know all your Governorship Aspirations in Anambra State Election scheduled to hold 6th November, 2021 at Odenigbo FM 99.1 sponsored by BVI Channel 1 in partnership with People Restoration Mission (PRM) every Monday 11-12 noon. The process starts from party primaries. The people must be involved.Click on the link below to Watch this week episode
Elders in the South West have thrown their weight behind the governor of Ondo State, Chief Rotimi Akeredolu’s quit notice to herders to quit the forests in the state following the growing cases of kidnappings traced to criminals hiding in the areas. The elders, who also took swipe at the Presidency over the latter’s statement cautioning the governor against his directive, accused the Presidency of undue meddling in issues within the purview of the state.
Recall that following the high rate of kidnappings in Ondo State, allegedly committed by criminals hiding in forests across the state, the governor had given herdsmen a seven-day ultimatum to vacate the areas. But reacting, after Fulani leadership under the aegis of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, cried out over the governor’s action, the Presidency in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, cautioned the governor against his action, saying the herders cannot leave the dreaded forests for any reason. The development has drawn the attention of some Yoruba elders who accused the federal government of abandoning its core responsibilities to meddle in issues within the purview of state governors.
Speaking under a group, Coalition of Oduduwa Elders, the Yoruba elders warned the Presidency to steer clear of governance issues in Ondo or any other state in the country, saying the governor’s action was the best in protecting the lives of Ondo citizens because, according to them, the federal government which has exclusive control of conventional security architecture in the country, had failed to protect the people. The group, in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Dr Tunde Aremu and National Secretary, Barr. Mrs Folake Ajasin, respectively, asked the governor not to be distracted by actions of those it noted, ” have failed to safeguard the lives of Nigerians” but be firm and decisive in his actions aimed at giving Ondo people safety. Regretting that Ondo forests have become launching pads for herdsmen, the elders noted that the “herdsmen coming into the state are doing so not for the purpose of grazing, but killing and destroying property.” “The marauders, who usually come without cattle, engage in kidnappings, attacking communities in the guerrilla style of warfare, killings, burn houses and destroying other property! Should the governor fold his hands and look the other way while his people are being massively kidnapped, killed and their property destroyed? No, these have to stop now. And the only way to stop it is what Chief Akeredolu has done,” they said. While commending Governor Akeredolu for what it described as his “bold steps” in safeguarding the lives and property of citizens, the group wondered why the Presidency had only stepped in at a time the governor asked alleged “perpetrators” to quit the places of their nefarious activities.
“We, the Yoruba elders under this noble umbrella body known as Coalition of Oduduwa Elders have watched with great concerns the turn of events in the South West, especially in Ondo culminating in the notice to herders to quit forests by Chief Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN. ” We have equally painstakingly watched the rushed statement by the Presidency through one of its spokesmen, Mallam Garba Shehu, cautioning the governor against his action and instead, declaring that the people who have been identified to be responsible for kidnappings, banditry and killings in the state cannot vacate the areas they use to carry out their nefarious activities. “This is strange to us given that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria vested certain powers on state governors as chief security officers of their respective states on certain steps they can take to safeguard the lives of citizens and their property. Akeredolu, to the best of our knowledge, is a sitting governor of Ondo State. Until he is out of office, he has the constitutional mandate to device the best ways possible in giving his people who voted him into office good and quality leadership. The quit notice to herders to leave Ondo forests is one of those steps he has taken to protect the citizenry. So, we ask the Presidency to leave him alone,” they said. The Yoruba group, said: “We observed that the Presidency’s statement came only shortly after the leadership of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) publicly called on it to come out with urgent reaction regarding the governor’s action. We are surprised that the Presidency which has not reacted to the cries of the people of Ondo or South West, leaving the region to form Ametokun security outfit to protect its people, would be so concerned to issue a rushed statement over the governor’s action! ” The group reminded the Presidency that “Akeredolu is a governor of a state and one of his major responsibilities is the protection of lives and property besides the welfare of his people. ” Noting also that the governor was a lawyer whose versatility in law field had taken him to the pinnacle of the profession, hence would not do anything outside the nation’s law, the Coalition berated Garba Shehu over his statement, wondering if actually, it represented the Presidency. “We strongly believe that as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, the governor knows the position of law regarding the action he has taken to protect the Ondo people,” it said. While noting that herders, like other citizens, have the rights to live anywhere in the country, the Yoruba group said,”They (herdsmen) must be reminded that their rights stop where other people’s rights start”, adding that:’Their rights can only be guaranteed if they live in peace and harmony with their host communities.” The Yoruba elders regretted that the leadership of Fulani cattle rearers which they noted, had failed to call criminals in their midst to order, was quick not only to condemn the governor’s action but also call on the federal government to immediately act with a view to stopping the governor carrying out his quit notice order. “We had expected Miyeti Allah and all the Fulani bodies to rise against the criminal elements in their midst who are bent on tarnishing their reputation, but instead they have surprisingly looked the other way until the governor came up with this measure to stop the ugly situation. ” If they were not complicit in the acts, why were they not speaking out against these despicable acts of their kinsmen? They ask. The group which expressed disappointment over the statement by Garba Shehu wondered whether it had the authorisation of the Presidency as he portrayed, tasking the latter to always make critical examination of the former’s drafted statements before approving release to the public in order not to ridicule President Muhammad Buhari and his administration before Nigerians. “We call on Garba Shehu to stop disgracing President Buhari’s government. We also call on the Presidency to always vet Garba Shehu’s statements before giving consent for release to the public,” the Coalition said.
