Category: Featured

By Yusuf Alli, Gbade Ogunwale Abuja; Yinka Adeniran, Ibadan; Mike Odiegwu, Port Harcourt and Bassey Anthony, Uyo

• Ortom-led 37-man panel recommends open race

• I’m best to take power for party, says Wike

• Fayose: I’m in race for president

• Saraki’s pro-consensus group meets Makinde

There were indications that the Peoples Democratic Party’s 37-man panel on zoning has opted to throw the presidential ticket for the 2023 race open.

The implication is that if the recommendation is approved by the National Executive Committee (NEC), all zones will be free to bid for the ticket.

It will be the first time since 1999 that the PDP will not zone its presidential ticket to either the South or the North.

According to a top source, the zoning of the presidential ticket was difficult for Ortom’s panel to decide because the party commenced the sale of nomination forms before setting up a zoning committee.

This made it tricky for the committee to be decisive on which zone will produce the presidential candidate.

A top source said: “Ortom’s committee has recommended that the presidential ticket should be thrown open because its hands were tied and it could not abort an exercise which was already midway.

“We knew this will be the outcome. The committee was dead on arrival because the party was already selling nomination forms before setting up the committee. Presidential aspirants from the North and South had already obtained forms.

“It has legal implications if you ask aspirants who have bought forms to step down or forego their rights to contest.

“The panel has shifted the final decision on its report to the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party which may meet before the Easter break. As you know, NEC itself is divided.”

The camps of ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Senate President Bukola Saraki, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and Governor Bala Mohammed were upbeat.

“Following the development from Ortom’s committee, Northern presidential aspirants were in a frenzy because it has brightened their chances of contesting the presidential primaries.

“If the Northern aspirants can agree on a consensus candidate among themselves, the nominee will now slug it out with the presidential aspirants from the South.

“Otherwise, all the presidential aspirants will go to the National Convention to struggle for PDP Presidential ticket.”

Meanwhile, it was gathered that the shuttle to Minna by Governor Nyesom Wike and three others did not achieve much because ex-President Ibrahim Babangida and a former Head of State, Gen. Abubakar Abulsalami were non-committal on the demand of the governors to support power shift to the South.

Another top source added: “The two former leaders avoided making a commitment to the governors. All they preached was about the need for peace, one Nigeria and the best for this country.

“The governors were a bit withdrawn that there was no categorical statement on whether power should remain in the North or shift to the South.

“They had gone to Minna with high expectations but the shuttle actually backfired.”

Other governors in the delegation were Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu).

Saraki’s pro-consensus group visits Makinde, Udom

The pro-consensus aspirants yesterday received the endorsement of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.

Makinde expressed his readiness to work hand-in-hand with the advocates of consensus in a bid to put in place internally mechanisms that would clear doubts and confusion about the option.

The endorsement came during a private meeting of the team, led by Ex-Senate President and former Governor of Kwara State, Bukola Saraki to Makinde at the Oyo State Government House, Agodi, Ibadan.

In the team were Governor Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Bala Muhammed (Bauchi) and Muhammed Ayatudeen.

The aspirants said they were on the visit to canvass the support of Makinde whom they described as a key stakeholder in the party, adding that they were ready to forgo their individual ambitions and support a consensus candidate in the interest of Nigeria.

Saraki, who said consensus was used to elect the party leaders at its last convention, explained that the option is not for any particular region, North or South, but for the PDP. He said anyone who wins the party ticket cannot address, fix and rebuild the country by himself but would need the support of everybody.

Saraki said: “We are here, the Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed; Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal; Alhaji Muhammad Hayatudeen and my humble self, this afternoon to meet the governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, a key stakeholder of our party.

“We have been going around, we who have indicated our interest to run for the positions of the President of this country under our great party. As a key stakeholder of our party, we need to come and brief him (Makinde) on what we meant by this idea of consensus arrangement that we are trying to put together.

“We have looked at the country today, the hardship our people are going through, with the issue of insecurity and it is clear that it is only our party, the PDP, that can provide that brighter future for this country.

“But, in doing that, we ourselves as a party must be ready for government in 2023 and that fact includes uniting ourselves and being focused. Is not about our individual difference, it is the interest of Nigerians that matters.

