Nigeria’s Debt Hits N32.2 Trillion

December 31, 2020

Within a three month period covering July and September this year, the total debt stock of Nigeria rose to ₦32.22trn, figures released by the Debt Management Office has revealed.

According to the DMO, Nigeria’s debt stock grew by ₦1.214trn between June 2020 and the end of September 2020.

An analysis of the DMO public debt figures show that 37.82 per cent represents external debts, while the balance of 62.18 per cent is for domestic debt obligations.

It said that the Federal and State Governments as well as the Federal Capital Territory recorded increases in their Debt Stock due to borrowings to enable them to respond appropriately to the COVID-19 Pandemic and to meet revenue shortfalls.

“The Total Public Debt Stock stood at N32.223trn or $84.574bn.

“The debt stock is made up of the Domestic and External Debt Stocks of the Federal Government of Nigeria, the 36 State Governments and the Federal Capital Territory.

“Compared to the Total Public Debt Stock of N31trn as at June 30, 2020, the Debt Stock in Q3 2020 increased by N1.214trn or 3.91 per cent.

“The FGN, State Governments and the FCT all recorded increases in their Debt Stock due to borrowings to enable them to respond appropriately to the COVID-19 Pandemic and to meet revenue shortfalls.”

The DMO said that issuance of Promissory Notes by the Federal Government to settle inherited liabilities also contributed to the growth in the Public Debt Stock since the 2018 fiscal period when they were first issued.

It said that while N20.136bn of the Promissory Notes were issued in the third quarter of this year, the Promissory Notes Outstanding, which are all included in the Domestic Debt Stock, stood at N971.87bn.

The debt accumulation is coming at a time the key government officials in the Economic Management Team had repeatedly defended the country’s debt level arguing that it is still within sustainable limit.

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed had insisted that Nigeria does not have a debt problem.

She said what the government needed to do is to increase it’s revenue generating capacity in order to boost revenue to about 50 per cent of Gross Domestic Product.

The finance minister had said, “Nigeria does not have a debt problem. What we have is a revenue problem.

“Our revenue to GDP is still one of the lowest among countries that are comparable to us. Its about 19 per cent of GDP and what the World Bank and IMF recommended is about 50 per cent of GDP for countries that are our size. We are not there yet. What we have is a revenue problem.”

But the finance minister’s position differs with that of some economic experts who said that the huge borrowings portend danger for the economy.

For instance, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer Cowry Asset Management Ltd, Johnson Chukwu said the Federal Government’s current fiscal position constrains it from embarking on such huge expenditure as a result of accumulated large deficits over the past few years.

He said the huge debt is a burden for the economy, adding that time had come for Nigeria to begin to seek for debt relief from its creditors.

Federal Govt Restores SIM Card Replacement, Activation

Editorial staff

December 31, 2020

The Federal Government has restored the replacement and activation of old Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) Cards.

In a statement today, December 31, the Director, Public Affairs at the Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr Ikechukwu Adinde, the government said the lifting of the ban was on the condition that those seeking activation of SIM cards must have enrolled and obtained the National Identification Number.

Recall that the Federal Government had on December 9, announced the suspension of the sale and activation of new SIM cards across networks.

The suspension order according to the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy is expected to last till the completion of the audit of the Subscriber Registration Database, which seeks to achieve global standards and quality in the issuance of SIM Cards.

The Commission said that the lifting of the ban became imperative in line with the Federal Government’s desire to consolidate the achievement of the SIM Card registration exercise of September 2019.

Meanwhile, the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria has expressed joy over the lifting of the ban.

“Further to engagements with government on the matter, we are pleased to report that our members have been granted permission to carry out SIM replacement upon verification of the customer’s NIN.

“In this regard, our members are working with the National Identity Management Commission to ensure seamless system connectivity for verification of NINs.

“We note the challenges experienced by customers seeking to replace or upgrade their SIM cards following the suspension of sale and activation of SIM cards by the government which also affected SIM replacement.

“We empathise with people who have been unable to reactivate their phone lines as a result of the suspension.

”We, therefore, seek the continued patience and understanding of our esteemed subscribers as we work with all stakeholders towards speedy resolution of issues affecting SIM Registration/Swap and activation.

” We assure you of restoring normal services in a seamless and effective manner as soon as possible.”

UNICEF Predicts: 21,439 New Babies Will Be Born In Nigeria On January 1, 2021

Editorial staff

December 31, 2020

The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has come up with an estimated 21,439 babies to be born in Nigeria on January 1, the New Year’s Day.

