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Don’t allow your NIN to be linked to another person’s SIM – NCC warns subscribers

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Nasiru Yusuf

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has strongly warned telecoms consumers to ensure they do not allow their National Identification Number (NIN) to be linked to another person’s Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards, no matter how close the person is to them.

KANO FOCUS reports that the Commission gave the warning during its third run Telecom Consumer Town Hall on Radio (TCTHR) programme, broadcast live on Human Rights Radio, 101.1 FM in Abuja recently. The event was hosted on the platform of ‘NCC Digital Signature on Radio’.

The NCC Digital Signature on Radio is the flagship radio programme of the Commission created to educate the general public on the mandates of the Commission and for sharing salient, consumer-centric and up-to-date information on how NCC is delivering on its mandates.

Speaking during the radio programme focused on ‘the Benefits of NIN-SIM Integration’, NCC’s Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, Efosa Idehen, said “On no account should a telecom consumer, however circumstanced, allow another person to register a SIM with another person’s NIN.”

Idehen said compliance with this advice will protect the true owner of the NIN from any liabilities or negative consequences arising from the use of other person's SIM.

“If the person, whose SIM is linked to your line use his own SIM to commit crimes or any form of atrocities, it is easy to be traced to you and then, you will be dealt with because the SIM is linked to your NIN”, he said.

During the phone-in segment of the radio programme, which lasted two hours, consumers within Nigeria and in the diaspora, especially from the United Kingdom (UK), Russia and neighbouring countries like Ghana, among others, were able to call and get clarifications on concerns they had regarding the ongoing NIN-SIM integration in Nigeria.

Discussions largely focused on educating consumers on NIN and its purpose, process of obtaining NIN, why consumers are being asked to submit their NIN to their Mobile Network Service Providers, the benefits of NIN-SIM linkage, relationship between NIN and Bank Verification Number (BVN) registration, the step-by-step approach to linking NIN to SIM, and the role and uses of Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) *346# in the NIN-SIM integration activities.

Efosa was joined in the studio by NCC's Director, Public Affairs, Ikechukwu Adinde, who was represented by an Assistant Director in the department, Dr. Omoniyi Ibietan; and a Deputy Director, Projects Department of NCC, Nnenna Ukoha, who jointly educated consumers on the various aspects of NIN-SIM integration exercise.

Other panelists include NCC’s Head, Consumer Information and Education, Mistura Aruna; Head, Corporate Communication,  National Identity Management Commission

(NIMC), Kayode Adegoke, as well as representatives of mobile operators, including MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and 9Mobile.

During the radio programme, telecoms consumers were reminded repeatedly of the October 31, 2021 deadline for NIN-SIM integration. The Federal Government had extended the deadline earlier giving for the completion of the NIN-SIM linkage to 31st October 2021.

The two-hour discussion programme, which was also livestreamed on the social media, recorded broader participation than its forerunners due to a combination of the regular radio listenership with viewership on Human Rights Radio’s social media assets.

Thus, it achieved NCC’s objective of using a mass medium to expand its reach to telecom consumers to enhance their protection through information sharing, and education in order to improve the quality of consumer experience with telecom services in Nigeria.

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We’re committed to the protection of lives and property of Kano people – gov. Yusuf

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Mukhtar Yahya Usman

The Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has expressed his resolute commitment to safeguarding the lives and property of the people within the state.

Governor Yusuf said this while hosting Kano’s security leaders for an iftar gathering at the Government House in Kano.

This was contained in a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Monday.

In the statement, the governor lauded the security agencies for their indispensable role in ensuring the security and welfare of the citizens, recognizing and valuing their contributions.

Governor Yusuf reiterated his administration’s firm dedication to strengthening the security framework to effectively deliver the essential services expected by both the government and the people of Kano.

He also revealed that his government had commenced the procurement of food supplies for distribution, with security personnel being among the beneficiaries of the initiative.

Additionally, he commended the Federal Government, specifically President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, for approving the allocation of food supplies to be distributed to the vulnerable populations throughout the state in the near future.

Seizing the opportunity, the governor encouraged the attendees to continue to implore Almighty Allah and offer prayers unceasingly for peace, stability, and prosperity in Kano State and across Nigeria during this sacred month of Ramadan.

Several security personnel, including Commissioner of Police Muhammad Hussaini Gumel, Brigadier General M.A Sadiq of the 3 Brigade of the Nigerian Army stationed at Bukavu Barracks, and Commander J. K Adedeji of the Naval Logistics College in Dawakin Tofa, expressed their gratitude for the support provided by the Kano State Government to the security agencies.

They reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to ensuring the security of Kano State, depicting the iftar gathering as a forum for discussing crucial matters essential for improving the operational effectiveness of security agencies in Kano.