“We all of course have shown individual interest to be the President but we have decided in our meetings that we are ready to subject ourselves to a consensus arrangement.

“That consensus arrangement is not just one for a part of the country either North or South, no, it is a consensus arrangement for the PDP because even whoever wins this ticket cannot address, fix and rebuild this country by himself.

“He needs the support of everybody and we want that foundation to start from that process and that is why we are all here.”

Makinde, who thanked the visitors, noted that the consensus being canvassed was successfully adopted at the last convention and could also be used to choose the presidential flag bearer for the 2023 election.

Makinde said: “I want to thank my senior colleagues for this visit and meeting.

“We have discussed behind closed doors and yes, the consensus arrangement we are trying to put together, we have done it at the last convention of our party, it was the first time that PDP was able to achieve bringing in a national chairman for the party through a consensus arrangement.

“So, we believe we can do it and we also believe that Nigerians will take this party seriously when they know that we are all working together to give to them a President through a process that has everybody’s buy-in, the stakeholders with no rancour.

“So, I promised my elder brothers that we will work hand-in-hand, work together to ensure that this consensus is successful.

“I have also said that internally, we will ensure that people understand what we are trying to do and where there is any iota of doubt or confusion, we will put a mechanism in place that will get addressed almost immediately.”

The pro-consensus team also visited Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel at the Government House in Uyo.

Saraki lauded his patriotism and commitment to unity in the party and for championing the agenda of ‘One Nigeria’.

He said: “We’ve been going around the country and we are here to meet with Governor Udom Emmanuel as a key stakeholder, to brief him of our intention to find a way of uniting us and to put the country and the party first and to inform him of our intention to have a consensus arrangement, because that is what we believe will make the party stronger.”

It was gathered that the delegation would proceed to meet with Wike.

Emmanuel affirmed his support for the cause of “One Nigeria” and stressed the need to build a team of patriots to tackle the nation’s challenges on time.

According to him, the task of rescuing Nigeria was way beyond individualism and partisanship, adding that it required a team that can rescue and restore the country.

Emmanuel said: “This is the time we have to look inwards and reappraise, then look at certain things we must do and do it right, and timely.

“That’s why you see this calibre of people coming together trying to find a consensus and to find a common ground to say that we are all but one.

“We don’t have any other country to go to. That’s the whole essence of all the meetings.”

Wike: give me ticket, I will take power for you

However, Wike, who is on a mobilisation tour to some parts of the country, urged delegates and stakeholders not to waste their votes on aspirants that lack the capacity to win the presidential election.

Wike said he has the capacity and energy required to win, serve and salvage Nigeria as president in 2023.

The governor, according to a statement by his Special Media Assistant, Kelvin Ebiri, made the declaration yesterday in Gombe State during a meeting with stakeholders.

Wike was accompanied by Senator Mohammed Imam, Senator Olaka Nwogu and Senator Suleiman Nazif.

He said: “If you want PDP to win the election in 2023, I have made myself available. Give me the ticket, let me go and take the power for you. We are talking about who can take this power from APC. That person is me.”

Wike said people were free to visit Rivers to see what his administration had done out of love and passion for the upliftment of the socioeconomic status of the people.

He said: “We need to salvage this country. Let us not pretend about it. Insecurity does not know religion. Insecurity does not know ethnicity. Poverty does not know ethnicity. Poverty does not know religion.

“The people who come to kill us, do they look at who is a Christian? Do they look at who is a Moslem? Do they know who is Hausa-Fulani? Do they know who is Igbo? We are dying.

“So, it is not for sentiment. It is not for people to come and tell you, look, it must come from here, no, no. It is for those who have the capacity. If given the opportunity, I will replicate what I’ve done in Rivers State as President of Nigeria.”

The governor said the insistence of some public office holders to hire mercenaries to fight bandits and terrorists overrunning the country was worrisome.

Former Gombe State Governor, Dr. Ibrahim Dankwambo, commended Wike for visiting the state to formally acquaint stakeholders with his presidential ambition.

