NEWS
Anambra Gov’t Launches e-identification Cards for Civil, Public Servants

The Anambra Government on Friday unveiled its civil service Electronic Identification Card (e-Id card).
Mrs Theodora Igwegbe, Head of Service (HoS) in Anambra who presided over the ceremony, said the e-ID project was part of the digitisation efforts in the state public service.
Igwegbe said e-government initiatives had become imperative for efficient and transparent governance delivery in the current digital age and that an essential aspect of transformation was the adoption of e-identification schemes.
She said e-ID provided secure and reliable verification of individuals’ identities with immense benefit for civil servants.
“One of the primary benefits of an e-identification scheme is the improved efficiency it brings to administrative processes.
“By adopting an e-identification scheme, civil servants can streamline their interactions with various government agencies, eliminating repetitive paperwork and reducing bureaucratic delays,” she said.
Igwegbe said e-ID would check the pitfalls of normal identification cards which were susceptible to loss, theft, or forgery and risk to the integrity of the system with its robust encryption protocols and authentication mechanisms.
She said it would also ensure that only authorised individuals could access sensitive information, conduct transactions and reduce the likelihood of identity theft and fraudulent activities.
The HoS said though implementation of the e-identification scheme had numerous advantages, it had its challenges which were data security, infrastructure readiness, and digital literacy.
“To mitigate these challenges, robust cybersecurity measures are being put in place, including encryption, firewalls, and regular audits.
“The government of Anambra State is working assiduously towards the mitigation of these challenges. Optic fibres are being laid, and in no distant time, free WiFi will be provided for us,” she said.
In his remarks, Fred Agbata, Managing Director, Anambra Information Communication Technology Agency, said the e-ID project was another milestone for the Anambra Civil Service.
Agbata said the inauguration of the project was coming a month after 200 laptops and computers were distributed to civil servants and political appointees to enhance the digitisation processes in the State.
He said the e-ID Card Scheme was inspired by the need to strengthen identity management so that both the state government and citizens could easily identify civil servants and all other government employees.
He said civil servants and government employees can now easily identify themselves and end the era of fake government employees.
“This effort shows the state government’s willingness to work with anyone genuinely interested in contributing to the transformation of Anambra through technology.
“We appreciate the efforts of Mr Governor to promote access to technology in all areas of the public sector and we cannot wait to see the overall positive impact that this strategy will have on the workforce and our beloved state in general.
“The E-ID card will be available on Google playstore as a downloadable app which every civil servant is expected to access and sign up for with their Name, telephone number and official email address. (NAN)
NEWS
2 policemen injured in fight against armed robbers in Kano
By Aminu Garko
Two Policemen, AbdullahiIbrahim and Yahaya Saidu, have sustained injuries during a fierce fight with a gang of armed robbers in Kano.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command, SP Abdullahi Kiyawa, in Kano, yesterday.
“The Kano State Police Command responded to a distress call on April 22, 2025, at about 1pm regarding an armed robbery syndicate led by a wanted notorious suspect, Halifa Baba-Beru of Gwammaja Quarters, Dala LGA.
“The gang was reportedly wielding dangerous weapons and attacking innocent people at Gwammaja Quarters in Dala LGA, Kano.
“Upon arrival, the police team was attacked by the hoodlums, leading to a fierce fight.
Two officers, Abdullahi Ibrahim and Yahaya Saidu, sustained injuries, ” Kiyawa said.He said that the principal suspect, Baba-Beru, also sustained serious injuries, adding that all the injured parties were rushed to Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital, Kano.
According to Kiyawa, the suspect died at the hospital while receiving treatment, just as the officers were treated and discharged.
He said that the command had launched an investigation into the incident and had intensified efforts to arrest the fleeing suspect’s accomplices.
Kiyawa said, “We assure the public that we will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that justice is served.
“The command commends the bravery and dedication of the officers involved in the operation.
“We remain committed to protecting lives and property in Kano State and urge the citizens to continue supporting our efforts by providing valuable information and intelligence.
“The command appeals to the public to report any suspicious activities or information that may lead to the arrest of the suspect’s accomplices.” ( NAN)
Education
FG Releases ₦50bn to University Unions

By Tony Obiechina Abuja
The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, ha announced the release of ₦50 billion by the Federal Government to the academic and non-academic staff unions of federal universities for the settlement of earned allowances as promised by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
This landmark development stands as yet another testament to President Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to fundamentally transform Nigeria’s education sector.
According to a statement by Director of Press and Public Relations, Mrs Folashade Boriowo on Wednesday, the move reflects the administration’s bold resolve to transition the nation from a resource-based to a knowledge-based economy through strategic investments in education, infrastructure, and human capital.
The statement quoted the minister as saying Minister as saying, “This intervention is not just a financial transaction—it is a reaffirmation of our President’s belief in the capacity of Nigerian youth and the invaluable role that academic and non-academic staff play in nurturing them.
” By prioritizing their welfare, we are laying the foundation for a future where every Nigerian child receives highly qualitative and globally competitive education.”
The Minister expresses President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s heartfelt appreciation to both academic and non-academic unions for their sustained trust in his administration and for fostering an atmosphere of peace and cooperation across Nigeria’s federal institutions.
Notably, the country is currently experiencing one of the longest uninterrupted academic sessions in recent history—a feat attributed to the mutual understanding and shared commitment between the government and the university community.
The President reiterated that, “The youth are the heartbeat of our country. Their future is extremely important to me and my administration. Keeping our children in school is not negotiable. It is my commitment that strikes in our institutions will soon become a thing of the past—forever.”
The Minister has also pledged to continue working collaboratively with all stakeholders across the education value chain to ensure that every Nigerian child has access to quality education, comparable to global standards.
“This announcement marks a significant step in the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda and reinforces the Federal Government’s determination to make the Nigerian education sector a shining model for Africa and the world”, the statement added
Education
Earned allowances: FG releases N50bn to varsity unions

By Funmilayo Adeyemi
Abuja, April 23, 2025 (NAN) Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, has announced the release of ₦50 billion by the Federal Government to the academic and non-academic staff unions of federal universities.
This is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday by Director Press, Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo.
Alausa said that the money was for settlement of earned allowances, as promised by President Bola Tinubu.
According to him, this ‘landmark development’ stands as yet another testament to Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to fundamentally transform Nigeria’s education sector.
“It reflects the administration’s bold resolve to transition the nation from a resource-based to a knowledge-based economy through strategic investments in education, infrastructure and human capital.
“This intervention is not just a financial transaction, it is a reaffirmation of our president’s belief in the capacity of Nigerian youths and the invaluable role that academic and non-academic staff play in nurturing them.
“By prioritising their welfare, we are laying the foundation for a future where every Nigerian child receives highly qualitative and globally competitive education,” he said.
The minister expressed the president’s heartfelt appreciation to both academic and non-academic unions for their sustained trust in his administration and for fostering an atmosphere of peace and cooperation across the country’s federal institutions.
“Notably, the country is currently experiencing one of the longest uninterrupted academic sessions in recent history.
“This is a feat attributed to the mutual understanding and shared commitment between the government and the university community,” he said.
Alausa pledged to continue working collaboratively with all stakeholders across the education value chain to ensure that every Nigerian child had access to quality education comparable to global standards.