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We have Registered 56m Nigerians for NIN – NIMC DG

by Leading Reporters
written by Leading Reporters

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) says it has so far registered 56 million Nigerians with their National Identity Number (NIN).

The Director-General of NIMC, Prof Aziz Aliyu, said this on Monday at the batch 10 launching of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) projects for Digital Economy.

The event which held virtually was in line with the Digital Economy agenda 2020 to 2030 and President Muhammadu Buhari’s agenda of fighting corruption, transforming the economy and ensuring security.

The projects launched were the National Policy on Virtual Engagements in the Federal Public Institutions, ECC Akure, Ondo State and Digital Economy Centre (DEC), Federal University, Gashua, Yobe State.

Others are DEC, Delta State University, Abraka and DEC, Government Secondary School, Rigasa (Main), Kaduna State.

“As of today NIMC has been able to register 56 million Nigerians with their NIN and that has been possible since Dr Isa Pantami took over as Minister of Communications and Digital Economy in October 2020.

“We register at least two million Nigerians monthly which is a good effort toward the digital economy agenda,’’ he said.

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BREAKING: NECO Registrar Godswill Obioma murdered by unknown gunmen

by Leading Reporters
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Unknown gunmen on Monday night invaded the residence of Professor Godswill Obioma, crushing him in what his wife suspected to be an assassination.

“The assassins came in and killed him and left without taking anything,” Elizabeth Obioma told Peoples Gazette by telephone on Tuesday morning.

Crying copiously, Mrs Obioma said her husband had just returned to Minna from a trip to Abuja when the armed men, prowling in his compound, descended on him and strangled him.

Femi Fani-Kayode@realFFK· Twittered “On Sunday, Ahmed Gulak, a prominent Northerner,was killed in Owerri. Threats of reprisals were made. On Tuesday, Godswill Obioma, a prominent Igbo & Registrar of NECO,was killed in Minna. The killers stormed his home, strangled him & left without taking anything. It begins!”

Obioma, 67, was appointed head of NECO barely a year ago on May 14, 2020. He hailed from Abia in Nigeria’s Igbo-dominated South-East region.

The sad incident occurred barely a day after Ahmed Gulak, a top politician of the ruling APC, was assassinated.

Details shortly…

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Oduduwa Republic: Agitators Forcefully Re-Open Idi-Iroko Border

by Leading Reporters
written by Leading Reporters

Kenny Folarin, Abuja

Agitators for the Oduduwa Republic, Southwest Nigeria over the weekend forcefully re-open the Idi-Iroko Border which has been shut for over two years.

It would be recalled that Idiroko, a border town between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin was closed in 2019 when the Federal Government directed that all importations be done through the seaports.

Event however took another twist on Saturday when in a viral video, the agitators led by the Yoruba activist, Sunday Igboho were seen destroying the gates at the border, screaming, “We have opened the border at Idi-Iroko!”

Reacting, the Biafra Freedom fighter lauded the secessionists stating that they are the owners of the land.

According to a tweet on his official Twitter handle on Sunday Kanu said the yoruba nationYorubators have forcefully taken what belongs to them.

The tweet reads: “The real owners of the land; the indigenous owners of ‘Nigeria’ are beginning to repossess their land from Fulani Caliphate, their stooges, vassals & hangers-on.

“Congratulations to my #Oduduwa brethren for the successful retake of the Idi-Iroko border from #Fulani terrorists”.

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NITDA Advises Nigerians To Be Wary Of IGVM Ransomware

by Leading Reporters
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The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has advised Nigerians to be wary of IGVM, a file-encrypting Ransomware infection that restricts access to data by encrypting files with the “igvm” extension.

The agency stated this in a press release over the weekend noted that the “igvm”  attempts to extort money from victims by requesting for “ransom”, in the form of Bitcoin cryptocurrency in exchange for access to data.

According to the release, the crypto-virus spreads in different methods like web injectors, pirated software, spam emails, malicious software bundles, fake software updates, and deceiving online ads.

 It equally prevents the victims from restoring their file copies for free, using Windows tools. Next, the virus modifies Windows HOSTS file by adding a list of domains to it. These domains are mostly computer or IT-relates websites, so the attackers capitalize on this measure to prevent the victim from seeking help or information online.

NITDA thereby urge the general public to ensure regular data backup and recovery plan for all critical information, Use application whitelisting to help prevent malicious software and unapproved programs from running,  Keep operating system and software up-to-date with the latest patches.

and maintain up-to-date anti-virus software, while scanning all software downloaded from the internet before installing.