Dankwambo, who acknowledged Wike’s excellent performance in office, assured him of support if he gets the presidential ticket.

Gombe PDP Chairman General Abnor Kwaskwabe (rtd) described Wike as a man of integrity, an impeccable leader, a bridge-builder, a unifier of men, and whose interest in politics is for the public good.

Anyim pledges service

Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, a presidential aspirant, has pledged to devout his time and energy to make the country great.

Anyim, also a former President of the Senate, said this when he received a youth group, led by Mr Anthony Chukwuemeka, in Abuja.

He said that he has received tremendous support from Nigerians since he joined the presidential race a few months ago.

“I pledge that when by the grace of God and the will of all Nigerians I am elected President, I will apply my whole time and energy to make Nigeria work for the good of all.”

Chukwuemeka said the gesture was in recognition of Anyim’s quest to make Nigeria greater.

He said the group believed that Anyim when elected President would transform Nigeria into a great country and make life better for the people, especially the youths.

Fayose withdraws from PDP zoning committee

Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has withdrawn his membership in the PDP Zoning Committee.

Fayose stated this in a letter dated April 5 and addressed to Ortom.

Fayose cited his ambition to run for president in 2023 as the reason for his withdrawal.

“I write to formally appreciate the party and all members of this committee.

“I thank you all for your statesmanship, selflessness and sense of patriotism to our party and by extension our nation in the way you have all handled and comported yourselves so far in deliberations regarding this delicate and sensitive issue/assignment, the zoning of public offices, particularly that of the President.

“I pray the outcome will bring understanding, peace and stability to our party and our country at large.

“Having hinted during our last meeting of my intention to run for the office of the President in the coming primary election and by God’s grace; the general election, it will not be morally right to continue to participate in the zoning debate being an aspirant myself,” he said.

He added that his state had nominated Dr Gbenga Faseluka to replace him.

By AbdulGafar Alabelewe, Kaduna and Okodili Ndidi, Abuja

Some soldiers were feared killed and others injured when terrorists at the weekend attacked a military base in Kaduna.

Three vigilantes were killed in another attack in the town.

It was learnt that during the attack on the military base in Polewire, Birnin Gwari Local Government Area, two Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) were destroyed.

But the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) did not confirm the attack when contacted last night.

Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Benard Onyeuko, told The Nation that he was yet to get details of the incident.

He promised to furnish one of our reporters with information when available.

A military source said the terrorists invaded the base on Sunday evening and engaged the soldiers in a shootout for over two hours.

The source said the terrorists, who came in their hundreds on motorcycles, were armed with AK-47 rifles and Rocket-Propelled Grenades (RPGs).

“The terrorists also burnt down three APCs,” he said.

Another military source said the wounded victims of the attack were taken to 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna.

Other sources said some of the wounded soldiers were taken to the Birnin Gwari General Hospital and 271 Nigerian Airforce Medical Center.

Chairman of Birnin Gwari Emirate Progressive Union (BEPU), Ishaq Usman Kasai, confirmed the death of three vigilantes in the attack, which he said occurred at about 3 pm.

According to him, the terrorists suspected to be members of the Ansaru likely came from the direction of Niger State.

Kasai said: “Most of the residents slept outside Birnin Gwari town due to fear of being attacked.

“BEPU is deeply concerned and disturbed by the deteriorating security situation in many rural communities and major roads of the Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna state.

“The security situation is becoming increasingly alarming whereby a large swath of Birnin Gwari is now at the mercy of marauding bandits who usually roll into towns and villages in convoys of motorcycles mostly riding three on each, brandishing AK-47 rifles killing and abducting people including women and children.

“The terrorists usually spend hours operating with impunity and unleashing terror, especially in rural communities.

“As it stands today, the eastern part of Birnin Gwari is fast becoming headquarters of terrorists where they operate and seem to govern.

“It is frightening that many communities in Birnin Gwari are falling into the governance of terrorists.

“With the series of attacks on most communities in Birnin Gwari LGA, thousands of people are rendered internally displaced persons.”

But the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt -Gen. Faruk Yahaya, yesterday reiterated the commitment of the Army to dealing with all forms of insecurity.

