Tinubu Reaffirms Commitment to Transformation of Service Delivery to Nigerians

By: Michael Mike

President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) as a tool to enhancing the transformation of service delivery to all Nigerians, emphasizing the
critical role digital identity plays in the socioeconomic development of nations.

President Tinubu gave the commitment in his remarks during the celebration of the 6th National Identity Day, which was organised by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).

The event attracted delegations from the different African countries such as Kenya, South Sudan, Cote d’ Ivoire, Namibia as well as corporate organisations, state government representatives among others.

Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, the President noted that the theme of this years’ Identity Day “Digital Public Infrastructure: (DPI) – Enabling Access to Services,” underscores the critical role that digital identity plays in the nation’s development.

He noted that: “In today’s digital age, the ability to prove one’s identity is not just a matter of convenience; it is a cornerstone of our socioeconomic progress. DPI is the backbone that enables access to essential services, from healthcare and education to financial inclusion and social welfare. It is through robust DPI that we can ensure every Nigerian, regardless of their background or location has the opportunity to participate fully in our nation’s growth.”

He said hat his administration’s 8-point agenda, which includes food security, ending poverty, economic growth and job creation, access to capital, improving security, enhancing the business environment, upholding the rule of law, and fighting corruption, is intrinsically linked to the success of the nation’s digital identity initiatives.

He stressed that by leveraging DPI, Nigeria can streamline service delivery, reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks, and ensure that government programs reach those who need them most.

The President said: “It goes without saying that a robust, efficient digital identity system has proven vital for the success of Government programmes like providing incentives for farmers, the student loan scheme, the National Youth Talent Export Programme, Renewed Hope City and Estate Housing initiative, the Skill-Up Artisans Programme and others. Verifiable identity is crucial in ensuring the right services and assistance goes to the right people in need of them.

“The “Renewed Hope” initiative is our commitment to fostering sustainable development and improving the living standards of all Nigerians. Digital identity is a key enabler of this vision. It empowers individuals, facilitates economic transactions, and enhances transparency and accountability in governance. With a reliable digital identity system, we can build a more inclusive and prosperous Nigeria.”

Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in his keynote address, said the nation cannot find a solution to national security without the issues of identity management.

He said the foundation of economic emancipation or even industrialization is premised on identity management.

He said “we must get the identity of the people right to provide basic services for them,” adding that “for you to get the identity right the principle of the EOI (Evidence of Identity) plays a prominent role because Identity is the foundation, identity is the cradle, the beginning of every development.”

He however warned that if the nation fails to pay the necessary attention to identity management it will have challenges such as reputational damage, because the country will be unable to separate the good people from the bad ones and may find it difficult to provide basic policing, basic amenities of life for the people.

He said: “When you manage identity you must also talk about data protection and that is why we have the data protection act, which is fundamental in any democracy in the world. It is the right of the government to have the identity of its citizens to harness their identity and the right of the people for their identity to be protected.”

He said that Nigeria must end the era of individuals with multiple identities, stressing that if the nation fails to curb the problem of the proliferation of identities, it will continue to be at the mercy of the enemies of the state.

The minister emphasized that by law NIMC is the custodian of identity, stressing that the commission should extend its mandate to tax, drivers’ license, bank and even telcos and all issues concerning data because it is the repository of data in the country.

He revealed that the Ministry will work with NIMC to establish the Digital Travel certificate the (DTC) as well as adopt the Centralized Citizen Integrity and Document Authentication System (CCIDAS) to track people wherever they may be in order to curb crime.

In her remarks, the Director General of NIMC, Abisoye Coker-Odusote said the event highlights the importance of identity and its use for inclusion, protection and empowerment adding that data management has led to the enrolment of 110 million Nigerians so far.

She said: “With the federal government investment and palliative programs to cushion the impact of the ongoing hardship on citizens especially on the most vulnerable segments of the society, the focus of this event is around a strong digital infrastructure to support the empowerment initiative”.

She said that DPI is a network built in the public sector that enables the country to safely and effectively deliver opportunities and social services to its citizens and legal residents adding that NIMC is at the forefront of providing National identity to all citizens and legal residents in Nigeria.

“PTI has encouraged innovation to accelerate financial inclusion and transform the lives of the citizens by delivering service in an efficient and cost effective manner,” she said.

Tinubu Reaffirms Commitment to Transformation of Service Delivery to Nigerians

ThisDay Correspondent Wins N1 million Dinning Voucher at Chinese Mooncake Festival

By: Michael Mike

ThisDay Correspondent, Michael Olugbode has won a million Naira dinning voucher at the commemoration of 2024 Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival in Nigeria.

It was two-time lucky for Olugbode who after winning the top prize was picked in another draw for those with WeChat that saw him going home with two bottles of exotic spirit.

The event which was held on Saturday at the magnificent Chinese Silk Road Restaurant located at the Central Business District, Abuja, was organised by the China General Chamber of Commerce in Nigeria in collaboration with the China Cultural Centre and the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria.

The prizes won include electronic devices, TV boxes, dining vouchers, health products among others to Nigerians and Chinese who were guest at the occasion.

The ThisDay correspondent seat number 59 was picked for the ultimate prize of the N1 million dinning voucher as the last raffle for the seat after other prizes have been picked.

He was later picked again for another raffle registered with the WeChat which saw him going home with two exotic bottles of spirit.

Speaking on the prizes, Michael Olugbode told journalists at the event that this can only be divinely arranged as he was already contemplating leaving for home after almost all the prizes have been won and the event was so dragged.

He said: “Something just kept urging me to wait till the very end especially as I had some colleagues that I needed to pick in my vehicle.

“It was great winning the voucher and I must thank the Chinese Embassy, Cultural Centre, China General Chamber of Commerce in Nigeria, and the Silk Road Restaurant for the two prizes. In fact they have by this made me an ambassador of Chinese Culture and the Mooncake Festival.”

The Mooncake Festival, one of the popular Chinese Festivals was organised in Nigeria to promote and strengthen people to people relationship between China and Nigeria.

Speaking to journalists on a sideline of the event, the Cultural Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, Li Xuda, said the festival was one of the most important holidays in Chinese culture for the past 3,000 years.

He added that the festival represents the harvest season and the idea that hard work leads to a fruitful result.

He said: “Today’s celebration is very important and meaningful because the Mid-autumn, also called ‘the Mooncake Day’ , is one of the most important Chinese traditional festivals.

“In this festival we celebrate family reunion, friendship and togetherness; like the popular proverb in Nigeria, united we stand and divided we fall.

“To stand hand-by-hand, shoulder-to-shoulder, we will create a better future which belongs to our people and benefit our two countries.”

He added that: “In the future China, Nigeria, will work together to promote our tangible and intangible cultural heritage and really further strengthen our cultural exchange and cooperation.”

Li also noted that the festival was often celebrated annually on the 15th day of the eighth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, usually in September or October, when the moon is very full and the size is bigger.

ThisDay Correspondent Wins N1 million Dinning Voucher at Chinese Mooncake Festival

FG Declares Monday Public Holiday to Mark Eid-Ul-Mawlid

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Government has declared next Monday as Public Holiday to mark the celebration of the Eid-ul-Mawlid, the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).

The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, congratulated Muslim Ummah both at home and in the Diaspora on this occasion.

Tunji-Ojo urged the Muslim Ummah and, by extension, Nigerians, to imbibe the spirit of patience, sacrifice, and resilience.

The Minister, while congratulating the Muslim Ummah on the occasion, implored them to use the opportunity of the period to pray for enduring peace and a more prosperous egalitarian nation.

FG Declares Monday Public Holiday to Mark Eid-Ul-Mawlid