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  • Focus on getting national identification number, NIMC DG tells Nigerians

    (FLOWERBUDNEWS) Mr Aliyu Aziz, Director-General, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), has advised Nigerians to focus on getting the National Identification Number (NIN) rather than clamouring for the e-ID card.

    Aziz gave the advice in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, saying that the commission’s main focus was providing identity to all Nigerians.

    “Let us focus on providing identity to all Nigerians rather than talking about few people that have cards.

    “Please let us focus on the National Identification Number, because we are living in the digital era and all you need is your digital ID.

    “We are in digital economy era, as you know that now you can transfer money to someone without writing any cheque.

    “You can also load your mobile phone without having a scratch card. So we live in a digital economy.

    “Therefore, the national identification number, that is the 11 digits that is generated and given to you, is more important than any other token that you talk about.’’

    He said that “there is nothing like `temporary or permanent’ in the language of NIMC as the NIN slip has the unique identification number.

    “What we issue you at the beginning of a transaction is slip; that is, before your NIN is generated; and then we issue you a NIN slip whereby you will see your national identification number written.

    “Although by law we are to provide a general multi-purpose card, which is a card that has applet that you can use for driving, payment and identification among others.

    “And the card that we have is 80 kilobytes card while your ordinary ATM card is just four kilobytes.

    So, that means that the card is 20 times bigger than an ordinary ATM card.

    “So if you’re buying ATM card at N1,000, so how much do we spend to get that card; We spend close to N3,000 to produce that card (e-ID card).

    According to him, the commission has the approval of the Federal Government to ensure the sustainability of the system.

    He also said that it is the first issuance of the NIN slip and the e-ID card that is free.

    “If you come back for the NIN slip to be reprinted you will pay us N500, if you come back for the card to be reprinted again you pay for the cost of the card.

    “It is not a new policy. So I want the public to focus on the NIN,” he reiterated.

    The director-general, however, said that so far the commission had enrolled 38 million Nigerians out of the 200 million estimated Nigeria population.(NAN)

  • Kaduna Govt. Generates N30.3bn As IGR In 10 Months – KDIRS

    Kaduna, Nov. 7, 2019 (FLOWERBUDNEWS) The Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KDIRS) said on Thursday that the state has generated N30.3 billion as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in 10 months.

    The Executive Chairman, KDIRS, Dr Said Abubakar, made this known in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna.

    Abubakar said that of the amount, KDIRS generated N22.8 billion in 10 months out of the N23 billion targeted for the year.

    He said that the achievement represented 119 per cent performance from the N19.1 billion targeted in 10 months.

    He added that other revenue generating ministries, departments and agencies also generated N7.4 billion out of the N15.6 billion targeted for the period, representing 48 per cent performance.

    He expressed confidence that the state would meet the N41 billion IGR targeted for 2019.

    “The revenue generating agencies have already generated N30.3 billion out of the N34.7 billion target from January to October, representing 87.2 per cent performance.

    “I am very confident that we will meet our IGR target in the remaining two months of the year,” he said.

    He attributed the impressive performance in IGR to the aggressive revenue drive of KDIRS in partnership with other revenue generating agencies.

    “For example, we are currently enforcing private school registration and renewal in conjunction with Quality Assurance Authority and closing down substandard private schools.

    “We are equally enforcing presumptive tax in Sheik Abubakar Gumi Market, Kaduna metropolis with huge success and we will soon extend to other markets in the 23 local government areas of the state.

    “Also, the enforcement of plate number registration and licensing of tricycle and motorcycle riders for improved security in the state was equally recording huge success.

    “We have generated about N30 million within the first 10 days of enforcement exercise in Kaduna metropolis alone.

    “We will equally extend the enforcement beyond Kaduna, Kafanchan and Zaria to cover the 23 local government areas,” Abubakar said.

    The KDIRS boss said that the board was developing wide range of e-platforms to ease payment of taxes in line with global best practices.

    He also said that the agency would soon embark on massive engagement of tax payers with a view to improve tax payment processes and get the buy-in of tax payers for voluntary compliance. (NAN)

  • Toyota reports profit growth on healthy global sales

    (NEWS INVESTIGATORS) Japan’s top automaker Toyota has seen a 1% rise in July-September profit as vehicle sales grew around the world.

    Toyota Motor Corp. reported Thursday a profit of 592 billion yen ($5.4 billion) for the second fiscal quarter, up from 585 billion yen last year.

