NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
NIMC inaugurates NIN authentication service
General News

NIMC inaugurates NIN authentication service

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Inauguration

By Stellamaris Ashinze

The Federal Government has approved the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) inauguration of the NIMC NIN Authentication (NNAuth) for secured and seamless identity verification and authentication.

This is contained in a statement in Lagos on Tuesday, by the Head, Cooperate Communications, NIMC, Dr Kayode Adegoke.

Adegoke said that similarly, the presidency had directed the use of NIN Authentication for verification and authentication across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

He explained that this was in line with the commission’s mandate of regulating a reliable national digital identity for citizens and legal residents to affirm their identity

According to him, the inauguration of the NIN Authentication (NINAuth), a cutting-edge suite of services that include web, API and mobile verification is designed to enhance data security, protect privacy, and simplify access to government services.

”This is part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on strengthening the national identity management system.

”The NIMC NINAuth application is the official service for integration with the commission’s back-end infrastructure.

”It introduces a robust layer of protection, empowering individuals with greater control over their personal information.”

He added that it required explicit consent before data is shared for Know Your Customer (KYC) processes or other verifications.

He said that the platform fosters trust, transparency, and user autonomy in digital identity management.

Adegoke also said that with the NINAuth, individuals could securely verify their identity and access key government services which include Sim registration, replacement, applications and passport processing

Others he said include tax filings and financial transactions, government Intervention Programmes in various MDAs, driver’s licence renewals and other regulatory processes.

The NIMC head of cooperate communications further said that the key features and benefits include enhanced Security, Protects personal data from unauthorised access, empowers individuals with the freedom to manage their data sharing preferences.

According to him, other key features and benefits include seamless access, provides a secure single sign on solution for convenient access to services.

He added that the innovation reaffirms NIMC’s commitment to advancing secured and efficient digital identity management, ensuring a more accessible, transparent, and secure identity verification system in Nigeria.

He said that the NINAuth application also provided a secured, scalable, and interoperable interface for identity verification through API integration.

According to him, it is designed to facilitate real-time authentication of NIN records, thereby promoting effective service delivery, database harmonisation, and compliance with the National Identity Policy.

He said that the NINAuth service had been designated as the exclusive platform for all NIN-based verification and authentication integration processes for optimal services.

”The implementation guide and process flow of the NIMC NIN Authentication are available at https://ninauth.nimc.gov.ng,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Deborah Coker

Tinubu to meet GenCos leadership over 4trn debt-Minister
Economy/Business

Tinubu to meet GenCos leadership over 4trn debt-Minister

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Debt

By Constance Athekame

The Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu on Sunday said that a meeting has been scheduled between President Bola Tinubu and the leadership of the  Power Generation Companies(GenCos) over a N4-trillion debt.

Mr Bolaji Tunji, Special Adviser, Strategic Communications and Media Relations  to the minister of power said this in a statement  in Abuja on Sunday.

According to Adelabu, the planned meeting with President Tinubu aims to chart a viable course for resolving the debt

Adelabu assured that the Federal Government would immediately pay a significant portion of the debt, while the balance would be settled using financial instruments such as promissory notes within six months.

“We recognise the urgency of this matter. The government is committed to resolving this debt to stabilise the sector and prevent further crisis,” Adelabu said.

Acknowledging the government’s own role in the sector’s challenges, Adelabu pledged not only to clear the debt backlog but also to implement structural reforms that would remove operational bottlenecks.

He emphasised the need for full liberalisation of the power sector and called for the adoption of cost-reflective tariffs.

“Citizens must pay the appropriate price for the energy consumed.

“The Federal Government will continue to provide targeted subsidies for economically disadvantaged Nigerians, but we must realise that our economy cannot sustain blanket subsidies indefinitely,” he said.

The minister also unveiled plans to review existing regulations to lower levies and enhance market stability.

He urged GenCos to partner with the government in raising public awareness on efficient electricity use and tariff realities.

The GenCos were led by retired Col. Sani Bello, Chairman of Mainstream Energy Solutions, and who is also the Chairman of Association of Power Generating Companies.

Bello warned that persistent liquidity challenges had left GenCos unable to service loans or maintain critical infrastructure.

“Without urgent intervention, the entire power ecosystem could collapse,” he said.

Mr Kola Adesina, Chairman of Egbin Power and First Independent Power Limited, described the situation as a national emergency.

He said that reliable power supply was fundamental to the survival of industries, homes, and health facilities.

Mrs Joy Ogaji, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Association of Power Generation Companies,  listed the systemic challenges undermining GenCos, including chronic payment defaults, erratic gas supply, and forex instability.

