National News

Former IGP MD Abubakar Preaches Christmas Message

Published

4 years ago

December 25, 2021

News Net Global

Former IGP MD Abubakar Preaches Christmas Message

By: Our Reporter

The National President of the Alumni Association of the National Institute, (AANI) and former Inspector General of Police, Mr. MD Abubakar joins Christians in Nigeria and the world over to appreciate God Almighty for his mercies in sparing our lives to celebrate the 2021 Christmas and the forthcoming New Year 2022.

His message reads: “Christmas is a period when our Christian brothers and sisters celebrate and reflect on the birth, messages and sacrifices of Jesus Christ to save humanity.

“It is the ultimate observance of the most incredible act of love for humanity, as stated in the Holy Bible. I, therefore, wish all our Christian faithful, merry and hitch free Christmas celebrations. However, while celebrating, there is a need for all to reflect on the essence of Christmas by reflecting on the teachings and virtues of Jesus Christ by showing love to one another.

“Indeed, the year 2021 have been very challenging given the lingering COVID-19 pandemic and the advent of its Delta and Omicron variants, as well as myriads of other security and socio-economic challenges. I commend the resilience of Nigerians in the face of all these challenges and our individual and collective efforts in making our country better in the face of these daunting challenges. Nonetheless, I enjoin us to be continuously conscious of the COVID-19 pandemic and take proactive measures and adhere to the COVID-19 protocols to contain its spread among our society.

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“AANI which is composed of well trained and highly experienced Nigerians and elder statesmen and women, is deeply concerned about the increasing security and socio-economic challenges in the country and efforts at tackling them. Therefore, we wish to acknowledge these efforts and commend the Federal and State Governments and the resilience of all our security agencies in tackling the daunting security and other socio-economic challenges in Nigeria. Nonetheless, we call on the government to do more as most of these challenges are deeply rooted and require more concerted, comprehensive, participatory, and proactive measures.

“The Federal Government must come up with a comprehensive strategy and aggressive advocacy to stabilize the polity and promote a proactive agenda for the development of the country. We must all rededicate ourselves to the Nigerian project and provide durable solutions to the prevailing situations in the country. We must focus on a qualitative and functional education system for our teeming population and enhance agriculture and agro-allied processing as our area of comparative advantage.

“This would increase employment, reduce poverty and crimes, and promote overall growth and development in Nigeria. This requires a comprehensive programme of action that is objective, participatory and implemented on a continuous basis in an integrated and strategic manner. We wish to also call on all Nigerians to be more hopeful and continue to support the efforts of the government and the security forces to enable us to have a peaceful and secured Nigeria.

“In the face of these challenges, our noble Association has remained focussed, vibrant, and proactive in the search for solutions towards a better society. We have a critical role to play in promoting a proper understanding of the issues, by engaging effectively with all stakeholders to advance an actionable agenda towards a lasting solution to the current security and socio-economic challenges in Nigeria.

“In this connection, AANI is poised to convene a national dialogue involving all stakeholders, on Nigeria’s national unity and development. This is borne out of the observed divisive tendencies observed among the components of the Nigerian society, unguarded utterances that tend to polarise the nation by noted groups and individuals. This has led to the frightening state of affairs in the country and thus needs to be addressed. The dialogue is expected to provide a platform for frank and objective discussion on thorny and contentious issues of national unity with a view to establishing a common ground for national rebirth. We hope at the end of it, we shall be able to proffer practicable recommendations and innovative implementation strategies to strengthen our national unity and peaceful coexistence in Nigeria. We, therefore, call on all Nigerians to support us and take an active part in this venture which comes up in the first quarter of 2022.

“We condemn the wanton destruction of lives and property and threats and intimidation of bonafide citizens in any parts of the country by terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, and other criminal elements in the society. Additionally, the voice of AANI will continue to be loud in continuous appeal to the Federal government to guarantee the lives, safety, and the property of law-abiding citizens across the country. We shall also continue to preach peace and harmony among all Nigerians and the creation of opportunities for everyone to realise their potentials. We must also emphasise that the solution to violence and criminality is to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators and address the root causes of these issues.