    Toyota, which makes the Prius hybrid, Corolla subcompact and Lexus luxury models, stuck to its net profit forecast for the fiscal year through March 2020, at 2.15 trillion yen ($20 billion).

    That would be an improvement over the 1.88 trillion yen earned in the year ended in March.

    Vehicle sales for the latest quarter grew not only in Japan but also overseas, including the U.S., the rest of Asia and Europe.

    Quarterly sales rose 4% to 7.6 trillion yen ($70 billion), compared to the previous year.

    Source:

  • FG stops cash payments in NIPOST offices

    Abuja, Nov. 7, 2019 (FLOWERNUDNEWS) The Federal Government has ordered immediate termination of all cash payments in all Nigeria Postal Services (NIPOST).
    The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, announced this in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mrs Uwa Suleiman, on Thursday in Abuja.
    The statement quoted the minister saying that some members of staff of NIPOST have been taking undue advantage of the cash payment system of the service to engage in corrupt practices.
    He enjoined the general public and all customers of NIPOST to insist on Point of Sales (PoS) or bank teller transactions, when conducting business with NIPOST.
    Pantami also directed the Post Master General (PMG) to ensure immediate implementation of strategies that would bring an end to unnecessary delays in its service delivery to customers.
    According to the minister, the directive is a temporary measure to tackle corruption in the system.
    “The current trend of delays in postal services will not be condoned by the office of the Minister under whose purview, the supervision of NIPOST falls.
    “We are currently working on fully automating the systems as a permanent solution to the challenge.
    “I hereby direct the Post Master General, to with immediate effect, suspend all existing cash payment plans within its establishments nationwide.
    “The Post Master General is to ensure that all its offices revert to Point of Sales (PoS) and bank teller transactions immediately,’’ the statement read in part. (NAN)

  • German Police Arrest 15-Year-Old Girl Accused Of Killing Half-Brother

    (FLOWERBUDNEWS) German police have arrested a 15-year-old girl accused of killing her three-year-old half brother, a police spokesman in the city of Bielefeld said on Thursday.

    Investigators think the teenager inflicted fatal injuries on the child on Wednesday night, the police said in an earlier statement.

    She then fled the scene and an intensive search followed, using dogs and a helicopter.

    There is no clear motive why the alleged stabbing took place, police have said. (dpa/NAN)

  • Fashola: Nigerian Roads Are Not That Terrible

    (FLOWERBUDNEWS)  Contrary to general reports making the rounds that Nigerian roads are terrible and not motorable, the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola has said that Nigerian roads are not as bad as people think.

    The Details: Fashola made this statement after the Federal Executive Council meeting where the sum of N58.4 billion was endorsed for the construction of Bida-Sachi-Nupeko road and the Nupeko-Patigi Bridge across River Niger, linking Nupeko and Patigi in Niger and Kwara States.

    According to the Minister, “The roads are not as bad as they are often portrayed. I know that this is going to be your headline, but the roads are not that bad.”

    He highlighted the paucity of funds and topography as major setbacks that stalled the process of road construction. He said poor topography levels in the South-South which can be likened to water tables were the reason road construction was so difficult in the region.

    Opposing Voices: Fashola’s statement did sit well with Ibrahim Usman, Chairman, Infrastructure Development Committee, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria responded that Nigerian roads were deathtraps.

    “I think the minister is being economical with the truth. The roads are terrible. Take for instance the Biu to Gombe road that took one-and-a-half hours in the past to ply, now it takes four hours to get from Biu to Gombe. The luck we have is that Boko Haram has not stuck on that road.

    “Another terrible road is the Damaturu-Biu road. That also takes four hours when in the past it took less than two hours. That was where military trucks and equipment were seized and taken into the bush by bandits some weeks back. At least if the roads are good, cars can move with speed but when the roads are terrible, movement is difficult and it is easy for robbers to attack.”

    Usman even added that he now abandoned his vehicles at home since they were no longer fit for Nigerian roads.

    Timothy Olawale, the Director-General, Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) presumed that the Minister was obviously not aware of the roads he was talking about. He singled out the Ibadan-Oyo-Ogbomoso road as one of the numerous examples that demonstrated the deplorable road condition in Nigeria. He also added the road between Asaba and Enugu as another worthy example.

