₦airaland Forum

Press Statement

PDP Dissolves, Replaces Cross River State Caretaker Committee

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on behalf of the National Executive Committee (NEC), has approved the dissolution of the State Caretaker Committee for the Cross River state chapter of the party.

The decision is in pursuant to the powers conferred on the NWC by the PDP Constitution.

Consequently, the NWC has constituted a new State Caretaker Committee to pilot the affairs of the chapter of the party at the state level.

The members of the new State Caretaker Committee for Cross River state are as follows:
Barr. Efiok Cobham (Chairman)
Barr. Attah Ochinke
Dr.Uke Enun
Prof. WalterMboto
Hon. Rita Ayim (Publicity Secretary)
Hon. Mike Usibe
Hon. Christopher Ekpo
Mr. Victor Effiom Okon
Prince K.J. Agba
Hon. Eko Atu (Secretary)

All other structures of the party at the local government and ward levels in the state remain intact.

The Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, who is also the Chairman of the Southeast Governors Forum during the statehouse briefing on security cooperation between the Federal Government and Southeast Governors, stated that the Biafra agitation has been hijacked.

Governor Umahi started off by stating the situation in the South East is a mixture of reality, fake news, and war propaganda.

Asking, Are there rightful agitations in the Southeast? Yes. Has it turned violent? Yes. It’s been hijacked.

Adding that, In the Southeast, we don’t want war, we don’t want to secede, we want to be a part of a fair Nigeria where justice, equity and freedom exist.

Gov Umahi further gave a brief background of the post-1999 situation in the Southeast, from MASSOB to IPOB to ESN.

Shedding more light on the rationale for Ebube Agu security network: “A regional security cooperation based on the vigilantes we have always had, to protect the people.”

Governor Umahi: “I believe in dialogue, and that we can sit down to know and resolve our differences and strengthen our cooperation as a people.”

Governor Umahi also spoke about some of the programmes of his administration in Ebonyi State: Agriculture (‘1 person 1 hectare’ program for public servants; Fertilizer), Transport, Microcredit, Women empowerment, Medical Sciences, Infrastructure, etc

“Everywhere you turn in my state is a construction site. 95% of our construction projects in Ebonyi State are done by direct Labour, so there is no capital flight, most of the money stays in the State.”

Governor Umahi says Ebonyi is developing three (3) industrial Agriculture clusters – comprising land, warehouses, biomass energy supply, factories, and mills (for processing rice, cassava, etc).

Governor Umahi lent his voice on the issue of the Farmers and Herders clash, by saying, “Our law in Ebonyi is that if you attack farmers or herders and destroy their farmlands/cattle, you must pay compensation.”

Speaking on the issues of succession, he stated, “A lot of people have been brainwashed about Biafra; that there will be no elections in the region in 2023. INEC offices are not being burnt in other parts of the country. It’s a terrible mindset for anybody to be doing this. They are criminals.”

Gov Umahi endorsed the ban on open grazing, says it’s the right decision, especially in Southeast which does not have historical grazing routes/reserves. Calling on the Federal Government to do more to enforce implement ranching & business-led models for livestock management

Gov Umahi on roads: We are building roads to ensure that there is no part of Ebonyi State that cannot be accessed from an LGA HQ within 40 minutes. Building roads is an important part of development. And we don’t care which ones are Federal or State roads.

All Progressive Congress (APC) Governors on Wednesday evening arrived Calabar, capital of Cross River to persuade Governor Ben Ayade to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

They arrived two weeks after a delegation of Governors Forum of the PDP visited to dissuade him from leaving the party.

The APC delegation was led by Yobe Governor Mai Mala Buni, who is also the National Caretaker Committee chairman of the APC.

Buni arrived Calabar on Wednesday evening to join his Imo counterpart, Governor Hope Uzodinma who had been on ground.

Ebonyi Governor Dave Umahi and a number of other Governors of the APC are also expected to arrive the state.

They are billed to have a meeting with Ayade on Thursday morning in the State Executive Chambers.