She lamented the steep depreciation of the naira—from ₦157/$1 in 2013 to ₦1,600/$1 in 2024. saying it had devastated GenCos’ ability to meet maintenance obligations and repay loans.

“GenCos have borne unsustainable risks from grid failures to unproductive taxes while remaining patriotic,” she said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa

Insecurity: Police deploys tactical commanders to trouble areas in Benue
Defence/Security

Insecurity: Police deploys tactical commanders to trouble areas in Benue

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Deployment

By Emmanuel Antswen

The Commissioner, Benue Police Command, Mr Emenari Ifeanyi  has ordered the deployment of all tactical commanders and DPOs to trouble areas in the State.

This was contained in a press statement on Saturday signed by the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Sewuese Anene and made available to newsmen in Makurdi.

The CP in the statement ordered the immediate deployment of tactical commanders and DPOs to troubled areas in Benue.

He further charged them to restrategise and confront security challenges bedeviling communities in the state.

He encouraged commanders to work with other quasi security outfits within their areas of responsibility and community policing to puts all hands on deck.

He reiterated zero tolerance on corruption and all forms of unprofessional conduct that can give the Nigeria Police Force a bad name and promised reward for police officers that are professional in carrying out their duties.

The CP declared his willingness to collaborate with all security agencies, quasi security agencies, traditional rulers,  community leaders and everyone who was interested in securing the state. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Tinubu returns home on Monday – Presidency
General News

Tinubu returns home on Monday – Presidency

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Return

By Salif Atojoko

President Bola Tinubu will return to the country on Monday after a two-week working visit to Europe.

Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President, Information and Strategy, said this on his X handle.

“President Bola Tinubu will return home today,” the spokesman said in a brief statement.

The President, who departed Nigeria on April 2 for Paris, France, held a high-level meeting with Mr Massad Boulos, the U.S. Department of State’s Senior Advisor for Africa.

The discussion focused on deepening bilateral cooperation to enhance regional security and sustainable economic development across Africa.

After his engagements in Paris, Tinubu proceeded to London over the weekend, where he continued consultations and maintained regular communication with senior government officials in Abuja. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Insecurity: Senate drafting law on state police, says  Bamidele
General News

Insecurity: Senate drafting law on state police, says  Bamidele

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Police
By Naomi Sharang

The Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, has disclosed that the National Assembly is in the process of developing legal frameworks for the creation of state police.

He said that the establishment of the state police will serve as part of measures to address insecurity in the country..

Bamidele made this known on Sunday in a statement in Abuja through his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs.

He also celebrated with Christians worldwide to mark Easter asking leaders across boards to shun divisive agenda and narratives that could compound the country’s challenges.

Bamidele urged Nigerians at large “to consciously reflect on the virtues of Jesus Christ; learn from His consecration and live His life of purpose rooted in the pursuit of justice love and redemption for humanity”.

” In spite of the animosity He suffered and opposition He faced, Jesus Christ consciously sought and secured freedom for the captives, peace for the troubled, comfort for the sorrowful, love for the dejected, justice for the oppressed and hope for those who are in despair.

“In Nigeria today, Christ’s example clearly presents us a glimpse of how we should live together.

“As compatriots and not competitors, collaborators and not combatants, comrades and not contenders in the task of building a viable and virile federation that will serve the interest of all.

“The recent killings in Benue and Plateau states outrightly negated the virtues of peace and love that Jesus Christ taught during His days.

“The recurrent utterances by some political and sectional figures also belied the values of courage, perseverance and tolerance He evidently lived for.

“No country develops as a result of one section rising up against another vice versa.

“The Authority of the National Assembly is in the process of developing legal frameworks for the establishment of state police as one of the measures to address insecurity in the country.

“We urge security agencies to work together as a team to track and apprehend all the masterminds and sponsors of terror attacks nationwide.

“We appeal to some political actors that always lash on the country’s challenges to push divisive narratives to learn from the example of Jesus Christ.

“Such actors are no longer playing opposition politics, but simply taking advantage of the country’s internal conditions in the pursuit of their own parochial political outcomes”.

He further said that Nigeria is our ultimate project and as a parliament, we are committed to the actualisation of this project.

“This is evident in all the legislative initiatives we are pushing since the birth of the 10th National Assembly. And our goal is to build a federation that will be noted for peace, progress and prosperity anywhere in the world.

“Regardless of their ethnicity, politics and religion, all actors should shun all forms of divisive utterance and join forces against the common foes of Nigeria and not to subvert our effort to build a strong and virile federation”.

