National
FCT not available for protesters Aug. 1 – Wike
Wike gave the warning while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the FCT Security Council meeting in Abuja on Thursday.
He said that Aug. 1 had been set aside for the Chairmen of the six Area Councils of the FCT to give out certificates of recognition to their traditional rulers.
“That is the day FCT has set aside for the entire area councils to jubilate, to give out certificates of recognition for their traditional rulers.
“We will not allow that day that FCT has set aside to honour their traditional rulers; for their people to rejoice, and then somebody will come and disrupt that day. We will not allow it.
“We want people to come out and celebrate, as part of the achievement of the current administration.
“That day is not available for those who want to protest and FCT is not available for the protesters,” he said.
He said that the security council was aware of the threat of the protest and what some people may call “end bad governance.”
Noting the right of people to protest or demonstrate, the minister said that such rights must be done within the ambit of the law.
“This period, we think that all Nigerians should work collectively to salvage our country.
“I am aware that there are challenges, but President Bola Tinubu and his team are working right now to ensure that these challenges, these problems facing our country are addressed.
“We know that it is a very difficult period for citizens; Tinubu has come out clearly to say that there are challenges; there are problems, but these challenges and problems will be tackled,” Wike said.
The minister, who expressed confidence in Tinubu’s capacity to address the challenge, urged all Nigerians to have patience.
“For instance in FCT, we have seen the changes in FCT; we have seen that the government is working.
“Tinubu is giving FCT so much support that all of us can attest to the fact that there are a lot of changes going on in FCT.
“Therefore, we will not allow anybody to set us back. We are looking forward to making sure that we take FCT to where it is supposed to be as one of the major cities, not only in Africa but in the world.
“So, we will not allow anybody to disrupt peace and set us back. For those who want to protest on Aug 1, or thereabout, FCT is not available for such protest,” Wike emphasised. (NAN
The leadership of the 10th Senate has announced a shift in the date of its resumption. The earlier date for resumption was fixed for April 29, 2025.
However, the new date has been adjusted to May 6.
The announcement was contained in an internal memo dated April 20, 2025, addressed to all senators and signed by the Senate Clerk, Andrew Ogbonna Nwoba.
The postponement was hinged on the International Workers’ Day public holiday, which is celebrated on May 1 and for the lawmakers to take their time to attend to key constituency engagements.
The circular reads, “Distinguished Senators, I am directed to inform you that the resumption of plenary sittings of the Senate, earlier scheduled for Monday, 29th April 2025, has been rescheduled to Tuesday, 6th May 2025.
“This postponement is made to allow Distinguished Senators to stay with their constituents during the International Workers’ Day public holiday in the first week of May and to further enhance constituency engagements.
“Distinguished Senators are kindly requested to take note of this postponement while regretting any inconvenience the change might have caused.”
PUNCH Online reports that the Senate had on March 27 adjourned the plenary to allow lawmakers to observe the Easter and Eid-El-Fitr holidays.
National
Nigeria Enrolls 1 Million New Registrants in NIN Database as Digital ID Initiative Faces 2026 Deadline
Nigeria’s national digital identity campaign gained significant traction in March 2025, with the National Identification Number (NIN) enrolments reaching 118.4 million.
Recent data from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) indicates that one million Nigerians were added to the database last month, reflecting a renewed urgency in light of international funding and approaching targets.
This initiative is part of the World Bank-supported Digital Identity for National Development (ID4D) project, which aims to provide legal identities for all Nigerians. However, the country is still striving to meet its initial target of registering at least 148 million citizens by June 30, 2024, a deadline that has now been extended to June 30, 2026, due to a shortfall.
The total funding allocated for the ID4D initiative amounts to $430 million, provided by the World Bank, French Development Agency (AFD), and the European Investment Bank (EIB). The extension aims to facilitate the establishment of an inclusive and reliable digital ID system that enhances governance and access to public services.
Regionally, Lagos State leads in NIN registrations with 12.7 million enrolments, followed by Kano State with 10.4 million. Kaduna State ranks third with 6.9 million registrations.