Sources informed The Nation the Governors will also meet with some stakeholders of Cross River politics on the benefits of joining the ruling party.

Suspected bandits have killed at least eight worshipers in another attack in Kaduna State on Wednesday.

The armed bandits also burnt down Assemblies of God Church and several other buildings in Ungwan Gaida community, near Kurmin Kaso, Chikun Local Government Area of the state

The state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs confirmed the attacks to newsmen.

He identified those killed the criminals as Samaila Gajere, Bawa Gajere, Bitrus Baba, Umaru Baba, Solomon Samaila, Sambo Kasuwa, Samuila Kasuwa, and Gideon Bitrus.

The Commissioner said that Governor Nasir El-Rufai condemned the killings of innocent citizens in the state in their place of worship.

The Governor, according to the Commissioner, also directed the State Emergency Management Agency to carry out an urgent assessment of the damage done by the invaders.

Over 100 armed thugs have invaded the premises of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, in Kaduna State.

DAILY POST gathered that the thugs stormed the premises on Wednesday morning to further disrupt protests in the state.

When contacted by DAILY POST correspondent, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Jalige confirmed the report.

According to him, some residents supporting the state government stormed the premises to interrupt the ongoing protest.

“We have been able to arrest some of them and investigation is ongoing to that effect,” the PPRO added.

Katsina Police Command has blamed Sharia Court Judge, Alhaji Husaini Sama’ila, for creating an enabling environment that led to his abduction by bandits in Baure-Zaka villages in Safana Local Government Area.

The Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Gambo Isah, while confirming the abduction of the judge at around 3pm on Tuesday, however described the Judge’s visit to the area at that material time as ,’’ uncalled-for’’

He said: “Why is he there when courts are on strike?
Where are his police escorts, why he did not ask for security coverage knowing full well that particular court is around the forest and because of that has been relocated to Safana?

‘’Even if he wants to take his file, he should have asked for security coverage and the Police will gladly give him considering his position in the State. Police is investigating the judge actions to unravel the truth.”

The Nation had reported bandits kidnapped the Sharia Court Judge while on a personal visit to the Court, which was since relocated to Safana due to security challenges.

Further investigations revealed the judge was recently moved to Safana town to continue to deliver judgments to cases assigned to him because of the worsening security challenges in the villages where the court was earlier located.

There is uproar in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) over alleged plots by some party bigwigs to extend the timeline allotted to the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee and shift the party’s national convention beyond June.

There are concerns that 44 days to the expiration of the interim committee’s timeline, it is not yet ready to organise the national convention and congresses to elect a new crop of leaders at various levels.

The Buni-led committee was inaugurated on June 25, 2020, and given the mandate to administer the affairs of the party for six months within which to organise a national convention.

This followed the dissolution of the Adams Oshiomhole-led National Working Committee (NWC) over alleged abuse of office.

The National Executive Committee (NEC), which is the second highest decision-making organ of the party, later in December 2020, extended its timeline by six months.

But a statement issued by the Secretary of the Caretaker Committee, Sen. John James Akpanudoedehe on Monday in Abuja, indicated that the party was not planning to release its schedule of activities for congresses and convention any time soon.

There were reports in some quarters that the committee would release the timetable this week.

But reacting, Sen. Akpanudoedehe said, “The CECPC is focused and is delivering its mandate to recover, rebuild and reposition the APC as well as achieve peace-building, true reconciliation and to give a sense of belonging to every member of the party.

“On Monday, 17th May 2021, the APC National Secretariat resumed from the Sallah break and will also resume work on several ongoing and important party activities. As usual, we will promptly communicate the outcomes of these activities through official channels when available.

“We have never lied on our party activities and we simply have no reason to. The consultative party leadership style instituted by Governor Mai Mala Buni as Chairman of the CECPC has institutionalised the APC as a party of processes and internal democracy.”

But party stalwarts who spoke with our correspondent last night expressed concerns that the party would hit the rocks if the convention is not held in June, citing legal issues.

