Jonathan accepts NPC boss Odumegwu’s resignation… As Osunyikanmi becomes Director General/ Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Technical Aids Corps.

President Goodluck Jonathan, has accepted the resignation of Festus Odimegwu, as Chairman of the National Population  Commission  with effect from today, October 17th, 2013.

In a statement by the Special Assistant on Media to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sam Nwaobasi, the Commissioner representing Abia State in the Commission, Dr. Sam Ahaiwe, has been asked to act as chairman pending the appointment of a substantive Chairman.

No reason was given for the sudden resignation of Odomegwu but in August this year, the Federal Government had queried Odimegwu, to defend his comments on Nigeria's census figures.

The former NPC boss had discredited previous census in an interview granted Nigerian media.

The former managing director of the Nigerian Breweries, criticized the last nationwide head count, conducted in 2006.

According to him, no credible elections had taken place in the country since the commencement of head counts in 1816.

'Nigeria has run on falsehood for too long. We must stop this falsehood and put a stop to all of this. Because the 2006 census was not correct, the former board of NPC was unable to publish the figures. If they try it, there will be uproar,' he said.

He also doubted the 2006 figures in which Kano State was declared the most populous state in the country, a comment that did not go down well with the Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, who made his displeasure known to President Jonathan.

Meanwhile, the President has also approved the appointment of Prof. Anya. O. Anya, as a member of the Advisory Committee on National Dialogue to replace Prof. Ben Nwabueze, who is still abroad on health grounds.

He has also approved the appointment of Pius Olakunle Osunyikanmi as Director General/ Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Technical Aids Corps.