Aso Villa Reads for Thursday, May 06, 2021
Every day, we bring you the best stories that the Media is reporting about the Government of Nigeria
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the establishment of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) to be domiciled at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). Head, strategic communication, ONSA, Zakari Usman, disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Abuja. He said the decision was part of the ongoing restructuring of Nigeria’s security architecture to address emerging threats and strengthen regional mechanism for the control, prevention and regulation of SALW. [Business Day]
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to improve data collection and analytics on port-related activities. The MoU was signed on Tuesday in Abuja by Mr Yemi Kale, Statistician-General of the Federation and Hadiza Usman, Managing-Director, NPA. According to him, with the recent signing of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the prospects for increased trading and storage activities were huge and expected to grow significantly in the coming years, in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic. [NIPC]
Nigerian athletes and technical hands have departed the country through the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on their way to the United States. The athletes, 16 of them, will camp in Texas for three weeks during which they will engage in competitions ahead of the Olympics in Tokyo. This was disclosed by the Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, who shared photos of their departure at the airport on Thursday. [Punch]
President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday in Abuja called on Nigerians to fully participate in the ongoing synchronization of National Identification Number (NIN) with SIM cards across the country as it will provide a digital framework for improving security and strengthening of the economy. Launching the National Policy for the Promotion of Indigenous Content in Nigerian Telecoms Sector and Revised National Identity Policy for SIM Cards registration, the President said proper identification of all Nigerians and legal residents in the country and ability to conveniently access a data base will provide impetus for more effective planning and security oversight.[Vanguard]
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved N6.2 billion for execution of various power projects across the country. Minister of Power Sale Mamman disclosed this when he briefed State House correspondents on the outcome of the meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. According to Mamman, contracts approved include those for procurement of transformers and vital spare parts for maintenance of power transmission equipment. [Vanguard]
The Federal Government on Wednesday said it will soon begin the second phase distribution of four million pre-paid electricity meters free to Nigerians. The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, had promised to make available four million pre-paid electricity meters aside from the one million the government earlier provided which were being distributed nationwide. This is as the Federal Executive Council, FEC, at its 44th virtual meeting approved sums worth more than $8.29 million as well as N3 billion for the execution of various electricity projects in the country. [Vanguard]
Insurance regulator, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) is sealing partnerships that will enable unlock the potential inherent in the different compulsory insurances under the law. Compulsory insurances, if achieved have the capacity to protect the Nigerian public’s who will be exposed to risks of the activities of motorists, owners of buildings, building contractors, death in service, medical personnel, among other professionals involved in economic activities. [Business Day]
