The Federal Government has extended the deadline for Nigerians to link the National Identity Number (NIN) with the communications service providers’ SIM card registration by three weeks.
Subscribers with NIN now have till January 19 to register while those who are yet to register for national identity card now have six weeks to register for the linking.
This information was contained in a statement today, December 21 by the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.
The statement titled, ‘Extension of Registration Period and Cancellation of USSD and Verification Fees,’ was jointly signed by the Executive Vice-Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, Umar Danbatta; and Director-General, National Identity Management Commission, Aliyu Aziz.
It read: “The National Task Force on National Identification Number and SIM Registration met today, 21st December, 2020.
“The meeting was chaired by the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami with major stakeholders in the sector including Chairman – NCC, EVC-NCC, DG-NITDA, DG-NIMC, ECTS/ECSM-NCC, Chairman ALTON, CEOs of MTN, Airtel, Ntel, Glo, Smile, and 9Moble in attendance.
“Based on the endorsement of the Federal Government of Nigeria, the following resolutions were made:
“Three weeks extension for subscribers with NIN from 30th December, 2020 to 19th January, 2021; and six weeks extension for subscribers without NIN from 30th December, 2020 to 9th February, 2021.”
Nigerian Federal Government has directed all its staff on Grade Level 12 and below to stay at home for the next five weeks as part of efforts to curtail the spread of the second wave of coronavirus. It announced that schools, which are now on holiday, will remain shut till at least the 18th of January, 2021 to enable the measures introduced to take effect
This is even as Kaduna State Government took similar measures, directing all workers below Grade Level 14 to work from home as from today, December 21.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, , Boss Mustapha, who spoke to newsmen today, December 21 in Abuja, also announce the closure all bars, night clubs, pubs and event centres, recreational venues, all restaurants except those providing services to hotel residents; takeaways, home deliveries and drive-ins shall remain closed.
“All government staff on GL.12 and below are to stay at home for the next 5 weeks; Permanent Secretaries and Chief Executives are to be held accountable for enforcing NPI rules in their domains with frequent spot checks.”
Boss Mustapha said that President Muhammadu Buhari has authorized the PTF to engage with the States and the FCT to “assume full ownership of this stage of the response by deploying legal structures and resources, including enforcement to manage the pandemic within their jurisdictions.
“In line with the authorization, the PTF wishes to issue the following advisories to sub-national entities for implementation over the next five weeks because these activities are considered super spreader events.”
He said that some of the measures including restriction of all informal and formal festivity events including weddings, conferences, congresses, office parties, concerts, seminars, sporting activities, end of year events shall be restricted to not more than 50 persons;
“Limit all gatherings linked to religious events to less than 50% capacity of the facility of use during which physical distancing; mandatory use of face masks shall be strictly enforced
“Where more than 50 persons are attending, any such events, the gathering should be held outdoors only;
“Public transportation systems are to carry passengers not more than 50% of their capacity in compliance with social distancing rules.
“Enforce compliance with NPI protocols especially the advisory on wearing of face masks in public spaces;
“To reduce overcrowding in public spaces, markets, shopping centres, offices and schools States are advised to implement the following:
“Encourage virtual meetings in government Offices. The leadership of such offices are to ensure that all offices are well-ventilated offices, and encourage staff to work from home where possible;
“All government staff on GL.12 and below are to stay at home for the next 5 weeks; Permanent Secretaries and Chief Executives are to be held accountable for enforcing NPI rules in their domains with frequent spot checks;
“The PTF on the advice of the Federal Ministry of Education, expects that schools would have vacated from the 18th December 2020 and remain closed till at least the 18th of January, 2021 to enable the measures introduced to take effect;
“All persons above the age of 60yrs and/or with comorbidities are to be encouraged to stay at home and avoid crowds;
“All non-essential travels both domestic and international during the holiday season are seriously discouraged;
“To strengthen risk communication and community engagement activities over the next 5 weeks, States are encouraged to;
“Engage community and religious leaders, arrange town hall meetings (ideally set outdoors) to address concerns;
“Intensify public messaging activities, leveraging on existing government and partner assets;
“Reach out to youths and younger adults with health promotion activities;
“Invest in local face mask purchase and distribution to the general public to encourage use.
