Young Nigerians push for removal of political age limits.

Hundreds of young Nigerians marched on the country’s parliament on Tuesday, calling for lawmakers to remove age barriers on political posts, including the presidency. Nigeria’s 1999 constitution stipulates that the president has to be at least 40, while senators and state governors have to be aged 35 or above.

Young Nigerians march to protest against age barriers on political posts in Abuja, on July 25, 2017. Hundreds of young Nigerians marched towards the country’s parliament on Tuesday, calling for lawmakers to remove age barriers on political posts, including the presidency. Nigeria’s 1999 constitution stipulates that the president has to be at least 40, while senators and state governors have to be aged 35 or above

But with an increasingly young demographic in Africa’s most populous nation and a majority of voters (55.4 percent) in the 18-35 age group, the restriction is seen as unfair.

About 500 protesters, wearing white T-shirts and brandishing placards proclaiming “#NotTooYoungToRun”, marched two kilometres (1.5 miles) to the National Assembly.

A sit-in was planned outside the parliament building until lawmakers vote on a constitutional amendment to lower the age.

Protest leader Samson Itodo said they needed a two-thirds majority in the 109-seat senate and the 360-seat House of Representatives to vote in their favour.

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N-Delta talks: Name FG’s team before August 1 — Clark

UGHELLI— CONVENER of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF and Ijaw national leader, Chief Edwin Clark, has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to, as a matter of urgency, constitute a team to engage in talks with stakeholders in the Niger Delta before August 1, adding that youths of the region were becoming impatient over the delay in the talks.

This came as Niger Delta activist, Ann-Kio Briggs said that there was no ongoing talks between the Federal Government and any representative of the region. Speaking to Vanguard yesterday, Chief Clark who expressed fears that youths from the region were fast losing confidence in them (elders), disclosed that he has been receiving series of telephone calls over the delay in talks with the Federal Government,  adding that since the November 1, 2016 meeting, PANDEF has not met with the Federal Government. 

Frowning at the pace of activities at the Maritime University, Okerekoko, Delta State, which is supposed to commence academic activities this year according to acting President Yemi Osinbajo, Clark said: “They said the school will resume this year, July is almost ending, when will the staff be employed, what is the situation? “So, between now and August 1,  we are asking Mr. President to name a team and we will  name our team because the boys are impatient and they have been disturbing me with telephone messages and some of them have even issued  notices to disown us.

“We cannot be in a situation where the Federal Government is not listening to us, our boys will soon lose confidence in us and we cannot carry on with that situation. So we are asking the acting president to open discussion with us.” On her part, asked if the attacks on security operatives in the region are connected to the delayed talks, Ann-Kio Briggs said: “There are no delayed talks as there are no talks going on. “What attacks can affect peace talks? The only war in the region is the war of environmental genocide, neglect and the war of political, economic and developmental injustice of over 50years that the Nigeria government, IOCs and the non Niger Delta oil well owners have waged against our people, land, and rights.”

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BREAKING: President Buhari meets with APC governors and leaders in London.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday, July 23, met with some All Progressives Congress (APC) governors and leaders in London - The delegation included the APC party chairman, John Oyegun; governors of Imo, Kaduna, Kogi, Nasarawa and minister of transportation, Rotimi Amaechi - President Buhari described the negative reports about him as lies President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday, July 23, received a delegation of All Progressive Congress (APC) governors at the Abuja House, in London. NAIJ.com gathered that the Imo state governor, Rochas Okorocha, said the president was very cheerful and has not lost any bit of his sense of humour. In a telephone conversation with Femi Adesina, the president's media adviser, following the meeting of the APC governors and leaders with President Buhari, he said the president was delighted to receive the delegation and asked each governor about affairs in his state. Read 

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Obaseki swears in 12 new permanent secretaries

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo has sworn-in 12 new Permanent Secretaries with a charge to abide by their oath of office and shun corruption.

Addressing the permanent secretaries comprising seven males and five females in Benin on Tuesday, Obaseki described their inauguration as a historic journey to restoring the lost glory of the state civil service.

According to him, their appointment was based on merit and their high performance in the examination conducted by Administrative Staff College of Nigeria.

“I am urging you all not to disappoint the administration and you can achieve that by giving your best at all times,’’ he said.

He said the administration would build a strong world class civil service, adding that the onus was on the permanent secretaries to actualize the dream.

On capacity building, the governor said about 80 computers with internet facility had been provided to train civil servants to function effectively.

Obaseki, however, warned against acts of corruption, promising to deal with workers found wanting.

“Such people would not only be dismissed but would be prosecuted,’’ he said.

Speaking on behalf of the new permanent secretaries, Dr Asogun Izielen pledged their commitment to driving the governor’s vision for the state.

Those sworn-in include Ms Helen Adesuwa, Mrs Ruth Enoma, Mrs Juliana Olatunji, Mrs Priscillia Aziegbemhin, and Ms Itohan Bazuaye.

The rest are Mr Samuel Agbeirio, Mr Michael Iyekepolor, Rev. Uhunmwagho Obazee, Pastor Christopher Obode, Mr George Igberase and Mr Denis Juwobor.

The permanent secretaries would be deployed to various ministries on July 26.

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