Committee cautioned against legal issues

A chieftain of the party, Barrister Abdullahi Jalo who spoke with our correspondent last night advised the caretaker committee to be mindful of legal issues.

“If the convention is not going to be held in June, it means there will be some legal issues in the APC as to its entire political legislation, because the convention has to go in tandem with the timetable of INEC.

“There will be legal issues; that is my fear. A convention of the party is not just like a fashion affair. It is something that is mandatory and compulsory to be done. But there must be a framework.

“So whatever they are doing, they should look at the legalities; why the convention is going to be held in June, and if it is not in June, what are the legal implications?” he said.

Stakeholder foresees doom

Similarly, a stalwart of the party from the South, Chief Jackson Lekan Ojo told Daily Trust in a telephone chat on Monday that many party leaders were looking for a fallback option because the convention “would spell doom for the party” hence the delay.

“The national reconciliation they are talking about is not to reconcile all members of the APC. It is to reconcile those people that belong to just one political bloc in the APC.

“Even among the people that are controlling the party now, there is a problem between them over zoning. Some governors are pushing for various interests and these are the people that push Oshiomhole out. Pushing Oshiomhole out means they have pushed Bola Tinubu out.

“So the party is dead; the APC is dead. That is why they are playing along to shift the convention and shift again. They are just shifting the interment day. But whenever they are going to do the interment they will bury the corpse.

“So if the PDP is very serious all of us will join later. But for now, we are all at the burial ground of the APC,” he said.

Be meticulous in the scheme of things – Okorie

An elder statesman and former presidential candidate of the United Progressives Party (UPP) who is now in the APC, Chief Chekwas Okorie also advised the caretaker committee to be meticulous in the scheme of things.

“The statement credited to the secretary is not clear enough. It only denied what was published, but it has not stated what the party intends to do with the time given to it by NEC.

“But it is important that it is done because the party is big and anything that will introduce confusion or ambiguity should be avoided. Anything that will open the party to litigations should also be avoided because PDP is standing by the corner to catch in on any confusion,” he said.

Special Adviser to Borno State Governor on Trade and Investment and former national legal adviser of the PDP, Barrister Bashir Maidugu, however, said, “We should continue to abide by the rules and regulations of the party and the caretaker committee is still within its mandate.”

Africa-France Summit which reported to have been postponed till October 2021, is different from the Financing Africa Summit, the one President Buhari went to Paris for, the Financing Summit holds tomorrow, with France President and many African leaders attending. A clarification!

President @MBuhari has arrived Paris, France ahead of the African Finance Summit which will be focused on reviewing African economy. #PMBinParis

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has urged its members in the Southern states to vacate the region and described President Muhammadu Buhari as a clueless figurehead.

The 17 Southern governors had after a four-hour meeting in Asaba, Delta state last Tuesday agreed that open grazing should be banned.

Open grazing of cattle has often caused conflicts between host communities and migrant herders, leading to several deaths in many states.

Some of the herders have also been accused of committing other criminal acts like armed robbery, kidnapping, and murder.

Reacting, MACBAN Chairman in Bauchi state, Sadiq Ibrahim Ahmed, claimed the governors were bent on frustrating their businesses as well as turn their people against herders.

He said, “This is a simple calculation. We are heading for secession. The rulers are no longer interested in the people. If some people are banned from open grazing, there is nothing more. Fulani people should move out from there. It is very simple.

“Must we transport the cattle there? I have said it before. We have an option of breeding our cattle here (North). We are peace lovers. Let them come and buy from us. It is some people’s fault.

“Criminality started in the South. Armed robbery, kidnapping; all started in the South. We have been watching these on television. And if these are being transited to the North, and you know we have a government that is not protecting the Constitution of the nation. Everyone takes laws into his hands.

“The Southern governors can do that. There is no problem, let them do what they want. If the Northern governors feel like, they can also do it too (banning open grazing).”