Other preventive measures include unfollowing unsolicited web links in emails, not downloading or opening suspicious email attachments.

and not opening emails from suspicious recipients.

Furthermore, the statement reads that “if paying up seems like the only reason to get your files back, we strongly advise against ransom payments various cybersecurity experts do not recommend paying up due to financial security reasons.

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NCoS debunk Allegation of Child Birth in Custody

by Leading Reporters
written by Leading Reporters

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) Anambra State Command has debunked an allegation of Mrs Onyekachi Orji Giving Birth in Prison.

The Public Relations Officer, Controller of Corrections
Anambra State State Command DSC Frank Ekezie stated this in a statement over the weekend.

According to the statement, “The attention of the management of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) Anambra State Command has been drawn to a publication in one of the dailies titled: Lawyers Raise the Alarm Over Female Inmate Who Gave Birth in 2008, credited to one Chijioke Ifediora, said to be the leader of Rights Lawyers in Anambra State.”

In the publication, it was alleged that one Mrs. Onyekachi Orji was incarcerated sometime in 2008 with pregnancy and that she later delivered a baby while in custody. It was also stated that both mother and child are still in custody 12 years down the line.

This story is not only untrue but can best be said to be a figment of the author’s imagination.

To put the records straight, the lady in question, Mrs. Onyekachi Orji was remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service on 6th March, 2009 by a court of competent jurisdiction. She was neither pregnant nor nursing any baby at the time of admission into the facility and has never been pregnant.

It should be noted that impediments to speedy trial of cases include inability of some inmates to afford cost of legal representation. Therefore, if Mr. Chijioke is altruistic in assisting the said inmates and indeed others in custody, he can offer pro bono services to facilitate their release.

The State Controller Emmanuel Ekemezie Esq. wishes to reassure members of the public that the interest of persons committed to the custody of the NCoS in the Command remains a priority and this course will be pursued with favour.

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Video: FG Ignored us, we paid N180 million to Kidnappers – Parent

by Leading Reporters
written by Leading Reporters
  • About 730 children and students have been kidnapped Since December 2020, a UNICEF tally showed. At least six states shut down schools temporarily.
  • “Millions of children are paying the price of the government’s failure to protect its citizens from violence,”

Angry parent of kidnapped Greenfield University students said N180 million Naira was paid to the abductors of the university students kidnapped over a month ago.

A total of 10 motorcycles were also given to the kidnappers as part of the ransom to secure the release of the students abducted from their school on April 20.

Video: FG Ignored us, we paid N180 million to Kidnappers – Parent – TVC
14 students were freed on Saturday.

“N180 million, that is what they [the kidnappers] collected from us,” a parent told Television Continental on Saturday, noting the ransom was paid “without the help of the government.”

One of the students was released in early May after his parent paid a ransom.

Five of the Greenfield students were executed by the kidnappers and government and security forces remain helpless.

But the Kaduna State Government insisted paying ransom only emboldens the criminals.

“We will not give them any money and they will not make any profit from Kaduna,” Kaduna Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai said last month.

About 730 children and students have been kidnapped Since December 2020, a UNICEF tally showed. At least six states shut down schools temporarily.

States such as Katsina, Zamfara, Niger and Kaduna have seen mass kidnapping of students.

Amnesty International said in a report in April that “over 600 schools” have been shut in Nigeria’s northern region as kidnapping spirals.

AI worried that the spate of kidnapping will worsen the rate of out-of-school children in the region and fuel a spike in child marriages and early pregnancies.

“Millions of children are paying the price of the government’s failure to protect its citizens from violence,” said Osai Ojigho, the director of Amnesty International Nigeria.

“The Nigerian authorities must restore security to schools in Nigeria and provide psycho-social support to victims of abductions and their families, to enable them to heal from trauma and integrate back into society. There must be a plan to ensure that children can return to safe classrooms.”

In a statement after the release, Kaduna State Government said it is “working with the FG and other states for military operations to secure our people” despite the accusation of abandonment by the Greenfield students’ parents.

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Agric Minister Chasing Shadows Instead Of Tackling Food Shortages- Farmers Association

by Leading Reporters
written by Leading Reporters

The All Farmers Association of Nigeria has accused the leadership of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of chasing shadows instead of focusing on achieving the President Buhari’s food security mandate.

