Former Nigerian President, Chief Ernest Shonekan is dead.
Shonekan who headed the interim national government that succeeded the junta of General Ibrahim Babangida, has died.
Shonekan died at Evercare hospital, in the Lekki area of Lagos state, at the age of 85.
The Federal Government has reacted to viral reports claiming the nation’s National Identity Management Commission, NIMC server was hacked.
Naija News reports that a cyber-tech who identified himself simply as Sam, on Monday claimed in an article that he hacked into the nation’s NIMC server and stole over three million National Identification Number, NIN of Nigerians.
Sam’s claim has stirred a barrage of reactions among Nigerians on social media, as many berated the nation’s cyber security system.
The hacker had boasted in his post on infosecwriteups.com, that he got access to ‘juice’ on the Nigerian Government agency’s server and that he could go ahead to do whatever he desired with the sensitive data at his disposal.
Reacting, however, in a statement on Tuesday, the NIMC authority said its servers were not hacked but are fully optimised at the highest international security levels.
According to the Director-General of NIMC, Engr. Aliyu Aziz, the organization has built a robust and credible system for Nigeria’s identity database, therefore it couldn’t be possible for some hackers to have access to details of citizens.
Naija News understands that the official statement quoted Aziz as saying that the commission, as the custodian of the foundational identity database for Africa’s most populous nation, has gone to great lengths to ensure the nation’s database is adequately secured and protected especially given the spate of cyber-attacks on networks across the world.
The statement read partly: “Over the years, through painstaking efforts, NIMC has built a robust and credible system for Nigeria’s identity database. The Commission and its infrastructure are certified to the ISO 27001:2013 Information Security Management System Standard which are revalidated annually”.
The statement signed by NIMC’s head of corporate communications, Kayode Adegoke, explained that the possession of an individual’s NIN slip does not amount to access to the National Identity Database.
According to Aziz, NIMC had ensured maximum security of its systems and database because of the critical nature of the identity data which the Commission collects, manages and maintains as critical assets for the country.
The Commission assured the public that it will continue to uphold the highest ethical standards in data security on behalf of the Federal Government and ensure compliance with data protection and privacy regulations.
The NIMC Director-General explained that the Commission does not use nor store information on the AWS cloud platform or any public cloud despite the usefulness of the NIMC Mobile App available to the public for accessing their NIN on the go.
It noted that the NIMC MobileID application has no database within the app, nor does it store information in flat files.
The Commission has made this app available to the public to reduce and eliminate any delay or challenge(s) in accessing one’s NIN.
The statement added: “The public should be aware that the possession of a NIN slip does not amount to access to the National Identity Database, but that the NIN slip is just a physical assertion of a person’s identity. Under the data protection regulations, no licensed partner/vendor is authorized to scan and store copies of individuals NIN slips but rather authenticate the NIN using the approved and authorized verification platforms/channels provided.
“As part of its policies to protect personally identifiable information stored in the National Identity Database, the public may recall that the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy through NIMC launched the Tokenization features of the NIN verification service. This solution is to safeguard the personal data of individuals and ensure continuous user rights and privacy.”
The commission commended the concerted efforts of several Federal Government agencies such as Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Immigration Services, Pension Commission (PenCom), the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Correctional Service, the Nigeria Customs, and a host of others, who have streamlined their services in line with the use of National Identification Number (NIN) as the valid means of identification.
Society gazette reports that all is still not well with the synagogue church of all nations (SCOAN), the legacy of late Prophet TB Joshua even one month after the church was opened for service.
It was gathered that one of the top disciples of the late man of God, Prophet Racine who was pleaded with to return to the church on December 5, 2021 has been sent out again.
It would be recalled that most of the foreign disciples were reportedly sent out of the ministry for allegedly trying to sell the private jet of late Prophet TB Joshua after his death. Though the disciples denied being involved in such a deal but they were reportedly arrested, harassed by anti-graft agency, EFCC.
Months after their exit, sources revealed that the new leader of the church, Mrs Evelyn Joshua who is the widow of the late founder reached out to prophet Racine to return to the church which he obliged.
However, all has gone sour again as the prophet was nowhere to be found during the last service held while sources confirmed that he has been booted out of the ministry again.
