National News

KULEN ALLAH CATTLE REARERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (KACRAN)

Published

1 year ago

August 1, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

KULEN ALLAH CATTLE REARERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (KACRAN)

By: Michael Mike

Kacran Appeals To Protesters To Suspend Planned Demonstrations And Calls On Federal, State, And Local Governments To Take Necessary Actions.

As the ten-day nationwide protest planned by Nigerian youths and their supporters approaches, there is still no clear indication of dialogue between the Federal Government and the protesters. This lack of communication could lead to severe and undesirable consequences for the peace, unity, and corporate existence of our nation. Therefore, the members of the Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN), an association dedicated to fostering peace and unity between farmers, herders, and the good people of our beloved country, strongly urge the protesters to suspend their planned demonstrations. We also call on the Federal, State, and Local Governments to take the necessary actions to ensure the protest does not occur.

Our urgent appeal to both parties is based on the following reasons:

Although we acknowledge that Nigerians are experiencing severe hardships, including extreme hunger and other difficulties that make life unbearable due to the removal of oil subsidies, increased NEPA bills, and skyrocketing prices of food and essential commodities, we firmly believe that protests will not achieve the desired objectives. Instead, they will likely worsen the situation.

Protests, in our understanding, signify a rejection of certain government policies and programs for specific reasons stated by the protesters. In clearer terms, protests often represent a revolt against government actions or unwelcome decisions, which frequently lead to clashes between protesters and government forces, resulting in loss of lives and property, including those of innocent people who have no involvement in the protests.

Another reason for our serious concern is that protests in Nigeria often produce highly regrettable negative outcomes, which are more harmful to the protesters, the governed, and the rulers than providing solutions to the issues at hand.

In this regard, KACRAN has ample examples to illustrate why we do not support any protests. For instance:

We have witnessed how protests led to the disintegration of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) in 1991.
It is also documented that protests over the increase in the cost of bread from one pound to two devastated Sudan, resulting in the deaths of thousands of Sudanese, many of whom fled the country. Now, the cost of bread has multiplied to 250 Sudanese pounds.
Libya is another example where protests, remotely influenced by Western powers, led to the downfall of the country. Libyans who celebrated the death of their leader, Muammar Gaddafi, are now suffering immensely.
The pitiable situation in Kenya due to ongoing protests, where many Kenyans have been brutally killed, is another example of why protests are detrimental, especially in the Third World countries of Africa where hooliganism often prevails.
In Nigeria, the recent End SARS protests in Lagos resulted in the deaths of many innocent people, the burning of numerous places, and the destruction of properties worth billions of Naira.

The fact that protests are likely to be hijacked by miscreants who steal and destroy property is another reason why protests are not the solution to our current problems of high living costs and lack of money to buy the now costly food.

Lastly, KACRAN is not in favor of protests and urges the parties involved to engage in peaceful dialogue to solve our country’s economic hardships. Nationwide protests pose a threat to Nigeria’s security and corporate existence, potentially leading to anarchy, statelessness, and, God forbid, disintegration. This would create a terrible situation where everyone is against everyone else.

KACRAN’s Suggestions for Solving Our Problems:

We fervently call on the protesters to suspend their planned demonstrations.
We urge the Federal, State, and Local Governments to take the necessary actions to achieve a permanent solution to our problems.
At the federal level, we call on the Federal Government to thoroughly review the protesters’ demands with a view to addressing what can be met. We also plead with the protesters to reduce their demands to acceptable levels.

Among the protesters’ demands, we passionately request the Federal Government to reconsider the removal of oil subsidies and the increase in NEPA bills.

We also call on the Federal Government to embark on the massive importation of food and other essential commodities and distribute them free of charge to our people for at least three months before the harvest period.

Additionally, we call on the Federal Government to provide relief materials and substantial funds to its commissions, such as the North East Development Commission (NEDC) and other commissions in the country, to purchase and distribute food and other essential materials to Nigerians for free.

At the state level, we call on our State Governments to purchase large quantities of food items and distribute them through their State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMA) and other relevant agencies.

