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INEC Officials Demand Payment Before PVC Registration In Benue – Report

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According to TheCable, the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Benue state are demanding payment from the electorate attempting to obtain their permanent voter cards (PVCs).

It was observed that there is a charge attached to voter registration in Oju LGA of Benue, a situation that discourages residents from undertaking the process.

Susan Abari, 25, is an indigene of Ebenta village. She traveled from Zaria in Kaduna state, where she is based, to enroll for her PVC, but rather than get it without a cost, she was asked to pay a fee of N300, TheCable reported.

“This is my first time ever, I have not done PVC before and I was told by my people that to do PVC is free,” Abari said.

“When I got to the office, I met a crowd outside complaining. Amongst them were women, youths, and even elderly men. A lot of them went back home. I found out later.

“I waited a few minutes until it was my turn. When I sat down, the first thing they did was ask me for money. I was surprised. I was not expecting it. Seeing that I was hesitant to respond, the enroller got angry and asked me to stand up and leave the seat.

“I couldn’t pay so I left.”

Unlike Abari who refused to pay, Samuel, 19, thought it necessary to cooperate and collect his PVC. Samuel said nothing will stop him from voting in the 2023 elections — even if he has to bribe INEC officials.

“At the time they sent people out of the room, I knew I had to pay,” he said. “Although we were told that it is supposed to be free. However, what is happening here is different and it looks like nobody is saying anything.

“I paid N300. According to what I heard, the N300 is for the data and for slip lamination.”

Like Samuel, Ode Ruth was willing to make the payment, but when she reached into her purse, she could only find N200.

“They were unwilling to collect. It was at that time I ran back home to borrow N100 to add,” Ruth said.

According to the INEC guidelines, fresh voter registration is free and can be done for anyone above 18 in the designated location approved by the electoral body.

However, an INEC official in Oju LGA, who identified himself as Mr. Nelson, said the government is no longer providing funds for internet accessibility.

“Because we need to keep the office running, [and] we have a limited time frame to enroll people,” Nelson said.

“It is why we are collecting N300. But when we go to a community, it’s a different thing.”

Iyande Janet, a resident of Obugbehe, lost her voter card shortly after the 2019 elections and was hoping to remedy the situation before 2023.

Traveling from her community to the location of the enrollment cost Janet about N2,000, but she was determined to get it done — and subsequently help other affected women undertake the process.

“At the entrance, I saw a lot of people stranded. We all speak one language so I asked a few of them what the problem was, they told me they had come to get PVC and the money they are charging is too much for them,” she recounted.

“Inside the hall, I met a few people. When it was my turn, I entered. I was told that I could not proceed without paying money which they said was for data, and paper lamination.

“That was how I left even though I had spent more than that for transportation. As it is, no one is coming to register or go for a renewal.”

Matthew Eniya, a resident of Ukpute in Ainu Ette, said he boarded a bus with some women to register for PVC, but once they realized it would require payment, about ten of them returned home without enrolment.

N20K PER COMMUNITY

With several individuals unable to afford the fees, John Adekpe, a resident of Obugbehe, said he approached the officials to visit his community and accept a one-time payment to register willing residents.

“While I was there, I first met with Mr. Lazarus, He told me it is possible to come to the community. He then whispered to my ear that going to my community will cost N20,000 a day,” Adekpe told TheCable.

“He said that once the N20,000 is paid, there would not be individual payments except the N100 for lamination.”

Adekpe was however unable to gather the required money to pay for his community — hence, they could not benefit from the ‘special treatment’.

But Eje Joel, a resident of Ekpong, successfully convinced members of his community to contribute N40,000 to have the INEC officials present for two days.

“We have paid N40,000 already and we are ready to bring them again,” he said.

“We want to upgrade and have more polling units.”

LG ‘NOT AWARE’ OF INEC CHALLENGES

Clement Onaa, the chairman of Oju LGA, said the INEC officials operating in the local government have never complained of lacking the resources to carry out voter registration.

Onaa acknowledged the receipt of complaints from residents on the matter but noted that the officials have never been to his office to intimate him of their challenges.

“I have never received anybody from the INEC office since the commencement of the continuous voter registration to ask for the help of subvention,” he said.

“As [an] independent body that has been charged to carry out functions for the federal government, I think they should contact the local government if they need help for anything from the government.

“Also, it is defrauding… if they collect money from the enrollees or allow money to determine their services. This is barbaric, and as a local government, I will still make further research on it.”

Meanwhile, Achigili Samuel, the INEC training officer, in Benue state, said that no official is permitted to collect money from applicants, adding that the commission takes care of their needs.

Credit: TheCable

BIG STORY

NOVA Bank Achieves Global Cybersecurity Milestone With ISO 27032 Certification

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NOVA Bank has achieved a major milestone in its commitment to safeguarding customer data and digital operations by attaining the globally recognized ISO 27032 Cybersecurity Standard certification. This significant achievement positions NOVA Bank among the elite financial institutions in Nigeria with such a distinction.

The ISO 27032 certification focuses on fortifying cybersecurity measures, ensuring robust protection for data, systems, and online transactions amid an ever-evolving cyber threat landscape. In addition to this achievement, NOVA Bank is already certified in ISO 27001 for Information Security Management and BCMS 22301 for Business Continuity Management, further underscoring its dedication to operational excellence and security.

Speaking on the achievement, Acting Managing Director and CEO of NOVA Bank, Mrs. Chinwe Iloghalu, described the certification as a pivotal moment for the Bank and its customers.

“This certification underscores NOVA Bank’s unwavering dedication to maintaining the highest global standards in cybersecurity. As we continue to innovate with customer-centric retail products, cybersecurity remains at the heart of our operations. Our customers can rest assured that their data and transactions are protected by some of the most advanced security frameworks in the industry. Trust is built on security, and NOVA is committed to providing a secure, reliable, and innovative banking experience,” Mrs Iloghalu stated. The Bank’s Executive Director for Operations and Information Technology, Dr. David Isavwe, who also serves as the President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Information Security Society of Africa, Nigeria (ISSAN), emphasized the broader implications of the certification.

“The ISO 27032 certification highlights NOVA Bank’s proactive approach to addressing cybersecurity challenges. It demonstrates our readiness to protect against evolving threats and our ability to adapt to the dynamic landscape of digital banking. This certification reinforces our commitment to delivering secure and uninterrupted services to our valued customers,” Dr. Isavwe remarked.

This milestone aligns with NOVA Bank’s overarching strategy of integrating cutting-edge technology with its trademarked Phygital model—seamlessly blending physical and digital banking experiences, while maintaining an unwavering focus on customer trust and satisfaction.

As the bank prepares to launch a series of innovative retail banking products, this certification highlights its dedication to prioritizing cybersecurity, ensuring a secure and seamless banking experience for all its customers.

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JUST IN: Customs Hands Over 21 Stolen Vehicles To Canadian Government

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The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has transferred 21 stolen “Sport Utility Vehicles” (SUVs) and other assorted vehicles to the Canadian Government, following their recovery from various locations across the country.

 

More to come…

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Former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello Now In Our Custody — EFCC

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has revealed that former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, has been detained in the agency’s custody for allegedly misappropriating over N110 billion in public funds.

The EFCC stated that the former governor appeared at its headquarters after months of ignoring invitations and avoiding court summons related to fraud connected to his administration.

EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, on Tuesday said that Bello had been detained and would be questioned about the allegations against him.

According to reports, Bello responded to the EFCC’s invitation on Tuesday, arriving at the EFCC office with his lawyers, but without his successor, Governor Usman Ododo, who had reportedly been shielding him from arrest.

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