Headlines
NIN-SIM verification: FG lauds Kano’s initiative, extends deadline to October 31
Nasiru Yusuf
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami has commended Kano State government for making NINs a key requirement for school enrolments and access to other important services.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Federal Government is also excited at the news that the use of NIN in the process of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exam significantly reduced the challenge of exam malpractice.
A statement jointly signed by director public affairs NCC Ikechukwu Adinde and head of corporate communication, National Identity Management Commission Kayode Adegoke on Sunday said the Minister, on behalf of the Federal Government, appreciates Nigerians for their patience and compliance with the Federal Government’s directive on the NIN-SIM registration exercise.
Similarly, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Umar Garba Danbatta, and the Director-General/CEO of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Aliyu Azeez, urged citizens and legal residents to make sure they use the opportunity to complete the process of enrolment and verification before the October 31 deadline.
NIN-SIM verification extended to October 31
The Federal Government has approved the extension of the deadline for National Identity Number (NIN)-Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) data verification to October 31, 2021.
The decision to extend the deadline was made following a request by stakeholders to accommodate registration in hard-to-reach remote areas, foreigners and diplomatic missions, diaspora and address low enrolments in schools and hospitals, as evidenced by enrolment statistics.
A statement jointly signed by director public affairs NCC Ikechukwu Adinde and head of corporate communication, National Identity Management Commission Kayode Adegoke said the decision also followed a review of the progress of the exercise which indicated significant progress, hence the need to consolidate the gains of the enrolment and NIN-SIM verification process across the country.
The statement added that “As at July 24, 2021, there are over 5,500 enrolment systems within and outside the country and this would significantly ease the NIN enrolment process and subsequent linkage of NIN to SIM.
“The administration of His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, has approved the extension as part of efforts to make it easier for its citizens within and outside the country, and legal residents to obtain the NIN and it is important to take advantage of the extension.
“The NIN-SIM linkage also makes it easier for the security agencies to carry out their statutory duties and the relevant parastatals under the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy are supporting them as required.
“There are now a total of 59.8 million unique NIN enrolments, with average of 3 to 4 SIMs per NIN. With the great number of enrolment centres within and outside the country, and many more coming up, every citizen, legal resident, and Nigerian citizens living in diaspora should be able to obtain their NINs.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), on Tuesday, said that Kano State has recorded 5,800 suspected cases of Diphtheria from January to date.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Head, UNICEF Field Office, Kano, Mr Rahama Mohammned-Farah, stated this in Kano during a one-day media orientation on Diphtheria outbreak.
The UN Agency said the cases were recorded in 39 local government areas of the state.
According to him, Kano State has the highest number of recorded cases in the country, adding that Diphtheria was a highly contagious and infectious disease that could cause death.
Mohammned-Farah stressed that proactive measures were necessary to stem the outbreak.
“Recently, we have seen a surge in the number of reported Diphtheria cases in Nigeria, and Nigeria is currently facing an outbreak that needs to be stopped and prevented.
“As of July, Diphtheria cases have been on the rise. As of last week, over 400 suspected cases with 11 deaths have been reported in Kano.
“Out of the 39 LGAs affected, eight are the most affected, including Ungogo with 2,651 cases; Dala 989, Fagge 943, Gwale 714, Kumbotso 713, Nasarawa 538, Kano Municipal 506 and Tarauni 269,” he said.
He said that 60.8 per cent of the suspected cases had been reported in children not vaccinated, which reinforced the critical need to address the issue of zero doses, especially in Kano State.
“UNICEF delivered 1.2 million vaccines to the Kano State Government in our continuing support to the government response to Diphtheria outbreak.
“Diphtheria outbreak is a threat to child survival, health and the wellbeing of children. UNICEF is collaborating with government and partners to respond to the emergency to save the lives of children affected.
“In Kano state, UNICEF supported Tetanus-Diphtheria reactive vaccination campaigns in February, April and August, vaccinating 23,200 children in round one.
“While 277,796 children vaccinated in round two and 29,500 others in round-3 of the exercise.