He described President Muhammadu Buhari as incompetent, saying, “The President is there as a figurehead. He doesn’t know what he’s doing. He is not controlling anybody. In our country now, everyone does what he feels like. The country is already moving apart. Where is the central government, if some governors can meet and take decisions that are against the Constitution...?”

According to him, Buhari should "step aside or for Nigerians to put heads together and elect a credible president in 2023, a leader with focus and competence. Nigeria should get a leader with a good example, who is ready to sacrifice his life for his subjects.”

BREAKING: Heavy rain, thunderstorms, disperse Yoruba nation agitators in Osogbo

Heavy rain and wind on Saturday dispersed agitators of Yoruba Nation at the popular Nelson Mandela Freedom park via Old garage area of Osogbo capital of Osun State on Saturday afternoon.

The Nation reports that scores of Yoruba Nation agitators stormed the streets of Osogbo on Saturday after they changed the venue where the agitators ought to gather because of the heavy security presence.

One of the leading Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo popularly known as Sunday Igboho arrived in Osogbo from Oyo State at 1:40pm and went straight to where thr agitators were demonstrating at Nelson Mandela Freedom Park Osogbo.

Igboho got to the venue at 2:01pm to address the agitators.

He was addressing the agitators when the scorching sunny weather turned cloudy at 2:25pm.

He hurriedly addressed his supporters standing on top of a vehicle. When other leaders wanted to address the agitators, heavy rain started and it dispersed supporter from the venue.

While it was raining, thunderstorms made it impossible for supporters to gather, they should run for cover.

It is still raining as at the time of filing this report.

Former member of House of Representative, Hon. Saheed Akinade-Fijabi over the weekend said that there will be emergence of third party if the rulling All Progressive Congress (APC) deny former Lagos Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu its President ticket come 2023.

The former lawmaker stated that another political party may come on board in favor of Tinubu to tackle Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and APC so as to make the dream of the APC National leader in becoming Nigerian next President a reality.

Speaking on a live radio program on Saturday in Ibadan, Hon. Fijabi, who represented Ibadan Northwest/Southwest under APC at the 7th and 8th assembly while fielding question on Tinubu’s Presidential ambitions stated that anything can happen in 2023 because Nigerians are unpredictable.

He said, “our people are unpredictable, there might be emergence of third party to counter the two existing ones (PDP and APC) if Asiwaju Tinubu is denied presidential ticket by APC in 2023.”

Fijabi however said that APC will come back stronger in 2023 in the State because reconciliation is currently on going within the party to bring back all the aggrieved party members into one fold.

The University of Ibadan Council may extend the tenure of Professor A. B. Ekanola as acting Vice Chancellor of the Premier University, SATURDAY INDEPENDENT can authoritatively report.

Investigation revealed that a meeting is being planned for Monday to consider elongation of tenure which is clearly against the law of appointing a VC for the Institution.

According to the law guiding the appointment of acting vice chancellors, the Senate is to appoint another qualified person as acting VC and not the extension of tenure of the incumbent acting VC.

SATURDAY INDEPENDENT’s investigations reveal that already, lobbying for and against has begun in UI ahead of the Council meeting on Monday.

According to a document exclusively available to SATURDAY INDEPENDENT, the institution is in a big financial mess (debts) which is being investigated quietly by the anti-graft agencies due to the mal-administration of the previous administration.

This has led to a breakdown of infrastructure on the campus with erratic power supply and lack of water supply in the past two or three months except for a few boreholes sunk. There are also bad roads on the campus.

In a letter by the Governing Council to the Senate on its decision on the expiration of the present acting VC’s tenure, exclusively obtained by SATURDAY INDEPENDENT with the heading “The Expiration of the Six Month Appointment of the Acting Vice Chancellor (01 December 2020 – 31 May 2021) stated that:

“Following the expiration of the tenure of Prof. I. A. Olayinka as Vice Chancellor on 30 November, 2020, the Governing Council on the recommendation of Senate of the University appointed Prof. A. B. Ekanola as Acting Vice Chancellor for a period of six (6) months, effective 01 December, 2020.

