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CGI advocates single national data ecosystem

The Comptroller General of Immigration, Isah Jere Idris has called for robust synergy and collaboration among data harvesting agencies in the country to achieve single data architecture for enhanced national development.

He made the call on Monday at the Service Headquarters while receiving the management team of the Digital Identification for Development (DID4D) Project on courtesy visit.

The Comptroller General stressed the key role of effective data collection, collation, processing and management in national security and planning.
He said: ‘We live at a time where data has become a huge asset for national strength and indeed competing seriously to overtake oil as a major global resource; and so there is an urgent need for us to come together to better manage our national data.
“We can no longer continue to have our data idling away in silos of different agencies. The time for harmonization is now’, he added.
The Comptroller General further noted that the Service as a critical player in the nation’s data ecosystem has since 2019 demonstrated strong commitment to achieving a harmonized national data architecture with the introduction of the enhanced ePassport which makes the provision of the National Identity Number (NIN) by applicants compulsory to procure the document.
He also noted that the Service has continued to invest in data harvesting and processing systems and devices at its various windows including Border Crossing Points to ensuring robust database.
He assured that the Service shall be willing and available to collaborate with relevant agencies to fully achieve national data harmonization for improved national planning and development.
Earlier, the Project Coordinator of DID4D, Mr. Solomon Musa Odole had informed that his team was at the Service Headquarters to seek partnership and collaboration on the digital identification project.
He noted the readiness of his team to engage in meaningful discussions and synergy with the Service for the purpose of achieving the Federal Government’s desire to develop and strengthen the existing identification ecosystem aimed at increasing the number of persons with National Identification.
This he stressed is with a view to facilitating citizens’ access to key services, improve service delivery and bolster Nigeria’s digital economy.
He further stated that frantic efforts are being made including a National Policy Dialogue with critical stakeholders towards the enactment of a National Data Protection and Privacy Law or review of existing laws to ensure that appropriate institutional frameworks are in place to drive the nation’s digital economy project.
The DID4D is a Nigerian Project, jointly funded by the World Bank, European Investment Bank and the French Development Agency with the main objective to increase the number of persons with a National Identification Number (NIN) issued by a robust and inclusive foundational identity system.
The Project Coordinator was accompanied on the courtesy visit by other team members including Dr. Walter Duru, Manager Internal Communications, Bamidele Akinola, Project Accountant and Mouktar Adamu, Manager External Communications among others.

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BREAKING: Constituents defy ban, troop out to receive Senator Natasha [Pictorials]

Against government ban on rallies and organised reception under whatever guise by Kogi State Government, constituents of the Central Senatorial District troop3d out enmasse to receive Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Tuesday in Okene.

According to the pictorials released by the Media office of Senator Natasha, creme-de-la creme could be seen waiting in a scorching sun, not minding the effect.

The massive turn out followed assurance from Senator Natasha ‘s media team that the lawmaker has arrived from overseas and would make it to Okene on Tuesday for Sallah celebrations with her constituents.
A statement obtained by CAPITAL POST in Lokoja on Tuesday, pointed out that the purported ban on rallies and the cancellation of the visit were mere rumours, hence, the embattled lawmaker would pay a visit her constituents.
Part of the statement read: “We are pleased to confirm that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Sallah visit to Kogi Central senatorial district will proceed as planned.
“Despite rumours circulating online, there has been no official announcement from our office regarding the cancellation of this visit.
“As the senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan remains committed to engaging with her community and fostering a spirit of unity and cooperation.
“Her dedication to the people of Kogi Central is unwavering, and she looks forward to celebrating Eid-el-Fitr with her constituents.
“We would like to assure the public that all necessary arrangements are in place to ensure a successful and joyous event. We invite all members of the community to join us in marking this special occasion.”
On Monday, CAPITAL POST reported that Kogi State Government issued a statement which was signed bybthe Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo asserting security concerns, hence, the proposed homecoming of Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District should be put off.
He stressed that there security breaches in parts of Kohi West Senatorial District, thus the security was so volatile that Government cannot guarantee peace for now and abused that the proposed reception at Okene should be cancelled.
Also, Kogi State Police Command earlier on Tuesday issued a statement banning any rally within the State, stating that intelligence reports available to it indicated that crisis may spur.
The statement which was signed by Police Public Relation Officer, SP William Ovye Aya and made available to CAPITAL POST, stressed that intelligence reports was indicative of peace and the rally which was organised by Natasha’s constituents should be cancelled.
The statement said: “Following the intelligence report on security threats in Kogi State and the subsequent ban on all forms of Rally and procession by the Kogi State Government, the Nigeria Police Force, Kogi State Police Command has called on the organisers of planned rally at Okene to cancel such event in the interest of the peace in Kogi State.
“The call for cancellation becomes necessary, noting that intelligence reveals that some hoodlums plan to hijack the process and cause disturbance of peace in the State. The Command cannot afford to jeopardize the existing peace the State is currently enjoying.
“In view of the security threat received on the planned rally, the Kogi State Police Command is therefore advising the organisers to cancel the event so as to avoid any breakdown of law and order in the State. As the Command will not hesitate to apply the full wrath of law on any one who causes disturbance of peace and order in the State.”
Constituents trooped out displaying placards demanding justice for Senator Natasha.
It was recalled that Natasha was suspended from the Senate for six months over breach of Senate Standing Orders.
The lawmaker also alleged that the Senate President, Godswill Obot Akpabio was harassing her sexually.

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Yemen hits Ben Gurion Airport with ballistic missiles

TEHRAN, Mar. 30 (MNA) – The Yemeni Armed Forces Spokesman Yahya Saree said that Yemeni forces successfully hit the Israeli Ben Gurion Airport with ballistic missiles on Sunday.

Saree said that the Yemeni Armed Forces struck the Israeli Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv using Zolfaqar missiles.

“By carrying out this operation, we proved that the US has failed to prevent Yemen from supporting the oppressed Palestinian people,” he stressed.
“American airstrikes do not prevent us from fulfilling our religious, moral, and human duties.”
“With the help of God Almighty, we will continue the anti-Zionist operations until the aggression and siege against the Gaza Strip stop.”
Yemenis have declared their open support for Palestine’s struggle against the Israeli occupation since the regime launched a devastating war on Gaza on October 7 after the territory’s Palestinian Resistance movements carried out a surprise retaliatory attack, dubbed Operation Al-Aqsa Storm, against the occupying entity.

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Police calls for cancellation of Okene rally over security concerns

Kogi State Police Command has called for cancellation of rally organized by the Constituents of the Central Senatorial District to host Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

In a statement sent to CAPITAL POST in Lokoja on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP William Ovye Aya, said it became operative for the scheduled to be put off, citing security threats.

The statement said: “Following the intelligence report on security threats in Kogi State and the subsequent ban on all forms of Rally and procession by the Kogi State Government, the Nigeria Police Force, Kogi State Police Command has called on the organisers of planned rally at Okene to cancel such event in the interest of the peace in Kogi State.
“The call for cancellation becomes necessary, noting that intelligence reveals that some hoodlums plan to hijack the process and cause disturbance of peace in the State. The Command cannot afford to jeopardize the existing peace the State is currently enjoying.
“In view of the security threat received on the planned rally, the Kogi State Police Command is therefore advising the organisers to cancel the event so as to avoid any breakdown of law and order in the State. As the Command will not hesitate to apply the full wrath of law on any one who causes disturbance of peace and order in the State.”

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