Vanguard
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has fixed November 6 2021 for conduct of the Anambra State Governorship election.
The National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee of INEC, Chief Festus Okoye who stated this in Abuja said the commission met and deliberated on issues including the issuance of the timetable and schedule of activities for the conduct of the Governorship election.
He said the conduct of party primaries and resolution of disputes arising from the primaries would take place between June 10 and July 1
According to him, the commission will issue the statutory Notice for Election on June 9.
Chief Okoye said that the personal particulars of the candidates for the election would be published on July 16, while parties would commence campaigns on August. 8.and the Final List of Nominated Candidates will be published on October 7
The National Commissioner enjoined all the registered political parties to pay close attention to the timelines and schedule of activities outlined in the timetable and schedule of activities as they were constitutional and statutory provisions.
He urged all stakeholders to support the commission’s efforts to strengthen the electoral process, including deployment of technology to deliver free, fair and credible elections.
Radio Nigeria
Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has cautioned Nigerians to beware of the COVID-19 vaccines, claiming that they were meant to kill people.
Governor Bello, who is aspiring to become Nigeria’s President by 2023, raised the alarm ahead of today’s meeting of all the 36 governors to decide on the commencement of the vaccination exercise across the country.
The Federal Government had said it was expecting, at least 100,000 doses of the Pfizer and BioNTech-approved COVID-19 vaccines to come in by the end of this month.
Executive director and Chief Executive Officer, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Faisal Shuaib, said President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo would receive the vaccines on live television, to encourage Nigerians to take the vaccines as a preventive measure against the dreaded virus.
Kayode Fayemi, chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, while addressing journalists in Abuja after meeting with President Buhari last week, said he and his colleagues would also take the vaccine on live television.
He said: “We, too, will like to demonstrate to our citizens that we believe that the vaccines would work.
“Don’t forget, we have a lot of experience on this. The Governors Forum managed the polio vaccines administration in the country and we have garnered a lot of experience.”
But speaking to a crowd of people in a video that has gone viral, governor Bello doubted the authenticity of the vaccines and insisted there is no cure for HIV and many other diseases troubling mankind.
He said: “Vaccines are being produced in less than one year of COVID-19. There is no vaccine yet for HIV, malaria, cancer, headache and for several other diseases that are killing us. They want to use the (COVID-19) vaccines to introduce the disease that will kill you and us. God forbid!
“We should draw our minds back to what happened in Kano during (sic) the Pfizer polio vaccines that crippled and killed our children. We have learned our lessons.
“If they say they are taking the vaccines in public, allow them to take their vaccines. Don’t say I said you should not take it, but if you want to take it, open your eyes before you take the vaccines.”
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has lamented the high cost of storing the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine being expected in Nigeria soon, even as it procures three Ultra Cold Chain (UCC) machines with storage capacity of 2, 100 litres for storage of the COVID-19 vaccines when they eventually arrive Nigeria.
The government said it’s considering the option of Oxford AstraZeneca or other COVID-19 vaccines that would be safely and easily stored using existing facilities being used to store vaccines used in routine immunisation.
Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Shaib Faisal, who disclosed the information to journalists after inspecting the newly installed UCC machines in Abuja, yesterday, said the task of procuring and installing UCC facility across strategic locations in Nigeria for the purpose of storing Pfizer BioNTech vaccine is huge and could cost Nigeria huge fortune.