“In accordance with the extant law stipulated in the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Amendment Act of 2003, Section 5, Sub-section (14) which states that “An Acting Vice Chancellor in all circumstances, shall not be in office for more than 6 months”, the attention of Council was drawn to the fact that the 6 month appointment of Prof. A. B. Ekanola as Acting Vice Chancellor would expire on Monday, 31 May, 2021.

“However, Council at its meeting of Wednesday 05 May, 2021 noted that the process of appointing a substantive Vice Chancellor could not be concluded due to the dissolution of the Governing Council.

“Given the circumstance, a vacuum cannot be created in the office of the Vice Chancellor and CEO of the University in that if the appointment of a substantive Vice Chancellor cannot be concluded before 31 May, 2021, the position of the Ag. Vice Chancellor shall lapse.

“Therefore, Council advised that Senate should consider the above matter and make its recommendation to Council.

Senate is hereby requested to consider.”

…says 9th House committed to reviewing 1999 constitution

House of Representatives has refuted some media reports that the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila was opposed to the call of southern governors for restructuring.

A statement by the spokesman of the House, Hon. Benjamin Kalu on Friday, instead, stated that the 9th House of Representatives was committed to reviewing the 1999 constitution.

It will be recalled that the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan had alongside the Speaker granted interview to the State House Correspondents after observing the Eid prayers on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Recalling the speaker’s exact words, Kalu’s statement emphatically stated that nothing in Gbajabiamila’s words spoke of opposition to the governors resolutions.

The statement titled “The Speaker did not say He is opposed to the Southern Governors’ calls for restructuring”, read thus: “The attention of the House has been drawn to several publications on online and traditional media claiming that the Speaker, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, is opposed to the Southern Governors’ call for restructuring.

“The House gathers that this allegation was attributed to statements made by the Speaker at a recent interview seeking his opinion on the issue. The House states clearly and unequivocally that the publications are false and misleading.

“For the avoidance of doubt, below is an accurate reproduction of the statements made by the Speaker at that interview;

“This is not a time for name-calling or blaming one person or the other. If truth be told, we all have equal shares in the blame and whatever challenges we have, we all must come together. In the same way we all have equal shares, we must all come together to make sure that we resolve whatever issues there are. Like I said earlier, the greatest nations have gone through challenges worse than this and I believe that it is that spirit of oneness and that spirit of togetherness and unity and love that will take us through this. You know sometimes there are many things that people have said here and there and you never know where these things are coming from. Sometimes God even puts you through challenges so that you can come out of it stronger, bigger, better, bolder.

That’s what I believe is gonna happen to Nigeria. We’re all put together in this one geographical space for a reason. It wasn’t by happenstance or coincidence or by chance. It was ordained by Almighty God and He doesn’t make mistakes, He doesn’t go wrong. What He decrees is what will be and I believe He put us all together. No matter your religion, no matter your ethnicity, talking about over 250 ethnic groups in one country, it is that diversity that God had foreseen that I believe we should tap into as Nigerians. I have belief in the Nigerian resilience and in the Nigerian spirit; and in the spirit of Ramadan, we must continue to pray.”

“It is clear to objective reason that nothing in the above statement opposes the Southern Governors’ call for restructuring. Indeed, from the beginning of the 9th Assembly, the House under the leadership of Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila has reiterated its commitment to a thorough review of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as can be seen by the composition and activities of the Constitutional Review Committee of the House.

“The media is hereby cautioned to be mindful of peddling false news in the bid to misinform the general public. This is misleading and detrimental to our democracy as a nation. Like the Speaker rightly said, this is not a time to apportion blames rather this is a time for us to come together and deliberate on issues that have birthed the problem we are facing as a nation and to find a suitable solution to it.

“The House urges Nigerians to disregard this news and continue to pray for a peaceful Nigeria.”

A Police Station in Bende Local Government of Abia State is currently on fire.

Daily Trust gathered that yet to be identified gunmen stormed the police station in the early hours of Thursday.