This was contained in statement signed by the Assistant National Publicity Secretary of AFAN, Salisu Mukhtar, on Thursday.

The Association, according to the statement, alleged that the Ministry, under the current leadership of Sabo Nanono, is working at cross purposes with its core mandate of making the agriculture space purposeful for agricultural production that will lead to food sufficiency and the restoration of the dignity of agriculture as the mainstay of the economy.

It noted that the Ministry has been in one crisis or the other since the assumption of duty of the Nanono.

It stated, “From 2019 to date there have been issues around the renewal of the Agricultural Policy, the convening of Council on Agriculture, interference with activities of NGOs such as AFAN, protests by contractors for non payment, misinformation regarding allocation of funds for important activities like pest control.

“Others include, false information to the public on Mechanization, the arrant contravention of the seed Act 2019 which guides the Seed System, uncoordinated distribution of inputs, general mismanagement of the Ministry by alienating some key staff as well as high handedness, doing projects not related to the core mandate of Rural Development.”

The Association said that the Central Bank of Nigeria’s intervention in agriculture has contributed more optimally to the search for food security than the ministry.

“The general impression that the mandate of the FMARD is being taken over by so many institutions is the direct result of the ineffectiveness of the Minister who is always absent from Thursday to Tuesday every week taking trips paid by tax payers.

“The President is very passionate about agriculture as everyone knows but it is very clear that the continued stay in office of the current Minister is detrimental to all the gains made so far.

“In order to incentivize the farmers to continue the hard work of providing food at an affordable price to the nearly 200,000,000 Nigerians we appeal to the President to look into the activities of the Minister now,” the statement added.

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Niger Basin Authority: Council Chairman task Member Countries to Promptly Deliver on Mandates

by Leading Reporters
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Kenny Folarin, Abuja

The Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Niger Basin Authority (NBA), Engr. Suleiman Adamu has charged country members of the Niger Basin Authority to deliver on their mandates by speeding up the implementation of both the Climate Resilience Investment Plan (CRIP) and Operational Plan in order for populations and companies to feel the impact of NBA in their lives and activities.

Adamu while speaking in Abuja on Thursday at the Extraordinary Session of the Council of Ministers of the Niger Basin Authority noted that expectations are already high on NBA to deliver on its mandate.

He added that there is need for ministers to also urgently hold the round table on financing the Operational Plan and Climate Resilience Investment Plan as well as for member countries to pay their 10% counterpart funding.

Meanwhile, Adamu explained that certain amendments have been proposed by the Executive Secretariat and the Technical Committee of Experts on the Internal Rules and Regulations of the NBA Technical Committee of Experts (CTE) and the Council of Ministers (CM), however opined that it is the duty of the ministers to carefully examine the proposal with a view to making informed recommendation at the upcoming Summit.

He noted that the session with the ministers will avail them the opportunity to review among others the report of the Technical Committee of Experts and the administrative situation of the Executive Secretary whilst carefully evaluating the Organizational and Institutional Structure of the Authority which has generated some level of controversy over the years.

“We have been working very hard to restructure the Niger Basin Authority in terms of organization structure and I think after this meeting we will have firm grip of that and start implementing some of the key recommendation from the report that was prepared by consultants and experts.”

Adamu, who acted as the Chairman of NBA in the last five years stated that the COVID-19 pandemic affected the activities of the NBA but is optimistic that the incoming NBA chairman in collaboration with other country members will achieve more feat.

“Covid really affected us, we made two attempt to hold this summit, yet it is still going to hold virtually, it has extended our tenure, it affected our economy and the ability of member countries to make their contributions has met lots of hardship, we had to take an emergency method to reduce our operational budget by 40%, majority of our programme were done virtually buy am confident that all the nine countries are capable of steering the affairs of this Authority.”

Expressing concern over security and environmental issue in the River Niger, Adamu said”

We are talking about the river Niger, when we are looking at chad as a major security and environmental issue, it appears that the river Niger is also going the same way unfortunately and it is quite a wake up call for us that we have a lot in hands, not only are we going to be dealing with similar issues in chad basin but we also have to deal with the same issues in river Niger, Cameron, Chad and Niger are members of the River Basin Commission in addition to Nigeria, so common problems have similar issues and collective efforts to tackle.” He concluded.

Executive Secretary of the Authority, Mr. Abderahim Hamid on his own part noted that the current situation in the region requires collective effort for efficiently and effectively implementing projects and programmes that promote access to jobs. and autonomous and sustainable income-generating activities for the basin’s youth and women.

