Veteran talk-show host, Larry King dies at 87
53,460 3G and 4G Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) deployed in Nigeria – Prof. Danbatta
Niger Insurance Plc gets shareholders nod to restructure business
Nigeria’s Qua Iboe crude exports resume as ExxonMobil lifts force majeure
CBN says revised new cheque book to become fully operational from April 1, 2021
These are Nigerian stocks Warren Buffett may likely buy
Elon Musk to offer $100 million prize for best carbon capture technology
Unilever sets out plans to help build a more equitable and inclusive society
Unilever Overseas Holdings acquires N352 million worth of shares of Nigerian subsidiary
WHO warns Africa in danger of being left behind in Covid-19 vaccination
Business
FG receives farm inputs from Japanese agency to boost rice production
Japanese International Cooperation Agency has supported 1,500 small scale rice farmers with farm inputs to boost agricultural production.
The Federal Government in a bid to support smallholder rice farmers in nine states of the federation has received farm inputs from the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
According to a NAN report, this development was made known in a statement issued by the Deputy Director of Information, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs Eno Olotu, on Tuesday in Abuja.
She explained that the farm inputs received from the Japanese agency would to support smallholder rice farmers in nine beneficiary states, which includes Kwara, Nassarawa, Niger, Bauchi, Taraba, Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa and Kebbi. This in her words will help to improve rice production and food security in Nigeria.
The Representative of JICA in Nigeria, Mr Nakagawa Takayuki, stressed that the support was in further collaboration with the ministry to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic challenges. He added that with the support of the Japanese Government, JICA would assist the smallholder farmers to increase their rice production and improve its quality.
The Director, Federal Department of Agriculture (FDA), Mrs Karima Babaginda, who received the inputs on behalf of the ministry, expressed appreciation to JICA for supporting rice farmers to scale up rice production in Nigeria.
She said that with the support from JICA and other donor agencies, Nigeria would not only be self-sufficient in rice production but would soon be a major exporter, as the largest producer of rice in Africa currently.
What you should know
- According to the statement of Mrs Babaginda, with about 500,000 metric tons to bridge the gap, Nigeria would soon meet the seven million metric tons production capacity needed to attain self-sufficiency status in rice production.
- The Ministry of Agriculture would work closely with key stakeholders and the smallholder farmers to monitor the distribution and utilization of the inputs to the 1,500 small scale rice farmers in the nine pilot states.
- The items donated by JICA to the ministry include 1,500 bags of Certified Rice Seeds, 6,000 bags of NPK Fertilizer, 3,000 bags of Urea Fertilizer, 1, 500 litres of Soul Amender, 7,500 litres of herbicide and 6,000 litres of pesticide.
What they are saying
Takayuki in his statement said:
- “This will help to support the efforts made by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in reducing the impact of COVID-19. On behalf of the Government of Japan, JICA is providing agricultural inputs to 1,500 small scale rice farmers in nine states for dry season rice farming.
- “We also plan to provide the inputs to 1,000 small scale farmers in 10 states, namely, Borno, Gombe, Kogi, Benue, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Ogun, Taraba and Oyo for the wet season farming.”
Business
53,460 3G and 4G Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) deployed in Nigeria – Prof. Danbatta
The 3G and 4G base transceiver stations deployed in Nigeria in the last 5 years increased from 30,000 to 53,460.
A total of 53,460 third-generation (3G) and fourth-generation (4G) base transceiver stations (BTS) have been deployed in Nigeria in the last five years.
This was disclosed by the Executive Vice Chairman of Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta at a briefing session for the new Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, Engr. Festus Yusuf Daudu.
According to Danbatta, the effective regulatory regime put in place by his leadership has created the desired impetus for the increased deployment of infrastructure by various telecoms operators, which in turn, has helped to improve the broadband penetration and other related service delivery in the telecoms industry.
“The BTS, fibre optic cables and other related infrastructure are central to the provision of improved service experience for Nigerians by their respective telecoms service providers.
“The licensed Infrastructure Companies (InfraCos) are also expected to add 38,296km to optic fibre cables when they commence full operations.”
What they are saying
According to Prof Danbatta:
- “The Commission will continue to put in its best in the discharge of its mandates, especially in facilitating the deployment of broadband, which is central to diversifying the Nigerian economy and national development”
- “Also, it is our belief that the communications industry, under the leadership of the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, will experience more quantum leaps and retain its current leadership role in the telecommunications space”
In his reaction and comment, the new Perm Sec, Engr. Festus Yusuf Daudu said:
- “I want to thank NCC for its contribution to the Nigerian economy so far. I am not exaggerating about the achievements of NCC, in terms of contribution to GDP and how NCC’s effective regulatory role has been helping the economy in so many ways”
What you should know
- The BTS system is part of a GSM network that is responsible for the reception and transmission of radio signals from mobile phones.
