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Uzodimma Signs 2021 Budget Into Law, Says It Will Drive Imo’s Economy |The Source

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The Source
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Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State

Imo State  Governor,  Hope Uzodimma, on Tuesday, signed the 2021 budget of N346.2 billion into law. Tagged “Budget of Wealth Creation”, Uzodinma was optimistic that it would drive the economy of the State positively.

The ceremony which took place at the Executive Chambers on Tuesday at the Government House Owerri was witnessed by the Deputy Governor, Prof. Placid Njoku, the Speaker Imo State House Assembly, Rt. Hon. Paul Emeziem and Principal Officers of Imo State House of Assembly and members of the Imo State expanded executive.

Putting the official seal on the 2021 appropriation bill as passed by the House of Assembly, the Governor informed that the Executive presented an estimate that was “a realistic thinking of what will drive Imo State to the next level, if fully implemented.”

The Governor reiterated the tag of the budget which is “Budget of Wealth Creation” and emphasised that if well implemented will address the unemployment problems in the State, provide infrastructure, provide counterpart funding to the State’s global partners and bridge the gaps that exist to both the State local economy and other economies.

He noted that the Executive Arm of Government has the responsibility to “drive the appropriated revenue, generate the revenue through her MDAs, spend the revenue as appropriated and ensure that the performance profile of the budget, as passed into law, is reasonable and such that will impact on the lives of the State and her citizenry.”

He thanked the leadership and members of the Imo State House of Assembly for their prompt and timely passage of the appropriation bill which, saying it is a reflection of a strong and cordial partnership between the Executive Arm and the Legislature.

A number of people from opposition parties had criticised the House for not subjecting the Budget through rigorous scrutiny, saying nobody was invited for any defence or clarification. They alleged it was passed within three days.

But apparently in response, Speaker Emeziem, while presenting the Budget for the Governor’s assent  said  the House has “done justice to the appropriation bill,” saying the budget passed through the due process  of First, Second and Third reading.

CNPP Cries Foul Over Withdrawal of Police Attached to 16 Political Parties, Says It Leaves Them Vulnerable; Warns IGP |The Source

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The Source
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Chief Willy Ezugwu

The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), has accused the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mohammed Adamu, of giving Business men Police protection while withdrawing those attatched to 16 Political Parties. It has, therefore, described as “unjust, partial and anti-democratic” the withdrawal of police officers attached to 16 out of 18 registered political parties, which by their own special circumstances, are susceptible to kidnappings and assassinations.

The IGP had recently ordered the withdrawal of Police  personnel  attached to  Very Important Persons (VIPs) across the country with immediate effect, but retained those attached to Government Houses, President of the Senate and Speaker House of Representatives.

However, in a statement signed by its Secretary General, Chief Willy Ezugwu, the CNPP said, “In case the Inspector General of Police is not aware just as they applied to stop the #EndSARS probe without his knowledge, we hereby draw the attention of his office to this ugly development where 16 political parties which are statutorily entitled to police protection were left vulnerable to all forms of attacks by criminal elements.”

“For us in the political parties’ leadership, we will not be worried if the withdrawal of police officers attached to all VIPs is universally implemented, with government houses, President of the Senate, Speaker House of Representatives, and businessmen denied security.

“But a situation where Government Houses, President of the Senate, Speaker House of Representatives, businessmen, and two of the 18 registered political parties, specifically, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have police officers attached to them, while 16 political parties were left without police protection is unacceptable.

“As the umbrella association of all registered political parties in the country, we believe that the action of the police authorities is unjust, partial and anti-democratic, exposing the leadership of 16 registered political parties to attacks by hoodlums.

“For avoidance of any doubt, let it be known that all the registered political parties are equal before the law and must be treated as such by all institutions of government, including the police force.

“Why would the police authorities prefer to be dealing with businessmen rather than institutions recognized by law like the political parties, who have the right to ask for police protection?

“Is it asking for too much for political parties who are entitled to be protected to request for police personnel to be attacked to them at this time of gross insecurity?