We also urge our Local Governments to allocate substantial funds to purchase food items for immediate distribution to our local populace, particularly those residing in villages and rural areas.

In conclusion, given the severe consequences associated with nationwide protests as outlined above, we passionately request and appeal to our youths to suspend their planned demonstrations. We also urge our Federal, State, and Local Governments, in the interest of peace and unity in our beloved country, to promptly address the protesters’ demands and consider KACRAN’s additional suggestions for timely implementation.

KULEN ALLAH CATTLE REARERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (KACRAN)

National News

NIMC Promotes 523 Staff Members

Published

9 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

NIMC Promotes 523 Staff Members

By: Michael Mike

The DG/CEO of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr (Dr) Abisoye Coker-Odusote has approved the promotion of 523 Staff of the Commission.

The promotion, according to a statement on Saturday by the spokesperson of the Commission, Dr. Kayode Adegoke is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Adegoke said: “This is a statutory part of the performance reward system for Staff who sat and met the pre-requisite conditions as spelt out in the Public Service Rules (PSR) in the 2025 promotion exercise.

He disclosed that accordingly, two staff members were promoted to the Director’s cadre (GL 17), and eight staff members moved to the Deputy Director cadre (GL 16) and 35 staff staff members promoted to the Assistant Director cadre (GL 15).

He further disclosed that 35 staff were promoted to the level of Chief Identity Officers (GL 14), with 109 moving to Assistant Chief Identity Officers (GL 13).

Adegoke said 113 officers moved to the rank of Principal Identity Officer (GL 12), while 82 were promoted to Senior Identity Officer ranks (GL 10), and 130 to the rank of Identity Officer 1 ( GL 9).

The DG/CEO congratulated all the promoted staff and charged them to see the promotion as an opportunity to serve the country better. She reiterated zero tolerance for extortion and warned staff to desist from it.

Engr Coker-Odusote, furthermore, encouraged all staff members of the Commission to work harder in the coming year 2026 and ensure the successful implementation of the National Identification Number project. She reiterated her commitment to prioritise staff welfare and ensure the dignity of labour.

NIMC Promotes 523 Staff Members

National News

VP Shettima Extols Gov Uzodimma’s Progressive Leadership At 67

Published

9 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

VP Shettima Extols Gov Uzodimma’s Progressive Leadership At 67

By: Our Reporter

Vice President Kashim Shettima has congratulated Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Senator Hope Uzodimma, on his 67th birthday, saying his exemplary and progressive leadership within the All Progressives Congress (APC), his state, and the nation at large is worthy of emulation.

He noted that as Chairman of the PGF, an umbrella body of Governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Uzodimma has demonstrated exceptional capacity to unite and galvanise the party’s Governors towards achieving a collective vision for Nigeria’s development under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The Vice President on Saturday, described the age of 67 as an important milestone in the life of Uzodimma, noting that the special moment reflects how far the Governor has come, and sets the stage for what lies ahead.

Acknowledging how Uzodimma’s “exemplary leadership as Executive Governor of Imo State continues to inspire confidence and progress,” VP Shettima described the PGF Chairman as a committed servant of Nigeria.

“Your recent appointment by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, as Renewed Hope Ambassador is a well-deserved recognition of your unwavering dedication to the ideals of our administration and your proven ability to articulate and champion the transformative agenda of the Renewed Hope mandate across our nation,” the VP told the Governor.

This singular honour, Senator Shettima said, reflects President Tinubu’s confidence in Governor Uzodimma’s leadership and commitment to national progress.

He observed that the Imo State Governor’s strategic governance, infrastructural achievements, and dedication to the prosperity of his state exemplify the progressive leadership Nigeria needs at this crucial time.

The Vice President prayed the Almighty God to grant Governor Uzodimma continued wisdom, good health, and strength to sustain his “remarkable service to Imo State and Nigeria.”

VP Shettima Extols Gov Uzodimma’s Progressive Leadership At 67

National News

EU Invests Additional €45 million in Nigeria’s Digital Economy

Published

2 days ago

December 12, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

EU Invests Additional €45 million in Nigeria’s Digital Economy

By: Michael Mike

The Europe Union (EU) is investing an additional €45 million in Nigeria’s digital economy.