Gender data from NIMC reveals that men dominate the enrolment figures, with 66.9 million (56.5%) registered, compared to 51.5 million women (43.5%).
Other states with notable NIN figures include Ogun (4.9 million), Oyo (4.5 million), Katsina (4 million), FCT (3.8 million), Rivers (3.5 million), Delta (3.2 million), and Jigawa (3.1 million).
Conversely, Bayelsa State has the lowest enrolment number at just 767,620, followed by other underperforming states such as Ebonyi (999,991), Ekiti (1.1 million), Cross River (1.4 million), and Taraba (1.7 million).
As the deadline approaches, authorities are under increasing pressure to enhance efforts, particularly in low-performing regions, to achieve universal digital identity coverage.
Christian leaders and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi have extended Easter felicitations to Nigerians, urging reflection, compassion, and collective action to address the nation’s pressing challenges, including insecurity, hunger, and political tensions.
In separate statements issued on Sunday in Abuja, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, and Obi emphasised the significance of Easter as a time for spiritual renewal and national introspection.
CAN: Easter Reflects Nigeria’s Faith and Resilience
Archbishop Daniel Okoh, CAN President, described Easter as the “cornerstone of Christian faith,” symbolising Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for humanity’s redemption.
He noted that in Nigeria, Easter transcends religious observance, embodying a vibrant cultural celebration marked by colourful parades in Lagos and solemn processions in northern villages.
“Easter is a time when families gather, communities unite, and our rich cultural heritage is showcased through music, dance, and festive gatherings,” Okoh said.
He acknowledged the persecution faced by Christians in some regions, yet stressed the enduring spirit of Easter, which inspires resilience and unity.
Okoh urged Christians to engage in acts of kindness, promote interfaith dialogue, and work towards a just society.
“Let us reach out to neighbours of other faiths, fostering mutual respect and peaceful coexistence,” he added.
Kaigama: A Call to Address Insecurity, Hunger
Archbishop Kaigama struck a sombre tone, highlighting Nigeria’s escalating crises.
He mourned the recent killing of travellers in Uromi, Edo State, and ongoing violence in Plateau State’s Bokkos and Bassa areas, where communities have been devastated.
“These attacks underscore the urgent need for a sincere and coordinated response to insecurity,” he said.
Kaigama also decried the widespread hunger and economic hardship gripping the nation.
“Families struggle daily to put food on the table in a nation so richly blessed,” he lamented, calling for collaborative efforts to ensure no Nigerian goes hungry.
Expressing alarm over the rising kidnappings of clergy, Kaigama described such acts as a “blow to the conscience of the nation.”
He further addressed the political crisis in Rivers State, where a state of emergency was declared, cautioning against actions that could deepen divisions.
“No democracy can thrive without a culture of give and take,” he said, urging leaders to prioritise dialogue and the welfare of citizens.
Kaigama also condemned the “acrimonious political rhetoric” fuelling tensions, urging politicians to focus on governance rather than power struggles.
“Nigeria needs healing, not hostility,” he asserted, calling for accountability and protection for all Nigerians, regardless of tribe or faith.
Obi: Pray for Compassionate Leaders
Peter Obi, in a message signed by his spokesperson Ibrahim Umar, called on Nigerians to use Easter to pray for compassionate leaders who prioritise the people’s welfare. He described Easter as a celebration of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice, offering a timely opportunity to seek leaders who emulate such selflessness.
“What is apparent in Nigeria today as insecurity and myriads of problems engulf the land is a visible abdication of responsibility by insensitive and indifferent leaders,” Obi said.
He stressed that Nigeria’s abundant natural and human capital should be harnessed to benefit the populace, lamenting the current leadership’s failure to do so.
**A Unified Call for Renewal**
The messages from CAN, Kaigama, and Obi converge on a shared theme: the need for reflection, compassion, and action to address Nigeria’s multifaceted challenges.
As Christians celebrate Easter, the leaders’ calls for unity, justice, and better governance resonate amid ongoing struggles with insecurity, economic hardship, and political division.