UNICEF, which did not give details of how it arrived at the figure, in an embargoed statement today, December 31, however, said that it is celebrating the new lives being brought into the world on 1 January.

The statement said that globally, over half of the births are estimated to take place in 10 countries, with Nigeria having the third highest number of births, as follows:

India: 59,995
China: 35,615
Nigeria: 21,439
Pakistan: 14,161
Indonesia: 12,336
Ethiopia: 12,006
United States: 10,312
Egypt: 9,455
Bangladesh: 9,236
Democratic Republic of the Congo: 8,640

The statement said that Nigerian babies will account for nearly six per cent of the estimated 371,504 babies born globally on New Year’s Day, adding that their average life expectancy is expected to be 62.8 years – compared to a global average of 84 years.

“New years’ babies born in Ghana and neighbouring Niger have life expectancies of 73 and 71.4 years, respectively. Babies born in Central African Republic and Chad will have a similar life expectancy to those born in Nigeria – only 1.4 years less, at 61.4. This is the lowest life expectancy in the world.

“The highest life expectancy, at 116.4, is for children born in Switzerland

“These figures, while difficult to contemplate, are estimates and not predetermined – there are many things we can do to improve the fate of those children born today in Nigeria. We can and must work to change the underlying factors that can improve the life expectancy of Nigerian children,” said Renu Wadhwa, acting UNICEF Nigeria Representative.

“This has been a difficult year, and there is perhaps no better way to turn the page than to welcome new young lives into the world. There are many opportunities before us in 2021, and now is the time to begin to build a better society for our children. Children born today will inherit the Nigeria we begin to build for them.”

UNICEF disclosed that more than 14 million Nigerian children are chronically malnourished children and 2.7 million acutely malnourished.

“Cross-sectoral solutions to strengthen the health, food, water, sanitation and social protection systems can reverse these high numbers and keep children alive.

“As much as 43 per cent of Nigerian children do not receive all their recommended vaccinations at the right time – a critical step towards ensuring survival and good health.

” Birth registration of Nigerian children under one year is still only 4.0 per cent and 54 per cent for children under 5 years. Achieving universal birth registration is an important platform for allowing children to access health care and other critical services throughout their lives.

“One in three Nigerian children do not complete primary school. Education is known to improve health and life outcomes throughout a child’s life.

“Only 1 in every 8 babies born will make it to their fifth birthday. Those who do survive will face other challenges as young Nigerians – especially girls. For example, an estimated one in every four Nigerian girls will experience sexual violence, if nothing is done to reverse the trend and stop violence against women and girls.

“We can make Nigeria a better place for children to survive and thrive. This new year offers a new slate with opportunities to reimagine, respond, recover and indeed build a more equitable and safer Nigeria for children, especially the girl child,” said Renu Wadhwa.

“As we navigate a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the economic and other challenges it may bring, UNICEF reaffirms its commitment to working together with the Nigerian government and people to promote and protect the rights and welfare of Nigerian children – to ensure that from this day of their birth onwards, they have a future they can look forward to.”

Buhari Directs Govt Agencies To Generate More Revenue Or Face The Music

Editorial staff

December 31, 2020

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed agencies of government saddled with generating revenue generation to work hard to meet their targets or face the music.

The President, who spoke today, December 31 after he signed the N13.588 trillion 2021 Appropriation Bill and the 2020 Finance Bill into law, said: “we are intensifying our domestic revenue mobilization efforts so that we can have adequate resources to fund the 2021 Budget. Revenue Generating Agencies, and indeed all Ministries, Departments and Government-Owned Enterprises, must work very hard to achieve their revenue targets, control their cost-to-revenue ratios, as well as ensure prompt and full remittance of revenue collections.

“Relevant Agencies are to ensure the realization of our crude oil production and export targets. Heads of defaulting Agencies are hereby warned that they will be severely sanctioned. I also appeal to our fellow citizens and the business community, at large, to fulfil their tax obligations promptly.”

President Buhari expressed delight that despite disruptions occasioned by the Coronavirus pandemic, 2020 Budget implementation passed previous thresholds.

“In spite of the adverse impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic on the nation’s economy and the Government’s revenues, we have made appreciable progress in the implementation of the 2020 Budget. As at December 2020, we had released about One-point-Seven-Four-Eight Trillion Naira (N1.748 trillion) out of a total of the One-Point-Nine-Six-Two Trillion Naira (N1.962 trillion) voted for the implementation of critical capital projects, representing a performance of about Eight-Nine-Point-One Percent (89.1%).