    “The huge craters along the Oyo-Ogbomoso road can swallow vehicles. These are roads that were manageable before but they have gone completely bad. People spend hours on that expressway because of tankers that fall into the craters.

    “The sad thing is that the government is not doing any kind of palliative work on the roads,” Olawale said.

    “To say that the road between Asaba and Enugu is bad is an understatement. I think the minister is not in touch with reality. He needs to speak with his road maintenance engineers and get information about the true situation of Nigerian roads,” he added. CULLED NAIRAMETRICS

  • Gov. Udom Installs Etuk As A/Ibom Varsity Chancellor

    (NEWS INVESTIGATORS) Udom Emmanuel has expressed confidence in the capacity of the new Chancellor and Management of Akwa Ibom State University to make the institution a reputable citadel of learning.

    This is even as he pledged the commitment of the administration to make the varsity attain excellence.

    The Governor gave the indication during the installation of His Eminence, the Oku Ibom Ibibio, Ntenyin Solomon Daniel Etuk JP as the second Chancellor of the state-owned University.

    The State Chief Executive extolled the sterling qualities of the newly installed Chancellor and congratulated him on the new appointment, which he described as well-deserved.

    “His Eminence, I know you are that epitome of excellence, professional accomplishment and I’m sure that those unique qualities endeared our relationship, which we have also been upholding. We will continue to do all we can to ensure this university ranks among the best in this nation”.

    Gov. Emmanuel maintained that he had no doubt that the Akwa Ibom State University under the able Chancellorship of His Eminence, Ntenyin Etuk, combined with Engr. Samuel Inyang as the Pro-Chancellor and Prof. Eno Ibanga as Vice Chancellor, has what it takes to rank among the best in Nigeria.

    “Under the able leadership of those three gentlemen I have mentioned, I’m sure we will continue to represent the best ideals in educational pursuit, shaping character and orientation of our future leaders”, the governor said.

    “The onerous task of character building and raising the next generation of Akwa Ibom youths should better be pursued at the level of undergraduates.

    “I will like His Eminence to see this call to duty as a very serious task; bringing the next generation in the way they should go,” he said.

    The Pro-Chancellor, Engr. Samuel Inyang applauded the new Chancellor on his well-deserved appointment and expressed hope that with the ingenuity of the patriarch in various life endeavours, the Akwa Ibom State University would witness a remarkable progress.

    In earlier remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Eno Ibanga, thanked Gov. Emmanuel for his support to the University which he noted has boosted the manpower and academic activities of the school.

    He congratulated His Eminence Ntenyin Solomon Daniel Etuk, on his installation as the second Chancellor of the University, affirming the royal father’s impeccable character and sterling leadership qualities.

    Prof. Ibanga stated that the school aims towards excellent academic performance, his words, “let me state here that from this point on, the University is poised to advance with great
    strides and take its rightful place in the comity of tertiary educational institution in our great country Nigeria”.

    In his acceptance speech, the newly installed Chancellor, His Eminence, Ntenyin Solomon Daniel Etuk, expressed appreciation to the Governor for finding him fit to for the appointment, as the second Chancellor of the great institution since its creation and described his installation as a call to duty.

    He applauded his predecessor, the Emir of Kazaure, Alhaji Najib Hussani Adamu, for his contributions to the life of the institution and assured the commitment of his team to utilize the noble course of AKSU as an instrument of change.

    His Eminence who is also the Paramount Ruler of Nsit Ubium and Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Council of Chiefs, assured the Governing Council, Senate, Management, Staff and Students of his commitment to collaborate with the stakeholders to actualize the vision and mission of the institution.

  • Trump To Move Permanent Residence To Florida

    (FLOWERBUDNEWS)   US President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he will change his permanent residence from New York to Palm Beach, Florida, claiming he had been “treated very badly” in his native city.

    “My family and I will be making Palm Beach, Florida, our Permanent Residence,” the president tweeted.

    “I cherish New York, and the people of New York, and always will, but unfortunately, despite the fact that I pay millions of dollars in city, state and local taxes each year, I have been treated very badly by the political leaders of both the city and state,” he wrote, adding that “few have been treated worse.”

    According to a report from The New York Times, Trump — who is a native New Yorker — and his wife Melania filed individual declarations of domicile in September changing their primary residence from Manhattan to Palm Beach.

    The New York Times also wrote that White House officials declined to say why Trump changed his primary residence but cited a source close to the president as saying it was primarily for tax purposes.