- A Base Transceiver Station is a general description of equipment consisting of the telecommunication technology and the air interface of the mobile network (GSM, UMTS etc.).
- The deployment of the 3G and 4G base transceiver stations (BTS) increased from 30,000 to 53,460, in the last 5 years
- While the Fibre Optic Transmission cables expanded from 47,000km to 54,725km
- As at November, 2020, active telephony subscribers stood at 208 million with tele-density standing at 108.92%
- Active Internet subscriptions of 154.9 million were achieved with broadband penetration rate of 45.07%
- The number of subscriptions to DND service hit over 30 million as the service empowers Nigerians to be able to protect themselves from the menace of unsolicited text messages and calls.
Why this matters
Having more Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) is quite imperative for driving an improved broadband/telecoms service delivery to Nigerian subscribers.
The poor services currently experienced by many telephony subscribers, especially in areas not sufficiently covered by Base stations, will now be a thing of the past as even subscribers in the remotest rural areas can conveniently receive and make calls and as well as enjoy other subscription services, without hitches.
Business
Steps to take to get your NIN
Getting your national identification number is free and would not take you a lot of time if you follow the right steps.
You cannot fully claim to be a citizen of a country if you don’t have a means of identification. There are several means of identification for Nigerians like the international passport, voter’s card, or driver’s license. Still, the most recognized and widely accepted means of identification is the National Identity Card which carries a unique number.
Your national identification number is required for almost anything you do in Nigeria these days, including opening a bank account and get a sim card. Getting your national identification number is free and would not take you a lot of time if you follow the right steps. There are three types of enrolment processes:
READ: NIN Registration: NIMC adopts booking system for enrolment from December 30
1. Self Service:
In this case, you walk into an enrollment centre and apply by yourself. All you have to do is feel an enrollment form, submit it to the officer available and do your biometrics, after which your NIN would be given to you.
2. Assisted Service:
For the assisted service, you walk in and get assistance from a support officer who helps you fill your form correctly and make sure your application is submitted. This service is mostly for people that can neither read nor write. It makes the process easier for them and helps to avoid time wastage.
READ: FG directs the suspension of NIMC staff involved in extortion of NIN applicants
3. Mobile Service:
You also have the option of walking into a mobile enrollment centre in your neighbourhood, and either do a self or assisted service. Check online for the mobile enrollment centres close to you.
To get your unique national identification number, there are some steps you have to take. They include;
Step 1: Walk into the nearest NIMC enrolment centre with the required documents (any means of identification and your BVN if you have one). Make sure you have not enrolled before, if you have, go along with your old national identification number.
READ: FG extends deadline for Telcos to block SIMs without NIN to February 2021
Step 2: Get and fill the enrollment form providing all the required information.
Step 3: Submit the filled form to the enrollment officer, who then inputs your details into the online enrollment application.
Step 4: Verify and confirm the enrolment data on the system to avoid mistakes.
READ: Beware of fake NIN app, NIMC warns Nigerians
Step 5: Capture your headshot photo, fingerprints and signature
Step 6: Give the enrolment officer your supporting documents to scan
Step 7: Your enrolment is acknowledged, and two slips are generated for you. The first slip should be a transaction slip and the second slip should be a NIN slip indicating completion of enrolment.
READ: FG commences NIN enrollment for foreign diplomats
The federal government recently made it mandatory for all Nigerians to link their NIN with their sim, so it is essential for you to get your NIN if you don’t have one. Getting your NIN should not be difficult if you have the required documents and follow the steps stated above.
Business
FG commences NIN enrollment for foreign diplomats
The NIMC has announced that it has started the enrolment of NIN for foreign diplomats in Nigeria.
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) announced that it has started the enrolment of NIN for foreign diplomats in Nigeria.
This was disclosed by the NIMC in a statement on Friday.
“The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) in his bid to ensure seamless enrolment of all diplomats in the country for the purpose of the ongoing NIN-SIM linkage and other need, directed the setting up of the enrolment center at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja,” the agency said.
READ: Beware of fake NIN app, NIMC warns Nigerians
The enrolment of diplomats started on Monday, 18th January 2021.
NIMC assured Nigerians that it would ensure the enrolment of all Nigerians and legal residents into the National Identity Database.
READ: FG invalidates SIM integration using BVN generated NIN, applicants must visit NIMC offices
What you should know: Nairametrics reported earlier that the Federal Government on Sunday announced the mandatory National Identity Number (NIN) enrolment for foreign diplomats in the country.
