Why Festus Odimegwu Resigned As NPC Boss - Politics - Nairaland
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Festus Odimegwu- Ex NPC Chairman Endorses General Buhari / Festus Odimegwu Resigns (Chairman Of National Population Commission) / Festus Odimegwu Suspended By The Federal Government (2) (3) (4)
| Why Festus Odimegwu Resigned As NPC Boss by Stallion77(f): 3:37am On Oct 18, 2013 |
In the wake of the sudden resignation of the former chairman, National Population Commission (NPC), Chief Festus Odimegwu yesterday, certain facts have emerged as to why he took the decision. The federal government had through the Secretary-General of the Federation (SGF), Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, immediately accepted his resignation, which took effect from yesterday, while Dr. Sam Ahaiwe, the commissioner representing Abia State in the Commission, was appointed to act in his stead, pending when a substantive head would be appointed. LEADERSHIP checks revealed that Odimegwu’s resignation was not unconnected with government’s refusal to yield to the call by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), to reverse the query issued him, for alleging that the 2006 census was characterised by flaws and for attempting to warn the government about the possible failure of the proposed 2016 population census. LEADERSHIP further gathered that before his resignation, Odimegwu was mired in controversy, especially regarding utterances by him said to be inciting. It would be recalled that apart from the call for Odimegwu’s removal by Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, over what he tagged attempts to criticise his predecessor Samaila Makama, 22 NPC commissioners had also raised the alarm over inciting statements credited to their former boss. Apart from alleged blackmailing of former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu, he was also said to have strongly disputed the figures for the state in the 2006 population census, accusing Tinubu of fraudulently inflating their number to 17.2 million against the 9 million arrived at by his predecessor, Samaila Makama. Odimegwu, was immediately queried by the federal government through the SGF, following an uproar over alleged sponsored malicious reports of fraud, corruption and marginalisation against his predecessor, Makama and some serving directors in some national dailies. Later, some commissioners dissociated themselves from what they described as rascality at the expense of governance and service delivery issues. He also accused Odimegwu’s administration of disregarding the Act which established the commission, the Public Service Rules (PSR) The 22 NPC commissioners had also expressed fear that if their former boss was not called to order by the appropriate authorities, the proposed 2016 census may suffer a major setback, as his unfavourable policies were already putting the commission at loggerheads with some of its development partners. The petition by the 22 commissioners read in part: ‘Among other things, the chairman has also openly reported refusing to sign the presidential committee report on centralising demographic data collection headed by Vice President Namadi Sambo, boasting to staff and the commission that he has written a minority report to replace the vice president’s submission.’ But the federal government had issued a query to Odimegwu, asking him to explain the circumstances leading to his alleged inciting statements. CAN had however called on the federal government to withdraw the query issued to Odimegwu and also tender an apology to him in the interest of fairness. CAN further described Odimegwu’s query as political, saying it was a ploy by the North to blackmail President Goodluck Jonathan ahead of the 2015 general elections. Meanwhile, in a recent interview with the former chairman of NPC, Makama said that a census is the collection, analysis and publication of the demographic data of the entire people resident in a given defined geographical territory within a specific period. The purpose is to obtain the data and characteristics of the people in a country, for the purpose of planning for national development. According to him, the mandate of the NPC as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution is to provide accurate and acceptable data to the federal government, for the purpose of national planning. It would be recalled that a national census was conducted in 1991 and it was acceptable. Following that was the 2006 census and it was nationally and internationally acclaimed and accepted as reliable. Reacting to the alleged claim by Odimegwu, Makama said, “This is not true, because in the 2006 census, the Commission took all the necessary steps to conduct an accurate, reliable and acceptable census. By all standards, accurate census does not imply mathematical accuracy of 100%, because there is no such perfection anywhere in the world. A credible census is that in which all the scientific methods of census taking have been applied and a reasonable level of coverage of the population. “So I can say that the 2006 census was credible and reliable, because all the processes involved in the conduct of a census were complied with, from the statistical planning to numerical area demarcation, pre-test or prior census, the actual conduct of the census, the retrieval of the census forms, the archiving, the scanning, the calculation and validation of the data. Moreover, during the 2006 census, all the activities, that is, the enumeration exercise was monitored by national and international monitors. Over 90 international monitors from 24 countries monitored the census across the country,” he explained. http://leadership.ng/news/181013/why-festus-odimegwu-resigned-npc-boss 1 Like |
