News
FG Kicks Off LG Address System Campaign
The Federal Government has launched a nationwide sensitisation campaign for the activation and implementation of a Local Government Proof of Address (POA) System, a key initiative under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu aimed at enhancing grassroots governance, strengthening national security, and improving service delivery across the country.
The campaign was flagged off on Monday by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, during a stakeholders’ sensitisation programme organised for northern geopolitical stakeholders in collaboration with the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON).
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Office, Engr. Nadungu Gagare, the SGF said the Proof of Address System is designed to provide every resident in Nigeria with a verifiable and secure address, fully integrated into public and private administrative processes.
According to a statement by the Director of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Segun Imohiosen, Akume said “the POA initiative reflects President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s steadfast commitment to tackling the nation’s key challenges while laying the foundation for a safer, more efficient, and prosperous Nigeria.
“It represents a crucial step toward strengthening governance, enhancing security, and improving efficient service delivery at the grassroots”, Akume said.
According to the SGF, the system will be rolled out across all 774 local government areas and is expected to serve as a vital tool in combating insecurity, fostering transparency, and curbing a wide range of social and administrative vices.
“This initiative will not only provide a reliable database of verifiable addresses but will also enable better delivery of government services and infrastructure,” he added.
National President of ALGON, Hon. (Engr.) Bello Lawal, represented by Simon Akala, Special Adviser and former Chairman of Karu Local Government Area, emphasized the transformative potential of the POA system when linked to a properly coordinated street naming and numbering framework.
He said the POA infrastructure would play a foundational role in enabling financial inclusion, issuing national identity cards, voter registration, passport processing, utility services, and delivery of address-linked credentials such as the National Identification Number (NIN).
“This is a critical national project. We urge traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, and local government officials to rally behind this effort to bring lasting development to our communities,” Akala said.
Also speaking at the event, the Postmaster General of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), Tola Adeyemi, represented by Mrs. Rose Ismaila, reaffirmed the agency’s readiness to support the POA system.
She noted that NIPOST has a constitutional mandate to develop and maintain a national address system and digital postcode database.
“We are currently working with ALGON to ensure street names across the country are accurately aligned with postcodes and that every building in Nigeria has a Digital Alpha Numeric Postcode for easy identification,” Ismaila stated.
She stressed that a reliable address system is essential not only for improved mail delivery but also for emergency services, e-commerce, policing, healthcare delivery, and economic planning.
The sensitisation campaign marks a major step in the Federal Government’s drive to modernise Nigeria’s administrative infrastructure at the grassroots level, where accurate address systems are often nonexistent or poorly maintained.
Stakeholders at the meeting hailed the initiative as a welcome development, calling for sustained collaboration between all tiers of government, private sector players, and local communities to ensure the successful implementation of the system nationwide.
Thenationonlineng.net
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has sentenced the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Naija News reports that Justice had earlier convicted Kanu on all seven counts levelled against him by the Federal Government.
The judge sentenced Kanu to life imprisonment for count 1, 2, 4,5, and 6.
He also sentenced Kanu to 20 years forcount 3 without option of fine.
The Judge sentenced Kanu to five years in prison on count seven without option of fine.
Justice Omotosho ruled that he should not be kept in Kuje prison. He forfeited Nnamdi Kanu’s radio transmitter and barred him from access to social media.
More are still coming
The Federal Government has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to impose the death sentence on the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, following his conviction on all seven terrorism counts.
The request was made on Thursday by the FG’s lead counsel, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), shortly after Justice James Omotosho found Kanu guilty of all charges preferred against him.
Awomolo, addressing the court after the verdict, argued that the severity of Kanu’s actions merited the maximum penalty under the law.
The senior lawyer insisted that Kanu committed “many illegalities” and should not be treated with leniency.
Awomolo further reminded the court that four of the seven counts on which Kanu was convicted carry the death sentence under Nigeria’s terrorism laws.
He urged Justice Omotosho to take this into account in determining the appropriate punishment.
“It will not be considered justice that he is isolated and punished lightly in a country where we have Boko Haram, ISWAP, Lakurawa, et cetera,” he argued.
According to the prosecution, Kanu’s actions were as destabilising as those of other violent groups and should be treated with equal seriousness.
Awomolo also urged the judge to ensure that Kanu is kept in a secure correctional facility pending the court’s final pronouncement on sentencing.
He stressed the need to prevent any disruptions or security breaches involving the IPOB leader while the sentencing process is underway.
Kanu was earlier found guilty of inciting violence, ordering attacks on security personnel, calling for killings, and issuing threats capable of terrorising the public, all captured in broadcasts tendered as evidence by the prosecution.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has delivered his ruling in the case between the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, and the Federal Government.
Naija News reports that the judgement was given in Nnamdi Kanu’s absence after the judge had ordered security operatives to kick him out of the court over his unruly behaviour.
Nnamdi Kanu had earlier stated that the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja does not have the jurisdiction to try him.
The separatist, who has been in custody since 2021, faced seven terrorism-related charges bordering on alleged incitement, running an unlawful group, and acts threatening national security.
The IPOB leader contended that the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, under which he is being prosecuted, has been repealed.
He urged the court to strike out the charges, describing them as “disclosing no offence known to law” and therefore invalid.
Kanu also requested that the court nullify the “purported plea of not guilty” entered on his behalf, claiming it was obtained through deception and contrary to a Supreme Court ruling.
He further asked the court to set aside all subsequent proceedings and order his immediate release.
“My contention is very simple: this court lacks jurisdiction to try me,” he said.
Delivering ruling on Thursday, Justice Omotosho ruled that the court has the authority to preside over the Nnamdi Kanu case.
The judge also stated that the matter of extradition has been settled by the Supreme Court, and he ruled against Kanu in this regard.
On the issue of fairness in the hearing for Nnmadi Kanu, Omotosho ruled against the IPOB leader, stating that the court ensured he received a fair hearing.
On the defendant not entering his defence, Justice Omotosho said: “I begged the defendant passionately to enter his defence, but he remained obsolete. That shows that he chose to rest his case on the prosecution. Which is a gamble and a risky action.”
The court found Nnamdi Kanu guilty and convicted him of count 1 in the charges filed against him by the federal government.
The Judge said: “The court will rely on the uncontroverted evidence of the prosecution. This court, therefore, finds that the prosecution has discharged Count 1 beyond reasonable doubt. Consequently, the defendant (Kanu) is hereby convicted in respect of Count 1.”
More judgement is being read and this report will be updated as it comes in…….
BREAKING: Court Sentences Nnamdi Kanu To Life Imprisonment
Just In: FG Urges Court To Impose Death Sentence On Nnamdi Kanu
Court Finally Delivers Judgement In Nnamdi Kanu’s Terrorism Case
-
News1 day agoJudge Declares Nnamdi Kanu An ‘International Terrorist’
-
News1 day agoNAF Launch Fresh Airstrikes On Terrorists Hideout In Sambisa Forest
-
News1 day agoCourt Finally Delivers Judgement In Nnamdi Kanu’s Terrorism Case
-
News1 day agoJust In: FG Urges Court To Impose Death Sentence On Nnamdi Kanu
-
News1 day agoBREAKING: Court Sentences Nnamdi Kanu To Life Imprisonment