The attackers were said to have burnt all the vehicles parked in the station before razing the building.

The police station is situated at the outer gate of the LGA headquarters and less than 10 metres from the LGA field.

“We heard series of gunshots, and when we rushed outside, we saw the station on fire,” a resident said.

The incident happened less than six hours after Governor Okezie Ikpeazu left Bende LGA headquarters where a civic reception was held for the immediate past House of Representatives member who represented Bende Federal Constituency, Hon. Nnenna Ukeje.

Ukeje spent 12 years at the house of reps.

The attack on Bende Police Station comes less than a weeks after gunmen razed the Ubani Market Police station, still in Bende LGA.

The outlawed Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) has been blamed for these attacks but the group has denied being responsible.

PRESS RELEASE

RE: SOLDIER KILL TRADER FOR DEMANDING PAYMENT FOR GOODS HE BOUGHT

The attention of the Nigerian Army (NA) has been drawn to a news report by an online media, News Express of 10 May 2021 credited to TVC News, alleging that a water melon seller was shot dead while demanding his pay from a military personnel who bought water melon from him and refused to pay. It was also alleged that Some angry youths in the area reacted and chased the soldier into a hotel along Gusau - Sokoto Road. Also stated in the report was that angry the youths blocked Gusau – Sokoto Road bye pass and set an army operational vehicle ablaze.

The NA wishes to state that the sad incident is quite regrettable and condole with the family of the deceased. It is worthy of note that the General Officer Commanding 8 Division Major General Usman Yusuf has since commissioned an investigation to unravel the circumstances that led to the altercations which eventually claimed one life as efforts are ongoing to arrest the the yet to be identified perpetrator. Additionally, it is important to state that no military operational vehicle was set ablaze as claimed in the report.

The NA remains professional and will never condone any act of misconduct by troops against the very people they are deployed to protect. The Army wish to state clearly that, the alleged perpetrator once identified will be subjected to a thorough investigation and if found wanting, will be made to face the full wrath of the law in accordance with extant provisions.

Furthermore, the NA wish to assure the good people of Zamfara state that normalcy has been restored in the general area and the Army remains committed in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities. The Army is also working to put in place measures to ensure that such incident never occur never occur again.

MOHAMMED YERIMA
Brigadier General
Director Army Public Relations
11 May 2021

Manchester United is delighted to announce that Edinson Cavani has agreed a one-year contract extension, keeping him at the club until June 2022.

Cavani has scored 15 goals this season and has been instrumental in our European and Premier League campaigns.

Edinson Cavani said: “Over the season, I have developed a great affection for the club and everything that it represents. I feel a deep bond with my team-mates and the staff who work behind the scenes here. They give me extra motivation every day and I know that, together, we can achieve special things.

“From the very first moment that I arrived, I felt the confidence of the manager. As a player, this belief gives you the perfect opportunity to play your best football and I want to thank him for that.

“I have been touched with how much the supporters have wanted me to stay, and I will give everything to bring them happiness and joy with my performances on the field. I’ve not yet been able to play in front of the Old Trafford crowd and that is something that I cannot wait to do.”

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer added: “I said when Edinson signed, that he would bring energy, power and leadership to this group and I haven’t been proved wrong, he has been everything I thought he would be and more.

“As coaches, we knew about his goalscoring record. However, it is his personality that has brought so much to this squad, he has a winning mentality and has an unequivocal attitude to everything he does.

“Edinson is one of the last to leave the training ground and sets the tone for the upcoming youngsters with his approach to his profession every single day. I have always wanted him to stay and experience the way our fans will respond to him as a player, and this means he will hopefully get that opportunity.”

1. Where are Igbo Leaders?
Why are they Silent?
Misguided ones among Ndigbo are turning your Homeland into a battleground
8 Mothers are crying today.
8 Fathers are Crying today.
Many Aunts are crying today, Uncles too.
Many children, nieces, nephews, friends too.