| Re: Why Festus Odimegwu Resigned As NPC Boss by Euroclydon(m): 3:42am On Oct 18, 2013 |
And Premium times said he was sacked... so which do we believe now?  |
| Re: Why Festus Odimegwu Resigned As NPC Boss by Nobody: 3:46am On Oct 18, 2013 |
Euroclydon: And Premium times said he was sacked... so which do we believe now? If you are sacked OR asked to resign immediately, what's the difference? Six or half a dozen, what's the difference? |
| Re: Why Festus Odimegwu Resigned As NPC Boss by bigtt76(f): 3:50am On Oct 18, 2013 |
Poor beer man ...he prolly knew thw number of active beer drinkers per state and wwas just stating the fact! Naija sha  1 Like |
| Re: Why Festus Odimegwu Resigned As NPC Boss by Euroclydon(m): 3:59am On Oct 18, 2013 |
Prof Corruption: Oga, difference dey o... One is honourable the other is not...regardless of whether they asked you to resign or u resign by yaself as long as you were not outrightly sacked without an option to preserve u dignity. Take for instance one of the recently sacked minister that was crying, if they had asked her to resign, she for cry?? Some other learnt about their sack on the news...and you tell me say difference no dey? chill jare.. 4 Likes |
| Re: Why Festus Odimegwu Resigned As NPC Boss by DuduNegro: 4:03am On Oct 18, 2013 |
Ibos lack tact to act responsibly and act maturedly in positions of power. In a sensitive position needing coalition and compromise to move ahead and add to the building-block , they soon exhibit their lack of vision and penchant for rebellion.........making enemies instead of winning friends! Odimegwu will not be Ibo if he didnt turn people off with his authority as headman of the commission. Yeye dey smell for SE! 2 Likes |
| Re: Why Festus Odimegwu Resigned As NPC Boss by Stallion77(f): 4:05am On Oct 18, 2013 |
Dudu_Negro: Ibos lack tact to act responsibly and act maturedly in positions of power. In a sensitive position needing coalition and compromise to move ahead and add to the building-block , they soon exhibit their lack of vision and penchant for rebellion.........making enemies instead of winning friends! The smell of another tribalistic element pass the yeye wey you say dey smell for SE 7 Likes |
| Re: Why Festus Odimegwu Resigned As NPC Boss by Desric(m): 7:24am On Oct 18, 2013 |
Mediocrity, Sycophancy, Nepotism, Hypocrisy etc, just possess these qualities and you'll be a celebrity in this world. That's why they say that ' the good die young' after all, the world itself was built on these same characters so no surprise. Its still better you left with your honour and dignity intact not like some Maurice Iwu, wealth and power makes people do the undoables, but I guess you've tasted all and its good to give the remaining of your life for a worthy and noble cause.... I wish you all the very best in your future endeavours, good luck to you sir. 2 Likes |
| Re: Why Festus Odimegwu Resigned As NPC Boss by henrychubayo: 7:27am On Oct 18, 2013 |
It will be very good if we are told the names of the 22 commissioners and the state they represent. Wen you see the names and their state, you will begin to believe may be some people don't want him there. |
| Re: Why Festus Odimegwu Resigned As NPC Boss by Nobody: 8:55am On Oct 18, 2013 |
Ok |
| Re: Why Festus Odimegwu Resigned As NPC Boss by Nobody: 9:15am On Oct 18, 2013 |
Dudu_Negro: Ibos lack tact to act responsibly and act maturedly in positions of power. In a sensitive position needing coalition and compromise to move ahead and add to the building-block , they soon exhibit their lack of vision and penchant for rebellion.........making enemies instead of winning friends! The man refused to be used to perpetuate lies! Whether he was sacked or he resigned does not really matter. As for your comment about Igbos, we have heard! And we are working hard to have our beloved Biafra, where we wont bother you people anymore! 3 Likes |
| Re: Why Festus Odimegwu Resigned As NPC Boss by geeez: 9:47am On Oct 18, 2013 |
If you're not moving to a better job, chances are that your resignation is to forestall a sack The man has been very reckless and irresponsible He demanded N600bn to conduct a census when the so-called First Class graduate could not think of integrating data already captured by INEC with a view to integrating data already documented and registering only the unregistered He also openly criticised the last census reports setting himself up for the inevitable hammer I personally suggest that someone from a minority ethnic group like the Tiv or Idoma should replace him because no matter what the results are, it will be disputed if conducted by a Hausa, Yoruba or Igbo 4 Likes |