“Why is the Inspector-General of Police approving the attachment of police to businessmen but is quick to deny 16 registered political parties the same treatment? Is it because the businessmen have money to pay?

“What justification does the Police authorities have to exempt 16 political parties out of 18 registered parties in Nigeria from police protection? Is it because the APC and PDP are very rich?

“When has security become an enterprise? Has it become a matter of cash to be secured?

“The CNPP wonders why the approving Police authorities chose to monetize security of lives and properties of 16 political parties who are equally entitled to be protected.

“We therefore call on the Inspector General of Police to urgently redress this anomaly and ensure that all political parties get equal police protection in view of the precarious security situation in the country”, the CNPP stated.

DSS Alleges Plans To Bomb Public Places |The Source

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The Source
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The Department of State Services, DSS, has alleged  that there are plans to bomb  public places by mischief makers in a bid to destabilise the country during the yuletide period.

The Service says the violent attack is being planned by criminal elements in the society. But it says that along with other Security Agencies, it is on top of situations.

In a release by the DSS Spokesperson, Dr Peter Afunanya, the Service asked members of the public to be vigilant, and provided members of the public with numbers to call, in case of any emergency.

The DSS did not disclose where the attacks would come from, or the group planning them.

Following is the DSS statement:

“The Department of State Services (DSS), wishes to inform the public about plans by some criminal elements to carry out violent attacks on public places including key and vulnerable points during the yuletide seasons.

“The planned dastardly acts are to be executed through the use of explosives, suicide bombing and other dangerous weapons.

“The objective is to create a general sense of fear among the people and subsequently undermine the Government.

“Against this backdrop, citizens are called upon to be extra vigilant and report strange movements and indeed, all suspicions around them to security and law enforcement agencies.

“On its part, the Service is collaborating with other sister agencies to ensure that adequate measures are put in place for protection of lives and property.

“To further achieve this purpose, the Service has provided these emergency response numbers 08132222105 and 09030002189 for urgent contacts.  It is also using this opportunity to unveil its interactive website www.dss.gov.ng for public communication support.

“Everyone is encouraged to take advantage of these platforms and similar ones provided by related agencies to timely reach and avail them (security agencies) of required information.

“However, the Service advises those planning to cause chaos and damage to public peace to desist from such as it will stop at nothing to apprehend and bring them to justice.

While assuring citizens and residents of their safety during and after the festive periods, the DGSS, Alhaji YM. Bichi fwc, with his Management and Staff, wishes all, Happy Celebrations and a Prosperous 2021.”

Ekiti Highways Deserted As Kidnappers Reign |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
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Ekiti Highway

By Ayodele Oni

Anxiety has enveloped communities in Ekiti state over insecurity occasioned by the increasing wave of kidnapping and killing of travellers along the highways.

Investigations accros the state revealed that travellers along major highways are no longer safe as suspected herdsmen turned kidnappers now lay siege on the roads.

It has become a daily occurrence along some roads such as Ikere/Ise/Emure, Ado/Ijan/ Agbado and others for travellers to fall victims of kidnapping and robbery.

The deployment of men of Amotekun security outfit to the local government areas did not help matters, as kidnappers strike at will and abduct their victims to unknown locations.

It was gathered that despite the visit of the Inspector General of Police, (IGP) to state Commands to boost the morale of officers after the endSARS protest, they are yet to return to highways.

During the protest, policemen were brutalized, with several stations set on fire including the two stations in Ikere Ekiti.

Residents of communities are now at the mercy of vigilantes, some of whom were hired and being paid by the people through monthly levy to secure them.

The Elemure of Emure Ekiti, Oba Emmanuel Adebayo called for deployment of more security personnel, especially along Ikere/Emure highway during the yuletide to curb increasing wave of kidnapping.

Oba Adebayo, a retired Commissioner of Police, said communities in the area will be playing host to the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, during the period and hence the need for security beef up.

In the interim, many people have resolved not to travel during the yuletide to avoid falling victims of kidnapping, following insecurity along the highways.

Battle For The Soul Of PDP In South West Rages |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

The Congress of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) in the South West is becoming more interesting by the day as the battle of wits between Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state and former Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti state thickens.

