Author: Lawal AbdulSalam Olawale

Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo says talks will soon begin among all relevant stakeholders in the national identity system to work out modalities on how to harmonise all the various identity systems for seamless and efficient service delivery in the country.

He said the discussion would involve all the relevant stakeholders concerned, ranging from the INEC, Banks, FRSC, NPC, Immigration, NCC etc with the NIMC as a statutory body empowered by law to achieve the target in no distant future.

 

The Minister disclosed this on Saturday and at the 5th Identity Day commemoration held at ICC, Abuja with the theme: Identity As Catalyst for Nigeria’s Development ” – Examining the Role of Identity in Key Government Programs of Social Safety Net, Financial Inclusion, promotion of Good Governance and Transparency.

 

He said the harmonization and management of national identity was what the country needed now as a major means of mitigating and controlling crime as well as for national development.

 

The event was the first one under the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and since the movement of the NIMC to the Ministry of Interior.

 

Ojo, who described the theme as a catalyst to Nigeria’s development underscored the importance of ID management on nation building, saying that identity remains key in the everyday lives, which is why it is commemorated this Day every year.

 

Looking at the progress made so far in ensuring digital identity inclusion for everyone, the minister said future solutions can be put in place to ensure better lives for the citizens and legal residents of Nigeria.

 

”We live in the modern digital age where a secure and verifiable identity is vital for any set system to work.

You can’t access bank services and get ATM cards without proving your identity. You can’t even engage with others on online social media platforms without first verifying your identity. So, identity is key in our everyday lives, which is why we commemorate this Day today.

I have stated that the harmonization and management of national identity is a major means of mitigating and controlling crime as well as for national development.”

 

“With a database of over 100 million National Identification Numbers in the National Identity Database, NIDB, NIMC provided essential access to attaining this goal along with other major stakeholders.

 

As a member of the Ministry of Interior family, he said that the joining of NIMC with other sister agencies will not only improve access by the general public to services like passport acquisition renewal but also the likes of efficient border security technology, effective handling of insecurity around the country, protection of critical national assets and infrastructure, reformation and reintegration of rehabilitated offenders in the society as well as improved emergency and fire response times.

 

He urged all stakeholders to join hands in ensuring the successful implementation of positive policies regarding national identity as it affects government social safety net and financial inclusion programmes.

The ID Day is all about setting a day out nationally and internationally in commemoration and appreciation of the real value of ownership of verifiable identity in the everyday lives.

 

In her address, Acting Director General/CEO of NIMC, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote said harmonization of all the various identity systems remain a top priority in her agenda as CEO of NIMC.

 

She said the decision by President Tinubu to appoint her as the Acting Director General/CEO of NIMC, “is a profound testament to the President’s unwavering faith in the Commission’s recent achievements and his optimistic outlook on our future endeavors”.

 

“We embark on a journey that resonates deeply with our national aspirations. World Identity Day holds exceptional importance as it provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the pivotal role that identity plays in our lives and its profound impact on society.

 

“It is a day to recognize the transformative power of identity in shaping our destinies, safeguarding our rights, and connecting us as global citizens.

Identity is more than a mere card or a number; it symbolizes our existence, our entitlements, and our place within society. It unlocks access to essential services, social benefits, and pathways to personal and economic growth. It stands as a testament to our individuality while serving as a bridge to our shared humanity.”

 

“At the National Identity Management Commission, our vision remains unwavering: to provide every citizen and legal resident with a digital primary identity, making it a universal reference point.

 

“We firmly believe that access to a reliable identity is not a privilege but a fundamental right. It serves as the cornerstone upon which we can build a more inclusive, secure, and prosperous society.

 

Odusote, who acknowledge the challenges that lie ahead, said she would ensure universal access to a trusted identity, regardless of background or circumstances, demands innovation, unwavering dedication, and global collaboration.