More details later
Source: trixxng
UBA’s Leo Clocks 4, Set to Further Transform Digital Banking In Nigeria, Africa…Remains Africa’s Leading Ai Chatbot
“Birthed January 11, 2018, with a firm resolve to prioritise its customers as well as put the bank at the heart of disruptive technologies that will transform the experience of esteemed customers, UBA did the unthinkable by getting 3 million users hooked in less than three years of its inception.”
Leo, which the bank stressed, has proven to be the most formidable artificial intelligence chat bot till date; serving an ever-increasing customer base who now have less transaction hassles to worry about is currently available on Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Apple Business Chat
To further extend its reach, UBA has concluded plans to commence Leo services on Instagram and Google Business, terrains none of its peers can lay claim to.
Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, UBA, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka, affirmed that UBA customers indeed agree that Leo is one of the bank’s biggest investments in cutting-edge technology and has been steadily changing the face of banking in the continent.
“Three years later, and with over almost 4 million customers and counting, UBA’s Leo, has without a doubt, remained the smartest Banking Chatbot in Nigeria because of its speed and quick learning intelligence and has continued to evolve with plenty to offer its teeming customers”.
“While other financial institutions are still trying to find their feet as regards Artificial Intelligence, we can proudly say that our Leo has become a massive success as it continues to consolidate on its successes and accolades winning several awards in a short while of its existence, “he added.
Uzoka continued: “In just 4 years, Leo’s landmark achievements have been indeed overwhelming, covering 20 African countries as well as garnering over 10 prestigious awards globally, a feat that is exceptional by every standard, I must say we are proud of Leo’s intimidating achievements which is largely unbeatable”.
“With this in mind, we have ensured that, Leo continues to enjoy periodic and systematic upgrade with special emphasis on enhanced advancements and specialised unique features where necessary”.
“UBA’s vision has always been and will remain to be a dominating force in Africa’s digital banking space. Our resolve is to provide unparalleled experience across all channels. We are a technology-driven institution with vast knowledge in the business that we do and Leo, being a tested, dependable and intelligent personality, did well to replicate on WhatsApp the success it recorded on the Facebook Messenger platform where it started its journey and later on the IOS (iPhone Operating System) platform. It is a solution that is from the customer’s standpoint, easy to use by anyone regardless of demography. Leo is always ready and waiting to help with any form of banking service,” Uzoka said.
Uzoka further explained that Leo is already present in 20 African countries and in three languages and has a number of rich and robust features bound to mesmerise existing and potential customers with services that are extremely fast and secure as all transactions and enquiries are encrypted, end-to-end.
“Leo has the ability to do a wide range of things, including funds transfer, call card top-up, checking of account balance, retrieval of bank statements, instant account openings for new customers, statement to embassy/other banks/microfinance, purchase of airtime/ data, paying of bills (LCC, PHCN, Cable TV), effectively helping with savings and spend limit.
“The AI chatbot also boosts of remarkable innovative features that allows customers make banking Services – Request/stop/confirm Cheques, Block card, Log & track complaints, ATM/Branch Locator, Freeze accounts, and check weather etc. Other features include Customer Care complaint resolution, linking of new account, flight Payment, linking and Funding of Prepaid Card, Travel Notification, Wakanow services and Dubai Visa service, “he explained.
The GMD also pointed out that, customers who have engaged with Leo are more than delighted about their experience and credit it for automatically extracting account details without hassles, adding that “Testimonies abound about how it is generally easier to use Leo compared to its counterparts. For example, Leo automatically detects account numbers via a customer’s WhatsApp mobile number and goes ahead to seamlessly help customers check their account balance as well as top-up airtime”.
Gunmen suspected to be enforcing sit-at-home order, Monday, forced businesses to shut in Enugu metropolis.
The affected businesses include ShopRite on Abakaliki road, banks, shops and schools. Motorists, who had begun the day’s activities, were also forced to park.
A security man at ShopRite told our correspondent that, “We opened but around 9:30am, we began to hear that gunmen were shooting at Garki. So the management asked us to close.”
A customer, Rose, said “I was inside the premises of ShopRite shopping. Suddenly, we were asked to leave.”
A shop owner opposite Parklane, Nkechi Eze, told our correspondent that, “We have closed for the day. No gunshot took place here, but we were told that they were moving around, chasing people away.”
It was gathered that the gunmen stormed Garki early in the morning and started shooting sporadically.
