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Censors Board, NDE chiefs distribute food items to security personnel amid COVID-19 lockdown
The Director-General of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) Alhaji Adedayo Thomas and National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Dr Nasiru Ladan, on Tuesday distributed food items to security operatives in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). adsbygoogle || []).push({}); com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js">
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two chief executives distributed the items as `‘relief package’’ to security formations enforcing the stay-at-home order in the fight against Coronavirus(COVID-19).
Items donated by the duo included bags of rice and semovita, as well as gallons of vegetable oil and other food items.
They started with distribution of the items to rank and file personnel at the Nigerian Police Force Headquarters, and then proceeded to the FCT Police Command and the Divisional Police Headquarters in Wuse Zone 3.
They thereafter extended the humanitarian gesture to major security check-points in the FCT, where police officers, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps officers and the officers of FRSC received the food items.
Thomas, NFVCB boss, told NAN on the sideline that the initiative was not on behalf of their respective organisations, but was in their individual capacities as concerned and patriotic citizens of Nigeria.
He explained that the gesture was a stimulus package to complement the collective efforts of government at all levels.
“This stay-at-home order is working because the police and other security operatives are working hard to enforce it.
“The government is spending so much in containing this Coronavirus, our medical experts are working very hard and our security officers are out there on the street maintaining peace and order.
“However, people are doing charity at various levels but these officers who are in the sun and working day and night seem to be forgotten.
“So, myself and the DG of NDE decided to put our remuneration for one month together and buy these food items for these men, who are on the streets maintaining law and order,” he said.
Ladan, the NDE boss, also told NAN that “We are all very much aware of the COVID-19 pandemic and its challenges to us as a nation.
“That is why my good friend and I have decided to put our salaries together, so that we can assist the security agencies that we believe are always on active line of duty.
“Our target is 500, but for now we have started with 200 policemen, from the Force Headquarters to the FCT Command and then the Divisional Police Headquarters in Wuse Zone 3.
“As citizens, we are complementing what the Federal Government is doing in our own way, as we fight this COVID-19 pandemic and we believe it will serve as a morale boaster for our security men.”
CSP Joseph Mamman, DPO Divisional Police Headquarters, Wuse Zone 3, who received the items on behalf of his personnel, expressed delight for the donation from Ladan and Thomas.(NAN)
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- Prince Abdulrahman Obaje is a Media, Information and Computer Technology Consultant. A quintessential Journalist, online marketer, social media strategist, Mathematician and Computer Scientist is based in Abuja, Nigeria. He is the Founder and the Publisher of The Informavores!. You can reach me on +234 805 939 5252 or send i-witness report directly to me on news@informavores.com.ng.
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I will not be intimidated by any military – Wike
By Wumi Tewogbade (rtd), Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT)Minister Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday, said he will not be intimidated or blackmailed by any military personnel from doing his job.
Wike stated this when he went on an unscheduled visit on a plot of land that was allegedly being illegally developed in Gaduwa, Abuja.
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According to the Minister, he had earlier instructed the Director Development Control, Muktir Galadima, to go and demolish an alleged illegal development ongoing in plot 1946, Gaduwa district, Abuja, owned by the former Chief of Naval staff, Vice Admiral Awaul Zubairu Gambo.
But when the staff of Development control got to the property to effect the directive of the FCT Minister, they were forcefully driven out of the property by security acting on the former Chief of Naval staff, directives.
So the Director of Development control went to report back to the FCT Minister, who immediately came to see what was going on.
Wike while speaking to journalists said, “You are aware that the land departments and the development control have been mandated to see where the illegal development is going on and land grabbing. And when this was brought to my attention, I did instruct them to make sure that nothing takes place in as much as they did not have any legal paper in terms of regional approval or even the acquisition of the land. And when they came here, I was informed that the soldiers of the former Naval Chief, chase them away and I thought probably they would be acting illegally.
“And so today while I was in the office, while they came to implement the directive that was given to them by myself, I was called that the military have taken over the place and I have to come by myself to see things for myself. It’s really unfortunate. And you heard what the officers said, he was sent by the former chief of Naval Staff”.
The FCT Minister noted that the Naval Chief, should have approached him for discussion instead of taking law into his hands, “And I don’t understand how somebody who attained that position and he said that he has a problem cannot approach my office to say, look, this is what is going on, this is what is going on. But simply because he’s a military man, he could use that to intimidate Nigerians. I’m not one of those kind of persons that will succumb to blackmail or intimidation”.
He said there is no documents to prove, the Former Chief of Naval staff is actually the owner of the property in question.
“And where are the documents. And the Director of Development Control said, look, I was here. I said bring the documents, you don’t have the documents.
“Bring the approval for building, you don’t have it. And how can we continue to allow lawlessness to prevail in this country? What about those who don’t have the military? What about those who don’t have security? It has gotten to a level where when government officials are doing, carrying out their job, you go and bring security to intimidate them. And this government official, I will not accept that”.
He said, “I’ve spoken to the Chief of Defence Staff and I’ve spoken to the Chief of Naval Staff and they have assured me that, please, they have to resolve the matter. And we’re not coming here to have a shootout with anybody to cause chaos and all. But what I can say, I would not allow it to happen.
