The Federal Government has approved the extension of the deadline for the National Identification Number - SIM data verification to October 31.
They said the decision to extend the deadline was made following a request by stakeholders to accommodate registration in hard-to-reach remote areas, foreigners and diplomatic missions, diaspora and address low enrolments in schools and hospitals, as evidenced by enrolment statistics.
It also followed a review of the progress of the exercise which indicated significant progress hence the need to consolidate the gains of the enrolment and NIN-SIM verification process across the country.
They added that there are over 5,500 enrolment systems within and outside the country and this would significantly ease the NIN enrolment process and subsequent linkage of NIN to SIM.
Socio-Economic Rights Group Sues President Over Gag Order On Reporting Of Terrorist Attacks
The Socio-Economic Rights and AccountabilityProject and the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development have filed a lawsuit against President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Information and Culture, Mr Lai Mohammed, over the order to stop journalists and broadcast stations from reporting details of terrorist attacks and victims.
They are also seeking an order to compel and direct the NBC and Mr Lai Muhammed to withdraw the directive asking journalists and broadcast stations to stop reporting details on terrorist attacks and victims, as the directive is unlawful and inconsistent with the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 and the country’s international human rights obligations.
Nigerians Spent N2.07tn on Petrol in 12 Months
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation has revealed that it sold a total of N2.106 trillion of refined products to Nigerians between February 2020 and February 2021, with petrol taking a huge chunk of N2.070 trillion of the entire sales.
The corporation also disclosed that in terms of quantity, 17.215 billion litres of fuel, accounting for 99.37 of total refined products were imported during the period under review.
The NNPC noted that N188.15 billion was made on the sale of white products in the month of February 2021, lower than N190.72 billion sales recorded in January 2021.
The NNPC stated that 1.414 billion litres of white products were sold and distributed, compared with 1.436.40 billion litres in the month of January 2021.
The national oil company says this comprised 1.414 billion litres of petrol and 0.17 billion litres of diesel, consumed by Nigerians during the period.
Okonjo-Iweala Decries Low Rate of COVID-19 Vaccination in Nigeria
Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has lamented the low rate of COVID-19 vaccination in Nigeria and Africa, in general.
Okonjo-Iweala says to fill the wide immunisation gap, WTO was ramping up vaccines’ production, with a target of 11 billion doses by the end of this year, way beyond the present output level of 3.8 billion.
Okonjo-Iweala says the production of the vaccine volume had been increasing, with the figure in June growing by 1.1 billion, representing a 45 per cent increase from May production.
She however says most doses end up in the developed countries and the vaccine inequity continues and vaccines producers need to change the story.
Tunisian President Suspends Parliament
Tunisian President Kais Saied announced the suspension of the country’s parliament and the dismissal of Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi following a day of protests against the ruling party.
He says the constitution does not allow for the dissolution of parliament, but it does allow for its work to be suspended citing Article 80 which permits such a measure in case of imminent danger.
Saved says he would take over executive power with the help of a government headed by a new chief appointed by the president himself.
He also said that the immunity would be lifted for parliamentary deputies.
South Africa Eases Covid Restrictions
South Africa has eased some Covid restrictions after President Cyril Ramaphosa said the country had largely passed the peak of its third wave of the pandemic.
A night-time curfew and mandatory face mask-wearing remain in force, but Mr Ramaphosa is lifting the weekday ban on alcohol sales and is allowing people to move between provinces.
Schools will also be allowed to reopen on Monday.
Mr Ramaphosa says overall infections were down 20% from the previous week, though the figures are still rising in three provinces.
Ethiopian Region Calls For Citizen Mobilization
The president of Ethiopia's Amhara region has called on all residents holding arms to mobilise against rebels from neighbouring Tigray.
He says from Monday all people of age who are armed either at a governmental or private level will be mobilised for a survival campaign.
The call to arms from Mr Agegnehu follows a similar statement on Friday by the leader of Ethiopia's Afar region, leading to fears that the eight-month-long conflict in Tigray could spread.
A spokesman for Tigrayan rebels has vowed they will liberate every square inch of Tigray, which includes disputed areas that have been occupied by Amhara forces since the beginning of the war.
Tanzania Receives 1m Covid Vaccines
Tanzania has received more than one million doses of the Johnson and Johnson coronavirus vaccine.
The single-dose vaccine will be offered free of charge in all government hospitals.
The country will also offer the jab to those planning to travel abroad - at a cost.
The semi-autonomous Tanzanian islands of Zanzibar began a vaccination campaign about two weeks ago using China's Sinovac vaccine.
No data has been shared on how many people have so far been vaccinated there. It is also unclear how many doses the authorities received from the Chinese government.