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FG Insists On Wednesday Deadline For NIN Registration

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The Federal Government on Sunday insisted that the deadlines given for the registration of all Subscriber Identification Modules with valid National Identity Numbers were still in force.

It also declared that the NIN was mandatory for diplomats who reside in Nigeria, as well as for all other lawful residents across the country.

Asked whether the Federal Government had eventually advised the Nigerian Communications Commission as regards the deadlines for SIM registration with NIN, the Director, Public Affairs, NCC, Ikechukwu Adinde, told our correspondent that nothing had changed.

It was reported on Thursday that the NCC was awaiting the advice of the Federal Government as regards the stipulated deadlines.

“The deadlines are still in force; there is no update for now and just like I told you last week if there is any change you will be communicated,” Adinde stated on Sunday.

Calls for deadline extension are mainly due to the large crowds that gather daily at the various offices of the National Identity Management Commission, as many telephone subscribers had yet to get their NINs.

On December 15, 2020, the Federal Government declared that after December 30, 2020, all SIMs that were not registered with valid NINs on the network of telecommunications companies would be blocked.

It later extended the December 30, 2020 deadline following widespread opposition against the earlier announcement and gave three-week extension for subscribers with NIN from December 30, 2020, to January 19, 2021.

It also gave six-week extension for subscribers without NIN from December 30, 2020, to February 9, 2021, but many organisations had called for a further deadline extension or outright suspension of the NIN integration process.

This came as the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, declared on Sunday that all diplomats living in Nigeria must have NINs.

The minister approved the setting up of a NIN enrolment centre at the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs for diplomats. The desk would be set up on January 19, 2021.

A statement issued in Abuja by Pantami’s aide, Femi Adeluyi, stated that the centre would provide support for members of the diplomatic corps and would be managed by the communications ministry through NIMC.

The ministry stated that the centre was being set up based on the request of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, in order to simplify the process for diplomats.

It said, “The NIN is mandatory for diplomats who will reside in Nigeria for a continuous period of two years or more.

“It is also mandatory for all other lawful residents in the country as stated in Section 16 of the NIMC Act 2007.”

It stated that the law had made it mandatory for Nigerians and legal residents to obtain a NIN since 2007.

It, however, noted that compliance had been low, until recently.

It said the communications ministry was committed to creating an environment that was conducive for all Nigerians and legal residents to obtain their NINs.

BIG STORY

27-Year-Old Nigerian Man Kills Father, Stabs Two Sisters In US

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Police in New Orleans, United States, have arrested a 27-year-old Nigerian man, Chukwuebuka Eweni, in connection with a stabbing incident that resulted in the death of his father and injuries to two of his sisters.

Family members told WWL Louisiana, a local newspaper, that Eweni had a history of an undisclosed mental illness but had not displayed violent behaviour until last Tuesday. They said the evening began as an ordinary one before Eweni allegedly grabbed a knife and attacked his father, Samuel, and his two sisters. They added that they did not know what triggered the attack.

Samuel, who served as a professor of computer sciences at Southern University, New Orleans, was pronounced dead at the scene of the incident. The institution’s chancellor, Joseph Bouie, described Samuel as “a mentor and a guiding light” to many students.

One of Eweni’s sisters was discharged from the hospital after treatment, while the other remained under medical care as of last Wednesday but was also expected to survive. The injuries left both siblings receiving support from family and medical personnel.

Relatives said that after the stabbing, they learned that Eweni went to New Orleans East Hospital, where he often checked himself in for mental support, to seek help. The hospital, reportedly unaware of the crime, transferred him to another facility in Jefferson Parish as part of routine procedure.

Police tracked him to the second facility the following morning after securing an arrest warrant. Authorities stated that Eweni was wanted on one count of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder. Police added that he is currently undergoing evaluation at a medical facility.

Tributes for the deceased professor have continued to pour in across social media. One sympathiser, Emem Akpabio, wrote on Facebook, “Just got notified that my very first client, and loving father of three whom I obtained sole custody of his kids some 8 years ago, passed away and was found in his truck somewhere in Texas.”

Another Facebook user, who identified herself as an acquaintance, Josely Pueten, wrote, “I just received a phone call about him. He was one of our tenants here in Arlington. I never had the opportunity to meet him, but I know I got that call for a reason. I’m so sorry for his passing.”

A similar message was shared by another user, Aboukia Fessibay, who wrote, “Bode has gone too soon; so sad to see this of his passing to the great beyond. May God be with his children and the rest of his beloved family and friends.”
The incident adds to the growing number of tragic cases involving Nigerians overseas.

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BIG STORY

Shock As US-Based Nigerian Driver Found Dead Inside Truck

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A Nigerian truck driver based in Arlington, Texas, identified as Bode Ologan, has been reportedly found dead inside a truck in the state of Texas. The incident drew public attention after details surfaced online.