A trader said, “We thought the sit-at-home has ended. It was terrible. I don’t know if anybody was injured, but we managed to escape.”
Police and military operatives were seen moving round the metropolis to ensure orderliness.
As at the time of filing this report, the city of Enugu was deserted.
The sit-at-home order on Mondays was initially pronounced by the Indigenous People of Biafra to press home the release of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu. He I facing trial on felony, jumping bail, among others.
However, IPOB has since cancelled the order.
A security expert, who did not want his name mentioned, said the enforcement of the order would likely be renewed following President Buhari’s reneging from using political solutions to settle Kanu’s matter.
A survey conducted by our correspondent shows that no police checkpoints were manned around the metropolis.
The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has reportedly told President Muhammadu Buhari about his 2023 presidential ambition.
Sources have disclosed to The Guardian that the former Lagos State governor has also informed Vice President Yemi Osinbajo about his intention to contest for the nation’s number one seat.
This is coming a week after the Director-General, Tinubu Support Groups and former House of Representatives member, Abdulmumin Jibrin, disclosed that Tinubu will be contesting in the 2023 Presidential election
Sources revealed that President Buhari gave the former Lagos State governor his blessings ahead of the election.
Osinbajo, who served as Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General in Tinubu’s eight years administration as Lagos governor, is also rumoured to be planning to take over from Buhari.
It was gathered that Tinubu had in October 29, 2021, also informed Osinbajo about his presidential ambition when they met at his Asokoro residence after his return to the country from the United Kingdom where he underwent a knee surgery.
While it is not clear what Osinbajo’s response was, sources in the know have severally quoted the VP as saying he would not contest against Tinubu.
However, other sources noted that Osinbajo has always insisted that the APC leader has never told him he wanted to contest the 2023 election.
Asked if Tinubu and Osinbajo had spoken about the former’s ambition, Tunde Rahman, Media Adviser to the former Lagos governor refused to volunteer any comment.
He said he would reach out shortly, but he was yet to do so as at the time of filing this report.
Reacting to the development, Mr. Laolu Akande, the Special Adviser to the Vice President, said he was not aware of such discussions.
“I don’t think you should support the flying of such dubious kites. But to answer your question, no. I am not aware of any such discussions to even begin with,” he said.
According to the publication, the incident occurred when the soldiers turned down an initially agreed offer of 500,000 naira per pit from the miners, but afterwards, turned around to demand more money on discovering the large quantum of gold nuggets found by the illegal miners in one of the pits.
The Nigerian Army wishes to unequivocally state that this story is baseless, unfounded, untrue and a mere figment of the writer’s imagination, aimed at tarnishing the reputation of the Nigerian Army, as no Nigerian soldier was killed, nor involved in any skirmish with illegal miners in Magama village on 5 January 2022.
Contrary to the insinuations peddled by the online medium, Nigerian Army troops deployed in the North West are committed and engrossed in the fight against banditry and other criminalities bedeviling that region. They are not permitted to participate in any form of mining, whether legitimate or illegitimate.
Aside orchestrating disrepute, Fake News as this, have the potential to dampen the morale of the fighting troops, erode their fighting will and undermine the entire operations. This is certainly not what the troops require at this critical time.
The general public are therefore urged to disregard the fake news as it is concocted to denigrate Nigerian Army troops, who are working tirelessly to ensure sanity and peace return to the North west region. We assure the general public of the unrelenting commitment of our troops to decisively tackle the banditry menace in the North West.
ONYEMA NWACHUKWU
Brigadier General
Director Army Public Relations
He reiterated that many of the fallen heroes laid down their lives during the First and Second World Wars, Nigerian Civil War, Peace Support Operations across the globe and various Internal Security Operations, including ongoing fight against insurgency, terrorism, banditry and secesionism, amongst other threats to national security.
The COAS maintained that their sacrifices will never be forgotten and prayed for the repose of their souls. The AFRDC, he said also presents an opportunity to honour veterans who are still alive. He stressed that many of the veterans regrettably sustained varying degrees of injuries in the course of their service to the nation and humanity. He added that care for the injured and maimed personnel will remain a cardinal focus under his command.
While appreciating troops for their sacrifices in achieving success across all spectrum of operations conducted by the Nigerian Army(NA), he urged them not to relent but to sustain and consolidate on the successes recorded so far.