“We engaged 150 traditional leaders on Diphtheria outbreak and distribution of Diphtheria IEC materials, and deployed 1,500 VCMs to the worst affected LGAs to conduct house-to-house sensitisations and referral of suspected cases to health facilities.
“Media has a key role to play particularly in infection prevention, and risk communication and community engagement,” he said.
Also speaking, Dr Muhammad Nasir-Mahmoud, the Director-General, Kano State Primary Healthcare Management Board, said the state government had adopted drastic measures to curtail spread of the disease.
“We are committed towards educating the public about what is happening and the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) has promised that Kano will be accorded priority in terms of vaccine distribution,” he said.
While describing the media as partners in the fight against Diphtheria, Nasir-Mahmoud urged them to support the campaign against the disease.
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
The Interparty Advisory Council of Nigeria (IPAC) has urged the judges of the Kano election petition tribunal court to discharge its duties with utmost integrity and impartiality.
KANO FOCUS reports that this was contained in a statement issued by the organization secretary Kano chapter Nuhu Idris on Tuesday.
IPAC also called upon the tribunal to consider each case diligently and ensure that all the parties involved are given equal opportunities to present their argument and evidence.
It could be recalled that the election tribunal has fixed Wednesday 20th September 2023 to deliver judgment on APC’s petition against Abba Kabir Yusuf.
A hearing notice issued by the Secretary of the election petition tribunal on Monday said the judgment would be delivered at 9.00 a.m., at the High Court of Miller Road in Kano.
Mr Idris said the organization has acknowledged the importance of the electoral process in a democratic society, where the voice and choice of the people are paramount.
He said the ongoing legal proceedings before the tribunal are a testament to the vibrancy of democracy and the resolve of citizens to seek redress through legal means.
“IPAC firmly believes that justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done.
“We, Therefore, implore the tribunal to maintain transparency in its proceedings allowing the public and all concerned parties to have confidence in the outcome of the legal process, the statement said.
He added that it is essential that the tribunal’s decisions are guided by the rule of law and the facts presented, rather than any external influence.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Arewa Consultative Forum ACF, Monday donated the sum of N100,000 as a gift to the 22-year-old tricycle rider, Auwalu Salisu, who returned N15 million that was forgotten in his tricycle to the Chadian owner.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Chairman of the ACF in Kano, Dr Goni Umar Farouk, said the tricycle rider would serve as a role model to today’s youth and subsequent generations.
“Only a few among our children of these days can do this. So we believe he was raised successfully in a good manner by his parents. We really appreciate that and we will keep in touch so that he will be a motivation to the youth,” he said.
He urged the youth to emulate the good characters showcased by Salisu, and pray to have people like him in the society.
In an interview with journalists shortly after after he received a cash donation from the Kano State Chapter of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Salisu said that the fear of God made him return the money to the owner.
The rider said he was afraid of life in the hereafter as he believed one day he would be no more and money would finish.
According to him, he didn’t intend to touch the money even though some of his friends faulted his decision.
“I know that the money is huge, but I am better to stay the way I am than to feed myself and my parents from non-legitimate money.
“Some people have been saying that I should have used the money, but deep inside me I feel comfortable giving them back their money,” he said.
According to him, he was raised by his parents, who are poor and despite their poverty, they are always cautioned to stay away from what doesn’t belong to them.
“What I did has paid me already. Many people are commending me for that. I have become the talk of the town,” he said.
Kano records 5,800 cases of Diphtheria – UNICEF
IPAC appeals to Kano governorship tribunal to be impartial
ACF donates N100,000 to tricycle rider who returned N15m to Chadian owner
CJN Pronounces NCC Worthy Telecom Regulator
Kano Assembly set to honour young tricycle rider that returned N15m to owner
Kano govt refutes rumour alleging grabbing land at Rijiyar Zaki motor park
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Dangote Cement graduates 50 ‘Special’ Truck Drivers
Tricycle rider returns missing ₦15m to Chadian passenger in Kano