“The 100, 000 doses of vaccine being expected in Nigeria will occupy a space of 500 litres out of the 2,100 litre capacity, meaning that the UCC facility will store over 400, 000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine when procured.
“But going forward, we would focus on COVID-19 vaccines that does not require UCC to store or keep potent and effective. We are considering the option of Oxford-AstraZeneca type of vaccine that requires lower degrees Celsius to store.
“However, if we would continue to bring in more Pfizer vaccines, then the providers would make arrangements for procurement of additional UCC that would be installed across strategic locations in Nigeria. It’s easier for us to move the kind of vaccines that we are used to because our health care workers are used to it. Our routine immunisation vaccines are stored at +2 to +8 degrees Celsius. We suggest that since our health workers are already used to that, we should consider vaccines that could be stored in such facilities.”
Nigeria to receive 100,000 doses of vaccines
The National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHDA) has said Nigeria is to receive 100, 000 doses of mRNA Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines to to combat the pandemic.
Director-General (D-G) of NPHDA, Dr Faisal Shuaib, told newsmen at a media briefing in Abuja that the vaccines are expected between late January 2021 and early February 2021.
He said the agency was working in partnership with the Presidential Task Force Committee on COVID-19 and other health workers to ensure that the vaccines get to rural areas in the country upon its arrival.
He cautioned Nigerians not to express fear over the safety of lives as the agency would also work on modalities and in synergy with NAFDAC for the screening of the vaccines before they are administered.
“We are able to tap into innovative collaboration that exists with the private sectors so we can move them all the way through the states, local government areas and the health facilities where they will be utilised.The focus of deployment of the vaccines will be at the most affected areas in the country,” he said.
A’Ibom PDP chairman dies of virus, Commissioners, party chieftains in ICU
The state chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Akwa Ibom State chapter, Obong Udo Ekpenyong, is dead.
Ekpenyong, the first PDP state chairman from Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District of the state, is said to have died by 4am, yesterday, of health complications associated with the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic which has wreaked havoc in the state, sweeping away many prominent persons, including the former military governor of the state, Commodore Idongesit Nkanga (retd).
A source in the party, who confirmed the story on the condition of anonymity, pleaded for time for the bereaved family to come to terms with the untimely loss.
Ekpenyong, immediate past commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs in the state, was elected state chairman of the PDP on July 30, 2020, which the former deputy governor of Abia State, Mr Eric Nwakama, supervised.
His death brings to three the number of PDP state chairmen who have passed on since the party was formerly inaugurated in the state in 1999. The others were Chief Joe Ating and Chief Tony Emenyi.
His death also occurred barely three months after demise of the state chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Ini Okopido.
The implication then is that the state chairmanship of both the PDP and APC in Akwa Ibom would, henceforth, be held in acting capacities by their deputy chairmen.
Daily Sun learned that many high profile citizens of the state, most of them PDP chieftains, serving and past commissioners, have been hit by the pandemic and are being held at the isolation centres in the state.
The state commissioner for information and strategy, Mr Ini Ememobong, while admonishing people at the NUJ annual thanksgiving on Sunday in Ikot Abasi, to take COVID-19 precautions, lamented that the pandemic had seriously dealt with state, by killing high net worth personalities.
Kano bans viewing, event centres, directs civil servants to stay at home, Rivers, too
Kano State Government has announced the imposition of a fresh ban on the activities of viewing and event centres across the state following increasing COVID-19 cases.
The state Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, who made the revelation in a statement, yesterday morning, said the measure was part of decision at a stakeholders meeting, held at the Africa House, Kano, on Monday night.
He said that all civil servants in the state have also been directed to stay at home pending further instruction.
Malam Garba, however, explained that workers on essential services such as the healthcare service providers, fire service, water board, teaching staff, security guards and the media are exempted from the ban.
The commissioner reaffirmed government’s commitment to working with relevant stakeholders that included the Ulama to ensuring compliance with the COVID-19 Protocols.
He also warned that security agents, who were part of the stakeholders meeting, would not hesitate to take stern measures to ensure compliance with the directive.
Also, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has directed civil servants on salary Grade Levels 01 to 13, except those on essential duties, to stay away from duty, following the spike on COVID-19 pandemic in the state.
The stay-at-home directive arising from the second wave of Coronavirus pandemic, takes immediate effect from today.
