NIMC takes diaspora enrolment to US

In continuation of enrolment of Nigerians in Diaspora into the National Identity Database, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has taken the programme to the United States of America.

Mr Aliyu Aziz, Director-General, NIMC disclosed this in a statement issued by Mr Loveday Ogbonna, Head Corporate Communications, in Abuja.

He said that the programme was ongoing in South Africa, the United Arab Emirates and the UK.

According to Aziz, the National Identity Number (NIN) enrollment exercise will involve the demographic and biometric data capture of all Nigerian citizens residing in the USA.

He said that NIMC was in collaboration with Thebez Global Resources Ltd,Defcon Systems Limited and National eAuthentication Limited (NeAL) to carry out enrolment services across the globe with a view to ensuring best-in-class services and inclusivity.

He reiterated that the extension was in line with NIMC’s mandate to ensure that all Nigerian citizens at home, Diaspora and legal residents were enrolled into the National Identity Database and issued the NIN to applicants upon successful enrollment.

“The programme will make it easier for Nigerians in Diaspora to be identified, as the Federal Government of Nigeria has made the possession of NIN a mandatory requirement for elections, bank account opening.

“Others are land transactions, access to legal and health services, acquisition/renewal of the international passport, driver’s licence and the ECOWAS travel document, among others.”

Aziz also said that “The programme is scheduled to go live from May 28 in Washington DC at 11900 Parklawn Drive, Suite 160 Rockville, MD 20852.

“Other locations and commencement dates across the United States are:
1001 Texas Avenue, Suite 5050 (Level 5) Houston **9894 Bissonet Street, Suite 745 Houston, Texas, TX 77036.

“370 Lexington Avenue, Suite 1505, New York, NY 10017, 336 West 37th Street Suit 500, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10018, on May 30 while 918 Holcomb Bridge Road, Suite 204 Roswell,Atlanta, Georgia, GA 30076 will have on May 31.”

The director said that additional locations in other cities across the globe where Nigerians reside would be announced in due course.

Aziz said that the enrolment would be for both Nigerian adults and children in the Diaspora.

- PM NEWS

Buhari showers encomiums on Ganiat Fawehinmi

President Muhammadu Buhari has showered encomiums on Ganiat Fawehinmi, wife of late legal luminary and human rights activist on her 70th birthday, praising her for carrying on with the work of her husband.

Both Buhari and Ganiat met last year at the State House when she picked a posthumous award, GCON, for her husband, Gani Fawehinmi.

President Buhari commended Ganiat Fawehinmi for always sharing her experience, insights and wisdom with upcoming leaders, and inspiring many to live for the greater good of humanity.

According to a statement by Special Adviser, Femi Adesina, President Buhari joined Fawehinmi’s family and friends in the joy of celebrating another auspicious milestone.

“The President believes the matriarch of the Fahewinmi family epitomises the resilience, wisdom and loyalty that drives every nation to greatness, particularly carrying on with the work of charity and sacrifice, and standing by reason, justice and truth that characterised her husband’s life.

“As Mrs Fawehinmi turns 70, President Buhari affirms that her zeal to see a better life for Nigerians, especially the poor and underprivileged remains indelible, underscoring the many risks involved, pains suffered and the frustrations she has endured in seeing that the country turns out greater”.

- PM NEWS

Sign bill to establish psychological council, group urges Buhari

The Nigerian Psychological Association (NPA) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to assent to the bill for an act to establish the Nigerian Council for Psychologists (NCfP) already passed by National Assembly.

Prof Michael Ezenwa, President, NPA, who made the call at a press conference in Abuja, stressed that the bill when sighed into Law, would provide the needed regulation for professional psychologists that Nigerians deserved.

Ezenwa described psychology as the scientific study of human behaviour with a view to predicting and controlling same, it is a highly specialised scientific field that spans into all areas of human endeavours.

The psychologist pointed that many of the developmental challenges facing the country had to do with negative attitudes, which he said required professionally planned behavioural changes which psychologists could offer Nigeria.

He, however, noted that the assent of Mr President to the bill would make it possible to engage the verious sectors for planned and motivated changes in behaviour.

- PM NEWS

Wealth creation: Buhari challenges wealthy Nigerians to invest in nation’s economy

President Muhammadu Buhari has challenged wealthy individuals in the country to develop more confidence in the nation’s economy by massively investing in Nigeria’s critical sectors in order to boost job and wealth creation.

The president gave the challenge when he hosted members of the business community and leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to Iftar (breaking of the Ramadan fast) at the State House, Abuja, on Friday.

