News
NIMC to massively roll out National ID Cards n next three years
The Director General, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engineer Aliyu Aziz, has explained hitches experienced by the Commission that prevent aggressive printing and issuance of national identity card to the citizens.
In a keynote address at the on-going Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) national conference in Ibadan, Oyo State, Engineer Aziz, said that coming out of recession, the country needs to take issues around digital inclusion very serious, especially the national identity management.
He said the Commission has faced challenges which has slowed the pace of issuance of the national identity card, hence plans in place to ensure massive printing and issuance the all-important national ID Card in the next three years.
Similarly, the Commission has developed processes for easier harmonisation of data gathered from Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in line with the Federal Government’s directive.
In his words: “If you consider what India has done, they issued numbers to over one billion people; not even written on paper. They just give you the number; yet it has been a huge. And in Nigeria, we have successfully done the Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) and issued on papers.
“Now considering the recession we focused on issuing the digital identity card, which is the National Identity Number (NIN). We are focusing on NIN and will start printing of cards in next three years.
He said that NIMC is also considering harmonising features in the National ID Card to ten (10). “Also, we have received documents of about 15million (from MDAs) for harmonization”.
The DG, however, decried that slow broadband penetration in hinterlands has caused hitches for the Commission in its quest to grant every Nigerian access to enrolment.
“We all have to care for digital inclusion; it is more complex, but entails the allocation of resources to deploy infrastructure. We need to create environment for the deployment of new technology that will enable digital inclusion.
“We have to strike a balance between protecting individual rights and remaining open to digital flaws. Rather than relegating old debates about digital inclusion, it is time to accept the reality of the new era of digital economy and work to maximize its benefits, minimize its costs, and distribute the gains inclusively. Only then can its true promise be realised.
Source: TechEconomy.ng
News
King Charles Reportedly “Really Unwell” And Funeral Plans Are Currently Being Reviewed
King Charles III’s health is causing concern for friends and the palace as he continues to battle cancer.
“Speaking to friends of the king in recent weeks about his health, the most common response is … ‘It’s not good,’” Tom Sykes of the Daily Beast reported Thursday, April 25.
A friend of the monarch claimed Charles “is determined to beat it and they are throwing everything at it,” adding, “Everyone is staying optimistic, but he is really very unwell. More than they are letting on.”
Royal writer Tina Brown also hinted at the monarch’s health struggles, writing recently that Charles’ cancer has put Prince William and Kate Middleton “in frightening proximity to ascending the throne just when they had hoped for a span of years to parent their children out of the public eye.”
“The prospect of it, I am told, is causing them intense anxiety.”
Sykes also reported that the king’s funeral plans, codenamed “Operation Menai Bridge”, are currently being reviewed.
A separate document that states what went well at Queen Elizabeth’s September 2022 funeral and what could be done better the next time a monarch dies is also circulating, according to the Daily Beast.
All the sources emphasized that royal funeral plans are constantly in review. However, one former staffer in particular conceded that Charles’ health woes have given his plans a different urgency.
“The plans have been dusted off and are actively being kept up to date,” the former staffer explained.
“It’s no more than what you would expect given the king has been diagnosed with cancer. But the circulation of them has certainly focused minds.”
Buckingham Palace announced in February that after undergoing surgery for a benign prostate enlargement, it was discovered that the king has cancer.
We hope the king gets well soon.
News
EFCC: New Documents Extracted Shows Yahaya Bello Allegedly Paid School Fees To The Tune Of $845,852,84 For His Family Members
Still on the EFCC trailing on Ex Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, Documents serving as exhibits have shown how he allegedly paid school fees in advance for his family members already in the school and even those to be enrolled in future with hundreds of thousands of dollars withdrawn from the state coffers.
A letter from the American International School of Abuja to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has shown the school admitting that Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, paid $845,852,84 into their bank account since September 2021 as advance school fees for 4 family members from the present class until they graduate.
Payment was also made for any future student to be enrolled by the family.
The document alleges that the payment was made by Mr. Ali Bello, alleged to be the eldest son of Yahaya Bello.
In the document, the school stated that they have deducted the fees for the educational service already rendered to the Bello children in the institution and what is left is $760, 910, which would be refunded to an account provided by the EFCC as the commission continues investigation into alleged money laundering levelled against Yahaya Bello.
The school also added that from the Bello family kids, “no further additional fees are expected in respect of tuition until they graduate from ASIA.”
News
Niger State Prisoners Run From Facility After Rainstorm Brings Down Part Of Fencing
Many prisoners serving time at the Suleja Correctional Centre, located in Suleja Local Government of Niger state, fled the facility after a rainstorm brought down a part of the inner fencing.
This incident happened as a result of the heavy rainfall which fell on Wednesday night. This led to a cell being torn down, providing incarcerated individuals with a chance at freedom.
Reporters gathered that security forces fired many shots in the air, attempting to scare the inmates out of hiding.
While the State Comptroller of Prisons declined to speak to the press, it has been noted that security has been beefed up on the Minna-Suleja and Suleja-Kaduna roads, including the Madalla axis to Abuja road, which is a likely escape route out of the state for the inmates.
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