Connect with us

POLITICS

Identity: Lagos Unveils Upgraded Smart, Multi-Purpose Card

Published

on

Share

The Lagos State Government on Wednesday unveiled an upgraded smart and multi-purpose resident identification card for comprehensive database of residents.

Unveiling the smart card in Lagos, Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said that the upgrade was borne out of the need to embrace change and align with global best practices.

The upgrade held simultaneously at four other locations -Lagos Island, Badagry, Ikorodu and Epe.

Sanwo-Olu said that the initial Lagos State Residents Card was an ordinary plastic card meant only for identification purposes.

He said that the new ”smart”, ”multi-purpose” card combined biometric identification with other functionalities and benefits that cut across areas such as security, financial services, mobility and access to government services and amenities.

According to him, the upgrade of the ID card demonstrates the administration’s commitment to the Smart City vision, which seeks to integrate and embed cutting-edge technology into daily lives and daily interaction with government and public services.

”As the nation’s commercial nerve centre, Lagos State experiences significant levels of inbound daily migration of people seeking economic opportunities and a better life.

”As a result, our population, currently estimated at over 22 million residents, is rising rapidly, with obvious implications for social services, social infrastructure, and security.

”It has therefore become imperative for the state government to re-examine strategies aimed at improving the security of lives and properties of the people of Lagos state.

”This ‘Smart’ Resident Card will help address the issues surrounding the identification and traceability of Lagos residents, and ultimately help inform government’s planning and provision of services designed to secure lives and property,” he said.

The governor said that the new card would aid financial inclusion, as it came with an electronic ‘wallet’, which could hold funds and be used for daily transactions, supporting the cashless agenda of the monetary authorities.

He further said that the smart card would enable residents have access to government services such as health insurance, pension administration and school allocation based on residential addresses and many more social amenities.

Sanwo-Olu said that residents would also access value-added services such as the ability to pay for Lagos state transportation services and toll gate fees.

The governor said that this would be achieved through integration with the COWRY card and  collaboration with LCC.

He urged residents to register and acquire the Lagos State Resident Card to enjoy the many benefits on offer.

On planning, he said that registration by residents would enable government be more thoroughly and effectively plan and budget for delivery of the dividends of democracy, against the backdrop of the ever-growing population.

”Already, 6.5 million residents have been enrolled on the database by Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA), with the state witnessing four-fold increment in registration in the last three years,” he said.

‘With the launch of digitised card format, Sanwo-Olu said the state government was targeting to capture 10 million residents on the database before the end of 2022.

The governor also said that new visitors in Lagos who planned to live in the state for more than two consecutive months were now required to register for the residency card.

The Special Adviser to the governor on Innovation and Technology, Mr Olatunbosun Alake, said that the unveiling of the smart residency card became another foundational layer on which the government’s Smart City project would stand on.

Alake said the registration procedure now came with elastic and expandable biometric interfaces to allow updates of information and the card utilised industry standard security chips that prevented duplicated identities and profiles.

”We have a cloud redundancy system that allows 24 hours operations and a highly rated machine accuracy system. It has back-end cloud workload protection and two-factor authentication to make changes to information originally supplied, such as physical address,” he said.

LASRRA General Manager, Mrs Ibilola Kasunmu, said that the state could not afford to lag behind in the age of global digitalisation, thereby, making the transition to smart residency card compelling.

Kasunmu said that the agency was motivated by the resolve to contribute to the overall vision of the current administration on finding innovative ways to improve on efficiency of governance and service delivery for the benefits of the people.

”We took account of certain limitations inherent in the initiative, developed an ecosystem framework with propositions to include a cost-effective approach to produce the smart ID cards for residents.

”We are glad to announce that we have been able to secure partnership of several private sector players on this laudable project as we needed to ensure the card remained free to the residents of the state. Residents are not expected to pay for the card,” she said.

Endorsing the new digitised ID format, the Managing Director of Sterling Bank, Mr Abubakar Suleiman, said that Lagos remained the cradle of transformation. (NAN)

POLITICS

CP-PDP to Wike: “You’re Not Recognized as PDP Member”

Published

on

Share

By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

The The Conference of Professionals in the PDP (CP-PDP) on Wednesday said the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike has crossed the red line and he is no longer recognized as a bonafide member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Reacting to the recent outburst by Wike in his latest media parley wherein he boasted that no one has the guts to tell him that he is not a member of the PDP, the CP-PDP declared that he has lost his membership of party by his open cessation of subscription, loyalty and adherence to the mandatory Code of Conduct of members as enshrined under Section 10 (6) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017).