NAN reports a State Police Bill, was sponsored by a former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu (PDP, Enugu).

The bill seeks to establish the Federal Police, State Police, National Police Service Commission, National Police Council, and State Police Service Commission for the states.

It was first introduced to the eighth Senate on June 12, 2018 but did not scale through. Ekweremadu was the chairman of the constitution review committee at the time.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Pope Francis fought for ‘just, peaceful, compassionate world’ – EU chief
General News

Pope Francis fought for ‘just, peaceful, compassionate world’ – EU chief

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Tribute

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Pope Francis would be remembered for his efforts to build “a more just, peaceful and compassionate world.”

“Today, the world mourns the passing of Pope Francis,” von der Leyen wrote on X, shortly after the Vatican announced the pontiff’s death at the age of 88.

“He inspired millions, far beyond the Catholic Church, with his humility and love so pure for the less fortunate,” she continued.

“My thoughts are with all who feel this profound loss.

“May they find solace in the idea that Pope Francis’ legacy will continue to guide us all toward a more just, peaceful and compassionate world.”

Roberta Metsola, president of the European Parliament, said Francis’ “contagious smile captured millions of people’s hearts across the globe.”

“‘The People’s Pope’ will be remembered for his love for life, hope for peace, compassion for equality & social justice.

“May he rest in peace,” Metsola wrote on X. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

(Edited by Emmanuel Yashim)

Pope Francis dies in Rome aged 88
Foreign

Pope Francis dies in Rome aged 88

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Pope

Pope Francis, spiritual leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, died on Monday aged 88, the Vatican announced.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell, camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, announced the death in a statement: “At 7:35 this morning (0535 GMT), the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father.”

Francis had recently suffered from pneumonia in both lungs and spent more than a month in the Gemelli Hospital in Rome.

It was his fourth longer stay in the hospital in the past four years.

He was initially there in 2021 for intestinal surgery, in 2023 for severe pneumonia and later that year for another open abdominal procedure.

Francis had been participating in public events from a wheelchair due to a severe knee condition and had to cancel many regular prayers, audiences and services in recent months.

In what turned out to be his last public appearance, Francis appeared briefly on the balcony in front of thousands gathered in St Peter’s Square on Sunday to deliver an Easter blessing.

In spite of his ill health, the pope completed a 12-day trip to Asia and the Pacific in the first half of September and a visit to Luxembourg and Belgium later the same month. (dpa/NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

(Edited by Emmanuel Yashim)

NDLEA intercepts cocaine hidden in Saudi-bound religious books
Defence/Security

NDLEA intercepts cocaine hidden in Saudi-bound religious books

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Cocaine

By Ibironke Ariyo

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted a shipment of cocaine concealed in twenty sets of religious books bound for Saudi Arabia.

According to the Director, Media and Advocacy at NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, said the cocaine consignment consisted of twenty parcels with a total weight of 500 grams buried in the pages of the religious books.

Femi made the statement on Sunday in Abuja.

He said the seizure occurred on Tuesday, April 15, when NDLEA officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) were searching through export cargos bound for Saudi Arabia at the logistics firm.

On the same day, NDLEA officers intercepted a separate shipment at another courier company: five parcels of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis, weighing 2.8 kilograms hidden in a carton coming from the United States of America.

In a related development, NDLEA operatives arrested 22-year-old Muhammad Mohammed, a supplier of illicit substances to bandits, in Kano, while on patrol along Bichi – Kano Road.

Babafemi said that the suspect was heading to Katsina, had 277 ampoules of pentazocine injection tied to his thigh and private part with sellotape.

“He was intercepted on Sunday, April 13, meanwhile another suspect, Mohammed Abdulaziz, 43, was arrested on the same day at Research Rimin Kebe area of Nasarawa, Kano with 68 blocks of skunk, a strain of cannabis, weighing 30kg,’’he said.

In a related development, NDLEA operatives raided two cannabis farms in Egbeta forest, Edo state, destroying 3,717.8625kg of the psychoactive plant on 1.487145 hectares and recovered 136.5kg of processed cannabis.

Similarly, at the Tincan seaport in Lagos, NDLEA arrested Kayode Basorun, 40, a suspect who has been at large for two years, in connection with the seizure of 107kg of Loud imported from Cannada in 2023.

Babafemi added that another suspect, Dauda Yakubu who distributed illicit drugs within the seaport community was arrested by a team of operatives on Monday, April 14. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Halima Sheji

2025 WASSCE: WAEC confirms readiness, goes tough against malpractice
Education

2025 WASSCE: WAEC confirms readiness, goes tough against malpractice

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Examination

By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC), Nigeria says it has put measures in place to prevent examination malpractice in the forthcoming West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) holding May/June 2025.