Governor Wike’s directive was contained in a statement signed by the Head of Service of Rivers State, Rufus Godwin, yesterday.
He directed officers from Grade Levels 14 and above to be on duty and assume full responsibilities for their offices until further notice.
The governor charged permanent secretaries and Heads of Extra-ministerial offices to ensure compliance with the directive within the strict context of the COVID-19 protocols.
Sun
Joe Biden will be inaugurated as the 46th president of the U.S. on Wednesday, capping off a chaotic election season in a country still divided by Donald Trump’s claims of voter fraud.
The inauguration ceremony will start at 10:30 am (1530 GMT) with Biden and incoming Vice President Kamala Harris sworn into office at noon.
Hundreds of thousands of people usually attend the ceremony, but this time around there will only be a small crowd due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic that has now killed more than 400,000 Americans.
Security precautions have also been bolstered after rioters supporting outgoing President Trump stormed the Capitol earlier this month.
More than 25,000 National Guard troops will be working in Washington to secure the inauguration.
In a break with tradition, Trump will not attend Biden’s swearing-in and the subsequent gathering of all living presidents.
Vice President Mike Pence will be in attendance.
Trump will leave the White House early and plans to hold a small ceremony at a nearby military base before heading to Florida, where he is expected to take residence at his Mar-a-Lago Resort.
A Jesuit priest, Leo O’Donovan, will start the inauguration ceremony and pop star Lady Gaga will sing the national anthem.
Other celebrities including singer Jennifer Lopez will participate.
Biden will give the traditional inaugural address, a key speech that marks his first formal address to the nation as president and is seen as a key chance to set the tone of his term.
Sun
Governors of the 36 states of the federation, under the auspices of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), will, tomorrow, decide when the Coronavirus vaccination will kick-off across the country.
In a statement by Head, Media and Public Affairs of the NGF, Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, the governors expressed worry over the intensity of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Nigeria’s tardy commencement of inoculation that is sweeping through countries globally.
Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, had, last week, said governors would be given COVID-19 vaccine on live television to encourage Nigerians to accept the vaccine.
Fayemi revealed this to journalists after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, when asked if governors would also take the vaccines on live television.
He said: “Absolutely. We too will like to demonstrate to our citizens that we believe that vaccines would work.
Don’t forget, we have a lot of experience on this. Governors Forum managed the polio vaccines administration in the country and we have garnered a lot of experience.”
Tomorrow’s meeting, the first for year 2021, by the governors, will hold virtually, in conformity with the COVID-19 protocols. It is the 23rd of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum teleconferences.
The statement noted that the Governors’ PTF Committee, headed by Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, which is charged with the responsibility of liaising between the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 and the Governors’ Forum, will brief the Forum on what it needs to know on the vaccines and the way forward.
Okowa is also expected to give a panoramic view of the second wave of the pandemic.
Fayemi will brief the forum on his meeting with president Buhari as well as update the forum on all pending matters that have remained inconclusive, flowing from the previous year’s meetings.
The invitation to governors issued by the Director General of the NGF, Mr Asishana B Okauru, shows that the matters include ALGON and FAAC deductions, external debts reconciliation (2002-2018), Stamp Duty collections in respect of the governors’ letter to the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), and another response to the Ministry of Water Resources, regarding the lingering Water Resources Bill among others. All disbursements of funds to states on the three tranches of PAYE will also be tabled.
Governors will also be updated on the States’ Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability programme for results (SFTAS) for the preceding year, 2020.
The governors are also expected to entertain three presentations from the Minister of Water Resources, Suliaman Adamu, on its World Bank Support; a feedback from the Federal Government on the Medium and Long Term National Development Agenda; and enhancing IGR through a harmonised Traffic Management System by Dimensions Information Technology, LLC, a non-governmental actor which is seeking the nod of state governors.
FG releases N10bn for domestic vaccines
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance has released N10 billion to support domestic vaccine production to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.
Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, made the disclosure at the briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 briefing yesterday. He urged Nigerians to ignore claims by some persons to have COVID-19 vaccines for sale in the country.
“The Ministry of Finance has released N10 billion to support domestic vaccine production. While we are working to develop our own vaccines, Nigeria is exploring options for licensed production in collaboration with recognised institutions, we are also exploring the option of local production of the vaccines in country.