“The overall performance of the 2020 Budget currently stands at an impressive rate of Ninety-Seven-point-Seven Percent (97.7%). This commendable outcome underscores the importance of our efforts, together with the Legislature, to return to the discipline of a January-to-December fiscal year. The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning will provide further details on the 2020 Budget’s performance, in due course.”

The President commended the National Assembly for completing “the important appropriation process in good time,” adding that “the passage of the 2021 Federal Budget before the commencement of the 2021 fiscal year is in confirmation of our resolve to maintain a predictable January-December fiscal year, as provided for in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Reproduced below is the full text of the President’s speech.

SPEECH BY PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI AT THE SIGNING OF THE 2021 APPROPRIATION BILL AND THE 2020 FINANCE BILL INTO LAW ON THURSDAY DECEMBER 31, 2020 AT COUNCIL CHAMBERS, PRESIDENTIAL VILLA, ABUJA.

It gives me great pleasure today to sign the 2021 Appropriation Bill and the enabling 2020 Finance Bill into law. I would like to appreciate the National Assembly, and in particular, thank the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and indeed all distinguished and honourable leaders and members for their cooperation in expeditiously enacting these important money bills. This will enable their implementation to commence by 1^st January 2021.

I commend the sustained mutual understanding, collaboration and high-level engagements between officials of the Executive and Legislative Arms of Government, which have made the accelerated enactment of these Bills possible.

We must maintain partnership in the interest of our people, regardless of any differences regarding the Legislative provisions governing our federal budgeting process.

You will recall that I laid the 2021 Appropriation Bill before the Joint Session of the National Assembly on 8th October, 2020, and forwarded the 2020 Finance Bill shortly thereafter. It is very gratifying, indeed, that the National Assembly has completed the important Appropriation process in good time.

The Passage of the 2021 Budget, before the commencement of the 2021 fiscal year, is further confirmation of our firm resolve to maintain a predictable January-to- December fiscal year, as provided for in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

This Administration remains committed to ensuring that the annual Appropriation Bill is presented to the National Assembly in good time for the passage of the Budget before the beginning of the fiscal year. I note, with pleasure, that a growing number of State Governments are now following our lead on this matter.

Towards this end, I have directed that efforts be made to ensure the earlier submission of the 2022-2024 Medium- Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper, as well as the 2022 Appropriation Bill, to the National Assembly. Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies are to cooperate with the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, and more specifically, with the Budget Office of the Federation, to realize this very important objective.

I also wish to thank the National Assembly for completing its work on the 2020 Finance Bill. This Bill is very critical for the successful implementation of the 2021 Budget of “Economic Recovery and Resilience”. Its passage underscores our commitment, as a matter of routine practice, to support Federal Appropriation Bills with annual Finance Bills, designed to facilitate their implementation.

The 2021 Budget that I have just signed into law provides for aggregate expenditures of Thirteen-point- Five- Eight-Eight trillion Naira (N13.588 trillion), representing an increase of five Hundred and Five-point-Six-One Billion Naira (N505.61 billion) over the initial Executive proposal. The increase, however, includes the Three Hundred and Sixty-Five Billion naira (N365 billion) provision for up scaling the Nigeria Social Investment Programme, which I requested for after laying the Budget before the Legislature.

The Details of the Budget as passed by the National Assembly, and signed into law by me, will be provided by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, subsequently.

In designing the 2021 Budget, we deliberately chose to pursue an expansionary fiscal policy. As you are all aware, our economy recently lapsed into its second recession in four years. I mentioned during the presentation of the 2021 appropriation Bill that we intend to use the Budget to accelerate our economic recovery process, promote social inclusion and strengthen the resilience of the economy. All Ministers are to ensure that their supervised Ministries, Departments and agencies achieve the objectives set for their sectors.

I am aware of the changes that the National Assembly has made to the 2021 Executive Budget proposal. We will examine these amendments and, where necessary, I will revert to the National Assembly with a request for amendment, virement or other appropriate adjustments to ensure that the core objectives of the Budget are accomplished.

In spite of the adverse impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic on the nation’s economy and the Government’s revenues, we have made appreciable progress in the implementation of the 2020 Budget. As at December 2020, we had released about One-point-Seven-Four-Eight Trillion Naira (N1.748 trillion) out of a total of the One-Point-Nine-Six-Two Trillion Naira (N1.962 trillion) voted for the implementation of critical capital projects, representing a performance of about Eight-Nine-Point-One Percent (89.1%).

