Watch SignatureTV News Highlights – Federal Government planning to replace BVN with NIN – Minister

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, said the Federal Government plans to replace Bank Verification Numbers with the National Identity Numbers. The minister stated this while briefing newsmen after a facility tour and inspection of the ongoing NIN enrolment exercise at NIMC and other designated centres in Abuja. He said he made a presentation to the National Economic Sustainability Committee and drew the attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Governor on the need to replace BVN with NIN. The minister while noting that BVN was only applicable to those who had bank accounts while NIN was for every citizen and legal resident in the country, called on NIMC to focus on regulatory work and set the standards for biometrics registration, measuring of heights, standard for data to be collected and general verification.

The Edo State government in collaboration with the National Census Bureau, and National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), has trained about 1,200 youths on data collection for development planning. Edo state governor, Godwin Obaseki, at the launch of Data to make Edo Great again, said his government remains committed to ensuring shared prosperity for all Edo citizens. Obaseki said that the first batch of 1,200 persons have been trained to go door-to-door to obtain data from the people and find out their living conditions and security situation. The governor who said the data will help them plan for the people added that the state government was working with the local governments and the Ministry of Planning on the project. Senior Surveyor EDOGIS/State Project Manager Eromosei Ezekiel said 20 persons with GIS background trained the enumerators on the use of software for the project.

Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa on Monday swore in Ebikeme Clark and Augustine Obidi as special advisers. Ebikeme is son of Ijaw national leader, Edwin Clark Delta State governor Ifeanyi Okowa on Monday swore in Ebikeme Clark and Augustine Obidi as special advisers. He said that his government would continue to give responsibilities and portfolios to people with experience in governance to attain a ‘stronger Delta’ as conceived. Okowa urged the appointees to take up their appointments with hard work and dedication. Obidi, who spoke for the appointees, thanked Okowa for considering them worthy to be part of the ‘Stronger Delta’ team. He said they identified with the governor’s vision for a greater Delta and pledged to partner the SMART Team to enhance governance.

Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, says electronic voting is key to Nigeria’s electoral challenges. Speaking at a grand reception held in his honour at Sampou Community in Kolokuma Local Government Area, Diri noted that electronic voting might not solve all of the nation’s electoral problems, but it will significantly reduce the challenges. According to him, the electoral malpractices that marred the 2019 governorship election in Bayelsa state necessitates the need for the nation to commence electronic voting. While appealing to the people of the state to be patient and support his administration, Diri expressed gratitude to people of Sampou community for the honour done to him.