“I advise all citizens to disregard these claims as they are criminal. There are procedures for vaccine acquisition and use which include appropriate regulation and certification by National Agency for Food Drugs and Administration Control (NAFDAC). I advise against fake vaccines, as there is no vaccine approved for use in the country and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), is the only authorised vaccine administrator in Nigeria.”
Osagie said the number of new COVID-19 cases had continued to rise in Nigeria, such that 10,300 confirmed cases were reported from just 50,750 samples tested in one week, translating to 20 per cent positivity rate.
“It means one out of every five persons tested in the last one week turned out positive compared to the previous week which recorded a positivity rate of 14 per cent. Nigeria’s total number of confirmed cases is 110,387 of a total of 1,172,234 samples tested, with a cumulative positivity rate of 9.4 per cent 1,444 cases were recorded in the past 24 hours, with sadly 77 deaths in the past week and total fatality of 1,435. It is instructive of the 2nd wave that all cases recorded so far this January is more than 20 per cent of all confirmed cases in Nigeria, more than the whole of December, barely halfway through the month. There is no question that we are deeply into the second wave of the pandemic which requires that PTF and FMoH review our strategies to respond to the challenge.The Federal Ministry of Health has outlined three approaches to confront the pandemic: infection mitigation, therapeutics and vaccines.”
Do everything possible to avoid second lockdown, PTF begs Nigerians
Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 (PTF) has appealed to Nigerians to do everything possible to avoid the government ordering a second lockdown saying the pandemic was raging.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, said this at a media briefing, appealing that all tiers of government and citizens must keep their hands-on-deck.
“We are in a difficult situation in which a balance must continue to be struck between lives and livelihood. We are considering all options while hoping that broad cooperation will be received. We must do everything possible to avoid a second lockdown in Nigeria. You will also recall that the PTF had informed you that the resumption of schools nationwide would be reviewed due to rising daily numbers of infections and the challenges of case management, especially the shortage of oxygen so that we do not allow our facilities to be overwhelmed. While we note that several states have proceeded with the resumption of schools, the PTF recommends strongly that very strict adherence to non-pharmaceutical interventions should be enforced by the states to avoid the escalation of cases. The PTF will continue to dialogue with the governors and the Federal Ministry of Education to closely monitor the situate,” he said.
Mustapha said the PTF had also authorised the NCDC to immediately implement the 450 tests per LGA plan, nationwide.
“We are aware that states are not on the same pedestal in the area of testing and we shall begin with states that are in the forefront of resourcing and infrastructure. The PTF wishes to emphasise the need for all segments of the society to get involved in the risk communication and community engagement. In our continued collaboration with the religious and traditional rulers, we align with the statements issued by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) guiding the sick and the elderly on the need to avoid large gathering by staying at home. We are optimistic that other institutions will follow suit as we progress.”
Sun
Pan–Ohanaeze Ndigbo socio-political organisation, the Coalition of South East Professionals Network in Nigeria and Diaspora (CSEPNND), has lambasted the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, for refusing to support the quest for Igbo presidency in 2023.
It also called on South-East governors to denounce and disassociate themselves from IPOB and Kanu, and be focused on producing the next leader of Nigeria after the expiration of the tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari.
IPOB spokesman, Emma Powerful, had recently stated the group’s on theIgbo presidency saying “all the people being prepared for the position are stooges that will be used against the interest of Ndigbo, Biafrans and Biafra agitating groups.”
But, CSEPNND National Coordinator, Prof. Madumare Chika and National Secretary, Anayo Uchemba, in a statement, yesterday, lamented that many gullible sons and daughters of the South East extraction had been brainwashed by Kanu to believe that he was out to defend and protect the region.
“The press release by Indigenous People of Biafra,published in some national papers expressing its refusal to support the agitation for Igbo presidency come 2023, has vindicated our stand that IPOB and its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, are anti-Igbo working with some enemies of Igbo nation to thwart its chance to produce the next president of Nigeria.
“Naturally, any group working for advancement of its people should be at the forefront of issues that would see to the realisation of their yearnings and aspirations. IPOB knows vividly well that the general feelings of the people of the South East is how the region can also be entrusted with Nigeria’s presidency. Ironically, this is not the case here with IPOB!
“So, one would be quick to ask what really is IPOB looking for? We believe strongly that no reasonable group should kick against the progress of its own people as IPOB is currently doing. We have earlier alerted our people that desperate politicians feeling threatened of the chances of Igbo to produce the president in 2023 were sponsoring Nnamdi Kanu, leader of outlawed IPOB, to scuttle the bid.”