PUNCH Metro first became aware of the development on Sunday through a Facebook post shared on the Lagos Reporters page by a user, Ibrahim Abolore. The post, which included an image of Ologan’s driving licence, appealed to the public for assistance in identifying and contacting his family members.

The message accompanying the post stated, “Kindly help find out if anybody knows this guy’s family or his family. They found him dead inside the truck in Texas.” The plea quickly circulated among social media users seeking more information.

Further findings by PUNCH Metro on Sunday revealed that the incident occurred on November 7, and that associates of the deceased had created a GoFundMe account to raise funds for his funeral. The fundraising effort was launched shortly after confirmation of his death.

In a GoFundMe appeal titled “Help Bode Ologan’s Family in Their Grief,” created by Omolade Adeduro, Ologan was described as a father of three. The appeal read, “Hello, the family and friends of Bode Ologan regret to announce his death on Friday, November 7th, 2025. He lived a fulfilling life and left behind three children: Semilore, Semilogo, and Semilola.”

The appeal further requested financial support, stating, “Please help his children and family raise money for his funeral arrangements and other necessary expenses. Any amount is appreciated. May his soul rest in peace.” As of Sunday, checks indicated that $4,717 had been donated by around 16 contributors, with the family targeting $30,000 ahead of the burial scheduled for November 20.
Ologan was believed to have been a native of Owo in Ondo State. The news of his passing has prompted an outpouring of tributes from friends, associates, and members of the Arlington community in the United States.

One sympathiser, Emem Akpabio, wrote on Facebook, “Just got notified that my very first client, and loving father of three whom I obtained sole custody of his kids some 8 years ago, passed away and was found in his truck somewhere in Texas.” Another Facebook user, Josely Pueten, described him as a tenant, writing, “I just received a phone call about him. He was one of our tenants here in Arlington. I never had the opportunity to meet him, but I know I got that call for a reason. I’m so sorry for his passing.”

Similarly, another user, Aboukia Fessibay, wrote, “Bode has gone too soon; so sad to see this of his passing to the great beyond. May God be with his children and the rest of his beloved family and friends.” Additional tributes continued across various social media platforms.

On Instagram, a sympathiser, Gbemisola Are, commented, “May his soul rest in peace. Driving a truck is a very difficult and risky job.” The statement reflected the hazards often associated with long-haul trucking in the United States.
This incident adds to previously reported tragedies involving Nigerians abroad.

 

Credit: The Punch

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BIG STORY

Lagos Driver Flees With Employer’s Car Four Days After Resumption

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A Lagos-based developer, Olakanmi Ogundele, has raised an alarm after a newly hired driver, identified as Olufemi Jogbodo, allegedly fled with his Gelly Saloon vehicle with number plate AGL586GW, only four days after resuming duty.

Ogundele told PUNCH Metro on Sunday that the driver, who initially introduced himself as “Adeleye”, was assigned to him by his company’s manager on November 18 following the illness of his former driver.

According to him, the suspect accompanied him on a work trip to Ijebu Ode on the same day and returned with him to Lagos on November 20.

Ogundele explained that the driver took him to his office the following day before allegedly absconding with the vehicle while he was in a meeting.

He stated that the suspect informed the security personnel that he had been sent on an errand, and because the meeting was ongoing, they could not verify the claim. He said the driver left with the car and never returned.

Ogundele added that the matter was immediately reported to the Ikoyi Police Division’s tactical team, which commenced tracking efforts.

However, he expressed concern that no progress had been recorded since the search began.

A document made available to PUNCH Metro on Sunday disclosed that the suspect is 44 years old and resides on Dele Ogunbowale Street in the Ikate area of Lagos. The same document showed that the suspect operates 11 different bank accounts.

Ogundele also noted that some relatives of the suspect were tracked and arrested. He stated that the suspect’s wife’s sister and a cousin were taken into custody but later released after exceeding the permissible detention period.

He added that investigators traced the suspect’s 75-year-old mother to the Agbado Ijaiye area but did not arrest her due to her age.

Ogundele further disclosed that the manager who assigned the driver was arrested and interrogated. He said the manager admitted that he was unable to verify the driver’s information because Ogundele needed to travel urgently.

Ogundele stated that the manager failed to conduct due diligence, as the details provided by the suspect— including the name “Adeleye”— were found to be false.
He said plans were underway to place a bounty on the suspect to aid his arrest and facilitate the recovery of the stolen vehicle.

Efforts to reach the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Adebisi Abimbola, were unsuccessful as calls to her mobile line were not answered. A text message sent to her phone had not been replied to as of the time of filing this report.

 

Credit: The Punch

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