The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has clarified what it described as the unfounded fears of mass disconnection of telephone subscribers. The statement was contained in a statement issued yesterday by its Director of Public Affairs, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde. The commission in a statement said that its attention has been drawn to numerous publications in the media space regarding the matter of mass disconnection as a result of the ongoing linkage of SIM Registration Records with the National Identity Number (NIN). “The attention of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has been drawn to numerous publications in both print and electronic media regarding the unfounded fears of mass disconnection of telephone subscribers as a result of the ongoing linkage of SIM registration records with the National Identity Number (NIN).

The Federal Government of Nigeria yesterday launched the Special Public Works (SPW) programme targeting employment for 774,000 itinerant workers nationwide for three months. Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, SAN, while flagging off the programme, held at the Old Parade Ground, Abuja, said it would provide the necessary economic palliatives to the 774,000 unemployed youths. The government said the initiative, through which the beneficiaries will be paid N200,000 each, was conceived to shield vulnerable Nigerians from poverty, hunger and joblessness.

The United Kingdom (UK) has promised to assist some nine countries and regions including Nigeria with the sum of £47 million as aid to provide food, nutrition, water, and shelter for impoverished families. In a statement on Thursday, by the Deputy British High Commission, tagged, “COVID-19: UK pledges an extra £47 million of aid for families hit by hunger around the world including £7m to Nigeria”. The UK in the statement, stated that it was lobbying international donors to assist in making available more funding, and requested for all conflict parties to allow safe, sustained, and unhindered humanitarian access to all people in need of assistance.

The Federal Government has demanded an apology from the British government after a parliamentarian made an “unsubstantiated” claim that Yakubu Gowon, Nigeria’s former head of state, looted public treasury. The British parliamentarian, Tom Tugendhat, was quoted during a debate on a petition regarding arbitrary use of force and brutality by Nigerian security forces on Tuesday, saying "some people will remember when General Gown left Nigeria with half the Central Bank and moved to London.” Tugendhat, however, the MP did not provide any evidence or source to support his claim.

President Muhammadu Buhari said reiterated that his administration remains committed to eradicating poverty & enhancing development for women & girls. In a statement to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the president said Nigeria will conduct a review on laws that protect women, including laws touching on offences of rape, child defilement and gender-based violence to enhance laws addressing violence against women and girls. The President disclosed that Nigeria is conducting a review of existing laws touching on violence against women and girls to boost the national response.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the arrest of former Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team, Mister Abdulrasheed Maina following his absence in court for the fourth consecutive time to continue trial in the alleged N2 billion fraud charges leveled against him by the federal government. Justice Okon Abang, during the resumption of trial in Abuja on Wednesday, instructed security agents in the country to ensure the arrest of Mister Maina anywhere he is found and bring him before the court to face the consequences of his jumping bail granted him by the court.