The COAS called on officers and soldiers of the NA to be loyal to constituted authority and ensure greater collaboration and synergy with sister Services and other Security Agencies in the pursuit of peace and security in Nigeria. He equally used the medium to reaffirm the unalloyed loyalty of the NA under his watch to the President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
ONYEMA NWACHUKWU
Brigadier General
Director Army Public Relations
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has declared 19 illegal oil refinery kingpins in the state wanted.
The Governor in a statewide broadcast on Sunday accused the identified persons of causing the black soot which has constituted both an environmental and health challenge in the state capital of Port Harcourt.
Apart from the illegal refiners, Naija News reports Wike also ordered the Rivers State Head of Service to query a Director in the State Ministry of Energy, Mr. Temple Amakiri whom he accused of aiding the illegal oil bunkering activities.
Amakiri is to be handed over to the Polic for prosecution, the Governor ordered.
Wike in his speech on Sunday said the details of the identified illegal refinery owners has been submitted to the Rivers Police Command, urging those on the list to present themselves willingly to the security agents.
“We have also identified those behind illegal bunkering activities in Okrika communities, Port Harcourt Township, Rivers South-East and Rivers South-West Senatorial Districts and their names would be soon published and declared wanted, if they fail to voluntarily report to the Police,” the Governor said.
The persons declared wanted by Wike are: Mr. Azubike Amadi, OSPAC Commander, Ogbogoro community and Chairman of Akpor Central OSPAC; Mr. India, of Rumuolumeni community and Chairman of Oil bunkering Association in Akpor kingdom; Mr. Okey who is in charge of Oil bunkering in Rumupareli; Mr. Anderson, who is in charge of oil bunkering activities in Ogbogoro community; Amadi Gift of Ogbogoro community; Azeruowa of Ogbogoro community; and Kingsley Egbula, also of Ogbogoro community.
The others alleged to be in charge of oil bunkering activities in Isiokpo community of Rivers are: Mr. Kemkom Azubike, Mr. Mezu Wabali, Mr. Chigozi Amadi, Mr. Opurum Owhondah, Mr. Bakasi Obodo ,Mr. Opus, Mr. Galaxi Mas, Mr. Chioma, Mr. Ogondah, Mr. Soldier, Mr. Chefo, and Nkasi.
While affirming the total ban on the use of motorcycles in Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt councils, Governor Wike also accused some traditional rulers of allowing street trading to go on unchecked in their domains because of money they are collecting from the traders.
He threatened that if such monarchs don’t bring the situation under control, they should be prepared to be removed from office.
Those in the category according to the Governor are the traditional leaders, including members of Community Development Committees and youth leaders of Rumuola, Rumuogba and Okoro-nu-odo communities.
“Consequently, I hereby direct the traditional leadership of Rumuola, Rumuogba and Okoro-nu-odo communities to immediately stop all street trading activities around, in or under the flyovers in their respective domains or be deposed, arrested and prosecuted.
“Similarly, the traditional leadership of Rumuwoji Mgbuduku, Obiekwe, Nkpolu-Oroworokwo, Abali, Rebisi, Rumukalagbor-Oroworokwo and Ezimgbu communities are hereby directed to enforce the ban and ensure that no form of trading takes place around and under the flyovers located in their communities,” he ordered.
Governor Wike also directed the enforcement of a ban on the use of umbrella and table trading stands in the entire old and new GRAs of Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt City, Eleme councils.
In his view, criminals are using the means to monitor the movement of important persons in the society.
President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the National Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to immediately prepare the schedule/timetable for the national convention.
Recall that the Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, had disclosed that the president would meet with APC governors on Sunday over the party’s national convention.
Speaking with State House correspondents after a meeting with the president, Lalong said the leaders will discuss the convention slated for February and other matters affecting the party.
A source close to the APC governors told ThisDay that Buhari had asked the committee led by Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State to submit the prepared schedule before Friday.
Following the president’s directive, the source said the caretaker committee will meet on Tuesday to prepare the timetable and submit it to the president for approval.
Speaking further, the source said that the governors were divided on the issue of holding the convention next month or postponing the event.
He claimed that some of the governors wanted the exercise to hold next month to ensure that reconciliations that may arise after the convention are fully addressed before next year’s general election while others want the event shifted.
The source stated that the publicity, venue, accreditation, finance and other committees would depend on the outcome of the two meetings on Sunday and Tuesday.
