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Tinubu Reaffirms Commitment to Transformation of Service Delivery to Nigerians

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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

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One killed, another abducted as bandits attack Katsina farming communities

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One killed, another abducted as bandits attack Katsina farming communities

By: Zagazola Makama

Armed bandits have attacked farming communities in Tashar Mangwaro and Dogon Ruwa villages in Dutsinma Local Government Area of Katsina State, killing one farmer and abducting another.

The incident occurred on Thursday at about 6:32 p.m. while residents were working on their farmlands.

One of the victims, identified as Hamza Usman, 45, of Tashar Mangwaro, was shot by the assailants and later confirmed dead at the General Hospital, Dutsinma.

Another farmer, Tukur Nalanga, 53, from Dogon Ruwa Village, was abducted during the attack.

Security operatives responded promptly following a distress call and engaged the attackers, forcing them to flee the area. However, the gunmen escaped with the abducted victim before reinforcements arrived.

Efforts are currently ongoing to track the bandits

One killed, another abducted as bandits attack Katsina farming communities

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Speak Out Africa Initiative Calls on FG to Involve LGAs in FAAC meetings.

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Speak Out Africa Initiative Calls on FG to Involve LGAs in FAAC meetings.

By: Michael Mike

The Lead Director, Speak Out Africa Initiative (SOAI ), Engr.. Kenneth Eze. has made four demand that will allow local government authority work effectively in Nigerià most especial complete Financial Autonomy through the expansion of the Federal Account Allocation Committee meetings to include LGA officials.

Eze also ask for political Autonomy by calling the on the Independent National Electoral Commision (INEC) to conduct all local government elections that will guranteed fairness,, other demans for the local authority include, asking the CBN to make it mandatory for LGA to have account with Bank and asking development partners to support the Open Government Partnership (OGP) at the local government level

The lead Director, stated this during The Local Open Governànce Initiative in Nigerià (LOGINAIJA) close out session and the presentation of Report for the pilot LGA.

Speak Out Africa Initiative is a non-governmental organization focused on empowering marginalized communities, particularly women and youth, through evidence-based advocacy, capacity building, and service delivery. Whose mission is to prioritizes gender equity, health advocacy, and social inclusion .

According to Eze, LOGINAIJA which aim to access the workings and the functionality of the Local Government Areas to make work was launch in April 2024 with the objective promoting Accountability at the local level, building capacity for the personnels and political office holders at the local level and the domestication of the freedom of Information Act at the grassroot “.

The LOGINaija project is a 12-month pilot initiative implemented by Speak Out Africa Initiative (SOAI) to strengthen Open Government Partnership (OGP) adoption at Nigeria’s local government level. The project focuses on three pilot LGAs:

” This pilot phase was carried out in the selected three Local Government Areas in Nigerià, Gwagwalada Area Council in FCT, Umuahia North LGA in Abia State and the Ibadan NorthWest LGA of Oyo State which represent the Zones in the country and cut across political party lines and we are happy to announce that today’ this three LGA has perform creditably with functional Website, freedom of information desk officers in place and we have strenthening the capacity of both the executive and the legislative arms of the three Local Government. we expect to scale it up to 50 LGA in second phase of the project “.

“We in speak out Africa are thanking the Mac- Arthur Foundation that supported this project, and other partner for making this a reality.

The Executive Chairman, Umuahia North Local Government Area. Hon. Smart Iheoma, while appreciate all what has done by the speak out Africa Initiative to the LGA, said the problem we have as a nation is leadership, what we met on ground was not good but we have turn around every aspect of the LGA and the people are the beneficiary of this positive reforms, we are following the footsteps of His Excellency the Governor of Abia State which come c am e in with capacity to build the State and he is the best so far”. Iheoma said

Speak Out Africa Initiative Calls on FG to Involve LGAs in FAAC meetings.

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FG Plans Nationwide Audit Of Skills Centres To Transform Workforce

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FG Plans Nationwide Audit Of Skills Centres To Transform Workforce

** As VP Shettima demands urgent action to bridge nation’s skills gap

By: Our Reporter

Vice President Kashim Shettima has called for immediate and united action to close Nigeria’s widening skills gap, describing it as a national priority critical to economic transformation.

This is just as the federal government has hinted at a proposal for the review of existing skills training centres across several Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government to align their work and functions with national development goals.

The Vice President, who spoke on Thursday during the 6th meeting of the National Council on Skills (NCS) at the Presidential Villa, noted that the council’s mandate is to develop a strategic workforce capable of meeting Nigeria’s evolving economic demands.

“What binds us together supersedes whatever divides us. We have to make this country work. We need to fill in the skills gap,” he said.

VP Shettima pointed out that the council has a mission to strategically position Nigeria’s workforce to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving economy.

“This council was established with a clear mandate to drive the strategic development of the skilled workforce that can contribute meaningfully to national growth and prosperity,” he added.

The Vice President described the session as an open forum where positions were aired and important decisions were taken, emphasising that stakeholder engagement, consensus-building, and decisive leadership are essential to fixing Nigeria’s skills and employment crisis.

A major highlight of the meeting was the proposal for a National Skills Infrastructure Audit to create a centralised database of all training facilities, verify their functionality, and identify gaps or overlaps in infrastructure.

“The government’s policy trajectory is to strengthen human capital development for national growth and industry through skills development. However, unless the skills infrastructure across MDAs is optimised, this vision will remain unattainable,” the council noted.

The audit will also involve physical verification of centres and a detailed cataloguing of operational training facilities, ensuring alignment with national occupational standards and labour market needs.

Earlier, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa made a presentation on the National Artisan Skills Acquisition Programme (NASAP), an initiative aimed at training 10,000 artisans annually in high-demand construction trades.

The programme is designed to formalise Nigeria’s informal artisan sector by providing certification and onboarding qualified artisans onto a Digital Artisan Marketplace.

“The overall goal of NASAP is to establish a reliable and competent artisan workforce to drive the Ministry’s housing and infrastructure agenda while empowering Nigeria’s youth with employable skills,” the Minister said.

He noted that NASAP seeks to tackle youth unemployment while simultaneously addressing the skilled labour shortage in the construction sector, just as he said it is projected to have a significant impact on both job creation and long-term infrastructure development.

FG Plans Nationwide Audit Of Skills Centres To Transform Workforce

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