According to the president, business and political leaders are not only important stakeholders but indeed indispensable to the growth and development of any economy.

The president pledged to continue to make strong case for synergy toward achieving greater investment in Nigeria’s economy.

The president also assured his guests that he would not only sustain efforts at fighting corruption, insecurity and smuggling but also create a more conducive atmosphere for Nigerian businesses and industrial concerns to thrive.

He also promised to work more closely with the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) “towardnensuring that the country’s foreign reserve continues to grow so that Nigeria maintains a pride of place amongst the comity of nations.”

The president also spoke extensively on reasons for his decision to delay Nigeria’s ratification of the Continental Free Trade Area Agreement.

The Chairman of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who spoke on behalf of the business community, promised to support the ongoing efforts aimed at transforming the nation’s economy for the general good of the citizens.

- PM NEWS

Petrol tanker, truck collide on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

The Ogun Command of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said loss of lives was averted on Saturday after a tanker loaded with petrol collided with a truck on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

This was made known in a statement by the Corps’ Route Commander, Florence Okpe, in Ota, Ogun.

Okpe explained that the accident which occurred at about 2:51a.m, involved four persons with two injured and no death recorded.

“A tanker with registration number LND-437 XC conveying PMS collided with a truck marked LRN-981 ZA around the Redeemed Christian Church of God’s youth center gate, Mowe, on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, blocking the entire carriageway into Lagos.

“The tanker has spilled its contents on the expressway and both trucks blocked the entire access road.

“The RCCG and Sagamu fire services have been contacted, as standard practice, before transloading and removal of the fuel tanker were embarked upon.

“Also, Julius Berger Plc has been contacted to open the blocked section around the area, where they are currently rehabilitating, to allow vehicles have access as the gridlock has spread towards Kara near Sagamu,” she said.

She advised motorists to cooperate with traffic and emergency agencies working to restore traffic on the road to alleviate the frustration of road users.

Okpe urged motorists to use the Lagos-Sango-Ota-Abeokuta, Epe-Ajah-Ijebu Ode, and Ikorodu-Sagamu roads as alternative corridors pending when the two vehicles would be removed to avoid being trapped in the gridlock.

He said that traffic emergencies should be reported on FRSC toll free number 122.

- PM NEWS

USELESS GOVERNORS !!! Non-payment of gratuities: Southwest pensioners to sue governors

The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), South West Zone, has vowed to sue state governors in the in the country over nonpayment of gratuities.

NUP said the gratuity was for their members across the country from 2008 till date.

Mr Ayo Kumapayi and Olusegun Abatan, Zonal Chairman and Spokesman for the zone respectively, made this disclosure at the end of the zonal meeting held on Thursday in Akure.

According to him, the union has discovered that nonpayment of gratuity to pensioners is not only in South West but throughout the federation.

“It has become a tradition of Nigerian governors to the extent that pensioners are not paid from 2008 to 2019.

“It has become a very serious affair and many of our pensioners have been dying prematurely as a result of this non-payment of gratuity.

“So,the South West Zone of NUP has decided to test certain parts of Nigeria constitution in a competent court of law.

“We want to determine weather it is constitutional that state governors should not pay gratuities and pension as at when due.

“Or if it is constitutional for them not to pay us, we want to determine it and if it is unconstitutional, then we will go further to determine the next level to take,” he said.

He said the union supported the local government autonomy, explaining that governors had dabbled into funds of LGAs which made them to short change pensioners and workers in their various states.

- PM NEWS

HARMLESS CITIZENS !! Police arrest 140 IPOB members over ‘inciting songs’

The Enugu state police command has arrested 140 members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) for allegedly organising unlawful procession.

Ebere Amaraizu, the command spokesman, told NAN the IPOB members were arrested on Wednesday in Nsukka LGA.

He said they were caught displaying “proscribed items” on the streets and “chanting inciting songs against the nation”.

“Through a joint security task force, 140 IPOB members were arrested on Wednesday while engaging in unlawful procession and display of proscribed items against the nation,” he said.

He said the police have obtained statements from the suspects, and that they would be charged to court on Thursday.

“The police command in Enugu state is urging residents of the state to remain law abiding as security and safety is the bedrock of any progressive society,” he said.

Relating to the sit-at-home order given by IPOB, he added that the police would ensure that law-abiding citizens go about their activities “without fear of intimidation or molestation.”

The defence headquarters had in 2017 tagged IPOB a terrorist organisation.

A federal high court in Abuja subsequently proscribed the group, and declared its activities acts of terrorism.

- THECABLE