“Where applicable, the PTF shall also implement these authorisations. For example, it shall work with the Nigeria Immigration Service to impose sanctions on all in-bound travellers who violated the travel protocols and endangered the lives of their loved ones and other citizens by refusing to take the post-arrival test.”
Also, a statement by Muyiwa Adekeye, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to Governor Nasir El-Rufai said that the Governor has signed and authorised new regulations to contain the spread of coronavirus in the state with effect from today, December 21.
“It is mandatory to wear facemask outside the house. Organisations and individuals that allow people into their premises have the responsibility to enforce the no mask, no entry mandate, facemask should be worn to cover both the nose and mouth.
“Places of worship must enforce facemask use, provide sanitisers and ensure physical distancing. The number of worshippers will be capped. Congregational worship should not exceed one hour.
“Transport operators must reduce capacity to not more than two passengers per row and not more than 50 per cent of capacity.
“Supermarkets and providers of personal services such as hair dressing and barbing salons can remain open, but service providers and customers must use facemask and limit the number of persons they admit and serve at any time.”
The safe return of all 344 boys kidnapped from the Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, in Katsina State would be celebrated in any decent part of the world where empathy overrides cheap politics. And for a good cause.
The outpouring of sighs, cries of relief and joy over the return of the boys reverberated beyond their immediate families. As the news spread far and wide, the global community is cheering the boys’ reunion with their families.
This moment is a watershed for Nigeria. It holds out hope that Nigerian citizens can feel safe wherever they are.
It is precisely as President Muhammadu Buhari described it: “A big relief to their families, the entire country and international community.”
We are glad that the UN Secretary General, Antonio Gutteres just sent a thank you message, appreciating what Nigeria has achieved.
1. The Buhari Administration has the will and has demonstrated unquestionable capacity to protect Nigerians. Those who doubt this Government’s resolve are mischievous. It is an administration empowered to draw enormous resilience from innate reservoirs of human resources, a network of reliable intelligence sources, and demonstrated expertise in scenario building and mediation.
Under enormous pressures from local and international sources, those charged with coordinating the boys’ safe return held tight, stayed focused, refusing to succumb to doubts, taunts, and conspiracy theories. They eventually got the job done most transparently and brought back the boys.
2. Our Security Forces often do not get the accolades they deserve. Once more, the Nigerian Military has delivered on the big stage. They had a plan, kept to it, and got the job done without firing a single shot. This is important because one casualty, one dead schoolboy, could have traumatized President Buhari and the parents. One dead student would have tainted the rescue mission. The President wanted the boys back alive and delivered to their parents. As a compassionate father figure, he would have been pained if one life had been lost in the rescue process. Bravo to the Nigerian Military and our security agencies for a well-coordinated and professionally executed mission to the President’s order reuniting the boys with their parents. There are not enough words to thank our gallant men and women in uniform, the military that continues to make sacrifices for many of us to enjoy and express our freedoms in its various forms and shapes. Millions of appreciative citizens applaud the success of the Army in bringing back the Kankara Schoolboys. Well done, boys!
3. Terrorists have lost the lead narrative with the military and our security personnel’s excellent performance in rescuing the boys without any incident. They can run, but they can no longer hide. The momentum now lies with our forces, and one should expect a new push against violent forces and their sponsors.
4. One must never take for granted the Nigerian spirit of brotherhood or their love for their President. Nigerians are far more united than it would seem, reviewing news reports and social media pages. Nigerians also love this President and have absolute trust in his ability to protect them. The outpouring of solidarity and support for the administration cuts across all divides, from far and wide, from expected and unexpected quarters. Nigerians have shown that in moments of national grief, they are truly their brother’s keepers and the events of the last few days have clearly demonstrated this residue.