| Re: Why Festus Odimegwu Resigned As NPC Boss by Wallade(m): 10:11am On Oct 18, 2013 |
Whatever circumstances surrounding his resignation, he took a step that is rare in Nigeria and I appreciate him for that. Maybe he was unprofessional and arrogant with some requests, approach and statements. However, he made some salient points which mustn't be ignored - What is the credibility of the Census data published periodically? 1 Like |
| Re: Why Festus Odimegwu Resigned As NPC Boss by cocoduck: 11:00am On Oct 18, 2013 |
Which leads to the next question. will a parasite leave the host alone just like that? Your guess is as good as mine |
| Re: Why Festus Odimegwu Resigned As NPC Boss by Nobody: 11:34am On Oct 18, 2013 |
geeez: If you're not moving to a better job, chances are that your resignation is to forestall a sackBro, dont perceive this as an insult but a personal opinion; since your sojourn here on NL, the last paragraph of your write up is like the most sensible non bigoted statement you've ever made. #FACT 1 Like |
| Re: Why Festus Odimegwu Resigned As NPC Boss by Stallion77(f): 7:05pm On Oct 19, 2013 |
geeez: If you're not moving to a better job, chances are that your resignation is to forestall a sack 600billion...this billion tinz had turn to pocket money for naija big men o...and some still dey struggle to reach the first million...1million |
| Re: Why Festus Odimegwu Resigned As NPC Boss by owobokiri(m): 7:10pm On Oct 19, 2013 |
The ease with which Jonathan hires and fires South East technocrats o satisfy the vaulting political ambitions of the fulani oligarchy should start to worry |
| Re: Why Festus Odimegwu Resigned As NPC Boss by adconline(m): 7:16pm On Oct 19, 2013 |
Dudu_Negro: Ibos lack tact to act responsibly and act maturedly in positions of power. In a sensitive position needing coalition and compromise to move ahead and add to the building-block , they soon exhibit their lack of vision and penchant for rebellion.........making enemies instead of winning friends!Stupidity runs in ur DNA. He had the courage to state what was wrong with past census figures. Last time an Igbo person had the same gut? Dora Akunyili called on FEC to accept the fact that Yaradua was unable to lead Naija from his hospital bed in Saudi Arabia. Mention one name in your family that can be matched with Odimegwu? 3 Likes |
| Re: Why Festus Odimegwu Resigned As NPC Boss by Kingspin(m): 8:15pm On Oct 19, 2013 |
It a big shame we dnt know how many we are in this country. True federalism will do the work. By than, states with over unproductive LG's would reduce them to 5 by force. |
| Re: Why Festus Odimegwu Resigned As NPC Boss by Kponkwem(m): 8:46pm On Oct 19, 2013 |
Dudu_Negro: Ibos lack tact to act responsibly and act maturedly in positions of power. In a sensitive position needing coalition and compromise to move ahead and add to the building-block , they soon exhibit their lack of vision and penchant for rebellion.........making enemies instead of winning friends! Poor observation. You forget that Igbos are naturally groomed in tact and diplomacy. The village square-type of consensus building and use of oratory and diplomacy are all part of the Igbo persona- reason why they are normally top choice in public relations in every organisation. Its unfortunate that the perceived tactless ones like the ones you know tend to be in ascendancy in the land. |
| Re: Why Festus Odimegwu Resigned As NPC Boss by IGBOSON1: 9:29pm On Oct 19, 2013 |
Kingspin: It a big shame we dnt know how many we are in this country. True federalism will do the work. By than, states with over unproductive LG's would reduce them to 5 by force. ^^^And this loss of their unmerited advantage is why they'll tell you and i where to go with our quest for the enthronement of fiscal federalism! Trust me, they wouldn't give up their 44 LGAs without a fight! |
| Re: Why Festus Odimegwu Resigned As NPC Boss by gerald09(m): 10:54pm On Oct 19, 2013 |
D man shuld have been giving a chance to prove his case, dey wuld have allowed him do d census in 2016. Dat way we know who dey lie. I interviewed some staffs @ d office in abuja, some believes its was a tribal tin, some say he was betrayed by his own people. How do we as a people judge dis case? The commissioner says the numbers are wrong, To petition him and forced him to resign doesn't ans d question. Was he right or wrong? What are the ways, technology used by the commission in counting the citizens? If it was don manually dere is bound to be human errors. |
| Re: Why Festus Odimegwu Resigned As NPC Boss by MeAboki(m): 2:36am On Oct 20, 2013 |
Dudu_Negro: Ibos lack tact to act responsibly and act maturedly in positions of power. In a sensitive position needing coalition and compromise to move ahead and add to the building-block , they soon exhibit their lack of vision and penchant for rebellion.........making enemies instead of winning friends! You hit the nail on the head, too much arrogance and over sabi dey worry dem when dem get position, a 1000 likes jare! |
