The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to step down as Minister of Petroleum, arguing that the position should be held by a qualified professional who can drive necessary reforms in the sector.

CHRICED’s Program Manager, Victor Emejuiwe, made this call in a statement on Monday while marking the International Day of Social Justice. He emphasized that Nigeria’s petroleum sector is too critical to be managed without expert leadership.

“The President should step aside from his role as Minister of Petroleum and appoint a qualified Nigerian with the expertise needed to implement reforms.

This is vital because the petroleum sector plays a key role in the economy and requires someone with both technical knowledge and a deep understanding of the industry’s challenges,” the statement read.

According to CHRICED, bringing in an industry expert would improve transparency, accountability, and efficiency in a sector long plagued by corruption and mismanagement.

The organization stressed that proper leadership could rebuild public trust and ensure that Nigeria’s resources are used for the benefit of all.

They further stated that future appointments, not just in the petroleum sector but across all areas of governance, should be based on merit. “Leadership should be about excellence and professionalism.

Also, adhering to the principle of federal character is crucial to ensure that all regions are fairly represented. Inclusivity fosters national unity and ensures that the diverse needs of Nigerians are met,” CHRICED added.

Rick Buckler, the drummer for the influential British band The Jam, has passed away at the age of 69 after a brief illness. He died peacefully on February 17, 2025, in his hometown of Woking, Surrey, surrounded by family.

Born on December 6, 1955, in Woking, Buckler co-founded The Jam in the early 1970s alongside Paul Weller and Bruce Foxton.

The band gained prominence with hits like “Town Called Malice” and “Going Underground,” becoming a leading force in the UK’s mod revival movement. They achieved 18 consecutive UK top 40 singles and released six studio albums before disbanding in 1982.

Following The Jam’s split, Buckler engaged in various musical projects, including forming the band Time UK and later joining From The Jam, a tribute act with former bandmate Bruce Foxton.

He also explored careers outside of music, such as furniture design, and authored several books about his experiences with The Jam.

The U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, has uncovered $4.7 trillion in untraceable payments within the U.S. Treasury Department.

In a statement released on Monday via its official X account, DOGE explained that the Treasury Access Symbol (TAS) field was previously optional for these payments, which made tracking nearly impossible.

The TAS field is a crucial identification code that links Treasury payments to specific budget line items.

DOGE mentioned that following its intervention over the weekend, the TAS field is now a mandatory requirement for Treasury payments.