2. Many Igbo leaders condemn daily, a President who has favoured Ndigbo more than any other ethnic group in Nigeria.

Their PERSONAL hatred provided a fertile ground for the current insecurity in the SE.

Please recall the brainwashed youths you manipulate into untimely deaths.

#IgboSpeakUp

President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday, said the ongoing synchronisation of National Identification Number with SIM cards will help the nation to easily identify crooks.
Speaking while inaugurating the National Policy for the Promotion of Indigenous Content in Nigerian Telecoms Sector and Revised National Identity Policy for SIM Cards registration at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Buhari urged Nigerians to fully participate in the exercise.

He said it will provide a digital framework for improving security and strengthening the economy.

The President said proper identification of all Nigerians and legal residents in the country and the ability to conveniently access a database would provide an impetus for more effective planning and security oversight.

“The NIN will cover one of the weaknesses in our security structure. We will be able to easily identify and know the personality of Nigerians. We will identify people easily, including the crooks,’’ he said.

“The National Identification Number is the foundational digital ID for the country; both Nigerian citizens and legal residents are expected to obtain the NIN. It will provide access to government services and will give government useful insights that will enable us to utilize scarce resources in a more efficient way.”

The President said there had been many futile attempts to promote the use of digital identity in the past, stressing that “Previous attempts have been unsuccessful due to a number of reasons, including sabotage. Our focused approach shows that this administration is dedicated to ensuring that we derive the benefits of a secure and robust digital identity system.”

Buhari said the National Policy for Indigenous Content in the Nigerian Telecommunications Sector was in line with the administration’s commitment towards ensuring that Nigerians become active participants in the different sectors of the economy, including the telecommunications sector.

He said the Information and Communications Technology sector’s 14.70 per cent double digit growth rate played a principal role in supporting our country to exit the recession triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In his remarks, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, who appreciated the President for the continuous support to the telecoms sector, including regulators and operators, thanked him for the keen interest in ensuring that the security sector gets a boost with more information on Nigerians and legal residents.

The minister noted that the NIN registration had recorded a huge success with 54 million Nigerians already captured in the process, adding, “within six months over 12 million enrolled.’’

Dr Pantami said it was now possible to have virtual ID cards that can be used in various transactions, assuring that the NIN and Sim card registration for Nigerians and legal residents will cover 99.9 per cent.

He said the buoyancy of the telecoms sector had given Nigeria many leadership roles in international organisations, listing the impact on education, training, health and welfare of many, including the establishment of 600 computer centres, and a world class sim card manufacturing company in the country.

The House of Representatives on Wednesday asked the Federal Government to immediately put a halt to plans to conduct national census in view of the rising cases of insecurity.

The House said the exercise should be suspended until the security situation improves while asking chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC) to brief the House on the planned exercise.

Sponsor of the motion of urgent public importance, Rep Shehu Beji Barwa, told his colleagues if the exercise is allowed to go ahead, a lot of Nigerians will be denied the opportunity of being counted having been displaced by insurgency and insecurity across the land.

The whereabout of Reverend Father, Ejike Mbaka, is currently unknown, according to Ohanaeze youths who raised the alarm on Wednesday.

Mr Mbaka, a former supporter-cum-critics of the incumbent federal government led by President Muhammadu Buhari recently made headlines after asking the latter to resign his position having failed to tackle growing insecurity.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the youth wing of the Igbo socio-cultural organization said the Catholic cleric has not been seen publicly since yesterday.

“We have it on good authority that his aides have neither seen nor heard from him since Tuesday,” Okwu Nnabuike, president of the youth council said. “Calls put to his mobile line have also remained unanswered; this has now prompted us to issue this alarm as we would not take it lightly should anything untoward happen to him.

“We are giving the Federal Government 48 hours to produce the priest, else they should be ready to face Igbo youths. They were dining and wining with him all along and now that he told the truth, they are no longer comfortable with him.

“Let nothing happen to Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka. It will not be in anybody’s interest,” the group warned.

President @MBuhari presides over resumed Security Briefing at the State House, Abuja.

#AsoVillaToday