5. There will always be profiteers from other people’s misfortune. The lack of patriotism shown by few unnecessary elements in a moment of national distress was crass, shameful and despicable. If they are not directly affected by a tragedy or no immediate family member involved, it is fair game for them and time to gloat or even make a few fast bucks. Indeed emergency activists thought they could cash in on these schoolboys and their parents’ misfortune devoid of their conscience. While patriotic Nigerians prayed for the boys’ quick return, these merchants of fortune were renting crowds, creating certain suspicious hashtags, opening bank accounts for the sole aim of soliciting funds for a cause they thought would linger. What will they do now with the one million T-Shirts they have produced? This is hugely shameful. These scavengers should now be honourable enough to refund the monies they have so far collected for the now futile campaign to discredit their fatherland.
Garba Shehu is Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that a new version of the coronavirus has surfaced in South Africa and United Kingdom.
The WHO said that the virus seems to mutate over time, adding that it is more likely to cause severe disease or death.
The WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who made this known tody, December 21 at a media briefing, said: “in the past few days, there have been reports of new variants of the COVID-19 virus in South Africa and the United Kingdom. Viruses mutate over time; that’s natural and expected. The UK has reported that this new variant transmits more easily but there is no evidence so far that it is more likely to cause severe disease or mortality.
“WHO is working with scientists to understand how these genetic changes affect how the virus behaves. The bottom line is that we need to suppress transmission of all SARS-CoV-2 viruses as quickly as we can. The more we allow it to spread, the more opportunity it has to change.
“I can’t stress enough – to all governments and all people – how important it is to take the necessary precautions to limit transmission.”
Dr. Ghebreyesus said that $4.6bn additional funding will be needed in the year 2021 to purchase COVID-19 vaccines for at least 20 percent of the population of all low and lower-middle income countries.
“Last week, we announced that the COVAX Facility – which is backed by 190 countries and economies – has secured access to nearly two billion doses of promising vaccine candidates.”
The Senate has just passed the 2021 Appropriation Bill of N13.5 trillion.
This followed the adoption of the report of Senate Committee on Appropriations at plenary.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that President Muhammadu Buhari had on October 8, presented the 2021 budget of N13.08 trillion to the joint session of the National Assembly for approval.
The Aju Ameacho ruling clan has nominated Prince Opaluwa Okoliko to become the new Attah Igala in Kogi State.
The stool became vacant following the death of Idakwo Micheal Ameh Oboni, the Attah of Igala, few months ago.
The nominated young Prince had stint in the banking, aviation and education sectors over the years.
The eldest surviving persons of the ruling house, Chief Ogobi Okpanachi Emeje and Alhaji Ibrahim Inah Abutu who spoke to journalists in Lokoja at the weekend, said the nomination followed series of consultations among members of the clan, and that the decision was in line with Kogi State Government Gazette on the selection of Attah Igala.
Prince Opaluwa Okoliko has also been recommended and endorsed by elders and members from the four ruling houses of Aju Ameacho, Aju Akogu, Aju Akwu, and Aju Ocholi. Meanwhipe, the elder brother to Prince Okoliko, Engr. Opaluwa Ayegba, has also endorsed the nomination. Alhaji Ibrahim Ina Abutu who spoke on behalf of Aju Ameacho ruling clan said the clan was robbed of the throne in 1956 when they presented Prince Opaluwa Oguche (the grandfather of Prince Opaluwa Okoliko) for the stool of Attah Igala after going through the rituals of ascension but Aliyu Obaje was installed from Aju Akwu ruling clan.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has imposed a new, stricter level of coronavirus restrictions, canceling Christmas gatherings and ordering that most shops should close, especially in London and much of southern England, to curb rapidly spreading infections.
Boris Johnson said today, December 19 that the capital and other areas in southern England currently under Tier 3, the highest level of coronavirus restrictions, will move to an even stricter new Tier 4 that requires all non-essential shops, hairdressers and indoor leisure venues to close after the end of business hours Saturday.
With just five days to go until Christmas, the Prime Mminister also announced that a planned easing of socializing rules that would have allowed up to three households to meet in “Christmas bubbles” from December 23 to 27, will be cancelled for Tier 4 areas and sharply curtailed in the rest of England.
He said that there will be no mixing of households in Tier 4 except under very limited conditions outside the public places.
In the rest of England, people will be allowed to meet in Christmas bubbles for just one day instead of five, as the government originally planned.
“It is with a very heavy heart that I must tell you we cannot proceed with Christmas as planned,” Boris Johnson said.