Just on Monday, some PDP Chieftains in Ondo state threw their weight behind Fayose describing him as the recognized leader of the party in south west.

Ondo state is sponsoring a candidate, Chief Eddy Olafeso, for the Vice Chairmanship  of PDP in the zone for the second time.

While addressing the Ondo state delegation in his Lagos home, Fayose had described Governor Makinde as a toddler in politics.

But in a swift reaction, a faction of the PDP in Ekiti state loyal to Governor Makinde distanced its members from Fayose’s outburst.

A statement by the factional  Chairman, Mr Kehinde Odebunmi dissociated the party from the statement credited to the former Governor Ayo Fayose’s faction, attacking Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.

The party expressed displeasure over what it described as the distabilisation tendencies of the former Governor, saying it was necessary for Fayose to acknowledge the fact that the party is not his private business where he gives order to the party’s exco to attack his perceived enemies.

It reminded the former Governor that the party, has only one sitting Governor in  the six states in the zone and could no longer afford distabilisation engagements among its members, ochestrated by individuals who assume ownership of the party.

“We are using this medium to appeal to all our leaders across the Southwest Zone, especially those who are aggrieved for one reason or another, to please give peace a chance in the best interest of the party and the populace.”

The party said there was no controversy regarding who is the leader of the party in the Southwest Zone. The Constitution and the convention of the party has conferred this  on Gov. Seyi Makinde.

The statement advised former Governor Ayo Fayose to support Makinde’s leadership and allow peace to reign in the zone, instead of leading another group to oppose him.

“Gov. Seyi Makinde is the leader of PDP in Southwest and the Ekiti State Chapter is solidly behind him.

“This is not to say that former Governor Ayo Fayose can be wished away in the scheme of things as one of the party leaders in the zone, but he should understand that he does not own the party and as such, should respect the existing political organogram/arrangements which he once benefitted from, as the only elected PDP Governor in the zone between 2014 and 2018.”

NIN: Government Extends Deadline |The Source

By
Uche Mbah
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NIMC

By Uche Mbah

The Federal government Monday extended the deadline for the registration and linking of the National Identity Number with Sim cards by three weeks.

Government had given two weeks, which ends on December 31, 2020, for the registration and linking of NIN with the cards, threatening any network provider that violates the directive with License withdrawal. SERAP, a Non Governmental Organization, had taken government to court, insisting that it is unnecessary because Nigerians have their data captured in many other programs, and all the Government  should do is link up all data bases together.

Besides, the chaotic situation at the NIN office in Alausa ikeja that went viral on Social Media was a great indictment on a Government that has been preaching Social distancing in view of the new virulent strain of Coronavirus.

Taking cognizance of all these, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, finally approved the extension of the deadline by three weeks.

In a statement signed by Head, Corporate Communications, Kayode Adegoke, Monday, the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC,  said the deadline has been extended from December 30, 2020 to January 19, 2021 for subscribers with the National Identification Number (NIN), and six weeks, beginning from December 30, 2020 to the February 19, 2021,for subscribers without the NIN.

According to the statement, the Commission approved the extension  after the review of all mandates  by the Presidential Task Force on the integration of the National Identification Number (NIN) and Subscriber Information Module (SIM), chaired by the Minister and involving stakeholders which includes the Director-General, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr. Aliyu A. Aziz; Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar G. Danbatta; Director General, National Information Technology and Development Agency (NITDA), Inuwa Kashifu Abdullahi; Chairman ALTON; and CEOs of MTN, Airtel, Ntel, Glo, Smile, and 9Mobile.

The Minister had earlier, in agreement with stakeholders, resolved to suspend all USSD and verification charges during the extension period.

“NIMC, therefore, wishes to assure members of the general public that adequate measures are being put in place to enable citizens and legal residents to enroll and be issued the NIN.

 “Applicants are enjoined to comply with the Covid-19 safety protocols at NIMC enrolment  centers nationwide,” the statement said.