“The way we have done and carried out our jobs in other areas is the same way it will be done here. We will not allow this illegal development, simply because he was a former Chief of Naval Staff. I would not allow that”.
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Digital Economy and eGovernance: Stakeholders Endorse Bill, Demand Institutional Role Definition
By AbdulRahman Obaje
Stakeholders across Nigeria’s digital and technology ecosystem have expressed support for the proposed National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill 2025, describing it as a vital step toward establishing a comprehensive legal framework that will strengthen digital governance, boost innovation, and accelerate socio-economic development.
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However, they urged the National Assembly to address potential overlaps between the proposed law and the mandates of existing agencies to prevent institutional conflict and regulatory burden.
The submissions were made on Monday during a Public Hearing convened by the Joint Committees of the Senate and House of Representatives on ICT, Cybersecurity, Digital and Information Technology at the National Assembly, Abuja.
Among groups that presented their position was the Network of Advocates for Digital Reporting (NADIR), which commended the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, and federal lawmakers for the initiative.
Presenting NADIR’s memorandum, its Legal Adviser, Barrister Yunus AbdulSalam (SAN), said the Bill represents a significant legislative intervention aimed at modernizing Nigeria’s digital governance ecosystem and regulating emerging technologies. He, however, cautioned that certain provisions appear to replicate functions already assigned to agencies such as NITDA, NCC, and NDPC.
Such duplication, he warned, could “trigger constitutional and institutional disputes, raise compliance costs, and discourage private sector participation and investment.”
He recommended that the National Assembly adopt a “consolidation and amendment approach,” extracting the Bill’s innovative elements and integrating them into the existing Act, rather than creating new regulatory overlaps.
Responding, Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, said the Bill would enhance Nigeria’s digital competitiveness, strengthen e-governance service delivery, improve transparency, and boost the ease of doing business, particularly in the ICT sector.
He noted that the digital economy currently contributes about 20 percent of Nigeria’s GDP, adding that the passage of the Bill would unlock greater opportunities for job creation, innovation, and revenue growth.
Also speaking, Chairman of the House Committee on Digital and Information Technology, Honourable Adedeji Stanley Olajide, said the engagement reflects Nigeria’s commitment to building a transparent and innovation-driven governance structure. He emphasized that collaboration among lawmakers, regulators, and industry players marked “a new phase in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey.”
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, lauded the National Assembly for advancing the Bill and assured that stakeholder concerns would be considered to guarantee a balanced outcome. He said the proposed framework seeks to enable seamless data sharing across government institutions and foster stronger synergy with the private sector.
He also highlighted the Bill’s provisions on Artificial Intelligence (AI), describing AI as a strategic tool that could enhance Nigeria’s productivity and global digital competitiveness.
Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, stressed that Nigeria must adopt a modern digital legal framework to benefit from ongoing global technological shifts. He cited the application of AI in agriculture for real-time access to data on best practices, weather patterns, and input quality as an example of the potential impact on food security.
Stakeholders present at the hearing included the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Galaxy Backbone, Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), the Nigerian Computer Society (NCS), the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, and the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), among others.
Declaring the hearing open, the Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Oyelola Ashiru, who represented Senate President Godswill Akpabio, described the Bill as a bold step toward aligning Nigeria’s governance and economic policies with global digital realities.
The Bill, if passed into law, is expected to play a transformational role in Nigeria’s digital economy comparable to the telecommunications liberalization policy of 2001.
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Igala Nation Backs Ododo/Tinubu 8 Years Mandate
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Comrade Joel Salifu Oyibo, has reaffirmed the unity and firm support of the Igala nation for the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, declaring that the governor’s eight-year tenure is sacrosanct and backed by the people of Kogi East.
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Comrade Joel Salifu made the declaration at the 2025 Kabba Day Celebration.
The Deputy Governor who represented his boss at the occasion stated:
“I want to categorically tell you that I am an Igala by tribe and from Kogi East. By the grace of God, I am a leader of the Kogi East APC. There is no other person that can deliver the voice of the people of Kogi East apart from Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and my humble self.”
He stressed that the current administration remains united and resolute in delivering good governance, warning against divisive politics or misinformation.
“If there’s anybody, let them not talk from behind. Whatever message they have, let them not come to confuse you. In this government, I am the leader and voice of the Igala people, and what I will tell you is nothing but the truth; Ododo’s eight years in office is sacrosanct,” he said.
The Deputy Governor further disclosed that the entire Igala nation has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for their continued leadership, stressing that the people of Kogi East are united behind their vision of renewed hope, and transformational leadership.
“All the Igalas have resolved, united, and have endorsed President Tinubu and Governor Ododo for their second term of eight years in office, to enable them continue the good works they are doing,” he declared.
Turning to the traditional rulers, Comrade Joel Salifu commended the Okun people for their intellectual strength and political maturity.
“My dear people of Okun nation, I know you for being focused, determined, and very intelligent, having produced the largest number of Professors in the state. With that record, nobody should deceive you because of their selfish political interest. Continue to disappoint them,” he urged.
The brief remark was received with cheers, showing the growing rapport between Kogi East and Kogi West senatorial district under the leadership of Governor Ododo, a synergy rooted in unity and collective progress of the state.
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