News

SIM Card Registration: Operators Appeal For Extension Of Deadline

Published

13 years ago

July 1, 2013

The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has appealed to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to extend the deadline of the ongoing SIM card registration exercise which officially ended yesterday.
The Chairman of ALTON, Mr Gbenga Adebayo, made the plea in a letter to the NCC, a copy of which was made available to newsmen yesterday in Lagos.
Adebayo said that the operators, however, acknowledged the fact that the SIM card registration exercise had been ongoing for sometime.
He said that subscribers had embraced the exercise more in the last few weeks because of the June 30 deadline.
According to him, there is the need to extend the deadline in the light of the security situation in the country.
Adebayo also talked about the general logistic problems confronting subscribers, registration agents and ALTON members in meeting the June 30, 2013 deadline.
“We appreciate the effort of the commission on this process and the attendant public awareness campaign over the past few weeks.
“We believe that the exercise will be more successful if an extension of time is considered,’’ he said.
The ALTON chairman requested for a three-month extension of the SIM card registration exercise for its overall success.
Our correspondent recalls that the SIM card registration exercise was flagged-off in Lagos on March 28, 2011 and was scheduled to end on Sept. 28, 2011, after a period of six months.
The NCC had since then been engaged in the harmonisation and collation of the results of the exercise.
In May 2013, the NCC announced June 30 as the deadline for the exercise and urged all subscribers, who wereyet to register their SIM cards to do so before the deadline.
The Public Affairs Director of NCC, Mr Tony Ojobo, said that the commission would ban all unregistered SIM cards from the networks of the telecoms service providers.
Meanwhile, Scores of Abuja subscribers last Saturday trooped into MTN, Globacom and Etisalat offices, to register their Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) cards ahead of the June 30 deadline.
Our correspondent recalls that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) recently announced that subscribers who failed to meet the SIM cards registration deadline would be disconnected.
It listed such cards to include those used on telephone, data-enabled devices such as Fastlink Internet, iPads, laptops, Point of Sale terminals, Automatic Teller Machines and car-tracking devices.
Our correspondent who visited the MTN headquarters in Abuja, reports that it was a beehive of activities as subscribers were seen eagerly waiting to be registered.
An official who pleaded anonymity said that the idea was not about being disconnected, but compliance to the NCC regulation law.
He said the turnout showed that Nigerians valued the benefit of communication, adding that compliance was encouraging.
“ The issue is not about being disconnected from service providers, it has to do with NCC regulation of registering all lines, and the penalty is that after the deadline, calls from unregistered SIMs will not go.
“Our offices in all parts of the country will be opened till yesterday, to enable all those willing to get registered have the opportunity to do so.
“In Abuja, we are having a carnival-like event and road shows to bring registration closer to everyone.”
Also, at the Globacom Office in Wuse, a registration officer, Yinka Adu, told newsmen that registration in recent weeks had increased compared to the past.
She said this also showed the attitude of Nigerians not taking things seriously until the last minute.
“We have had to register more SIMs this week compared to the past few months; you see, people rush here out of their supposed busy schedules, because they do not want their lines disconnected,” Adu said.
At the Etisalat office in Wuse, Abuja, a registration officer, who spoke to newsmen on condition of anonymity, said that most of its subscribers had been registered,
“I can confidently say that most of our customers are registered; the people you are seeing here are those who came to update their information.
“At least, 95 per cent of our subscribers have so far been registered.”
One of the subscribers on the queue, Adamu Waziri, said his service provider kept sending him messages to register his SIM, at an interval of five minutes.
“I received the message that my SIM was not registered a couple of weeks ago but I ignored it.
“ I later took the message seriously and created time out of my busy schedule just to meet up with the deadline,” Waziri said.
Another subscriber, Ngozi Nwaora, said she had registered her SIM last year, but got messages that she had not registered.
“I registered in June last year, at one of the registration points in Garki Market; I am here today to fulfil all righteousness.
“I don’t want to lose this line, I am a business woman; most of my clients have this number, “ Nwaora said.
NCC officially launched SIM card registration on March 28, 2011, to facilitate the collation of data by the commission on phone usage in Nigeria.

News

Cleric Predicts Breakthrough, Warns of Political and Security Challenges in 2026

Published

5 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Founder and Senior Pastor of Liberty Hour Ministry, Port Harcourt, Apostle Chikadibia John Wodo, has expressed optimism that 2026 will usher in uncommon breakthroughs and good fortune for Nigeria, particularly in the areas of political, economic, and spiritual development, with Rivers State playing a key role.

Apostle Wodo made this declaration in his special New Year message, where he stated that individuals and forces standing as obstacles to the manifestation of God’s will in the new year would face bitter consequences. He cautioned that corrupt political leaders risk backlash from the very people they govern if they fail to change their ways.

The cleric warned against the escalation of political tension in Rivers State and called on residents and religious leaders to intensify prayers for lasting peace. He also urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara to remain resolute in leadership, reminding him to uphold his vows to God by continually seeking divine guidance in decision-making and governance amid evolving challenges.

Assessing the broader national situation, Apostle Wodo called on Nigerian leaders to repent and govern with a heightened sense of responsibility, noting that the cries and supplications of the masses have drawn divine attention. He further warned of alleged plots to disrupt a smooth democratic transition in 2027 and appealed for prayers to avert such an agenda.

According to him, Nigerians are yearning for genuine socio-economic transformation and freedom from political oppression. He challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to redeem its credibility by ensuring free, fair, and credible elections devoid of undue political interference.