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EFCC hands over 324 houses worth N4.1 billion to Kano Pensioners

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Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

After many years of legal actions and investigation, the Abuja Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Monday finally handed over documents of 324 houses recovered for Kano State pensioners to them.

KANO FOCUS reports that the handing over of the houses, occasioned by a final forfeiture order granted by Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court sitting Abuja, was a result of successful investigations carried out by the commission over a N4.1billion Pension Trust Fund contributed by the pensioners to own houses, which was reportedly denied them by two successive administrations in Kano State.

 

The Commission investigated a petition by Concerned Kano State Workers and Pensioners of alleged misappropriation of pension funds in the state. Findings by the EFCC showed that the state government entered into a tripartite agreement with the Kano State Pension Trust Fund to build housing estates for an aggregate sum of N41billion , out of which the Pension Trust Fund was to contribute N4.1billion.

A statement by EFCC Spokesman, Dele Oyewale, alleged however that the contribution of the pensioners was used to build the houses in three estates located in Sheikh Ja’afar Mahmud Adam (Bandirawo city), Sheikh Nasiru Kabara (Amana city) and Sheikh Khalifa Ishaq Rabiu (Kwankwasiyya city), all in Kano but discounted and sold to cronies and associates of two former governors, leaving the pension trustees with low budget and uncompleted houses.

The EFCC consequently stepped in and upon completion of investigation, filed for and secured a final forfeiture order of the 324 properties to the Kano State Pension Fund Trustees.

While handing over the documents of the 324 properties worth N4.1billion to the pensioners on Monday, the Abuja Zonal Commander of the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, Adeniyi Adebayo, assured that the EFCC would continue to do its best to rid the nation of fraudulent practices.

Representatives of the Kano State Pension Board, Alhaji Hassan Muhammed Aminu, Kubra Ahmad Bichi and Salisu Yakubu Abubakar, who received the documents on behalf of the workers and pensioners, expressed satisfaction with the EFCC for assisting them in recovering their houses.

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Ramadan: Dangote feeds 10,000 people daily in Kano

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Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim

The richest man in Africa, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, through Aliko Dangote Foundation, in his efforts to assist the populace, during Ramadan has launched the distribution of free meals to no fewer than 10,000 fasting Muslims in Kano.

KANO FOCUS reports that the spokesperson of the foundation, Samira Sanusi, revealed this in a statement made available to journalists on Monday in Kano.

She stated that the gesture was also extended by distributing one million bags of rice, worth over N13 billion across the 36 states of the federation and Abuja to alleviate hunger in the country.

Mrs Sanusi added that this was also aimed to ease hardship for millions of Nigerians amidst economic challenges in the country.

She further disclosed that in addition to the distribution of 20,000 loaves of bread daily to Kano residents and 15,000 daily to Lagos residents, a feeding gesture that started and sustained since 2020 during the COVID.

She explained that the Ramadan free cooked meal includes jollof rice, white rice and stew, jollof spaghetti, yam, beans with chicken and beef, packed with a bottle of water and drink for each person

According to her, the packed meals are distributed at Juma’at mosques, streets, prisons, orphanages, remand homes, and other places in Kano City and its environs.

The statement however disclosed that a beneficiary of the meal, Musa Maikatako, resident of Tarauni, expressed appreciation for the gesture, which he said had helped him break his fast with ease.

Maikatako hinted that the free meal would ameliorate the suffering of a lot of people who might break their fasts with only water, without food, considering the economic hardship faced by Nigerians.

“I cannot explain how happy I am. This meal will go a long way in assisting poor people like me to have something to at least break our fast with some solid food to eat.

“I know a lot of people in this state who could break their fast with water only. So this meal is a great relief,” he said.

While expressing happiness, Maikatako showed appreciation to Dangote Foundation for the gesture, praying to God to increase his wealth and continue to bless his business.

While another beneficiary, Hajiya Inna Tukur, expressed delight in the distribution of the meal, which, according to her, Aliko Dangote Foundation, has come to her aid.

She said; that she was elated to have been given such delicious food for free in the current hardship.

Hsjiya Tukur noted; “In this hardship, when we find it difficult to eat even two times a day, but out of the blue moon, somebody presented this delicious food to me, it is highly incredible.

“I have nothing to say but to say a big thank you to you and Aliko Dangote. I pray to God to bless you more and more”.

Meanwhile, Mrs Sanusi noted that apart from the 4-year-old free bread distribution, according to Mrs Sanusi, feeding of the needy in Kano has been quietly going on for over 30 years by Aliko Dangote.

Dangote has been doing this from his mother’s residence in Koki and from various cooking locations.

She then stated; ” This feeding program feeds 10,000 Kano residents daily with breakfast, lunch, and dinner, a unique feat that has been in existence for over 30 years”.

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