In a statement signed by Obinna Nwachukwu,
Protem National Coordinator, CP-PDP, “For emphasis Section 10 (6) of the PDP Constitution unambiguously dictates that “No member of the party shall align with other parties or groups to undermine the party or any of its elected government”.

“It is instructive to state that the legal claim, validity or legitimacy of membership of any political party or any organization for that matter, is explicitly embedded in the uncompromised subscription and absolute loyalty by an individual to the enshrined Code of Conduct of the organization.

“The self-executory import of Section 10 (6) is that by publicly aligning with the APC and declaring to work for the victory of the APC in the 2026 FCT Council Election and the 2027 Presidential election, the FCT minister, has by such alignment and declaration renounced, relinquished and terminated his membership of the PDP.

“Moreover, the constant outbursts, hauling of insults on the party leaders and the recent declaration to ‘pull out of all agreements’ and ‘to fight’ in the PDP underpins a complete rejection of the letters and spirit of the Code of Conduct of the PDP which action can only be associated with a non-member of the PDP.

“Furthermore, as patriotic Nigerians, the CP-PDP is disturbed by the FCT Minister’s use of his media parleys as channel to attack our party leaders. Such only overheats the polity and creates apprehension in the polity.

“The CP-PDP as a well-meaning body has directed our media professionals to engage their colleagues in the media on ways to check this disturbing trend. It must also be noted that nobody has the monopoly of media outbursts.”

While admonishing Chief Wike to leave the PDP alone and face his job in the APC administration, the CP-PDP restates its challenge to Chief Wike to hold a live media public hearing and allow Nigerians to directly engage him on allegations of corruption, mismanagement of funds, land grabbing, racketeering, vindictive revocation and demolition of property as well as alleged exploitation of residents, commuters and businesses with heavy tariffs, multiple levies and fees going on in the FCT in the last two years.

Continue Reading

POLITICS

Mid-term Report: Otti’s Govt Lacks Accountability, Transparency, says APC

Published

on

Share

… Accuses Gov of Running ‘One-man Show’

By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has slammed Governor Alex Otti of Abia state, for lack of
transparency and accountability since he came into office in 2023.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Renewed Hope Partners in the state, which held late on Sunday, Abia state APC Chairman, Dr.

Kingsley C. Ononogbu, said Governor Otti has been running a “one-man show” driven by propaganda rather than purpose.

Abia state chapter APC chaitman, however, assured the people and residents in the state of a competent hand devoid of propaganda and a one-man show.

According to him, a “better and truly new Abia” is still possible under the right leadership.

The Renewed Hope Partners is a support group of the party solely mobilizing support for the re-election bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of 2027 general elections.

According to Ononogbu, the inauguration marks the beginning of the journey aimed at repositioning Abia State for the Renewed Hope Crusade, and I believe so because I can see on the faces of everyone here, the search for a truly new Abia State.

He said: “When we read and listen to social media hype and praises, regarding the state of Abia, one often wonders if it is the same Abia State that we live in.

“Abia State today is nothing but a “A One Man Show” anchored on a very well oiled propaganda machinery. Accountability is long gone. Checks and balances non existent while conflict of interest is now a norm.

“A government of one man show from his private home and for selected friends and cronies. A government where the governor operates as the chief executive, chief accountant and the auditor.

“An administration that would prefer to convert a newly built government house to a 5 star hotel, while operating necodemously from his personal house. And for the roads being built newly, the style of collation, scrutiny, and award of the contracts falls below acceptable standard of state (F&GPC) and best practice.”

The APC chieftain declared that the Renewed Hope Partners must come to terms with the fact that they are support groups of the party and must partner with the party in its collective efforts to reach out to the grassroots across the country.

“When our people are well informed, they will stand firmly to rebuke and resist the sugar- coated lies of the deceitful coalition oppositions.”

He assured that the party will not only win at the federal level in 2027 “but APC will also win in Abia State.”

He also called on all the APC stakeholders in the state to be more united, saying “in the spirit of the ongoing reconciliations as directed by the President and accepted by all the critical Stakeholders of Abia APC , I urge all APC members in Abia State who for one reason or the other have been staying away from the activities of the party in the state to come back home.”

Continue Reading

POLITICS

Zamfara North Communities Condemn Gov. Lawal’s Leadership as Total Failure

Published

on

Share

By David Torough, Abuja

A coalition representing four local government areas in Zamfara North Senatorial District has launched a scathing attack on Governor Dauda Lawal, branding his administration a “monumental failure” after two years in office.