“At this point that almost every Nigerian is clamouring for Igbo presidency, the best thing for IPOB is to embrace the move and work to its realisation if actually it’s out to work for the betterment Igbo nation. We cannot be demanding for president of Nigeria on one hand and on the other hand, supporting IPOB and Kanu, being financed by desperate politicians to cause disaffection in our region.
“We believe in one united Nigeria where justice and fairness reigns. We have invested so much in the nation and would not be party to its destruction under any guise.
“From experience, cessation or separatist movements have never really solved the problems of nations. Rather, dialogue and engagements with all parties to address the underlying issues have often yielded positive results,” Madumare said.
Sun
As the deadline for telephone subscribers with National Identity Numbers to register their SIM cards with the identity numbers elapsed on Tuesday, mobile operators have said that SIMs with unlinked but submitted NINs would not be blocked.
The Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria, Gbenga Adebayo, spoke on behalf of the telecommunications companies including Airtel, MTN, Globacom, and 9Mobile.
He said, “If you already have your NIN and you have delivered the number to your service provider and it has been acknowledged and forwarded to NIMC, I don’t think the penalty will be there for you as from tomorrow (Tuesday) if your SIM has not been registered with the NIN.
“This is because as far as you are concerned as a subscriber, you have uploaded that number to your operator and forwarded to NIMC.
“Now the further interrogation of that means that you are not supposed to be penalised because you have done what you are required to do to your service provider and to NIMC.”
Adebayo said the penalty would be mainly for those who do not have the NIN and who were unable to deliver their NINs to their service providers.“So those in the problem category are those who do not have the NIN and who have not delivered the NIN to their service providers by Tuesday.
Therefore if you as a subscriber have submitted your NIN to your service provider and this has been forwarded to NIMC, at this stage I am not aware of any penalty for you,” he said.
The Federal Government through the Nigerian Communication Commission had ordered telecommunications companies to deactivate telephone lines of subscribers who failed to link their phones to their National Identity Number.
Subscribers with NIN have until January 19 as deadline to link their NIN with their SIM cards while subscribers without NIN have until February 9 to do so.
Also, when contacted on whether there would be an extension of the January 19 deadline, the media aide to the communications minister, Uwa Suleiman, replied, “I am not aware of any.”
She, however, stated that if there was any of such information, the communications ministry or any of its relevant agencies would make it public
Punch
BVI Channel 1 will continue to sensitize our people on the need to organize ourselves under a purposeful and visionary leadership.
Praise singing has taken over our political environment that people are confused of what they want. In many State in the former eastern Nigeria ,the level of unemployment is increasing by the day ,that many graduates are driving Keke Napepe to make both ends meet. Factories are relocating as purchasing power is declining.
This year election in Anambra State will be a turning point to the people as all forces are mobilized towards making the best candidate a Governor. BVI Channel 1 working with other public interest groups will mobilize one million voters to ensure that power is returned to the people.
BVI Admin
The immediate past commissioner for tourism, Indigenous culture and diaspora of Anambra state Dr Christian Chukwuma Madubuko kidnapped in awka the state capital
Recall that Dr Madubuko has recently resigned his appointment as commissioner in Obiano’s government citing sabotage of genuine efforts by the governor to develop the state by a tiny cabal in the APGA state government in Anambra state,he went further to say that the governor is not in charge and should rise up to his responsibility.
Dr Madubuko was kidnapped in the evening of January 13, 2020 in Awka by unknown gunmen
According to the family, the news of his resignation and information contained in the resignation document did not go down well with the governor as the document tended to negate the integrity of the state government.
The family member holding back tears, said: “We are calling the attention of Nigerians and international community to prevail on this unknown gunmen to leave an innocent man that have served his state sincerely.
She said “Dr Madubuko ran into an internal battle with the agents of those very close to the seat of power in Awka on who control the state revenue – the state government or individuals.
“As we pray for his release unharmed, we ask the federal government of Nigeria and the international community to intervene and save him.”
We his kinsmen will not keep quiet should any thing happen to him, we are aware that his kidnapped was politically motivated
Release him unconditionally & unhurt
Don’t forget Dr. C C. Mmadubuko is from Anaku ogbe
#Cc.His excellency Gov.Willie Obiano
#Cc.Rt.Hon.Uche Okafor speaker Anambra state house of Assembly
#Cc.Commissioner of Police Anambra state Mr. John Abang
@Femi Adeshina