The cleric also predicted that insecurity could worsen in the coming year and warned of the possible emergence of a strange ailment, stressing that Nigeria’s political challenges can only be resolved through equity, fairness, and justice, especially in the treatment of minorities, the vulnerable, and the disadvantaged.

Apostle Wodo further claimed that some clerics and General Overseers have compromised their faith and incurred divine displeasure, calling for sincere repentance to restore their relationship with God. He also advised early preparedness to mitigate natural disasters such as fire outbreaks and flooding, particularly in rural communities.

He concluded by urging Nigerians to remain prayerful, vigilant, and united as the nation navigates the opportunities and challenges of 2026.

News

Ado Royal Family Disowns Alleged Installation of Amanyanabo of Okrika

Published

5 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Ado Royal Family of Okrika has firmly disassociated itself from the alleged self-enthronement of Hon. Godknows Tam George as the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head, describing the action as unlawful, illegitimate, and a threat to the peace of the ancient kingdom.

The family, which described itself as the sole legitimate custodian of the history, traditions, and stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika, stated that it has not installed any king and has not commenced the formal process for such installation.

This position was contained in a statement jointly signed by Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan (Ogan Ado Royal House), Alabo Engr. Henry Semenitari Abam (Abam Ado Royal House), and Alabo Prince Oriyeorikabo Fibika (Fibika Ado Royal House). The statement was presented to journalists on Friday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.

According to the statement, the purported action by Hon. Tam George amounts to “a blatant assault on the collective integrity of the Okrika people” and constitutes “a criminal act of impersonation with the potential to destabilize the peace and socio-political fabric of our ancient kingdom.”

The family stressed that Hon. Tam George was never presented as a candidate by the Ado Royal Family and did not undergo any of the mandatory rites, consultations, or confirmations required by Okrika customs.

“The Ado Royal Family has never presented him as a candidate, nor has he undergone any of the prerequisite rites, consultations, or confirmations. His actions are those of a lone interloper, operating in a vacuum of legitimacy,” the statement read.

It further emphasized that the stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head is a sacred institution rooted in centuries-old traditions and spiritual heritage, not something to be claimed through academic qualifications, political ambition, or personal interest.

Speaking during the briefing, Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan reiterated that the process of crowning an Amanyanabo is clearly defined and has not yet begun.

“To crown a king, there is a process, and those processes have not taken place,” he said. “We are the chiefs; we are the ones that will be part of the selection. Honestly, we have not started the selection process; we have only begun discussions.”

He explained that during the proper selection process, chiefs supervise nominations from each constituent house, with each house expected to nominate two or three candidates—steps which, he noted, have not been carried out.

“I want to assure the public that none of the Ado family chiefs has given Hon. Tam George any sign of approval,” Prof. Fyneface-Ogan added.

Efforts to obtain the reaction of Hon. Godknows Tam George proved unsuccessful. Repeated attempts through phone calls, text messages, and WhatsApp messages were unsuccessful, as he did not respond as of the time of filing this report.

By: Tonye Orabere

News

PH Traders Laud RSG’s Fire Safety Sensitisation Campaign

Published

5 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

Traders in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, have commended the Rivers State Government (RSG) for its ongoing fire emergency and safety sensitisation campaign across major markets in the state.

Speaking on behalf of traders at Nowa Market, Borikiri Old Port Harcourt Township, the market chairman, Mr. Innocent Chukwuma, praised Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara for initiating the awareness programme in designated markets and public places.

Chukwuma described the exercise as timely and impactful, noting that it was the first time the Rivers State Government had carried out such a campaign in Nowa Market. According to him, the sensitisation would educate traders on fire emergencies and the necessary precautions to prevent outbreaks.

He urged traders to strictly apply the safety measures taught during the campaign, both during business hours and after closing their shops.

“I want to thank the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Ministry of Special Duties for coming to our aid, especially during this dry season,” Chukwuma said.

“This is the first time we are seeing government presence in our market in this manner. We lack words to thank our God-sent governor, particularly for providing us with fire extinguishers and other firefighting equipment.

“We will do exactly what we have been taught today to ensure there is no fire incident in our market. We will always switch off all electrical appliances before closing for the day,” he added.

Similarly, the Chairman of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, Mr. Gift Nkesi Benjamin, applauded the state government for the distribution of fire extinguishers and other fire safety equipment.

“We will adhere strictly to the safety guidelines and instructions given to us today to ensure there is no fire outbreak in our market,” Benjamin stated.

“On behalf of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, I sincerely thank the Rivers State Government and the Ministry of Special Duties for bringing this important campaign to our market.”

At Rumuwoji Market (popularly known as Mile 1 Market), the Chairman, Chief Hon. Godpower O. Wobo, also expressed gratitude to the state government for the sensitisation exercise. He assured that traders would comply fully with government directives to prevent future fire incidents.

Responding on behalf of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Special Duties, Mr. Sokari D. P. George, thanked the traders for their cooperation and warm reception.

He emphasised that safety remains paramount, especially during the dry season, and urged traders to be cautious in their daily activities.

Mr. George disclosed that the theme of the 2025 fire safety campaign is “Controlled Fire Is a Friend, Uncontrolled Fire Is an Enemy.”

He cautioned against refuse and bush burning around buildings and warned traders not to store fuel in unauthorized places such as homes, offices, markets, or public buildings.

“Follow all fire safety guidelines and instructions,” he urged.

The permanent secretary also noted that Governor Fubara prefers a zero-fireworks approach during festive periods to ensure public safety, stressing that the government has invested heavily in markets and expects traders to take responsibility for protecting them.

By: Kiadum Edookor