| Re: Why Festus Odimegwu Resigned As NPC Boss by masu: 5:39am On Oct 20, 2013 |
Dudu_Negro: Ibos lack tact to act responsibly and act maturedly in positions of power. In a sensitive position needing coalition and compromise to move ahead and add to the building-block , they soon exhibit their lack of vision and penchant for rebellion.........making enemies instead of winning friends! am from a minority group (Benue) therefore am in the possition to say the truth without fear or favor. the issue with ibo people is not over sabi nor abuse of office nor lack of tactice but weakness of Gej to stand up with the truth. Naija is been controled by Fulani yoruba and hausa tribes in a mafia style. 1) Presidency (hausa/fulani property): when dora akunyili stood up for a handover to Gej bcus yaradua was not healthy enough, the owner of the seat of power called for her immidiate removal, and they got it at last bcus she resign. 2) Power (phcn yoruba property): when Bath Nnaji shows a good move to revive that sector he becomes anti yorubas and was taged nepotism. they call for his removal and got it bcus he resigned. 3) Aviation another yoruba property: Oduah has done what no yoruba person has not done in that sector but her multiple sins is that she open up enugu airport as international airport. remember Gej is not the president that approved enugu and intl airport but it did assume that stators during a yoruba aviation leadership. they are calling for her removal now with too many non issues but am afraid to say that they will get it one day. 4) NPC another fulani hausa property: Festus Odimegwu has suffered yet another hammer from presidency just to please fulani hausas. etc etc etc. 2 Likes |
| Re: Why Festus Odimegwu Resigned As NPC Boss by MeAboki(m): 5:56am On Oct 20, 2013 |
^^^^ Abeg go siddon, which one be presidency na Hausa Fulani property: Gowan (Angas), Babangida (Gwari), Abacha (Shuwa) & Abdulsalam Abubakar (Nupe or Gwari) na Hausa or na Fulani, in fact 3 out of the 4 no be middle belt dem be? |
| Re: Why Festus Odimegwu Resigned As NPC Boss by Nobody: 6:30am On Oct 20, 2013 |
Me_Aboki: ^^^^ Abeg go siddon, which one be presidency na Hausa Fulani property: Gowan (Angas), Babangida (Gwari), Abacha (Shuwa) & Abdulsalam Abubakar (Nupe or Gwari) na Hausa or na Fulani, in fact 3 out of the 4 no be middle belt dem be?You're obviously a neophyte in issues of Northern affair. It's only in the south there's such thing as 'Efik,Ibibio,Igbo,Yoruba,ijaw' and the likes, Northerners see themselves as one and the adhesive responsible for this is Islam, A Fulani man doesnt see himself as being any different from A gwari man or kanuri man, infact they are all trying to collapse their individual language(s) and adopt the hausa as the only language. So until we in the South stop trying pull ourselves down, the north will still have an upperhand in how the affairs of this country is run! |
| Re: Why Festus Odimegwu Resigned As NPC Boss by 99100(m): 7:15am On Oct 20, 2013 |
The next NPC boss must be a non-yoruba southern christian. Yoruba's are hausa man stooge.They do thier bidding.GEJ is still being lenient with some ppl possibly due to his 2015 ambition.Come 2015 when he ascends d throne for his 2nd tenure knowing he has nothing to loose,then Nigerians i mean those ppl will see d real side of GEJ.More things will be done rightly without d fear of d unknown.Odimegwu has made money even b4 his appointment as d NPC boss.he is multi millionaire .He is a man who commands huge following among his ppl. i mean Imo state.I believe he has a game plan.Hate him or like him d Igbos have come to like him for this unshaken,unblemish and strong character demonstration .So dont be suprise if he decides to come out and contest d Imo state next governorship election.D sky is his limit. |
| Re: Why Festus Odimegwu Resigned As NPC Boss by MeAboki(m): 11:43am On Oct 20, 2013 |
INNO18: You're obviously a neophyte in issues of Northern affair. It's only in the south there's such thing as 'Efik,Ibibio,Igbo,Yoruba,ijaw' and the likes, Northerners see themselves as one and the adhesive responsible for this is Islam, A Fulani man doesnt see himself as being any different from A gwari man or kanuri man, infact they are all trying to collapse their individual language(s) and adopt the hausa as the only language. So until we in the South stop trying pull ourselves down, the north will still have an upperhand in how the affairs of this country is run! How can a southerner know more about northern affairs than a northerner? It is really irksome when southerners like you display their typical arrogance and Odechukwuism of PhD without intelligence. So, in your infantile brain you really believe all northerners are Muslims and see themselves as one, irrespective of their tribe. Typical empty barrel making the loudest noise - and you even have the audacity to call somebody a neophyte, bet you can't locate that word in the dictionary even if you tried, you worwor like shi8t. |
| Re: Why Festus Odimegwu Resigned As NPC Boss by Nobody: 12:25pm On Oct 20, 2013 |
Me_Aboki:i'd have responded to you, but you dont deserve it. |
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