Dr Amos Dangut, Head of the Nigeria National Office of WAEC, at a news conference on Thursday said that
the council had introduced variations of papers for candidates.

“From this year, two candidates will not have same questions on each number. We have adopted this innovation for some of the WASSCE codes.

“Any candidate who chooses to write a paper other than the one assigned to him or her, will be doing himself/herself a disservice and will bear the attendant consequences,” he said.

Dangut said the council had also introduced its maiden Computer-Based CB-WASSCE for School Candidates, noting that the initiative was part of the paradigm shift in the education sector.

He, however, stressed that the CB-WASSCE was optional for now.

According to Dangut, candidates’ paper variations for the papers to be deployed for CB-WASSCE 2025 had been preprinted according to their registration details.

He said this was also geared towards combating the menace of examination malpractice.

“The CB-WASSCE 2025 is thrown open, so schools that are ready will be given the opportunity to choose between traditional pen and paper examinations or the newly introduced CB-WASSCE in the forthcoming WAEC.

“The adoption of these current test administration techniques is geared towards upholding the academic and moral integrity of the National Policy on Education and in line with the vision of the Federal Ministry of Education.

The WAEC boss, therefore, called on parents and guardians to encourage their wards to study diligently, while urging school principals and teachers to sensitise their students to desist from engaging in any form of examination malpractice.

“The various state ministries of education are also urged to call their principals, teachers and other officials serving as inspectors and/or supervisors to order.

“Every candidate and examination functionary should familiarise themselves with the rules guiding the conduct of the examination as stipulated in the WAEC Syllabus and Guidelines for the conduct of examinations, issued to schools.

“Erring schools whose candidates engage in mass cheating will be derecognised; erring officials will be adequately punished, while erring candidates will be sanctioned if found culpable.

Dangut assured that the council would continue to partner with the Nigeria Police Force through the Inspector General of Police and the various state  governments to provide adequate security for the smooth and hitch-free conduct of the examination.

“The Council will decisively deal with examination malpractice of any kind as approved by the Nigeria Examinations Committee (NEC), being the highest decision-making organ of the Council that sits on examination matters in Nigeria.

“The penalties for involvement in examination malpractice will always, without compromise, be meted out to erring candidates, supervisors, schools, amongst others.

“Candidates should visit waec.estudy.ng to access the portal. WAEC has made available, via its e-learning portal, resources that will equip candidates’ with the requirements and expectations needed to write and pass their examinations.

“Students’ performances in previous examinations are analysed with the aim of highlighting candidates’ weaknesses and proffering solutions to assist candidates’ learning.

“Candidates should visit https://WAEConline.org.ng to access the portal.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Christiana Fadare

Telecom: Consumers demand better services amidst tariff hike
General News , Science & Tech

Telecom: Consumers demand better services amidst tariff hike

273 total views today

By Jessica Dogo

Some telecommunication service consumers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have urged Mobile Network Operators to improve their services to match the recent hike in their tariffs.

They made the call in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.

The subscribers said in spite of the increase in subscription rates mobile networks could remain epileptic for hours.

In a publication dated February 6, 2024, the Executive Vice-chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr Aminu Maida, said that the commission would hold service providers accountable for poor service delivery.

Mr Ogah Paul, one of the subscribers said he had enough data on his network but could not access internet because of epileptic network.

He urged service providers to fix the problems surrounding the poor services.

“The only thing they know is to drain data without any good service delivery. I feel like crying because of a problematic network. I have been receiving server error since morning.

“To even download and watch a video sent to me takes me almost one whole day. “I wonder if members of staff of the service providers are enjoying the service they render to us.

“We cannot make calls, access the internet or even to receive calls,’’ he said.

According to him, unfortunately, the network providers put up some of the best adverts about their products and services which they cannot meet.

Mr Victor James, another subscriber said he had enough data but was not able to use it to his satisfaction.

“Why does their data plan not reflect immediately you buy data? Sometime it takes as much as 24 hours to reflect.

“I am really tired of this. The network is really bad. I have enough data but I cannot use it the way I want.

“I hope the issues get resolved as soon as possible so that I can access my data without further delay,” he said.

However, Ms Josephine Tanko, told NAN that she had not problems with her network providers.

“It is fast and reliable. I think it is the network that gives the best internet speed and quality.

“It will always be my best that is why I will always choose it over any other network,” she said.

She called on networks that did not meet their subscribers expectations to ensure that they improved on their services. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Nkiru Ifeajuna/Uche Anunne

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