The overall performance of the 2020 Budget currently stands at an impressive rate of Ninety-Seven-point-Seven Percent (97.7%). This commendable outcome underscores the importance of our efforts, together with the Legislature, to return to the discipline of a January-to-December fiscal year. The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning will provide further details on the 2020 Budget’s performance, in due course.

To ensure full implementation of the 2020 Capital Budget and optimize its contribution to our economic revival efforts, the National Assembly recently approved our request to allow Ministries, Departments and Agencies to continue to expand released funds for their 2020 capital budgets till 31^st March, 2021. I would like to express my appreciation to the National Assembly, again, for their gracious understanding and speedy action on this matter.

The 2021 Budget is very critical to the delivery of the legacy projects of our Administration. To fully achieve our objectives, the effective implementation of the 2021 Budget is imperative. Therefore, I have directed the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning should adopt all necessary measures in this regard to achieve the objectives of the Budget, including the targeted release of capital votes.

In view of the recent rise in confirmed Coronavirus cases nationwide, we will ensure timely implementation of the health and emergency measures in the 2021 Budget to contain the spread of the virus. We will continue to count on the close collaboration with the State Governments in our effort to protect the lives and livelihoods of our people.

During the year, I expect that we would be able to significantly reduce the adverse impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic on the cost and availability of basic food items, as well as other key commodities, in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders.

I also expect that the 2021 Budget will stimulate domestic economic activities and create employment opportunities, especially for our youth.

We are intensifying our domestic revenue mobilization efforts so that we can have adequate resources to fund the 2021 Budget. Revenue Generating Agencies, and indeed all Ministries, Departments and Government Owned Enterprises, must work very hard to achieve their revenue targets, control their cost-to-revenue ratios, as well as ensure prompt and full remittance of revenue collections.

Relevant Agencies are to ensure the realization of our crude oil production and export targets. Heads of defaulting Agencies are hereby warned that they will be severely sanctioned. I also appeal to our fellow citizens and the business community, at large, to fulfil their tax obligations promptly.

Being a deficit budget, the specific Borrowing Plan will be forwarded to the National Assembly shortly. I count on the co-operation of the National Assembly for a quick consideration and approval of the Plan when submitted. I assure you that all borrowings will be judiciously applied towards growth-enhancing critical expenditures.

Considering recent budget implementation challenges, the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning is to take all necessary actions to ensure the effective implementation of the 2021 Budget. Ministries, Departments and Agencies are hereby directed to redouble efforts towards implementation of their programmes and projects in ways that promote the greater public good.

I am also directing all relevant agencies of Government to scale-up budget implementation monitoring and evaluation efforts. In this regard, we continue to count on the support of Civil Society Organisations and the general public, at large.

We acknowledge that Government, alone, cannot achieve the objectives of the 2021 Budget. This is why the Budget, and its underlying policy framework, provide a lot of opportunities for partnerships with the private sector. Ministries, Departments and Agencies are hereby directed to liaise with the Bureau of Public Enterprises and the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission to accelerate the implementation of their Public Private Partnership initiatives, especially those designed to fast-track the pace of our critical infrastructural development.

I wish to acknowledge the efforts of the Ministers superintending over the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning; the Budget Office of the Federation; Senior Special Assistants that are liaisons to the Senate and House of Representatives; the Fiscal Policy Reforms Committee; and all others who contributed towards producing the 2021 Appropriation Act and 2020 Finance Act, that I have signed into law today.

As a nation, we are currently confronted with diverse challenges at this time. I commend the understanding, sacrifice and resilience of our people, both young and old. I assure everyone that our hope and confidence of a greater future shall not be in vain.

Let me conclude by commending the National Assembly, once again, for the steady support in safely steering our economy during these very challenging times. I remain committed to sustaining the partnership with the Legislature to jointly deliver on our mandate from our people.

I thank you most sincerely for your kind attention.

May God continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Insecurity: Presidential Aide Wants Nigerians To Carry Weapons For Self-Defence

Editorial staff

December 30, 2020

The Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), Professor Itse Sagay (SAN), has called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, to allow Nigerians carry weapons to defend themselves against unprovoked attacks by Boko Haram insurgents, bandits and other elements that have constituted security challenges to the country.

