PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan explained, yesterday, that the former chairman of the National Population Commission, NPC, Chief Festus Odimegwu was relieved of his appointment because of certain statements he made, which brought credibility problem to the commission.
The president, who disclosed this while swearing in the chairman and two commissioners of the National Population Commission; a member of the ICPC as well as two Advisers at the Presidential Villa, charged public officials to be mindful of their utterances in order not to erode the confidence of the people in the work of their agencies.
He said: “When we have a country that the population is growing than the way our economy is growing, then we must know our population figures, so that government at federal, state and local levels will be able to plan.
“The population commission is critical and you also have to be mindful about the statements you make and that is not limited to the national population commission alone, but to all of us who are holding offices.
“You must be very mindful and not make statements that will create problem for the society.”
Addressing the new chairman, the President said: “I dropped your predecessor because of certain statements he made.
“He is a fine gentleman, everybody knows him, very cerebral. But an institution like the National Population Commission must be one that people will believe in whatever you do.
“And if you make pronouncements that will create credibility problem to that institution, the best thing is for you to step aside for some other person to step in because the credibility of that institution is critical.
“Perception in most cases are stronger than real, no matter what you do if the perception is wrong then society will not follow you,” the president charged.
Odimegwu’s comments raised a quantum of dust in the polity with the presidency firing him a query. He also received an avalanche of attacks from many northerners especially, Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Going by the 2006 headcount, Kano is the most populous state in the country.
During a visit to President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Kwankwaso called for Odimegwu’s sack over his denigration of the 2006 Nigeria census, saying: “We are not happy about that appointment and think that it was a mistake. Festus shouldn’t be there in the first place…because he cannot be the chairman of NPC and at the same time be attacking what his predecessor had done.”
Odumegwu’s comments belie Nigeria’s topsy-turvy experience with population census. Acclaimed as the most populous nation in Africa, the true number of Nigerians has always remained a matter of estimates. Currently, Nigeria’s population is between 160 – 167 million based on projections from the 2006 census that put the nation’s population at 140 million with the North accounting for 73.6 million and the South having 64.9 million.
Population figures had always been a subject of mudslinging between Southern and Northern politicians. For Southerners, the belief is that the population of the North has been “over-counted”.
They argue that going by simple demographic distribution pattern across the globe, population increases as one moves from the hinterland (desert or Savannah regions) to the coast. They wondered why in the case of Nigeria, the North which lies more in the arid zone, is more populous than the coastal South.
For Northerners, their extensive landmass and population must not be taken for granted, facts, said argued that several head counts had confirmed. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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GEJ this is an act of cowardice by conceding the tribal, selfish and misleading advice of Kwakwanso who is known to be a chronic Northern Centrist against the man (Festus) you put in the position. You did it because Festus is an Igbo man. I feel if you are reasonable enough receiving such revealing report from Festus. You would've asked for further investigation to the age long anormally in census results given to Nigerians every time. Over the years it has been a heated arguement and disagreement that the desert North has more population than the vegetative south. It is only in Nigeria such is accepted. If Jonathan believes people in Government should not say out what they have observed or discovered in the course of duties. Why has he not sacked Sanusi Lamido who not only has being saying things out to public, But has been saying false and misleading info to the public, which has caused so much problem for GEJ and his govt. Sanusi has not hidden his hatred and attack to GEJ through giving out wrong and dangerous info to Nigerian causing so problem for PDP and indeed the entire Govt. Yet Jonathan has not been able to call him to order let alone sack him. Sacking Festus because one norther govnor just asked him to do that is a sure disrespect to Igbo people. Can an Igbo govnor ask Jonathan to sack a northern minister and he heeds? No. He is always quick to remove any Igbo officer working with him at slightest request by anyone or group, yet Igbos are the highest supporters of Jonathan. Since his tenor so many Ibo officers working in his govt have been removed unjustly, making Igbos Use-and-Dump and Sacrificial Lamds. Where is Kwakwanso now with Jonathan presidency. Jonatha only sacrifices Igbos in exchange to political ambition. Even though those asking him to do so will at the end betray and dump him. While as his highest supporters remain Igbo.
ReplyDeleteIgbo people be wise, Jonathan is not the brother you think his, he is rather using you people. APGA should withdraw her support for Jonathan, rally all Igbos and present their presidential candidate. Because, APC is not even better.
I have a problem with people like you who see every appointment or sack, first and foremost, from a tribal perspective. Was it not Jonathan than appointed the man in the first place, knowing he (Odimegwu) to be Ibo? It is people like you who would perform poorly on your job and when you get sacked you blame it on your tribe, religion, or where you hail from. Does everyone not know that Ibos benefited immensely from Jonathan's rule? Was this realisation among the Ibos not the reason Ibos voted massively for him in the recent elections? I admonish you to grow up and move away from tribalism and sectionalism.
Deletenice one bro
ReplyDeleteWhat about the President himself? Are there not times he was careless in his utterances? Like "I don't give a damn"! No man is perfect. That sholudn't be the next line of action cos if the President were to be fair, a lot of people, including the President himself would have been sacked!
ReplyDeleteWhy are igbos always thinking they're being marginalised in this country. For God sake is GEJ not from your republic of Biafra? Pls be very objective in your comments
ReplyDelete@anonymous 2.06pm. You not only need to learn the ethnic composition of Nigeria, you also need to first check objective facts before you speak. It is important. That write-up you were criticising was flawless except for grammar and spelling.
ReplyDelete@anonymous 9:17. that was a rich analysis. thanks
ReplyDelete