Covid-19: PTF Restricts Wedding Guests, Orders Closure Of Restaurants, Bars, Leisures/Recreational Centers |The Source

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Boss Mustapha

By Akinwale Kasali

The Presidential Task Force of the Federal Government on the Covid-19 Pandemic has restricted the numbers of guests at wedding and conferences to a maximum of 50.

The PTF has also ordered the closure of all bars, nightclubs, Recreational, Leisure Centers, and restaurants across the country.

In same manner, all Civil Servants from the rank of Grade 12 to level 01 have been asked to stay home for an initial five weeks.

The directives were issued in a bid to curtail the further spread of COVID-19 across the country. This was  disclosed by the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, at a press briefing of the task force in Abuja.

He said: “The PTF has surveyed developments and actions taken by governments around the world, assessed our domestic environment and has accordingly submitted its recommendations to Mr President on immediate measures to be taken.

“Accordingly, His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has authorised 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 authorisation, 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:

  1. Close All bars, night clubs, pubs and event centres, and recreational venues;
  2. Close all restaurants except those providing services to hotel residents; takeaways, home deliveries and drive-ins shall remain closed;
  3. Restrict 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;
  4. 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
  5. Where more than 50 persons are attending, any such events, the gathering should be held outdoors only;
  6. Public transportation systems are to carry passengers not more than 50% of their capacity in compliance with social distancing rules.
  7. Enforce compliance with NPI protocols especially the advisory on wearing of face masks in public spaces.”

Mustapha added that to reduce overcrowding in public spaces, markets, shopping centres, offices and schools, states are advised to implement the following:

  1. 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;
  2. 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;
  3. 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;
  4. All persons above the age of 60yrs and/or with comorbidities are to be encouraged to stay at home and avoid crowds;
  5. All non-essential travels – both domestic and international – during the holiday season are seriously discouraged.

This is the second time the Federal Government would embark on measures to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Insecurity: Presidency Says End Of Insecurity Uncertain |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

Those praying for a quick end to insecurity in the country, has another thinking coming. The claim that Boko Haram has been degraded seems to have become a mere wish.

Indirectly confirming the above is  the Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Buhari,  Femi Adesina, who submitted that nobody can put a timeline on issues of insecurity in Nigeria.

The Presidential Media Aide made the submission on Sunday when he spoke on the efforts by the Federal Government in tackling issues of insecurity in Nigeria.

According to the Media Aide, while the Government is not folding its arms, Nigerians still need to exercise patience,  and be thankful for the progress made by the current administration in tackling the insecurity in Nigeria.

“Patience must be elastic, it’s not something that you get to a point and say patience has run out. Patience must be a continuous thing,” he said.

Adesina spoke when he appeared as a guest on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics and was asked when Nigerians should expect the challenges of insecurity in the country to be fully overcome.

He, however, said in his response that matters of security in any nation is an on-going concern which needs to be reviewed regularly, and treated on a case by case basis.

In his words,: “There are certain things in which you don’t have control of all the variables. If you don’t have all the variables, you don’t then begin to give timelines. And security is not one of those things that you will give a timeline to say by this time to this time, we will achieve this.

“All over the world, security is a continuous thing and even the most advanced countries, are still working at it”.

Adesina added that while “security remains a work in progress,” the administration of President Buhari has recorded significant progress in the fight against insecurity despite the many challenges.

“Let’s be thankful for small mercies,” he noted, adding that “there are challenges, but that is not the constant”.

Not a few Nigerians are amused by the turn of events. During the administration of the Goodluck Jonathan Government, the then opposition APC gave him hail, with Buhari, a Presidential aspirant then, taunting Jonathan over insecurity, and vowing to end same within a few months if elected President.

The opposite has been the case since then. Most Nigerians are agreed that insecurity has worsened, instead.

NIN Registration: Nigerians Flout Covid-19 Guidelines, As SERAP Calls On President Buhari To Stop Exercise |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Crowd at NIN Office in Lagos

By Akinwale Kasali

Thousands of Nigerians besieged the offices of the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, in Lagos on Monday in a bid to register and obtain the National Identity Number so as not to have their SIMs blocked by Telecommunication Companies, following the order of the National Communication Commission, NCC.