“As we approach the 2023 general elections, we wish to call on the political class to uphold global best practices and focus on the security, welfare, and economic prosperity of Nigerians over and above their personal ambitions and pecuniary interests. Let there be politicking devoid of thuggery and violence. Consequently, we will continue to promote national development through dialogue and advice. We would also advise and make inputs on national policies and recommendations and realistic implementation strategies for the well-being of Nigerians and other residents of this country.

“I would like to, on behalf of the National Executive Committee and the entire members of AANI, wish all Nigerians compliments of the season and a prosperous new year. May each of you and your loved ones celebrate the yuletide period in peace and good health, amen. God bless you all and the Federal Republic of Nigeria. AANI, Towards a Better Society!”

Former IGP MD Abubakar Preaches Christmas Message

National News

NIMC Promotes 523 Staff Members

Published

11 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

NIMC Promotes 523 Staff Members

By: Michael Mike

The DG/CEO of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Engr (Dr) Abisoye Coker-Odusote has approved the promotion of 523 Staff of the Commission.

The promotion, according to a statement on Saturday by the spokesperson of the Commission, Dr. Kayode Adegoke is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Adegoke said: “This is a statutory part of the performance reward system for Staff who sat and met the pre-requisite conditions as spelt out in the Public Service Rules (PSR) in the 2025 promotion exercise.

He disclosed that accordingly, two staff members were promoted to the Director’s cadre (GL 17), and eight staff members moved to the Deputy Director cadre (GL 16) and 35 staff staff members promoted to the Assistant Director cadre (GL 15).

He further disclosed that 35 staff were promoted to the level of Chief Identity Officers (GL 14), with 109 moving to Assistant Chief Identity Officers (GL 13).

Adegoke said 113 officers moved to the rank of Principal Identity Officer (GL 12), while 82 were promoted to Senior Identity Officer ranks (GL 10), and 130 to the rank of Identity Officer 1 ( GL 9).

The DG/CEO congratulated all the promoted staff and charged them to see the promotion as an opportunity to serve the country better. She reiterated zero tolerance for extortion and warned staff to desist from it.

Engr Coker-Odusote, furthermore, encouraged all staff members of the Commission to work harder in the coming year 2026 and ensure the successful implementation of the National Identification Number project. She reiterated her commitment to prioritise staff welfare and ensure the dignity of labour.

NIMC Promotes 523 Staff Members

National News

VP Shettima Extols Gov Uzodimma’s Progressive Leadership At 67

Published

11 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

VP Shettima Extols Gov Uzodimma’s Progressive Leadership At 67

By: Our Reporter

Vice President Kashim Shettima has congratulated Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Senator Hope Uzodimma, on his 67th birthday, saying his exemplary and progressive leadership within the All Progressives Congress (APC), his state, and the nation at large is worthy of emulation.

He noted that as Chairman of the PGF, an umbrella body of Governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Uzodimma has demonstrated exceptional capacity to unite and galvanise the party’s Governors towards achieving a collective vision for Nigeria’s development under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The Vice President on Saturday, described the age of 67 as an important milestone in the life of Uzodimma, noting that the special moment reflects how far the Governor has come, and sets the stage for what lies ahead.

Acknowledging how Uzodimma’s “exemplary leadership as Executive Governor of Imo State continues to inspire confidence and progress,” VP Shettima described the PGF Chairman as a committed servant of Nigeria.

“Your recent appointment by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, as Renewed Hope Ambassador is a well-deserved recognition of your unwavering dedication to the ideals of our administration and your proven ability to articulate and champion the transformative agenda of the Renewed Hope mandate across our nation,” the VP told the Governor.

This singular honour, Senator Shettima said, reflects President Tinubu’s confidence in Governor Uzodimma’s leadership and commitment to national progress.

He observed that the Imo State Governor’s strategic governance, infrastructural achievements, and dedication to the prosperity of his state exemplify the progressive leadership Nigeria needs at this crucial time.

The Vice President prayed the Almighty God to grant Governor Uzodimma continued wisdom, good health, and strength to sustain his “remarkable service to Imo State and Nigeria.”