Professor Sagay, in a statement today, December 30, said that since the government is overburdened by “various security challenges such as Boko Haram insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and herdsmen attacks,” it is imperative for Nigerians to carry arms to defend themselves whenever they are attacked.

The Presidential aide stressed that the series of unprovoked attacks on villages by bandits will reduce drastically if the communities were allowed to arm themselves with weapons to defend their communities, saying: “the country has become so dangerous. All sorts of things are happening nowadays. You have kidnappers, bandits, herdsmen and Boko Haram insurgency.

“The reality is that there is nowhere that is safe in the country. Travelling by road today is a very risky endeavour that one will hardly try. So, there is a total insecurity in the country.

“I don’t know what has gone wrong, why our people have become so violent and savage. Individuals no longer feel safe outside their own house. I am not even sure that one is safe in his own home.

“What I will like to suggest to the government is that it should allow ordinary Nigerians to carry arms. Everybody who wants to bear arms as a form of self-defence should be allowed to do so. This is necessary so that when these bandits and miscreants attack them, they will know that the person they attacked can defend himself.

“All these restrictions on owning weapons should be lifted. Let the public be allowed to own weapons, especially in all those villages where they are being massacred. Their men should be given weapons so that when the attackers come, they will also be given a challenge which may discourage them in future.”

Security Outfit: Igbo Group Isolates Nnamdi Kanu, Teams Up With Eastern Governors

Editorial staff

December 30, 2020

A Coalition of South East pressure group has condemned the recent threat by the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu to governors of the region for opposing the formation of a militia outfit, Eastern Security Network (ESN), by the separatist leader.

The Coalition hailed the governors for what it described as their show of patriotism “by not only openly denouncing Kanu’s actions but also calling on the people of the region not to be gullible and fall prey to his antics”, which they noted were not for the good of the region.

IPOB had warned southeast governors not to work against the Eastern Security Network as it accused the governors of a plot to incite the Army and other security agencies against the outfit.

It asked the governors to steer clear of such plan or be prepared to face dire consequences, just as it warned local vigilantes in the zone set up by state governors not to allow themselves to be used to carry out what it called “evil agenda or have themselves to blame”.

But reacting to IPOB’s threat, the groups operating under the auspices of Coalition of Igbo Groups Worldwide, tasked the region’s governors not to succumb to Kanu’s threat, insisting that they must go all out against Kanu and IPOB’s activities which they noted, were “illegal to the law of the land and humanity.”

Besides, the coalition urged the southeast governors to make laws that were beneficial to the citizens of the region, advising that “they must not allow Kanu have any ample opportunity of operating alternate leadership”, which according to them was inimical to the peace and development of the South East and Nigeria.

The Coalition, in a statement, Wednesday, signed by its affiliate members, described the IPOB leader as a fugitive who “was being bankrolled by some self-seeking interests to destroy the southeast”

It warned that unless Kanu’s activities were wholeheartedly denounced by the leadership and all well-meaning Igbo, the region’s quest to actualise its dream of Nigeria’s Presidency in 2023 will meet strong opposition.

Task Force Seizes Passports Of 100 Airline Passengers For Failure To Take Coronavirus Test

Editorial staff

December 30, 2020

Presidential Task Force (PTF) has announced the seizure of the passports of 100 in-bound airline passengers who failed to take the second test of coronavirus on their arrival in the country.

Chairman of the Task Force, Boss Mustapha, at the national briefing today, December, in Abuja said that the names of the passengers would be published on Jan. 1, 2021, while the suspension of the passports would last for six months.

Boss Mustapha, who is also the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), said: “with effect from January 1, 2021, passports of the first 100 passengers, who failed to take their day-seven post-arrival polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, would be published in the national dailies.”

The SGF lamented the difficulties experienced in the national response, noting,”Our National Response is passing through a challenging phase due to the seriousness of the second wave of infections in Nigeria.

”Week 52 has so far given us the highest number of infections in a single week to date. Our analysis shows that 16 out of every 100 tests carried out are positive.

”We are also seeing increasing transmission among younger people and this is not considered good and safe. We must, therefore, exercise utmost restraint by taking responsibility.”

Boss Mustapha said that the PTF had discussed two critical issues, Oxygen supply and Case Management, and during the conversation with health authorities, CMDs of Federal Tertiary Institutions in Abuja, National Hospital; Jabi & Gwagwalada, the PTF directed that the level of Infections, Prevention and Control, as well as case management, should be prioritised immediately.