Hamid stressed that after the rehabilitation of the Jebba and Kainji dams in Nigeria, the new challenge is to maintain the spirit of the Shared Vision in order to concretize the construction of the infrastructures so much awaited by populations which include construction of the Fomi dam in Guinea, the Taoussa dam in Mali and the Kainji dam in Nigeria.

” The construction of these works will significantly contribute to improving the living condition of our people and we will be able to better value the water resource in the areas of agriculture, livestock, fisheries, energy and river transportation, with a spirit of solidarity and perfect understanding among the various stakeholders”.

He added that to face the many challenges, the quick implementation and resolutions on the Organizational Chart adopted by the 39th Session of the Council of Ministers remains the only guarantee to solve the issue of under staffing, to better boost NBA and convince Technical an Financial Partners to support them

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NEMA receives Disaster Risk Reduction Equipment

by Leading Reporters
written by Leading Reporters

Kenny Folarin, Abuja

The National Emergency Management Agency, (NEMA) on Monday received a Comprehensive Disaster Risk Reduction Equipment for search and rescue operation worth 500 million Japanese Yen from the Japanese Government.

The Director- General, NEMA AVM Muhammadu Muhammed while speaking in Abuja at the Presentation of NEMA 2020 Annual report to the minister of Humanitarian Affairs stated that a total of 9 units of rescue vehicles with rescue equipment and 4 units of mobile water purifier systems with vehicles were donated.

According to Muhammed, a total of 2,353,647 people were affected by the 2020 flood disaster and the agency’s advocacy and engagement with stakeholders led to reduction in the negative impacts of flood on the people.

Meanwhile, Mohammed added in the area of relief intervention, the agency flagged off and distributed palliatives to the COVID-19 frontline states, and delivered humanitarian supports for 148 incidents where assessments were carried out, approved and distributed relief materials to the affected persons.

” These were in addition to the monthly distribution of relief materials to internally displaced persons living in camps in Borno and Adamawa states”. He added.

He added that the new equipment will be distributed to all zonal offices of the Agency across the country.

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajia Umar Farouq on her part appreciated the kind gesture of the Japanese government, and urge NEMA to make judicious use of the equipment for the effective service delivery to humanity.

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NHGSFP: We have fed nearly 10 million pupils – FG

by Leading Reporters
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Kenny Folarin, Abuja

The Minister of Humanitarian, Affairs Disaster Management and Social Development Hajia Umar Farouq has said that the federal government has fed nearly 10 million pupils and engaged 100,000 cook under the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP).

Farouq while speaking in Abuja on Tuesday at the Hand Over of Home Grown School Feeding Utensils and Aprons to the Federal Capital Territory explained that the purpose of the distribution of the utensils is to ensure that targets pupils have experience of integrity and safety during the consumption of their free meal as being provided by the federal government.

“In line with this am happy to announce that we have so far recorded feeding nearly 10 million pupils across the country and also engage over 100,000 cook.
Also massive employment opportunity are being created within the school feeding prgramme in area of transportation, energy supply, and food material packages.”

According to farouq, the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme aim at reducing poverty in collaboration between the federal and state government where the federal government is responsible for funding, making policy and guideline and conduct of close monitoring while the state carry out day-to-day implementation and procurement of the items including selection of vendors.

She added that the federal government is highly committed to this intervention which is why the school feeding programme is still on across the nation despite shortfall from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, farouq stated that the ministry had earlier handed over 70, 000 sets of utensils which include forks, and cutleries for the pupils and over 1500 aprons to the cook, however hope that all this will be put to good use.

Furthermore, she promised that the federal government will continue to roll out policies and strategies that will be able to strengthen, sustain and scale up the programmes as well as other social investment programme.

National Coordinator, National Social Investment Programme, Dr. Umar Bindir on his part noted that idea of the Home Grown Feeding Utensils aims at ensuring that children have clean stainless utensils to use so that the feeding procedure does not have an unhealthy environment.

Bindir stated that the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme captures 10 million children in Nigeria and as far as the ministry is concerned, the approval the minister has gotten from Mr. President is that every child has the clean stainless utensils to ensure that while they are feeding they are also fed healthily.

He added that with the feeding programme, enrollment has increased and in terms of percentage, initially 15-20% but we are now talking about 30-40%, “as we go, we hope to eliminate out-of-school syndrome in Nigeria”. He added.

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