He said: “there is no alternative open to me and people must sacrifice this Christmas to have a better chance of protecting the lives of loved ones.
“I know how much emotion people invest in this time of year, and how important it is for grandparents to see their grandchildren. But when the virus changes its method of attack, we must change our method of defence.”
Boris Johnson said that a fast-moving new variant of the coronavirus that is more than 70 per cent transmissible than existing strains appears to be driving the rapid spread in London and southern England, adding that London now has the highest infection rates in England.
“There’s no evidence to suggest it is more lethal or causes more severe illness, or that vaccines will be less effective against it.”
England’s chief medical officer, Chris Whitty, said that the U.K. has alerted the World Health Organization (WHO) that the new variant identified this week appears to be accelerating the spread of cornavirus.
The government’s scientific advisers came to that conclusion based on preliminary modelling figures, and they are continuing to analyze the available data, he said.
Viruses mutate regularly, and scientists have found thousands different of mutations among samples of the virus causing COVID-19. But many of these changes have no effect on how easily the virus spreads or how severe symptoms are.
Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO’s technical lead on COVID-19, told reporters after receiving notification from England this week that the U.N. health agency had “no evidence this variant behaves differently” and that it was similar to a variant initially reported among mink in Europe. She said scientists would study the virus strain to see if there might be any difference in how it prompts an immune response in people.
Wales and Northern Ireland, which have their own devolved governments and independent rules for controlling the virus, have already announced fresh lockdowns once Christmas is over.
U.K. officials reported another 28,507 confirmed cases on Friday, and 489 deaths of people within 28 days of testing positive for the virus. The U.K. has Europe’s second-highest COVID-19 death toll behind Italy, standing at 66,541 as of today, December 19.
Coronavirus cases in India have surpassed 10 million, reaching 10,004,599.
Latest data from the federal health ministry indicated that today, December alone 25,152 new cases were registered.
According to the data, the death toll mounted to 145,136 as 347 coronavirus patients have died since Friday morning.
There are still 308,751 active cases in the country, while 9,550,712 people have been discharged so far from hospitals after medical treatment.
Meanwhile, the federal government has ramped up coronavirus testing facilities across the country, as more than 160 million tests have been conducted.
As many as 160,090,514 tests had been conducted till Friday, out of which 1,171,868 tests were conducted on Friday alone, said the latest data issued by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on Saturday.
Delhi has been one of the most coronavirus affected places in the country. As many as 1,418 new cases and 37 deaths were registered in the national capital during the past 24 hours.
So far as many as 10,219 people have died in Delhi due to coronavirus.
Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar has called on government to evolve tougher and more proactive measures than what obtains currently to contain the frequency with which insurgents and bandits killed innocent Nigeria.
“Condemnation of attacks is not enough to reassure citizens who are constantly living in fear”, the former Vice President said, in reaction to what he called “brutal brutal murder” of aides and security details of Emir of Kaura Namoda, Alhaji Sanusi Muhammad Asha by bandits who attacked his convoy.
“The government should speed up the prosecution of terrorists and bandits in order to send a strong message to these outlaws that there are consequences for wilful taking of life.”
According to Atiku, the frequency and ease with which the bandits are killing innocent people almost on a daily basis is embarrassing and should be halted, lest outlaws are allowed to rule over affairs.
The PDP Presidential candidate in the 2019 election said that a situation where people are afraid to leave their homes for the fear of their lives being terminated by bandits is a cause for anxiety.
The Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, a daughter of Kogi State has described the newly appointed Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi State, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi as an asset to the institution. She said that the appointment of Professor Akinwumi is a blessing to the university “as the erudite Professor who was until his new appointment a Professor of African History and the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) of Nassarawa State University- Keffi, will bring to bear his wealth of academic and administrative experiences in charting a new course for the Institution.”
In a statement today, December 19, the minister expressed unreserved solidarity with the people of Kogi State, adding that the appointment is a testamentary to Professor Akinwumi’s legendary scholarship in African History. She expressed her consistent support with Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello in appointing Professor Akinwumi as the first indigenous Vice Chancellor of Federal University- Lokoja. Dr. Ramatu Aliyu appreciated the Professor’s quest for knowledge and perfection and as an asset to the Kogi University. She rejoiced “with the beautiful people of Kogi State over one of theirs,” even as she called on the University community to rise up to the occasion with this well deserved and erudite leadership to re-didicate themselves to positively turning around of the fortunes of the Institution.