The development comes just days after the NCC ordered telecommunications companies to, within two weeks, suspend phone subscribers who have no NIN.

Statistics showed that about 41.5 million Nigerians, out of an estimated 198 million active phone subscribers, have NIN, meaning that about 75 percent of Subscribers would see their SIMs blocked.

The huge crowd gathered at the NIMC office in Alausa, were either not wearing face masks or not observing physical distancing, thereby flouting the protocol put in place by the Government  in a bid to tackle the spread of COVID-19 which has been on the increase in the last one week.

The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who has also contracted  COVID-19, ordered the closure of schools, clubs and other places which could attract large crowds.

Several concerned Nigerians have expressed concern over the sudden directive of the Federal Government and had asked that the deadline given for the registration be extended. But the government has remained adamant.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, described the order as an abuse of human rights and threatened to sue the Federal Government within seven days if it is not rescinded.

SERAP, however,  called on President Muhammadu Buhari to, with immediate effect, “instruct the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, and Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, Aliyu Abubakar, to stop the push for registration of Nigerians for National Identity Number, NIN, and withdraw the threat to block SIM cards, as the data being sought already exist in several platforms, including the Bank Verification Numbers, BVN, driver’s license, international passport, and voters’ card.”

SERAP said the exercise was a multiple way of registration as the Bank Verification Number, BVN, Exercise was also a way of having a database the Government is doing again.

The organisation also urged President Buhari “to instruct Pantami and Abubakar to take total measures to promptly ensure that the NIMC is able to effectively discharge its statutory functions to harmonize and integrate existing identification databases in government agencies into the National Identity Database, and to use the information to update SIM card registration.

SERAP in a letter dated 19 December, 2020 and signed by its Deputy  Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, said, “No government has the right to strip its own people of their basic rights under the guise of registration for national identity number. If the authorities continue down this path, the threats to citizens’ rights, such as the rights to freedom of expression and access to information, will inevitably increase, and the NIMC will remain a paper tiger.

SERAP said, “Instead of forcing Nigerians to register, threatening telecom service providers with sanctions, and exposing Nigerians to the risks of COVID-19, your government ought to make sure that the NIMC discharges its statutory functions to harmonize and integrate existing identification databases in government agencies, and make use of the information collected.

SERAP stated: “The request for Nigerians to register for NIN is burdensome, unjustified and unnecessary. It would end up serving no other purpose than to threaten and violate the rights of Nigerians, and create a ‘chilling effect’ on citizens’ ability to participate in the fight against corruption in the country, and thereby seriously undermining the government’s oft-repeated commitment to transparency and accountability.

SERAP continued: “There is neither a pressing legal or practical need for this registration, which threatens Nigerians’ human rights, especially at a time your government is warning Nigerians about the second wave of the COVID-19 outbreak in the country.

“Blocking Nigerians from using their SIM cards would amount to a blatant violation of their rights to freedom of expression and access to information, and have a ‘chilling effect’ on the enjoyment of other human rights.”

“We would be grateful if your government would indicate the measures being taken to stop the unnecessary registration of NIN, withdraw the threat to block SIM cards, and take concrete measures to promptly ensure that the NIMC is able to faithfully discharge its statutory functions to harmonize and integrate existing identification databases in government agencies into the National Identity Database, within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter.”

“If we have not heard from you by then as to the steps being taken in this direction, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel your government to implement these recommendations in the interest of millions of Nigerians.”

“One of the stated purposes of NIMC as elaborated in section 5 [a] of the NIMC Act is to harmonise and integrate existing identification databases in government agencies into a national identity database. If the NIMC cannot perform this important statutory duty, then it has failed to achieve an obvious part of its legislative purpose.”

“This push for registration will place a substantial burden on the exercise of human rights by Nigerians. It is also patently contrary to the objectives of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) as contained in Section 1[g] of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, which is to protect the rights and interest of service providers and consumers within Nigeria.’”