In a statement on Wednesday, the coalition—made up of Kauran Namoda, Birnin Magaji, Shinkafi, and Zurmi communities—accused Governor Lawal of abandoning his campaign promises and worsening the region’s insecurity, poverty, and infrastructure decay.

Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Chairman Yakubu Ibrahim Shinkafi lamented the dire conditions residents now face.

“People can no longer sleep with both eyes closed.

They cannot go to their farms. They wake up and sleep in hunger,” Shinkafi said.

“Yet, during the 2023 campaign, he promised to end insecurity and hunger within two weeks.”

The coalition highlighted the unrelenting wave of banditry, kidnappings, and extortion plaguing their communities.

Shinkafi claimed thousands have lost their lives, while others have been forced to pay millions in ransoms, even as the state government celebrates its second year in office.

“What is he celebrating? He is celebrating failure,” Shinkafi remarked bitterly.

“The situation has deteriorated. Bandits now operate with confidence while the government remains silent.”

Governor Lawal, who came into office in 2023 on promises of swift action to tackle insecurity, had assured voters that peace would return within two weeks of his inauguration. But two years on, residents say the crisis has only deepened.

“Not only has peace remained elusive, but insecurity has now become a permanent nightmare,” the coalition’s statement read.

The group commended the Nigerian Army and other security forces for their sacrifices but argued that the state government has failed to provide necessary support and leadership.

“There is no adequate intelligence cooperation, no visible engagement with communities, and no strategic direction from the governor,” the statement added.

“He has abandoned his duties and disconnected from the people’s plight.”

Beyond security concerns, the coalition criticised the collapse of essential services, pointing to deteriorating healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

“The hopes people had when Governor Lawal took office have turned into despair,” Shinkafi said.

“Our communities are calling for a serious reassessment of priorities. We demand leadership and an end to the deception.”

“Zamfara State deserves better,” the statement said .

“We will not allow our lives to be destroyed under the weight of a failed administration.”

Continue Reading

Read Our ePaper

Top Stories

Economy11 hours ago

Eid-el-Kabir: Ram Sellers Decry Low Patronage as Prices Soar in Ile-Ife

Share The Chairman, Ram Sellers’ Association, Odo-Ogbe Market, Ile-Ife, Osun, Alhaji Akeem Salahudeen, has complained of low patronage, attributing it to...

DEFENCE11 hours ago

Eid-el-Kabir: NSCDC deploys 2,900 personnel in Kwara

ShareThe Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Kwara Command has deployed 2,900 personnel for the forthcoming Eid-el-Kabir celebration. This...

JUDICIARY11 hours ago

Ubani Harps On Urgent Regulation of POS Transactions in Nigeria

ShareMr Monday Ubani (SAN), former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), on...

General News11 hours ago

Mbah Receives Immigration Officer who Apprehended Runaway Enugu ritualist

Share Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State has received the immigration officer, Prince Ugochukwu Orji, who apprehended the suspected runaway Enugu...

CRIME11 hours ago

Wife Seeks Divorce Over Domestic Violence

Share One Rihanat Kuranga of Egbejila Area, Ilorin, on Wednesday filled for divorce from her husband, Shuaib AbdulRahman at the Area...

NEWS18 hours ago

Eight Niger LGAS at Risk of Flooding – NSEMA

ShareFrom Dan Amasingha, Minna Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has alerted the State that about Ninety communities in eight...

NEWS18 hours ago

Niger Police Arrest Dismissed Soldier for Impersonation, Fraud

ShareFrom Dan Amasingha, Minna Niger State Police Command has busted a dismissed Soldier who led a POS robbing syndicate for...

NEWS18 hours ago

Bago Grants State Pardon to 11 Persons Sentenced to Death

ShareFrom Dan Amasingha, MinnaNiger State Governor, Umaru Bago has granted unconditional State pardon to 11 persons sentenced to death by...

NEWS18 hours ago

NIRSAL: Livestock Value Chain Actors Tap into $2.5bn FDI

ShareBy Tony Obiechina, Abuja In a bid to position Nigeria as a leading supplier of quality beef to domestic and...

NEWS18 hours ago

NARD Calls on FG to Implement Workers’ Welfare

ShareFrom Christopher Tom, Uyo The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) have expressed dissatisfaction on the infrastructural decay and negligence...

Copyright © 2021 Daily Asset Limited | Powered by ObajeSoft Inc