”With the increasing number of infections and hospitalisation, our objectives are to: ensure that infection, prevention and control (IPC) is properly instituted to minimise spread and exposure of health care workers to the virus;

”Ensure that those who require hospitalisation are well managed; those requiring medical attention for other ailments gain access to Treatment at medical facilities; and critical care is available and deployed, especially where oxygen is needed.

“The situation in Abuja and its environs has been of concern to the PTF.”

Ghanaian Presidential Election: Opposition Candidate Heads To Court

Editorial staff

December 30, 2020

President of Ghana and candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama, has filed a petition to challenge the presidential results of the recently concluded 2020 general elections in the country.

The petition, filed against the country’s electoral commission and current President, Nana Akufo-Addo, who was re-elected, came after Mahama earlier vowed to dispute the election results

Mahama, in the petition submitted by his lawyers, argued that the presidential results as declared by the country’s electoral commission chairperson, Jean Mensa, were flawed and did not represent the will of the people.

The NDC presidential candidate also described the electoral commission’s verdict as fictitious, stating that the results were manufactured to favour the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).

The petition, dated December 30 with Writ Number J1/5/2021 and titled ‘Presidential Election Petition’ has been submitted before the Supreme Court of Accra.

The party’s stance has since been strongly defended by NDC supporters who have hit the streets to demand that the announcement be overturned.

The party has, however, maintained that it will continue with all legitimate actions that are currently being used by party supporters to drum home their demand.

Akufo-Addo was declared the winner of the December 7 vote with 51.59 percent, ahead of the opposition National Democratic Party’s (NDC) candidate, former President Mahama, who had 47.37 percent of the votes.

The development comes amid preparations for President Akufo-Addo’s swearing-in ceremony scheduled for January 7, 2021.

2nd Coronavirus: Commission Resorts To “Booking” For National Identity Number Seekers

Editorial staff

December 29, 2020

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has said that from tomorrow, December 30, applicants wishing to obtain their National Identification Number will be based on booking.

NIMC spokesman, Kayode Adegoke, in a statement today, December 29, said that the new measure has been taken in view of the second wave of Coronavirus which continues to severely affect public health and cause unprecedented disruptions.

“The Commission wishes to announce that it has adopted a couple of measures to contain the spread of the virus whilst ensuring its services to Nigerians are not entirely interrupted.

“Effective December 30, 2020, attending to applicants would be based on Booking System. For Bookings, applicants are to visit any of the NIMC Offices closest to them during stipulated business hours (9am – 1pm).

“Once admitted into the office, a Number-Issuing queue management system will be in place to ensure orderliness and strict adherence to Covid-19 Protocols.”

The Commission also advised all applicants to use their face masks, observe social distancing and wash their hands while at its centres nationwide.

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.

We Nigerians, Are Responsible For The Nation’s Woes – Obasanjo

Editorial staff

December 29, 2020

Nigeria’s former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has said that Nigerians, both leaders and followers, should blame themselves for the woes confronting the country.

Speaking today, December 29, in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, in his year 2021 message to the nation, Obasanjo insisted that no Nigerian must blame God for the hunger, poverty, bad economy among other challenges plaguing the country.

According to him, Nigeria ought not to be poor with numerous abundant resources the country is endowed with, even as he advised the citizenry not to be weary.

“And I believe we need to work hard in this country as we pray hard so that the coming year, the year 2021 will be a glorious year for us. But it will not happen unless we work to make it happen.

“We do not have to blame God for our situation, we have to blame ourselves. Nigeria does not have to be poor, no Nigerian must go to bed hungry. That we have a situation like that is a choice by our leaders and followers alike. My prayer is that God will make year 2021 a better year for all of us, but it will not happen without work.”

Obasanjo described the outgoing year as most challenging as a result of the coronavirus pandemic which ravaged the entire world, insecurity and bad economy in the country.

He prayed for the repose of those who lost their lives due to the pandemic and insecurity across Nigeria.

“I would say as St. Paul, the great Apostle said, ‘in all things, we must give thanks’. This year 2020 has been a challenging year in the whole world, particularly for us in Nigeria.

“We have gone from one form of insecurity to bad economy and on the top of it is the COVID-19.

“Some people, either for insecurity or for bad economy or for COVID-19 have gone to the great beyond. I pray for the soul of those who have departed, particularly in this year of challenges, rest in perfect peace.”

He advised the leadership of the nation to do the right thing to bring the economy back to a good state, saying “when we do the right thing. We are not doing the right thing now. When we do the right thing, the economy will be what it should be.”

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