VP Shettima Extols Gov Uzodimma’s Progressive Leadership At 67

National News

EU Invests Additional €45 million in Nigeria’s Digital Economy

Published

2 days ago

December 12, 2025

Ochuwa Ibrahim

EU Invests Additional €45 million in Nigeria’s Digital Economy

By: Michael Mike

The Europe Union (EU) is investing an additional €45 million in Nigeria’s digital economy.

The package was signed by the Nigerian Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, and the European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Síkela in Brussels.

A statement on Thursday by EU read: “At the EU-Nigeria Digital Open Day, which just took place in Brussels, a €45 million programme completing the EU Digital Economy Package for Nigeria was signed between Nigerian Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, and the European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Síkela.

“This investment will further support the cooperation in digital sector between Nigeria and the European Union.”

The European Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Síkela, said: “Global Gateway is about delivering new opportunities, and the EU-Nigerian cooperation in the digital area has a very strong potential to do exactly that. Our approach to digitalisation is based on skills-transfer, open standards, data protection, privacy and security. This way, we make sure that technologies truly enrich human lives. The new package will take our efforts even further by supporting modern e-public services and investing in the skills that will prepare Nigeria’s youth for the digital future.”

The Nigerian Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani added: The EU–Nigeria digital economy cooperation reflects our shared belief that digital transformation must provide a platform for growth in productivity driven by technology. As part of this, Project Bridge provides a commercially sustainable entry point for European investors and suppliers to participate in deploying an open-access fibre network at scale. Combined with our leadership in Artificial Intelligence, Digital Public Infrastructure and programmes such as 3 million Technical Talents, Nigeria offers European businesses a market where talent, demand and policy alignment converge to support long-term investment and expansion.”

The programme signed on Thursday includes a flagship Global Gateway support to the Project Bridge that aims to deploy 90 000 km of fibre-optic backbone across Nigeria. This project is the country’s most ambitious digital investment supported by loans from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, World Bank and African Development Bank.
The €45 million grant supports the preparation of this strategic project with technical assistance and equipment in three complementary ways: for the detailed fiber optic network design, for local skills development and for the supply chain deployment with the mobilisation of the EU private sector.

The EU programme will also contribute to modernise Nigeria’s public administration through secure, user-friendly digital services. it also involves targeted support for Nigeria’s nationwide digital-skills programme, helping train a new generation of technicians, engineers and IT specialists.

According to the statement, this is essential to create new jobs, because large-scale digital projects can only work if the local workforce can maintain, operate and innovate on these networks.

The objective of the EU-Nigeria Open Digital Day was to facilitate access to information for European investors and suppliers interested in participating in the Nigerian digital ecosystem. The focus was on the Project Bridge, presented as an opportunity for collaborations between the EU tech sector and Nigeria.

With this €1.7 billion flagship project is projected to extend Nigeria’s total fibre to 125 000 km (+70%), making it the third-longest terrestrial fibre-optic infrastructure in Africa, following Egypt and South Africa.

Digitalisation is a priority area for the EU-Nigeria partnership as reflected in the €820 million Digital Economy Package launched in 2022 under the EU Global Gateway strategy. The EU-Nigeria collaboration in this sector spans from connectivity to digital skills, entrepreneurship, service and governance with multiple projects.

Nigeria’s digital economy has potential to create jobs, foster economic growth and open greater democratic space in Africa. Nigeria hosts big companies, and Lagos offers digital and business ecosystem with incubators, access to finance and digital service platforms. It has the biggest e-commerce market in Africa with 87 platforms, employing some 2.9 million people.

It is also leading on the continent on digital and start-ups – of the 8 existing African unicorns, 6 are Nigerian, with impressively dynamic States (Lagos) eager to create an ecosystem that promotes innovation, youth and growth largely led by the digital sector.

Global Gateway is the EU’s positive offer to reduce the worldwide investment disparity and boost smart, clean and secure connections in digital, energy and transport sectors, and to strengthen health, education and research systems.

The Global Gateway strategy embodies a Team Europe approach that brings together the European Union, EU Member States, and European development finance institutions.

Together, they aim to mobilise up to €300 billion in public and private investments from 2021 to 2027, creating essential links rather than dependencies, and closing the global investment gap.

EU Invests Additional €45 million in Nigeria’s Digital Economy