“These rights presumably include the rights to freedom of expression, access to information, life and personal security. The enjoyment of these rights forms the basis for a free and democratic society. A democratic government based on the rule of law is one that is responsible to its citizenry and seeks to represent their interests.”

“The push for registration for NIN is a bad initiative, and cannot find support in existing laws, the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 (as amended) and the country’s international human rights obligations.”

“SERAP notes that the information on individuals currently being sought by your government already exist in several platforms, including through multiple citizen’s collection data platforms such as the Bank Verification Numbers (BVN), international passport, driver’s license, SIM card registration and voters’ card.”

“This point is buttressed by Section 5 [h] of the NIMC Act 2007, which provides that: ‘the Commission shall establish and maintain secured communication links with any existing relevant identity related database or agency’”.

“The statutory duty to harmonize and integrate existing data for the purposes of NIN and SIM card registration should not be difficult to carry out, as the Nigeria Immigration Service, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) are already members of the Board of the NIMC by virtue of section 2[1][b] of the NIMC Act.”

“Our requests are brought in the public interest, and in keeping with the requirements of the Nigerian Constitution 1999, the country’s international human rights obligations including under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Nigeria has ratified both human rights treaties.”

“According to our information, your government has issued a two-week ultimatum for the registration and linking of National Identity Number (NIN) to mobile numbers across the country.”

“The NCC has also reportedly directed telecom service providers to block phone numbers without NIN while Mr Abubakar has stated that there would be no extension for the announced deadline ending 30 December, 2020.”

“Your government has also reportedly threatened that, ‘After the deadline, all SIMs without NINs are to be blocked from the networks. Violations of this directive will be met by stiff sanctions, including the possibility of withdrawal of operating license.’”

The Federal Government recently approved the licensing of 173 centres and 30  Government institutions to conduct enrolment of persons into the National Identity Database. However, it was learnt that most of these entities could not start the process immediately because they lacked the infrastructure and equipment to do so.

Telecoms giant, MTN, which is one of the firms given the licence to enrol persons into the NIMC database, announced on Saturday that it was importing 14, 000 devices for the NIN registration and they are expected to arrive in two weeks.

Meanwhile, several Nigerians have been criticising the Federal Government on social media over the gathering of large crowds in NIMC’s offices.

Some of them accused NIMC officials of demanding bribe from them.

@ayegbajeje_ tweeted, “Those in Oshodi local government would frustrate you. People go as early as 4am for numbers. If you can’t get the number and want to register, you’ll pay a N5000 bribe. If you can wait, you’ll fill a form for N100, pay 300 for printing and lamination. The situation as of 8.45am today.

“The form is just an A4 paper with ‘free’ clearly written on it. If you make photocopies elsewhere it won’t be collected from you. Presently there are over 400+ people there defying COVID-19 guideline at the peak of the second wave.”

Another youth said on social media that it was ironic that the state government shut down night clubs over the weekend but was permitting large gatherings at NIMC.

“Lagos State Government sent police to Cubana to arrest people having a good time amid all their wickedness on citizens, because of so-called COVID-19, yet they are inviting and dining with COVID-19 with this NIN,” @iamgerrardoxa tweeted.

@prinzgbemi, who shared photos of from the Alausa office of NIMC, said the irony was that the office was barely five minutes away from the governor’s office.

NIMC spokesman, Kayode Adegoke, did not respond to calls and messages sent to him.

Southern, Middle belt leaders Petition International Bodies on Nigerian Constitution |The Source

By
Uche Mbah
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MAP of Nigeria

By Uche Mbah

Prominent Southern and Middle Belt leaders have flayed the 1999 constitution, blaming it for the current crisis in the country because it is skewed in favor of the North.

The leaders, who spoke under the umbrella body of Nigerian Indigenous Nationalities Alliance for Self-Determination, insisted that the 1999 Constitution is a fraud, and is deliberately made to confiscate the sovereignty of the South and the Middle Belt by the designers.

The leaders, comprising Retired Generals, Politicians and leaders of thought from the regions, petitioned the United Nations Security Council, African Union, European Union, United States and the British Government, intimating them of the need for an urgent Sovereign national Conference with a view to discussing the constitutionality of the 1999 Constitution and the Amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates within three months.

