General
NIMC Discontinues Old National Identity Card
By Ahmed Rahma
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has announced the discontinuation of the old national identity card.
The agency confirmed this new development in a post on Wednesday, advising citizens with the old number embedded in the first issued national ID card to visit any of its offices nationwide for another one.
According to NIMC, the old number cannot be used to update the registration records of subscribers with telecommunications service providers as directed by the National Communications Commission (NCC).
On December 15, 2020, the regulatory agency for the telco sector had directed that any subscriber that fails to synchronise his/her SIM card(s) with the National Identification Number (NIN) on or before December 30, 2020, should be disconnected.
After a public outcry, the exercise was extended to January 19 and then to February 9, 2021.
But as the deadline draws closer, NIMC said those with the old ID number would be unable to link their SIM cards with the NIN because it is invalid.
Some subscribers had said they submitted the old number but was not rejected. However, Business Post gathered that after the number of the NIN, the telcos will still have to forward them to the federal agency for verification and linking if valid.
For those with the old number, this may be their fate and in order not to be caught napping, NIMC has advised them to upgrade the number.
“The old national identity card has since been discontinued. If you still hold the old ID card, you should enrol for the National Identity Number (NIN).
“Visit any NIN enrolment centre today to obtain your NIN and be identify for life,” the notice on the official handle of NIMC on Twitter read.
Commenting on the post, some concerned citizens expressed their displeasure over the handling of the registration process by the agency and the federal government, especially in the aspect of exposure of the vulnerable to COVID-19 because of the crowd at the NIMC offices.
“If you all have disconnected the old nin number, are you expecting people like my grandma who is old and frail and vulnerable to COVID-19 to come to the crowded centres to stands for hours just to register her name then be sent back home? @Zulu_EmpressTee queried.
“Common on, what is this? You mean you are going to subject those old folks that went through difficulty to get this card done then, to this present inhumane hurdles of getting the new NIN? Naija una matter na lost case,” another Nigeria identified as Adebayo Rilwan posted.
Replying to the commission, a Twitter handle @NnajiCemeka, wrote, “Have you all not noticed that no Nigeria owned social media is interactive? They don’t respond to questions because we were not expected to ask questions but to obey orders”
The national ID card provides a verifiable means of identifying citizens and creates a comprehensive database for providing public services.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has been urged to extend the deadline for the payment of Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) by property owners in Abuja.
This plea for an extension was asked by the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) through a statement signed by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Mr James Ezema.
The group said the initial two-week grace period given to the affected allottees, which expired on Friday, January 3, 2025, was insufficient, considering the current economic challenges facing the country.
Recall that after public outcries, Mr Wike, who is the immediate past governor of Rivers State, granted an extension to the owners of the 762 revoked plots of land in Maitama, Abuja.
“We are appealing to the Minister and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to tamper justice with mercy and issue an extension in the spirit of the yuletide and in view of the economic challenges in the country,” the association stated.
It stressed that the extension would give the affected individuals and groups ample time to comply with the directive, thereby avoiding any undue hardship or loss.
“We pray that the Minister and the FCTA will grant the allottees an extension to comply with the directive, giving all the affected individuals and groups enough time to have themselves to blame at the end of the final extension,” the statement added.
The CNPP’s appeal comes on the heels of its recent expression of concern over the escalating hunger and suffering faced by millions of Nigerians due to the economic realities in the country.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has dissociated itself from an unofficial viral statement by one of it members, regarding posters indicating activities of the organisation.
The group dissociated itself from the member in a statement signed by its National President and the National Secretary, Mr Kabiru Ibrahim, and Mr Yunusa Halidu, respectively.
“This post is made by an authorized member, Ado A Ado Kano.
“The opinions and views expressed here are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the group, its administrators, or other members.
“For official statements, please refer to AFAN official contact or platform,” parts of the statement made available to Business Post stated.
According to AFAN, the unofficial posters flying around doesn’t represent the association, noting that Mr Kano is not authorized by AFAN or its officials but those of the author.
AFAN is the umbrella organisation for all farmers’ commodity associations in Nigeria.
Its vision and mission are to assemble all Nigerian producers into one organization, providing a single interlocutor for the government to address agricultural issues with the farming community.
AFAN was formed by the merger of the All-Farmers Association of Nigeria (ALFA) and the National Farmers’ Association of Nigeria (NAFAN). The merger was recommended by former Nigerian president, Mr Olusegun Obasanjo.
By Adedapo Adesanya
BUA Group has denied widespread reports that its ongoing construction of a 200,000 barrels per day capacity refinery located in Akwa Ibom State is 90 per cent completed.
In a statement signed on Sunday, the group with subsidiaries in food, cement, and energy sectors said that the claims that the structure was at end stage did not come from it.
“Contrary to a misleading report stating that our 200,000 barrels/day refinery is at 90% completion, BUA wishes to advise the public to disregard such misleading reports that did not emanate from us,” a part of the statement read.
It clarified that the project was progressing well and added that it was going to meet the project timeline of 2025.
“As we make remarkable strides on our Akwa Ibom refinery project, we are proud to share that construction is progressing steadily.
“Whilst the refinery is not at 90% completion, we are however on track to meet our delivery timelines in collaboration with our partners.
“This BUA Refinery & Petrochemicals project represents a major milestone in strengthening Nigeria’s refining capacity and energy security,” the group said.
BUA is also carrying out other energy projects, including the construction of a mini-LNG plant and several new hybrid power plants across the country, which it said are also progressing rapidly.
The group says this will add additional capacity to our over 1,000MW installed captive power generation capacity.
“The public is advised to verify any news through our official channels and platforms so as not to be misled by mischievous persons,” the statement said.
“At BUA, we remain committed to transparency and excellence. As we have consistently done with over 12 of our completed mega industrial projects worth over $ 3.5 billion in the past 10 years, we will continue to keep you updated with verifiable and accurate information only where necessary, and as milestones are achieved.
“We appreciate the public’s interest and enthusiasm for this transformative project as we work together in building a stronger industrial and manufacturing base for a self-reliant Nigeria,” it added.
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