He spoke at a one-day seminar on “Intensifying Warrior Ethos” organised by the Army Headquarters Department of Transformation and Innovation in Abuja.

Represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Maj.-Gen. Anthony Omozoje, the COAS said the volatile and complex security emergencies facing the nation had necessitated the continuous review of the national security architecture to contain the threats.

Yahaya said the troops had continued to respond assiduously to contain and decimate all adversaries.

“The successes recorded in the fight against terrorism and banditry as well as general conduct of its operations across the country is a testament to this. However, much is still required from us.

“Let me also seize this opportunity to reiterate the unwavering commitment of the President, Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces for his invaluable support to the Nigerian army towards ensuring success in our various operations.

“We must on our part, continue to justify these resources and goodwill by consistently executing all assigned tasks swiftly and in the most efficient and professional manner as warriors,” he said.

All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Kaduna State Governor agreed yesterday that urgent steps should be taken to secure the country.

They spoke in Kaduna during a visit by the one-time Lagos governor to Northwest state to commiserate with the government and the people over last week’s attack  by terrorists on a Kaduna bound train.

Tinubu, who noted that the country was bleeding, spoke of the need to fight banditry and terrorism with all energy.

His host described Nigeria as a nation at the cross-roads. El-Rufai said difficult decisions must be taken in picking leaders who will lead the country out of its challenges.

Tinubu described an attack on one Nigerian as an attack on all, saying no effort should be  spared in the battle against those he called “enemies of peace.”

The APC  presidential aspirant   visited El-Rufai at the Government House and the injured at the St. Gerard Catholic Hospital, Kaduna.

He urged all Nigerians to contribute their quota to the rehabilitation of victims of the attack and pray for the repose of the souls of those who died in the incident.

Tinubu said: “I’m here to sympathise with Governor Nasir el-Rufai and the people of the state over the train attack. It is a national disaster. It’s a blow to all of us.

“Nigeria bleeds. We need to fight terrorism with all we have. I understand some people were killed while some others are missing. It is frustrating.

“We will support Governor El-Rufai on the rehabilitation of the victims. The governor is a symbol of our unity. Once in a while, we still remember the first stanza of our old national anthem – ‘Although tongues and tribes may differ, but in brotherhood we stand’.

“If enemies of peace and progress think they can deter us as a nation, we must together stand against them and say no.”

He announced the donation of N50 million towards to the rehabilitation of victims of the  attack.

E-Rufai expressed gratitude to the APC stalwart for taking time to come and commiserate with the state, saying that the visit preempted his plan to come to Lagos to thank Asíwájú for honoring the people of Kaduna State by canceling his 70th birthday on the day of the event because of the train disaster.

The governor said: “This gesture is a powerful show of leadership and empathy unprecedented in our national history.

“The government and people of Kaduna State will not forget this. We are grateful to you for your sacrifice and commitment to the greatness of our country.”

El-Rufai said Nigerians must elect   leaders who would take the country to the next level during the general elections next year.

According to him, the challenges bedeviling the country are human and therefore not intractable. They could be solved, he told his guest.

The governor said: “We need a society that can be just and equitable where no group of people will lord it over others.”

On Tinubu’s presidential aspiration, El-Rufai said: “We are aware of your aspiration to lead this country. We look forward to further engagements on this.”

By Sanni Onogu and Tony Akowe, Abuja

​All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has said his resolve to serve the nation as its President gets stronger everyday.

In a letter of appreciation to the leadership of House of Representatives and the APC Caucus in the National Assembly, Asiwaju Tinubu described the parliament as a bastion of democratic practice.

He added that the House has recorded significant progress in its assignment since inauguration.

Tinubu, a former Lagos State governor and presidential aspirant, hailed the House for some landmark laws it has made since inauguration in the interest of the nation.

The APC stalwart said, after discussing with the APC Caucus in the House, he was convinced that he should offer his services to the nation.

He promised to continue his engagement with the lawmakers and other stakeholders in the APC towards achieving his ambition of leading the country.

Also, the national leadership of the APC got a call yesterday to make Asiwaju Tinubu its consensus presidential candidate for the 2023 general election.

