News

FG Invests N30bn On National ID Scheme

Published

14 years ago

November 14, 2011

The Federal Government has approved N30.066 billion for a new national identity management system, Director-General, National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Mr. Chris Onyemenam, has said.

Onyemenam disclosed this at an interview with newsmen, yesterday in Abuja.

“What government approved is N30.066 billion and the approval is intended to accelerate the rollout of the backend of the national identity management system.

“About five billion naira of that amount is already part of the 2011 appropriation act.”

Onyemenam said the remaining part of the money would be part of the 2012 and 2013 fiscal year budget proposal.

This, he said, would be subject to review, adding that it was a laudable project that would go a long way to sanitise the identification system.

He added that government’s approval of fund could be well taken to mean an interest in helping to implement a project that had transformational potential.

“President Goodluck Jonathan’s position as you know is transformation of the national economy for the citizenry both in terms of attitudinal disposition, employment creation, creation of economic opportunities and also creation of conducive environment,” he said.

Explaining the new strategies of the commission, he said that the new cards to be issued would have facilities that could be verifiable unlike the former one that had no verification facility.

He added that the expected identity card would be like a smart card with a database that would be readable when slotted into any card acceptable device or reader.

“We are saying that this is a new way of confirming the identity of individuals that has not happened in the past.

“It is in this sense that we are saying there’s a shift away from the old way of doing things to the new way of doing things.

“The new way of doing things is the new paradigm and that is what we mean when we say we are moving from a focus on identity card issuance to identity management system.”

Onyemenam assured of the commission’s commitment to ensuring effective identity management system in the country.

In a related development, the NIMC has said that it would complete the National Identity Management system by 2013.

The NIMC boss who made this known on Sunday in Abuja said that the system was designed in such a way that all government and non-governmental organisations with intention of building mini identification systems would tap into.

He said that the cards as well as the database would be designed such that updates could be made as required by government agencies desirous of taking advantage of the system.

Onyemenam said that it had become pertinent that all government databases spoke the same language and that was why the harmonisation of all identities became necessary.

“That is why we have a three-year plan period that by December 2013, we would have completed the harmonisation and integration process.

“We would make sure that all existing government databases speak the same language. As we say in our popular comments – we should all be singing from the same page of the hymn book.

“If this had been in place, it would then become unnecessary for most government establishments to begin to try to build their own mini databases, verification infrastructure, identity card and so on and so forth.”

Onyemenam decried what he termed the proliferation of identity management platforms, stressing that it was because the emphasis had always been on card issuance, rather than identity management.

he director-general said that after the harmonization of identity management, it would become easy for a bank teller or anybody to know the identity of the person before him or her and assist in minimising the risk of identity theft.

He said that it would be possible to authenticate and verify a person’s identity as the database would be web-based and if the person already had his entry in the database; it would be easy to authenticate.

Onyemenam added that information on the card was digitally and electronically stored and as such one could assert his identity wherever he went and in any transactional relationship.

“It’s digitally electronically stored and this is a simple business rule that will be extended across other agencies and private institutions as well.

He said that what was in use in the past was a 2-D barcode that did not have extensive application because it was not intended to.

He stressed that the commission would have a database that could be exploited either through web services or through the use of the card.

“The card which has a chip on it has provision for other government agencies to upload their data.

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

5 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.

This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”

She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.

As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.

A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.

Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.

The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.

By John Bibor

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

5 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.

On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.

Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.

It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.

The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.

Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.

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News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

5 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.

The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.

According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.

The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.

It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.

The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.

Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.