Connect with us


BIG STORY

World Bank, Federal Government Partner To Roll Out Digital National IDs For Nigerians

Published

on

World Bank country director for Nigeria, Shubham Chaudhuri, says the multilateral lender is collaborating with the federal government to ensure the successful rollout and registration of digital national IDs for all Nigerians.

Chaudhuri spoke at a dinner, held in partnership with the ministry of communications and digital economy, in Abuja on Friday.

He said there is a huge potential in leveraging digital technologies that will go a long way in driving transformation.

“Our main mission here in Nigeria is to eliminate poverty, make lives better, create jobs for all Nigerian youth,” Chaudhuri said.

“One of the areas that we think have the greatest potential, is the area of using digital technologies to transform. Now, to do that, it begins with having this digital national ID.

“So, one of the main partnerships we have is working with National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to ensure the rollout of the registration, so that all 220 million Nigerians have a digital national ID, beginning, of course, with all people of working age, and I think the target for that is at least 148 million people by the middle of next year.

“The second is helping Nigeria lead the broadband infrastructure for broadband connectivity because without broadband connectivity, digital technologies will lead to a digital divide.

“So, their support has been for good kinds of policies and regulations that will help invite private investment into this space and then fibre optic cables.”

Chaudhuri said the most challenging aspect in rolling out these infrastructures to all parts of Nigeria is for the fibre optic cables to have the right regulation so that private investors will see some return to service.

On his part, Bosun Tijani, minister of communications and digital economy, said the federal government has secured a $500 million loan for a local funding programme.

The minister said the initiative is aimed at boosting innovation and entrepreneurship within the country’s digital sector.

“We’ve got access to about half a billion dollars to start local funding,” he said.

Tijani said the government’s plan is to domicile local funding in Nigeria and ensure that it benefits true Nigerian businesses, adding that the ministry will be collaborating with the Bank of Industry (BoI).

He said by domiciling the funding locally, the government aims to foster the growth and development of homegrown enterprises, ultimately contributing to the country’s economic progress.

“We want to ensure that those businesses that will benefit are true, real Nigerian businesses,” the minister added.

“Part of my responsibilities is working with BOI to ensure that we domicile that funding locally in Nigeria, work with firms who manage and invest in businesses to ensure that those businesses that will benefit are true, real Nigerian businesses.

“What we are going to see is that the funding is available locally and in the coming months, it is going to become larger, and as these funds become larger, we want to leverage that money as well.

“So, the government is not just going to put half a billion and that’s it, it can actually bring more investors to heart as we have more money and more of our innovators can have access to resources.”

BIG STORY

President Tinubu Congratulates Dele Alake On 68th Birthday

Published

on

President Bola Tinubu congratulates the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, on his 68th birthday.

President Tinubu celebrates his long-time ally, buddy, brother and invaluable partner for his support throughout his political journey as Senator, Governor of Lagos State, Presidential candidate and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The President says he cherishes working closely and collaboratively with Alake in more than three decades.

The President thanks Alake for his candid counseling and unwavering support, which have provided invaluable guidance during challenging times in public office.

He notes that Alake’s staying power in the various roles he has handled in his lifetime has been rooted in his honesty, passion, tact, determination and exceptional public relations.

President Tinubu is confident that the Minister will continue to uphold his high standards of excellence in service to the nation.

He joins family, friends, and well-wishers in offering prayers for Alake’s continued success and well-being.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

Local Government Election Holds In Rivers Despite Police Absence [PHOTOS]

Published

on

The local government election in Rivers State is currently underway, notwithstanding the notable absence of police personnel to oversee the process.

Sources reveal that sensitive materials have been successfully distributed across various local government areas.

Governor Siminalayi Fubara remains resolute in his determination to conduct the election, despite escalating tensions within the state.

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

JUST IN: Explosion Rocks Rivers APC Secretariat As Local Government Poll Holds

Published

on

An explosion occurred at the Tony Okocha-led secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, located along Aba Road, Port Harcourt, on Saturday, October 5, 2024, during the local government election.

The explosion damaged the gate and doors of the secretariat, along with other property. According to Tony Okocha, Chairman of the APC faction in Rivers State, “About 3:20am some gun-trotting young men with their explosives and all that, came here and dropped the first explosive,” but when it did not detonate, “they came back the second time to burn the structure – look at the security house is gone.”

Okocha alleged that the attack was politically motivated, accusing Governor Siminalayi Fubara of responsibility. He stated, “It was deliberate to see how they can annihilate us, it is deliberate to see how they can embarrass us, it is deliberate to see how they can decimate us.”

Despite the incident, accreditation and voting have commenced in several polling centres around Port Harcourt City.

More to come…

Continue Reading



 

Join Us On Facebook

Most Popular