 

Continuing, NIMC DG said in the face of emerging technologies and evolving threats, NIMC would remain vigilant in safeguarding the integrity and security of identity systems. While embracing digital transformation, we must prioritize the principles of privacy and data protection.

As we set out for this task, we must be inclusive, leaving no one behind as we endeavor to provide identity solutions for all.

 

“As we peer into the future, I reaffirm our unswerving commitment to the cause of identity management.

 

Let us labor diligently to fortify the bonds of trust between citizens and their governments.

 

“Let us harness the potential of identity to propel economic development, foster social inclusion, and champion justice and human rights.

 

“Nigeria’s journey towards a robust Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) is emblematic of its commitment to harnessing the power of digital technology for the betterment of its citizens especially in the provision of social services.

As we continue to develop our DPI, we have to keep in mind that it holds the potentials to transforming lives, improving public services, and driving inclusive growth in a vast country as ours in such a way that we would be seen as a prominent player in Africa’s digital revolution.

 

However, she stated that addressing existing challenges and ensuring equitable access to digital resources will be key to realizing these potentials.

The crisis of confidence between the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shaibu took a new twist on Monday following the decision of the governor to lock out his estranged deputy from the Government House.

Shaibu got the shock of the moment when he got to his office Monday and found that the gate to the office of the deputy governor and the main entrance leading to the storey building was locked with chains and heavy padlocks.

 

While he and his aides waited for about an hour before leaving, Shaibu, during the period reportedly made frantic efforts to reach the governor but to no avail.

 

An aide to the deputy governor who made the pictures available to the public under anonymity disclosed that his principal had some discussions with the Commissioner of Police and the Director, State Services, alerting them of how he was locked out from his office.

 

According to him, there was no official communication to the effect that the deputy governor’s office had been locked.

 

Shaibu was consequently said to have summoned the Camp Commandant at the Government House, SP Ibrahim Babatunde, querying why he was locked out of his office.

 

“He said it was a directive from above adding that the CSO in government house, Wabba will be in a better position to explain”, the aide said.

 

Shaibu was said to have put calls to Wabba Williams who promised to come to the scene, but never came all through the period Shaibu waited.

Nigeria’s Tobi Amusan has claimed her third consecutive title in the women’s 100m hurdles at the Diamond League Prefontaine Classic at Hayward Field in the United States.

 

Amusan emerged the winner on Sunday night with a season-best time of 12.33.

Jasmine Camacho-Quinn of Puerto Rico finished second in 12.38 while American Keni Harrison came third in 12.44.

 

In August, Amusan was cleared by the World Athletics Integrity Unity (AIU) of rule violation.

“A panel of the Disciplinary Tribunal, by majority decision, has today found that Tobi Amusan has not committed an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) of three Whereabouts Failures within a 12-month period,” the AIU said in the statement.

 

The AIU in a statement in August lifted the suspension placed on Amusan in July for allegedly missing three tests in 12 months.

AIU Head Brett Clothier has indicated the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) is disappointed by this decision and will review the reasoning in detail before deciding whether to exercise its right of appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within the applicable deadline.

 

“The decision is currently confidential but will be published in due course. Amusan’s provisional suspension has now been lifted with immediate effect.”

 

SaharaReporters reported in July that Amusan had been charged by AIU of rule violation.

 

The AIU is the Athletics Integrity Unit, which handles doping cases in track and field.

 

She was charged for allegedly missing three tests in 12 months.

 

Twenty-six-year-old Amusan however vowed to challenge the charge which could result in a suspension.

 

Amusan in a post on her Instagram account stated that she was charged with three missed drug tests in a 12-month span.

 

It could have led to a two-year suspension for her.

 

“I intend to fight this charge and will have my case decided by a tribunal of 3 arbitrators before the start of next month’s World Championships,” her post had read.

 

“I am a CLEAN ATHLETE, and I am regularly; (maybe more than usual) tested by the AIU – I was tested within days of my third ‘missed test.’ I have FAITH that this will be resolved in my favor and that I will be competing at the World Championships in August.

