 62 Suspects for Criminal Activities
By: Zagazola Makama
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested 62 suspects during a series of coordinated raids on black spots and uncompleted buildings across various areas in Abuja.
Police sources confirmed that the raids took place on the night of April 17 at around 11:40 p.m. Police operatives from multiple divisions, including Kubwa, Nyanya, Kabusa, Lokogoma, Utako, Gwarinpa, and Bwari, participated in the operation targeting criminal hotspots in their areas of responsibility.
The police recovered a quantity of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, as well as illicit drugs, from the locations raided.
“The arrested suspects are currently in custody and undergoing screening and interrogation at their respective divisional offices. Those found to be involved in criminal activities will be charged to court,” the sources stated.
Police Conduct Raids Across Abuja, Arrest 62 Suspects for Criminal Activities
Joint Nigeria–Niger Airstrikes Target Terrorist Enclave in Lake Chad Region
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian Air Force, in a coordinated operation with its Nigerien counterpart, on Friday launched a series of precision airstrikes on suspected terrorist hideouts along the Nigeria–Niger border in the Lake Chad region.
The joint operation, which reportedly lasted for over four hours, was based on actionable intelligence gathered by Nigerien air surveillance units. The intelligence guided Nigerian fighter jets to specific locations believed to be used by terrorists for cross-border attacks.
According to initial field reports, the targeted area, described as a strategic terrorist enclave, was suspected of housing a mix of fighters, women, and children. The location had been under sustained observation for its alleged role in coordinating operations across the tri-border region of Nigeria, Niger, and Chad.
Following the bombardment, over 50 individuals were reportedly seen fleeing towards Fefewa, a remote village within the Lake Chad basin. Some of the escapees, according to unverified accounts, may have been attempting to regroup with a larger armed faction said to be fortified in nearby forested zones.
Although the casualty figures remain unclear, sources monitoring the operation, including Phantom Eye Hub, confirmed that investigations are underway to ascertain the impact and full extent of the strikes.
The joint air campaign underscores the increasing regional collaboration between Nigeria and Niger in countering insurgency threats.
Joint Nigeria–Niger Airstrikes Target Terrorist Enclave in Lake Chad Region
Govt Namadi Awards Special Scholarship to 801 PWDs, Destitute Children
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