Tinubu Grassroots Support Coalition made the call at the opening of a two-day roundtable discussion it organised in collaboration with APC Core Supporters Network in Abuja.

Speaking on the theme of the event: Strategic Approach in Achieving Consensus Building in Nigeria Presidential Election: Tinubu the Hope of the Masses, the guest speaker, Professor Yaki Katuka of the Niger State University at Lapai, stressed that consensus is a necessity in resolving conflicts that are bound to arise during political contests.

He said: “Despite the way things are in Nigeria today, we still believe we have very credible people that can salvage this country.

“But it is not going to be an easy journey because in politics, there must be conflicts.

“In fact, the beauty of politics is conflict. That is why the concept of consensus building is mostly used in conflict management because it is a veritable approach in resolving multi-party differences.

“There must be consensus building because Asiwaju Tinubu cannot be there without our consensus agreement. The issue here is that we must be strategic. We need to be strategic in our plans to achieve the desired results.

“And the only way Asiwaju Tinubu can get that ticket will be the application of strategic approach. Here, we are developing strategies on how to market Asiwaju Tinubu.

“We are aware that when Asiwaju Tinubu was governor of Lagos State, his monthly subventions were seized by the Federal Government but he said they should take it because Lagos could survive without it.

“Many states cannot survive without subventions. But in the case of Asiwaju Tinubu, he was able to manage his state without subventions.

“He was able to generate revenue. Most people believe that when Asiwaju Tinubu comes he will use that same approach to solve the endemic financial crises bedeviling the country.”

The coalition’s Public Relations Officer (PRO) John Ali said the roundtable discussion was meant to sensitise its members spread across the 19 states in the North on the need to build consensus to ensure that Asiwaju Tinubu becomes the presidential candidate of the APC in 2023.

Former Imo Governor Rochas Okorocha has dismissed claims by Pastor Tunde Bakare that Igbo people are under a curse as false.

Okorocha insisted that contrary to Bakare’s notion, the Igbo remain the most blessed and resourceful people in the country.

Speaking when the newly-elected APC National Youth Leader, Mr Dayo Israel, visited him in his Abuja office, Okorocha described Bakare’s comment as unwarranted.

The General Overseer of Citadel Global Community Church, formerly known as Latter Rain Assembly, Bakare, had in a video insisted he needed to break the curse Tafawa Balewa placed on Igbo people before he died so the Igbos can rule like every other tribe in the country.

He said Balewa cursed the Igbo people the day he was killed, stressing that it will be difficult for the South-east to access the presidency like any other Nigerian until the curse is revoked.

However Okorocha stressed the Igbo people have enjoyed a cordial relationship with the Hausa people, noting it was wrong to say that a people who have the best brains around are cursed.

“That’s why when I listened to Pastor Tunde Bakare mention that the Igbo were cursed in the course of preaching, I think that was an overstatement and an unwarranted preaching.

“And I must say categorically that the Igbos are not cursed. They are not cursed and they will never be cursed. If anything, they are wonderful Nigerians, beautiful Nigerians, peace loving Nigerians, who are found in every nook and cranny of this country,” he stated.

The Imo West Senator admitted although the way Igbo people play politics may be faulted, it was inappropriate to say that they are under a curse.

“Probably, you might say they don’t play the politics the way it’s played in Nigeria. They might not be good politicians, but definitely they’re not cursed and the relationship between the Igbos and the north has been more cordial than anything else.

“They have enjoyed a wonderful relationship with the north. If not for that abridgement of the first democratic administration, all these issues of zoning wouldn’t have been counting. If Shehu Shagari had finished successfully, an Igbo man was supposed to be president at that time.

“So, I want us to realise that Igbos are a great asset in this nation, they are not the problem. But that is not to say that their style of politics is actually the best because Igbos must learn to reach out and reach out to other ethnic groups. And they don’t understand them, because they’re highly misunderstood,” the lawmaker explained.

Okorocha stated that Nigeria’s challenge is how to make the best use of “the greatest asset of God to mankind” the youths but said that the country has not been able to harness the potential of its young people.

“The youth must be given opportunity and kept busy. As long as the youths are not busy, the society is in trouble for it. I think the youths of Nigeria have been very, very patient with the entire nation.