A clause in the Amalgamation document says that after one hundred years, the Amalgamated Units may review the amalgamation and decide whether to continue staying together or not. 2014 was the Centenary celebration of the Amalgamation.

The petition, signed by127 members, reads in part:

“We gather here this day as Accredited Delegates of the Constituent Component Nationalities of Nigeria, under the aegis of Nigerian Indigenous Nationalities Alliance for Self-Determination, being a Joint-Cooperation Framework for the Self-Determination Initiatives of the Southern and Middle-Belt of Nigeria on behalf of our Various Peoples and Interests, to Pronounce an end to our toleration of Nigeria’s Unitary Constitutional Order, Unilaterally Imposed and Forcefully Maintained by a Section of the Nigerian country, in negation of the federal basis upon which Nigeria became one political union at independence in 1960, and in brutal subjugation of our collective sovereignties currently being forcefully and fraudulently appropriated by the Nigerian State.

“We gather here today before the global community, to formally proclaim a sovereignty dispute in rejection of the further operation of the imposed, unity constitutional arrangements of Nigeria and in assertion of our inalienable right to self-determination.

“The History of the Colonial beginnings of Nigeria as a Commercial Venture of some Colonial Masters is too well-known to admit of any further repetitions here but suffice it to recall:

“That the manipulations that went into the Flawed Foundations laid in the 1914 Amalgamation of the Protectorates of Southern Nigeria with the Protectorate of Northern Nigeria, created a lopsided Union, locking the Diverse Peoples of Nigeria into one Political Union with two mortally opposed civilizations.

“That as Independence approached in 1960, the Diversities of the Various Peoples of the Nigerian Union Dictated the Adoption of the Federal Constitutional Model by the then three largely Autonomous Regions, (namely Eastern, Western and Northern Regions of Nigeria) as the Basis of entering Into Independence as one Political Union in 1960.

“That amidst the early strains of Post-Independence Nigeria arising mainly from the aforementioned Foundational and Pre-Independence manipulations by the Colonial Rulers of the Nigerian Union, the Military coups of 1966 Truncated the Federal Constitutional Basis of Nigeria and plunged the fledgling Union into a catastrophic 30-Month War with it’s Breakaway Eastern Region between 1967 and 1970, triggered by disputations around the terms of the Nigerian Union and leaving in its trail, human carnage in excess of 3million people and a fractured Union now resting on an Unworkable Unitary Constitutional Order Imposed in 1979, by the Fiat of the illicit “Federal Government” which emerged since the 1966 Collapse of the Federation of Nigeria, Forcefully Hijacking and Confiscating the Sovereignties of the Constituent Component Regions of Nigeria that Federated their Sovereignties in 1960.

“That the Prevailing 1999 Constitution of Nigeria which was a wholesale adoption of the 1979 edition via Decree No.24 of 1999, revalidated and reinforced the aforementioned Hijack and confiscation of the Sovereignties, Powers and Assets of the Four Erstwhile Federating Regions by the aforementioned Illicit Federal Government of Nigeria which by Decrees, fractured the Four Regions into 36 States, that are completely emasculated by a 68-Item Federal Exclusive Legislative List that Comprehensively strip the Federating States of All Key Economic Assets and Governmental Powers, thereby creating a totally dysfunctional, corruption-prone, over-centralized system that has failed in every respect, manifesting in Gross Insecurity, Decayed Infrastructure and Mass Impoverishment such that Nigeria, with its Vast Human and Material Resource Endowments, has now emerged as the poverty capital of the world as well as the Global Leading Example of a failed state.

“There is a countrywide consensus against the Unitary Constitutional Arrangements Imposed incrementally on Nigeria by a combination of Guile, Brute Force and Impunity between 1966 and 1999 now codified by the 1999 Constitution. This countrywide consensus had manifested in Several Unilateral Regional and Joint Multi-Regional Actions in Repudiation and Rejection of the Unitary 1999 Constitution of Nigeria:

“The first indication was when in year 2000, the 12 contiguous states of the far North, Simultaneously Imposed and began to implement Sharia in their 3 Domains against the express provision of the 1999 Constitution which in Section 10, forbids the adoption of any state religion. This translates to a unilateral secession from the Secular Union of Nigeria.

