NEWS
120 Million Nigerians now Captured in Database- NIMC DG

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) says that no fewer than 120 million persons have so far been captured in the ongoing nationwide National Identity Number (NIN) enrollment since inception.The Director General of NIMC, Mrs Abisoye Coker-Odusote disclosed this at a media conference on Wednesday in Abuja.
She said the enrollment would still continue at both the rural and urban communities. “We have enrolled many Nigerians and still counting so we are definitely going to continue to ensure that we enroll more Nigerians before the end of this year. ” One of the things that we have done under the partnership with the World Bank on the Nigeria Identification for Development (ID4D) project is that we have been able to ensure that the private sector is integrated into what we do.“We have collaboration with the private sector through our scheme known as Frontier Partners where they join us to enroll Nigerians nationwide and they go out there with us and enroll Nigerians,” she said.Coker-Odusote said the Commission had been able to create an enabling environment by providing jobs nationwide .She said NIMC state offices and even at the local governments were equipped with upgraded equipments to help enrollees in various communities to be able to enroll.“There are well trained NIMC staff that are willing to assist you to be able to enroll through the application and modify the information as requested.“So it’s very important for us to know that when we are looking at the pricing framework, the summary of it is some prices were deleted, some prices were reviewed downward, and some prices were increased,” Coke-Odusote said.She said that citizens were allowed to book online, and visit the centres to pre-enrol, pre-fill their information as well as get their biometrics captured.Coker-Odusote said the pre-enrolment system processes had reduced across port for easier access of time in biometric capturing, saying that information were submitted online and authenticated and pre-enrolled.“People may move from one location to another location and they want to update because of jobs, because of family, people relocate to different parts of Nigeria.“So, if you move from Lagos State to Kaduna or you move from Abuja to Cross River, you need to be able to update your records. “So rather than allowing people to come and queue up at our centres we created the modification platform online,” she said . Coker-Odusote said the platform known as Self-Assist Platform allowed users you to log in with their biometrics, authenticate and follow cyber security policies and data protection policy to be able to modify data and update record online.“The NIMC NIN Authentication application is the official service for integration with the Commission’s backend infrastructure.“It introduces a robust layer of protection, empowering individuals with greater control over their personal information,” she said.Coker-Odusote said student loans could only be facilitated through NIN enrollment, saying it would drive economic growth and financial inclusion.” The government has provided access to facility, loan facilities for students or aspiring students that would like to further their higher education to be able to apply for this process with ease.“All you need to do is go on to their portal, input your name and what that does is you have a single source of information and verifiable information,” she said.The Director General said the process was to eliminate the possibility of duplication and also reducing cases or instances of identity fraud, adding that students had been able to apply for the loans successfully.She also said that the Commission had also engaged cyber security experts to be able to help strengthen to international best practices.“We have been able to reduce issues around extortion and corruption by at least 40 per cent. “It’s an ongoing process, we’re working on it and we have done quite a bit to be able to address all the problems,” she said. Coker-Odusote however, said training and re-training were ongoing in order to deliver their services efficiently.(NAN)NEWS
APC Isoko South Passes Vote of Confidence on Tinubu, Oborevwori

From Francis Sadhere, Delta
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Isoko South Local Government Area has passed a resounding vote of confidence on President Bola Tinubu, Delta State Governor, Sheriff Francis Oborevwori and Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, citing their exemplary and visionary leadership.
The decision came over the weekend during the party’s maiden meeting following a wave of mass defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC in Isoko South. The event, held at the country home of Senator Joel-Onowakpo, witnessed an unprecedented gathering of political heavyweights and stakeholders from the eleven wards within the local government area.Prominent figures at the meeting included Chief Lucky Esigie, APC Isoko Nation Leader; Rt. Hon. Johnson Erijo, Chief of Staff to the Delta State Governor; Odio Askia Ogeh, former DESOPADEC Managing Director; APC LGA Chairman, Comrade Egbogbo Vincent; Rt. Hon. Onwo Ferguson, Hon. Bino Obowomano, Chief Emamusi Obiodeh, and several others.In his keynote address, Senator Joel-Onowakpo emphasized party unity and clarified the leadership structure of the APC in Delta State.He stated that the APC recognizes Governor Sheriff Oborevwori as its leader in the state, aligning with the directives of the Presidency and the national leadership of the party.“The Delta State Governorship is not vacant,” Senator Joel-Onowakpo declared. “We have an administration that is focused on delivering the dividends of democracy, and we must give it the necessary support to complete its mandate.”The Senator, who chairs the Senate Committee on Local Content, further called for a unified front within the party, discouraging any form of division or discrimination between new and old members. He also tasked party organs, particularly ward chairmen, with ensuring a smooth registration process for new entrants.The highlight of the meeting was the formal motion of a vote of confidence, moved by Hon. Ferguson Onwo, Member representing Isoko South Constituency II, and seconded by Dr. Sylvester Onoyona, APC’s 2023 House of Representatives candidate. The motion received unanimous approval through a thunderous voice vote, signaling widespread support for the trio.Attendees described President Tinubu, Governor Oborevwori, and Senator Joel-Onowakpo as “leaders who have distinguished themselves at their various levels of assignment.”The meeting also served as a platform to strategize for the 2027 general elections, with calls for cohesion, grassroots mobilization, and internal discipline within the party.Other notable leaders present included Hon. Barr. Lucky Okperi, High Chief Iduh Amadhe, Hon. Austine Igbine, Hon. Benjamin Ogbalor, High Chief Lawrence Eduje, Queen Betty Efekodha, Barr. Powell Ojogho, and Rear Admiral John Kpokpogri (Rtd), among many others.The gathering reaffirmed the APC’s growing strength in Delta State and its preparedness to challenge for dominance in future elections.NEWS
Enugu Reiterates Commitment to Host NBA Annual General Conference

From Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu
The Enugu State Government has reiterated its commitment to hosting a seamless and memorable Annual General Conference (AGC) of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) scheduled for August.The State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr.
Kingsley Udeh made this known during the first plenary session with the various sub committees tasked with organizing the high-profile legal gathering in Enugu. Udeh charged the committee members to work diligently and introduce innovative ideas that will ensure the 2025 AGC is not only well-organized but also sets a new benchmark for future conferences.He emphasized Enugu’s longstanding reputation as a pace-setter among Nigerian states in hosting major national events.Reflecting on past achievements, the Attorney-General recalled that the widely-adopted breakout session format was first introduced during Enugu’s hosting of the NBA AGC in 2003—a practice that has since become a standard feature of the conference.He also conveyed Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah’s enthusiasm about welcoming legal practitioners and judicial officers from across the country, describing the upcoming event as an opportunity to etch Enugu’s name in history once again. Udeh, who is the chairman of the planning committee and sub committees, confirmed that he will personally oversee the planning process to ensure the success of the event.With the right level of dedication and teamwork, we are confident that this event will set a new standard for professional gatherings in our state, he concluded.On his part, Special Adviser to the Enugu State Governor on Legal Matters, Osinachi Nnajieze reaffirmed his commitment to ensure that the conference turns out to be a huge success.The Special Adviser and also Secretary of the Planning Committee, Nnajieze emphasized the importance of collaboration and dedication among members of the committee.He assured that all hands would be on deck to meet the expectations of the Attorney-General, who inaugurated the committee, said that we cannot afford to fail.“This conference has the potential to unlock significant investment opportunities for Enugu State and position us as a hub for legal and economic discourse,” Nnajieze declaredHe revealed that the committee would be strategically divided into two key sub-committees: the Secretariat and the Finance & Budget, and would work together to ensure seamless planning and execution.Nnajieze also stressed the need for every committee member to demonstrate commitment and accountability in fulfilling their assigned duties.NEWS
Adequate Assets Management is a Joint Effort, Says Adeleke

From Ayinde Akintade, Osogbo
Citizens of Osun State have been enjoined to ensure proper management of government assets in ensuring long-term benefits for both the present and future generations.According to the Special Adviser to Governor Ademola Adeleke on Osun State Assets Management Agency (O’SAMA), Alhaja Fausat Sarumi-Adebanjo while featuring as guest on the Imole Ayo programme which promotes the activities of the present administration in the state, explained that, the agency is tasked with disposing of unserviceable government assets, eliminating resource-draining property and overseeing the procurement of government assets.
The Special Adviser noted that proper asset management is a collective responsibility of all citizens as the government cannot do it alone, emphasizing that all government assets require effective management and regular maintenance to ensure their longevity.Alhaja Sarumi-Adebanjo explained that the government has regularized the documents of house owners whose property are built on government land across the state in such a way that, certain amount of money will be paid to the government coffers annually.The Ijesha born politician said, the agency resorted to regularization in order to create pain for those who had encroached government lands while warning the affected group of people to desist from the ugly act.The O’SAMA boss while urging the entire people of Osun not to relent on their efforts to ensure complete support to Governor Adeleke’s led administration said, the efforts of Asiwaju Adeleke in transforming the whole state cannot be over emphasised as betterment and welfare of the people of the state is very paramount to him.The weekly Yoruba simulcast programme is put in place by the office of the Spokesperson to Governor Adeleke, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, to showcase the outstanding achievements of the incumbent Governor Adeleke’s led administration in Osun.