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The Federal Government has extended the deadline for Nigerians to link the National Identity Number (NIN) with the communications service providers’ SIM card registration by three weeks.
Nigerian Federal Government has directed all its staff on Grade Level 12 and below to stay at home for the next five weeks as part of efforts to curtail the spread of the second wave of coronavirus. It announced that schools, which are now on holiday, will remain shut till at least the 18th of January, 2021 to enable the measures introduced to take effect
The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that a new version of the coronavirus has surfaced in South Africa and United Kingdom.
5 Takeaways From Safe Return Of 344 Kankara Schoolboys, By Garba Shehu
The outpouring of sighs, cries of relief and joy over the return of the boys reverberated beyond their immediate families. As the news spread far and wide, the global community is cheering the boys’ reunion with their families.
This moment is a watershed for Nigeria. It holds out hope that Nigerian citizens can feel safe wherever they are.
It is precisely as President Muhammadu Buhari described it: “A big relief to their families, the entire country and international community.”
We are glad that the UN Secretary General, Antonio Gutteres just sent a thank you message, appreciating what Nigeria has achieved.
1. The Buhari Administration has the will and has demonstrated unquestionable capacity to protect Nigerians. Those who doubt this Government’s resolve are mischievous. It is an administration empowered to draw enormous resilience from innate reservoirs of human resources, a network of reliable intelligence sources, and demonstrated expertise in scenario building and mediation.
Under enormous pressures from local and international sources, those charged with coordinating the boys’ safe return held tight, stayed focused, refusing to succumb to doubts, taunts, and conspiracy theories. They eventually got the job done most transparently and brought back the boys.
2. Our Security Forces often do not get the accolades they deserve. Once more, the Nigerian Military has delivered on the big stage. They had a plan, kept to it, and got the job done without firing a single shot. This is important because one casualty, one dead schoolboy, could have traumatized President Buhari and the parents. One dead student would have tainted the rescue mission. The President wanted the boys back alive and delivered to their parents. As a compassionate father figure, he would have been pained if one life had been lost in the rescue process. Bravo to the Nigerian Military and our security agencies for a well-coordinated and professionally executed mission to the President’s order reuniting the boys with their parents. There are not enough words to thank our gallant men and women in uniform, the military that continues to make sacrifices for many of us to enjoy and express our freedoms in its various forms and shapes. Millions of appreciative citizens applaud the success of the Army in bringing back the Kankara Schoolboys. Well done, boys!
3. Terrorists have lost the lead narrative with the military and our security personnel’s excellent performance in rescuing the boys without any incident. They can run, but they can no longer hide. The momentum now lies with our forces, and one should expect a new push against violent forces and their sponsors.
4. One must never take for granted the Nigerian spirit of brotherhood or their love for their President. Nigerians are far more united than it would seem, reviewing news reports and social media pages. Nigerians also love this President and have absolute trust in his ability to protect them. The outpouring of solidarity and support for the administration cuts across all divides, from far and wide, from expected and unexpected quarters. Nigerians have shown that in moments of national grief, they are truly their brother’s keepers and the events of the last few days have clearly demonstrated this residue.
5. There will always be profiteers from other people’s misfortune. The lack of patriotism shown by few unnecessary elements in a moment of national distress was crass, shameful and despicable. If they are not directly affected by a tragedy or no immediate family member involved, it is fair game for them and time to gloat or even make a few fast bucks. Indeed emergency activists thought they could cash in on these schoolboys and their parents’ misfortune devoid of their conscience. While patriotic Nigerians prayed for the boys’ quick return, these merchants of fortune were renting crowds, creating certain suspicious hashtags, opening bank accounts for the sole aim of soliciting funds for a cause they thought would linger. What will they do now with the one million T-Shirts they have produced? This is hugely shameful. These scavengers should now be honourable enough to refund the monies they have so far collected for the now futile campaign to discredit their fatherland.