FG to launch new national ID card for payment, others

The Federal Government says it has concluded arrangements to launch a new National Identity Card with payment and other social service features.

It said the New National Identity card would be delivered in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Inter-bank Settlement System (NIBSS).

The project would be powered by AfriGO, a national domestic card scheme, Head of Corporate Communications of NIMC, Dr Kayode Adegoke, announced in a statement in Abuja.

The statement read, ”The National ID card, layered with verifiable National Identity features, is backed by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Act No. 23 of 2007, which mandates NIMC to enrol and issue a General Multipurpose card (GMPC) to Nigerians and legal residents.

“This card will address the demand for physical identification enabling cardholders to prove their identity, access government and private social services, facilitate financial inclusion for disenfranchised Nigerians, empower citizens, as well as encourage increased participation in nation-building.

“Only registered citizens and legal residents with the National Identification Number (NIN) will be eligible to request the card.

“The card, which will be produced according to ICAO standards, is positioned as the country’s default national identity card.

“In addition to this functionality, cardholders will also be able to use the cards as debit or prepaid cards by linking same to bank accounts of their choice.

“The card shall enable eligible persons especially those financially excluded from social and financial services have access to multiple government interventions programmes.”

Its key features are as follows:

Machine-readable Zone (MRZ) in conformation with ICAO for e-passport information

Identity card Issue Date and document number in line with ICAO standard.

Additional features are travel, health insurance information, microloans, agriculture, food stamps, transport, and energy subsidies, etc

Nigeria’s quick response code (NQR) containing the national identification number

Biometric authentication, such as fingerprint and pictures, as the primary medium for identity verification through the data on the card chip

Offline capability that allows transactions in areas with limited network coverage or zero infrastructure connectivity

“Functionality as a debit and prepaid card catering to both banked and unbanked individuals

Request for cards by registered citizens and legal residents will be made available online, at any commercial bank, various agencies or agents participating in multiple programs and/or any NIMC offices nationwide

JUST IN: Tinubu confers national honours on fallen soldiers, approves house, scholarships for families 

President Bola Tinubu has conferred posthumous national honours on the four officers and 13 soldiers killed in Okuama, Delta State, on March 14, 2024.

The four officers have been accorded the Award of Member of the Order of Niger (MON) while the 13 courageous soldiers who also lost their lives were awarded the Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR).

The President said that the Federal Government would provide a house in any part of the country to each of the families of the four officers and 13 soldiers.

He also approved scholarships for all the children of the deceased up to the university level.

The President mandated the Military to, within the next 90 days, ensure that all the benefits of the departed are paid to their families.

Tinubu as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria spoke on Wednesday at the National Cemetery in Abuja during the burial of the fallen soldiers.

Tinubu stated that Nigeria owes the valiant soldiers and their families debt of gratitude.

The President vowed that those who committed the heinous crime of killing the officers and soldiers would not go unpunished, stressing, “We will find them and our departed heroes will get justice.”

The fallen heroes are as follows:

Lieutenant Colonel Ali

Major D.E Obi

Major S.D. Ashafa

Captain U. Zakari

Staff Sergeant Yahaya Saidu

Corporal Danbaba Yahaya

Corporal Kabir Bashir

Lance Corporal Abdullahi Ibrahim

Lance Corporal Bulus Haruna

Lance Corporal Sole Opeyemi

Lance Corporal Bello Anas

Private Alhaji Isah

Private Clement Francis

Private Abubakar Ali

Private Adamu Ibrahim

Private Hamman Peter

Private Ibrahim Adamu

Part of Tinubu’s Speech

“It is with heavy heart that I join you today to commit to earth, the remains of our officers and men who died in the course of duty on 14 March 2024 in Okuama Community, Delta State.

“The officers and soldiers who lost their lives that day were patriots, brave and noble men who gave their lives to defend and protect our nation against internal and external threats. Their sacrifice will be remembered and honoured for generations to come and their.

“On 14 March, Lt. Colonel A. H. Ali, the Commanding Officer of 181 Amphibious Battalion, led three other officers and 13 soldiers to the Okuama Community to mediate in the lingering dispute with Okoloba Community.