The package was signed by the Nigerian Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, and the European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Síkela in Brussels.

A statement on Thursday by EU read: “At the EU-Nigeria Digital Open Day, which just took place in Brussels, a €45 million programme completing the EU Digital Economy Package for Nigeria was signed between Nigerian Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, and the European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela.

“This investment will further support the cooperation in digital sector between Nigeria and the European Union.”

The European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Síkela, said: “Global Gateway is about delivering new opportunities, and the EU-Nigerian cooperation in the digital area has a very strong potential to do exactly that. Our approach to digitalisation is based on skills-transfer, open standards, data protection, privacy and security. This way, we make sure that technologies truly enrich human lives. The new package will take our efforts even further by supporting modern e-public services and investing in the skills that will prepare Nigeria’s youth for the digital future.”

The Nigerian Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani added: The EU–Nigeria digital economy cooperation reflects our shared belief that digital transformation must provide a platform for growth in productivity driven by technology. As part of this, Project Bridge provides a commercially sustainable entry point for European investors and suppliers to participate in deploying an open-access fibre network at scale. Combined with our leadership in Artificial Intelligence, Digital Public Infrastructure and programmes such as 3 million Technical Talents, Nigeria offers European businesses a market where talent, demand and policy alignment converge to support long-term investment and expansion.”

The programme signed on Thursday includes a flagship Global Gateway support to the Project Bridge that aims to deploy 90 000 km of fibre-optic backbone across Nigeria. This project is the country’s most ambitious digital investment supported by loans from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, World Bank and African Development Bank.
The €45 million grant supports the preparation of this strategic project with technical assistance and equipment in three complementary ways: for the detailed fiber optic network design, for local skills development and for the supply chain deployment with the mobilisation of the EU private sector.

The EU programme will also contribute to modernise Nigeria’s public administration through secure, user-friendly digital services. it also involves targeted support for Nigeria’s nationwide digital-skills programme, helping train a new generation of technicians, engineers and IT specialists.

According to the statement, this is essential to create new jobs, because large-scale digital projects can only work if the local workforce can maintain, operate and innovate on these networks.

The objective of the EU-Nigeria Open Digital Day was to facilitate access to information for European investors and suppliers interested in participating in the Nigerian digital ecosystem. The focus was on the Project Bridge, presented as an opportunity for collaborations between the EU tech sector and Nigeria.

With this €1.7 billion flagship project is projected to extend Nigeria’s total fibre to 125 000 km (+70%), making it the third-longest terrestrial fibre-optic infrastructure in Africa, following Egypt and South Africa.

Digitalisation is a priority area for the EU-Nigeria partnership as reflected in the €820 million Digital Economy Package launched in 2022 under the EU Global Gateway strategy. The EU-Nigeria collaboration in this sector spans from connectivity to digital skills, entrepreneurship, service and governance with multiple projects.

Nigeria’s digital economy has potential to create jobs, foster economic growth and open greater democratic space in Africa. Nigeria hosts big companies, and Lagos offers digital and business ecosystem with incubators, access to finance and digital service platforms. It has the biggest e-commerce market in Africa with 87 platforms, employing some 2.9 million people.

It is also leading on the continent on digital and start-ups – of the 8 existing African unicorns, 6 are Nigerian, with impressively dynamic States (Lagos) eager to create an ecosystem that promotes innovation, youth and growth largely led by the digital sector.

Global Gateway is the EU’s positive offer to reduce the worldwide investment disparity and boost smart, clean and secure connections in digital, energy and transport sectors, and to strengthen health, education and research systems.

The Global Gateway strategy embodies a Team Europe approach that brings together the European Union, EU Member States, and European development finance institutions.

Together, they aim to mobilise up to €300 billion in public and private investments from 2021 to 2027, creating essential links rather than dependencies, and closing the global investment gap.

EU Invests Additional €45 million in Nigeria’s Digital Economy