News
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.
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio has commended Senator Basheer Lado, for redefining the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, stating that, for the first time in a long while, the office is fully meeting its expectations.
Speaking during his visit to the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters accompanied by distinguished senators, Akpabio described the visit as a significant step in strengthening Executive-Legislative relations.
He praised the Special Adviser and his team for maintaining the confidentiality of communications between the President and Senate, and also, ensuring a seamless flow of information. He further emphasized that the office is now more result-oriented.
Additionally, he acknowledged the office’s diligent efforts in tracking all Bills passed by the Senate and assented to by the President, underscoring its critical role in legislative efficiency.
Expressing his satisfaction, Akpabio noted that he and the Senate delegation were proud of the office’s achievements and looked forward to sustaining the existing cordial and productive relationship between the Executive and the Legislature throughout the administration.
In recognition of his exemplary leadership, Senator Lado presented an Award of Excellence to Senator Akpabio.
In his remarks, Senator Lado reaffirmed his commitment to fostering a harmonious working relationship between the Executive and the Legislature. He lauded Akpabio for his unwavering dedication to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda—defending it with clarity, articulating it with passion, and advancing it through legislative action.
Ahead of the 2025 political party Congresses, Plateau State Chapter of the Labour Party (LP) stakeholders has endorsed the defection of the candidate of the party in the 2023 general elections and the leader of Justice and Rebirth, Barr Gyang Zi SAN, to the All Progressive Congress (APC) with the view to key into the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
They made the call in a communique issued at the end of the enlarge meeting of the stakeholders from Plateau North senatorial zone at the residence of Barr. Gyang Zi in Rayfield Jos.
The communique which was jointly signed by Dr. Ayiki Sati Director General, Justice and Rebirth and
Barr. Samuel Galadima- 2024 Chairmanship candidate of Jos East LGA among others said the call became imperative on the sideline of the leadership tussle at the National Level which violates the core principles and values for the formation of the Party as an alternative for Nigeria for the protection, sustenance of democracy and Social Justice.
They regretted that the leadership tussle has also divided the party into factions leaving party loyalists and supporters in the state of despondency and confusion not knowing where they belong.
Our correspondent reports that the gathering included LP candidates from the 2023/2024 general elections, party executives, and support groups from the six local government areas of the Northern Senatorial District.
Besides, the focus of the discussions was centered on the state of the Labour Party at both national and state levels and the need for political realignment ahead of the 2025 party congresses and conventions.
The stakeholders further frowned at the structural weaknesses in LP and resolved to advise Barr Gyang Zi, to leave the party and join the APC while expressing confidence that the APC would provide him with a platform to advance good governance in the state .
The communique also emphasized the importance of political consultations, particularly with APC leaders at both state and national levels. It called for collaboration with Plateau State APC leaders, including Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, Sen. Simon Bako Lalong, Sen. Diket Plang, and other party officials.
According to the communique, supporters of Barr Gyang Zi also pledged to mobilize grassroots support for the APC, stating that their leader’s defection would strengthen the party in the state.
They urged the APC leadership to formally receive Gyang Zi and his supporters into the party, marking their official transition from the Labour Party.
Stakeholders also reiterated the need for inclusive governance, ensuring that youths, women, and less privileged individuals are sidelined in the democratic process and accordingly officially denounced their membership in the Labour Party, declaring their support for the APC.
They assured that all LP structures aligned with Gyang Zi would follow suit, shifting their loyalty to the ruling party in the state and at the National level.
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has extended his heartfelt felicitation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on the occasion of his 73rd birthday.
Governor Ododo in statement signed by his special adviser on media, Ismaila Isah described President Tinubu as a statesman whose leadership and dedication to national development continue to inspire hope and progress across Nigeria.
He commended the President’s unwavering commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda, which is driving economic reforms, strengthening national unity, and advancing the nation’s democratic values.
“On behalf of the government and people of Kogi State, I celebrate Mr President and our father on this special day. Your resilience, visionary leadership, and patriotism have laid a strong foundation for Nigeria’s growth. We deeply appreciate your tireless efforts in repositioning our country for sustainable development,” Governor Ododo stated.
He further reaffirmed his support for President Tinubu’s administration and prayed for continued wisdom, strength, and good health for the President as he leads Nigeria toward greater prosperity, sustainable development, peace and stability.
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