“They went as peace makers and peace keepers respectfully seeking to bring an end to the hostilities between the two communities.

“They didn’t go with tanks, machine guns and other weapons. They were on a mission of peace.

“Before the dastardly attack, Lt. Colonel Ali, as the Chief of Army Staff briefed me, enjoyed great operational exploits; fighting terrorists and insurgents in the North East and North West before his deployment to the Niger Delta.

“Ali kept faith with his military calling till the end.

“On behalf of a grateful nation, we honour the sacrifice of Ali and the other gallant patriots who died that day. They will forever be remembered as heroes who answered the call of duty and paid the ultimate price.

“Each man now belongs to the hallowed list of servicemen and women who defended our country and protected their fellow Nigerians not minding the risk to their own lives.

“They have all been awarded posthumous national honours. The four gallant Officers have been accorded the Award of Member of the Order of Niger (MON). The thirteen courageous soldiers who also lost their lives have been Awarded the Officer of the Federal Republic Medal.

“I commiserate with the families of our fallen heroes and the entire Armed Forces. I share in the pain and grief you carry today. It is my prayer that God will comfort all who are bereaved as a result of this tragedy.”

Agents of destabilisation, subsidy losers fighting back – Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu says agents of destabilisation and beneficiaries of the rested petrol subsidy are beginning to fight back.

He however vowed that his administration would defeat them and not abuse Nigerians’ trust in his administration.

The administration and indeed Nigerians are currently facing serious economic and security challenges.

Measures introduced so far to tackle the problems have not really yielded positive results.

The President spoke on Friday during a meeting with the Forum of State Chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the State House in Abuja.

The team was led by the National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje.

Tinubu said that Nigeria would overcome the forces working to sabotage efforts at repositioning the economy.

These details are contained in a statement released on Friday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.

It quoted Tinubu as saying his administration was deploying resources to critical sectors and areas with significant impact for improved welfare of Nigerians, describing the nation’s treasury as sacrosanct.

He assured Nigerians that his government was working round the clock to improve their living conditions, and asked leaders at the grassroots to encourage citizens to get their National Identification Number (NIN) for planning, structuring interventions and to achieve their full integration into various relief programmes.

“As we are fighting corruption, smugglers and old subsidy beneficiaries, they most certainly will fight back,” Tinubu said.

He also said, “All those who falsified records and became losers with the subsidy (on petroleum products) removal, they will fight back.

“But we will defend our people. The treasury belongs to the people, and that sacred trust must not be abused.

“I urge the state chairmen that regardless of party affiliation, let us help citizens by mobilizing them for NIN registration.

“Not just PVCs. Some are poor Nigerians who have not experienced formal education and have no understanding of what NIN is and how it will benefit their lives. We must teach them. We must care for them.

“Without NIN, we cannot embark on social security interventions for the vulnerable. We will be making faulty moves without accurate data and iron-clad, digital intervention structures.

“I have established a committee of governors, and it is headed by the Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima. It is working on what must be done to further lift our people.

“We need to give hope, and we are giving it to the country and our citizens. We are working hard, day and night, even though some agents of destabilization are present in the polity. Nigerians, with our focused support, shall defeat them.

“The programme of our government will be truly progressive; student loans, a national consumer credit system, and social welfare for the unemployed, as well as graduates. Every Nigerian will find a place of belonging in our country.

“In the eye of even the biggest hurricane, we will find that place of tranquility and prosperous harmony for the benefit of all. Nigerians will all partake on this national journey to prosperity.”

Speaking on the central role of agriculture in expanding and accelerating Nigeria’s economic growth, the President said that his government had already drawn up a blueprint for large-scale livestock farming, which will be activated soon.

He said, “We are bringing mechanized farming to the fore. Yesterday’s crisis will become today’s opportunity.

“Fertilizers are being supplied to farmers as we speak. Agriculture and economic diversification provide the answers to our problems.

“We will not continue to import food. We know how to turn lack into abundance, and the world will watch us do it again.”

Also speaking, Ganduje said the party was poised to establish a Progressive Institute of Policy and Development for the benefit of its members and the broader Nigerian public.