    Other than the White House, the Trumps’ main residence will now be their Mar-a-Lago resort, where Trump has spent 99 days since becoming president — compared to just 20 at his previous primary residence in Trump Tower, according to the Times.

    “I hated having to make this decision, but in the end it will be best for all concerned,” Trump tweeted.

    New York “will always have a special place in my heart!”

    But New York has not always loved Trump back: Demonstrations outside Trump Tower are common, and Trump has butted heads with the city and state multiple times.

    The most recent instance was in the beginning of the month, when a federal judge for the Southern District of New York dismissed the president’s bid to block access to years of his personal and corporate tax returns.

    New York leadership appeared to agree that Trump had made the right call, with Governor Andrew Cuomo tweeting, “Good riddance.”

    “It’s not like @realDonaldTrump paid taxes here anyway,” he wrote.

    “He’s all yours, Florida.”

  • NGO Launches Campaign For Youth Inclusion In Politics

    The Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), an NGO, says it is changing negative narrative about youth’s politics by emphasising on positive and democratic values that would improve their inclusion in political processes.

    Adebowale Olorunmola, Country Representative, Nigeria for Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), stated this at the official launch of `Politics with Value Campaign’, Inclusion and Accountability, on Thursday, in Abuja.

    Olorunmola, said the campaign was targeted at promoting positive values in Nigeria’s politics.

    This, he said was against the backdrop of change in values that had pervaded the entire country’s polity since its return to democracy in 1999.

    He said WFD was working in partnership with a network of young Nigerians in politics with values globally, to strengthen democracy and focus on building citizens capacity.

    Olorunmola said there was need to change the narrative on how politics should be played in Nigeria, adding that towards that end, 40 young male and female volunteers interested in participating in politics were trained at a Master Class.

    He said such would enable them monitor and evaluate the legislature and political parties using value-based scorecards, such as their relationships with constituents, constantly visiting and briefing them, as well as monitoring of projects.

    He listed others as law making, sponsoring of bills, contribution to plenary, participation in oversight functions, participation in public hearing, ensuring rule of law, delivery of dividends of democracy, accountability to the constituents, among others.

    Olorunmola added that the campaign would not only encourage participation of young persons, but would also amplify the works of members in the National Assembly to practice politics with values.

    “WFD held a round table meeting with stakeholders to identify strategies for a sustainable campaign and enhance the capacity of young persons to become change agents within political parties and other sphere of influence.

    “This network will work with 40 volunteers to monitor and evaluate the activities of members of Young Parliamentarian Forum (YPF), in the National Assembly, as well as advocate for increased space for young persons in politics.

    “The network will also conduct bi-monthly review and assess each parliament member and selected political parties, based on set criteria highlighted in a scorecard,’’ he said.

    Olorunmola said that in 2018, the country crossed a major milestone with the passage of eligibility age bill, which he said opened doors for more young people to participate in politics.

    He decried the way politics was being played in the country, describing it as self-service and personal interest politics.

    “It ought to be changed to politics of common good and service, to promote inclusion and representation,’’ he said.

    Earlier, Zainab Marwa, President Aspire Women Forum, an NGO, said the number of women currently participating in politics in the country was very low because of lack of inclusiveness and participation.

    Marwa said the number was about 4.9 per cent, both in appointive and elective positions, which she said was far below the set 35 per cent benchmark.

    She, however, blamed the decline in the number of women in politics on the way Nigeria’s political parties were structured.

    She noted that countries such as Namibia had gender parity in their constitution with 50 men and 50 women in political positions.

    Marwa said the event was crucial to ensuring urgent focus on youth’s inclusion and representation in politics, as well as the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral processes.

    According to her, Nigeria has more than 67 million youths, which forms the bulk of the country’s electorate.

    Mr Tonye Isokariari, Government Relations Advisor of the NGO, commented on the `Not too young to Run’ Act, saying it had commenced well with about 43 young people in the National Assembly.

    “In Kwara state a 26 year old lady was appointed commissioner, young people are beginning to occupy the political space, we need to build on it in upcoming elections,’’ Isokariari added.

    NAN reports that the workshop had in attendance youth leaders and officials of political parties, Chairmen of the Inter-party Advisory Council (IPAC), as well as members of the YPF.

    WFD organised the in event with support from the Department For International Development. (NAN)