Jonathan Orders Cancellation of NIS Recruitment As NASS Summons Moro, NIS Boss

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines Wednesday, March 19th, 2014

Kayode Adelowokan

Following the last weekend’s stampede that occurred across the country during a recruitment exercise of the Nigerian Immigration Service, President Goodluckluck Jonathan has ordered the cancellation of the exercise.

The Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku who announced this on Wednesday shortly after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) said a panel set up by the federal government would conduct a fresh recruitment exercise.

Deaconess Joan O. Ayo, The Chairman Civil Commission will chair the panel comprises of representatives of the Police, State Security Service, Immigration, Prisons, Customs and Civil defence.

Meanwhile, the National Assembly has called for a thorough investigation of the tragic deaths of about 20 applicants during last weekend’s NIS recruitment exercise across the country.

The lawmakers during a plenary session on Wednesday expressed deep concern over the high level of unemployment in the country saying it is time for it to be tackled.

The House of Representatives’ Committee on Interior has however summoned the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Minister of Interior, Mr. Abba Moro, to explain what led to the incident.

They are also expected to brief the House on why the exercise was not well coordinated.

In the same vein, the Senate also ordered its Committee on Interior to investigate the exercise and report within two weeks.

Both chambers of the National Assembly also called on the Federal Government to come up with practical solutions on how to tackle the monster of unemployment.

At least 19 persons died over the weekend during the NIS recruitment exercise across the country.