“Between 2005 and 2006, a Sovereign Conference of the Ethnic Nationalities of Nigeria, Convened by the Pro-National Conference Organizations (PRONACO), Deliberated exhaustively and produced A Draft Peoples’ Constitution 2006, which had the potential of restoring Nigeria to it’s damaged Federal Foundations. Though Ignored by successive federal governments in Nigeria, that draft became the New Federating consensus against the Prevailing Unitary Constitutional Order in Nigeria.

“It is pertinent to note that across all the Regions of Nigeria, various Socio-Cultural and Ethnic-Interests Vanguard Organizations have also been vehement in expressing the Constitutional Grievances of their own People, (some even violently), thus on the Yoruba side, we have the Afenifere, the Yoruba Elders Council (YCE), Agbekoya, the Yoruba Liberation Command, (YOLICOM), YWC and many more including the ILANA OMO OODUA which now aggregates Several Yoruba Self-Determination Initiatives across the World.

“In the Eastern part of Southern Nigeria, we have Ohanaeze, Movement for the Survival of the Ijaw Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND); Ijaw National Congress, (INC); Ijaw Youth Council (IYC); PANDEF, Midwest Movement, the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force, (NDPVF), MEND, MASSOB, IPOB, others. In the Middle-Belt, we have the Middle-Belt Forum, (MBF), MBC, SOKAPU, CONAECDA and many others.

“Several notable Statesmen in Nigeria including Generals Olusegun Obasanjo and Yakubu Gowon, both (former Heads of State) have lent their voices to the urgent imperative of the Fundamental Reworking of the Damaged Constitutional Basis of Nigeria, warning that any further delay may lead to the catastrophic collapse of the Distressed Nigerian Union.

“Nigeria’s Former Defence Minister, Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma, (retd) had also urged the Indigenous Peoples of Nigeria facing the Ethnic Cleansing Onslaught of the Murderous invaders to defend themselves and their lands in the face of obvious collusion of the Federal Government of Nigeria and its Armed Forces with the Fulani invaders. In the aftermath of the October 2020 #EndSARS Protests many, including the Nigerian Christian Elders Forum (NCEF) now insist that Nigeria needs to be renegotiated.

“On specific constitutional grievances touching on the sovereignties of the constituent components of the federation of Nigeria, the leaders opined that:

“The claim in the Preamble to the 1999 Constitution that ‘We the People’ Firmly and Solemnly Resolved to live in One Political Union and that we Enacted and Gave Ourselves the 1999 Constitution, is self-evidently false as the Decree No 24 of 1999 by which the so-called 1999 Constitution was Promulgated, outlined step-by-step, the Process by which the author of the 1999 Constitution, the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council, came about the Document it labeled “the 1999 Constitution. This is a criminal usurpation of the sovereignties of the constituent components whose Exclusive Right it is to make for themselves the Constitution by which they will federate and be governed, as an incident of their sovereignty.

Even by the admission of the 1999 Constitution at Section 14(2)(a), “Sovereignty Belongs to the People, from whom, Government, through this Constitution Derive all its Powers and Authority.

“This is the fountain from which all other constitutional grievances flow and there is no other remedy to this particular grievance than an autochthonous process by which the constituent components will submit their peoples and their lands into a union, and also stipulate the terms of that union, to be ratified by referendums and plebiscites.”

Prominent among those that signed the petition are  former Chief of Staff, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe (retd); former Governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang; Second Republic Senator, Professor Banji Akintoye; President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo; former Vice-Chairman of Arik Air, Senator Anietie Okon; Commodore Idongegist Nkanga, (retd); of PANDEF, the leader of Middle Belt Forum, Dr. Bitrus Pogu; former Minister, Prof. Yusuf Turaki and 121 others.

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