 

“In the meantime, I ask that the media respect my privacy while I address these distractions in my upcoming arbitration.”

 

26-year-old Amusan broke the world record in the semifinals in July worlds in Oregon, United States last year with 12.12 seconds from 12.20 seconds.

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State and his aides have survived a potential aircraft crash after the engine of the private jet they boarded was discovered to be faulty.

 

 

The incident was reported to have taken place on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at the Murtala Mohammed Airport on a Bombardier Global Express 6000, owned by billionaire businessman Chief Adedeji Adeleke, father of music icon, David Adeleke aka Davido.

 

A source close to Adeleke who spoke to a correspondent on condition of anonymity revealed that the jet had not taxied with Adeleke and his aides when a loud sound was heard from its engine.

 

According to the source, engineers swiftly examined the engine and discovered that it was faulty.

 

The flight was immediately aborted to avert any disaster as a result of engine failure.

 

The passengers were then evacuated from the aircraft.

 

“The jet was scheduled to fly Adeleke and his aides from Lagos to Abuja.” says source.

 

Tragedy was recently averted when a private jet owned by Nigerian billionaire businessman, Chief Adedeji Adeleke, caught fire while taking off at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos, multiple sources told LEADERSHIP on Saturday.

Chief Adeleke is the father of Afrobeat star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido.

Chief Adeleke owns the Bombadier Global Express 6000 involved in the incident. The jet is used as a family plane by the Adelekes.

 

 

 

According to the report, the incident occurred at the domestic wing of the Airport at about 9 a.m. on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, when the jet was about to take off from Lagos to Abuja.

 

 

 

However, the incident wasn’t formally communicated to the concerned aviation regulatory authorities, a development that is against standard protocol, LEADERSHIP reports.

 

 

 

According to the report, Governor Adeleke and his top aides were on board the aircraft when the incident occurred.

 

 

 

It was learnt that the aircraft had taxied to the end of the runway, shortly before departure, when a loud explosion was heard from the engine of the jet, causing it to abort take-off immediately.

 

 

 

“No deaths or injuries were reported, and other passengers in the plane as of the time of the incident could not be ascertained,” a source privy to the development told the newspaper.

 

 

 

LEADERSHIP gathered that the jet had been parked at the Executive Jet hanger of the airport before it was deployed on September 5.

 

 

 

However, according to the report, there were no injuries or deaths recorded from the incident.

 

 

 

Meanwhile, airport authorities, Osun State government and the owners of the private hangar have been doing everything to ensure that the news does not get out, the report said.

 

 

 

Governor Adeleke’s aides could not be reached but one of the passengers on the plane told LEADERSHIP on condition of anonymity that the operators of the hangar suspected that there might be foul play as both engines of the aircraft were damaged.

 

 

 

However, the chief executive officer (CEO), Executive Jets, which manages the hangar where the private jet was parked, Sam Iwuajoku, disclosed that the aircraft had Foreign Object Damage (FOD) that made the aircraft experience high temperature, which resulted in the explosion.

 

 

 

According to him, the FOD was caused by a bird nest in one of the engines of the jet.

 

 

 

“At take-off, the engine had a high temperature and it was caused by a bird nest in one of the engines of the aircraft.

 

 

 

He is also the brother of Osun State governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke

It happens when an aircraft is parked and not properly covered so birds will build their nest and anything they bring into the aircraft can spark high temperature.

 

 

 

“It happened to one of my aircraft in 2021; we had to remove the engine and the engine was in Germany for 14 months. So, it’s a common thing in Africa because we have birds around,” he stated.

 

 

 

Sources told LEADERSHIP that Davido used the aircraft the previous day, September 4.

 

 

 

Efforts to reach the NCAA were not successful but a source told the newspaper that the incident was not reported to the agency as its Air Worthiness Department was not aware of the incident.

 

 

 

“NCAA isn’t aware of this incident because the Air Worthiness Department is not aware,” the source was quoted as saying.