“And I think the situation has pushed them to the wall. What we’re seeing is a reaction of people who have been deprived of basic amenities of life or have been deprived of opportunity to work,” he stated.

Israel described the South-east as arguably the most enterprising region, saying that the Igbo man can go anywhere and survive economically as well as create business opportunities.

“As a matter of fact, one of the things I teach young people is the Igbo model of enterprise. They go in there, they find a young person, they mentor, empower them on establishing a business, and I think that is very commendable,” he stated.

He stressed that although the region also happens to be the region that has hardly voted for the APC in a long time, the party will not just have 25 per cent in the 36 States of the Federation but win in Igbo land.

By Lucas Ajanaku, Lagos and Blessing Olaifa, Abuja

As part of measures to improve security in the country, all telephone lines which Subscriber Identification Modules (SIM) not linked to National Identity Numbers (NIN) have been partially deactivated.

The deactivation order took effect yesterday following President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive.

To effect the order, all outgoing calls by defaulting subscribers have been barred.

About 72.7million lines may be affected by the directive.

A joint statement by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Director of Public Affairs, Dr Ikechukwu Adinde and  National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Director of Corporate Communications Mr Kayode Adegoke, announced the decision yesterday.

However, there is an open window for defaulters to do so at designated NIMC centres nationwide.

Data made available by NCC in February showed that there are 303,636,267 connected GSM mobile lines in the country out of which 197,768,482 were active.

The statement explained that of 125 million SIMs submitted for immediate linkage with NIN, 78 million had so far been issued unique NINs. Unique NIN is simply the attachment of subscribers’ names to their SIMs.

In the past two years, the govt has shifted the period of the enforcement of the policy to ensure that subscribers were captured in the database of  NIMC.

The statement reads: “On behalf of the Federal Government, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has commended Nigerians and legal residents for their support during the exercise to link the National Identification Number (NIN) to the Subscriber Identification Module (SIM).

“As of date, over 125 Million SIMs have had their NINs submitted for immediate linkage, verification and authentication. Similarly, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has issued over 78 Million unique NINs till date.

“It would be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari gave the directive for the implementation and commencement of the exercise in December 2020, as part of his administration’s security and social policies.

“The deadlines for the NIN-SIM linkage have been extended on multiple occasions to allow Nigerians to freely comply with the policy.

“The Federal Government also took into consideration the passionate appeals by several bodies- Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), civil society groups, professional bodies and a host of others – for the extension of the deadlines in the past.

“Accordingly, Mr. President graciously approved the many requests to extend deadlines for the NIN-SIM linkage. At this point, however, the government has determined that the NIN-SIM Policy implementation can proceed, as machinery has already been put in place to ensure compliance by citizens and legal residents.

“The implementation impacts on government’s strategic planning, particularly in the areas of security and socio-economic projections.

“President Buhari has approved the implementation of the policy with effect from the 4th of April, 2022. Consequently, the Federal Government has directed all Telcos to strictly enforce the policy on all SIMs issued (existing and new) in Nigeria.

“Outgoing calls will subsequently be barred for telephone lines that have not complied with the NIN-SIM linkage policy from the 4th  of April, 2022.

“Subscribers of such lines are hereby advised to link their SIMs to their NINs before the Telcos can lift the restriction on their lines. Affected individuals are hereby advised to register for their NINs at designated centres and thereafter link the NINs to their SIMs through the channels provided by NIMC and the telcos, including the NIMC mobile App.”

According to the statement, the minister hailed the President, telcos and others “for their support towards the success recorded.’’

Pantami encouraged those yet to link their SIMs with NIN to visit the NIMC registration centres for enrollment.

While announcing the extension of the timeline for the exercise in October last year, the Federal Government had said the linkage of SIMs to NINs was on “an average of three to four SIMs” adding that it was a testament to the commitment and dedication of the Federal Government, through NCC and the NIMC, to ensure the success of the project.

Efforts by The Nation to get the reaction of the operators, including their Chairman,  Gbenga Adebayo, to the development, were not successful as of 10.40 pm yesterday.