Fani-Kayode, Pantami Visit Emir Of Gombe, His Royal Highness Shehu Abubakar

….Commends his vast and remarkable knowledge of our nation’s history By Chris Udochukwu Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode and erstwhile minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Ali Pantami have paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Gombe, His Royal Highness Abubakar Shehu-Abubakar. The former Aviation minister who said they had had an excellent and insightful discussion about the great nation Nigeria, stressed that he was astounded by His Highnesses’ vast and remarkable knowledge of our nation’s history. Disclosing this via his X account @realFFK with pictures, Fani-Kayode said: “It was a joy, pleasure, honor and rare privilege for my friend and brother, the former Minister of Communications and Digital Planning, Professor (Sheik) Isa Pantami, and I to be so warmly received by His Royal Highness Abubakar Shehu-Abubakar, the Emir of Gombe, yesterday. “I was astounded by His Highnesses’ vast and remarkable knowledge of our nation’s history and we had an excellent and insightful discussion about our great nation Nigeria. “I thank him for receiving us with such love and warmth and for granting us so much …

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Pantami: Defence Minister Condemns Crowdfunding For Kidnap Victims

By Chris Udochkwu The Minister of Defence, Muhammad Badaru, has condemned crowdfunding for victims of kidnapping. Badaru stated this on Wednesday while briefing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) According to him, sourcing for ransom on social media by families and friends of abducted victims is illegal. He noted that the Nigerian Terrorism Act criminalises such act, saying that it emboldens criminals. According to the minister, FEC noted with concerns the spate of kidnapping in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and mandated the service chiefs to beef up security in the nation’s capital. The defence minister explained that during a meeting with service chiefs on Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu ordered to them to swing into action and bring the menace to an end. He attributed the rise in security challenges within the FCT to the military operations in the North-West and parts of North Central which have forced the bandits to flee their hideouts. He said most of the cases of kidnapping in the FCT happen in the suburbs. Outrage had trailed the abduction of six siblings …

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Pantami’s History Of Digital Deception And Desperation (Opinion)

In a recent press statement, Isa Ali Pantami, the former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, shamelessly proclaimed that he single-handedly raised the ministry’s quarterly revenue from a meager N51.3 million to a staggering N408.7 billion. This audacious claim, however, has been debunked by fact-checkers, exposing Pantami’s desperate attempt to rewrite history and secure a comeback as a minister under the new administration of Mr. Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The fact-check by the Cable Online Newspaper, however, provides an insight into Pantami’s pattern of deception, his habitual use of unverified statistics and dubious accomplishments throughout his career. Pantami’s ascent to the position of Minister of Communications and Digital Economy was not surprising considering his track record of manipulating unverified statistics during his tenure as the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). Pantami would proudly claim to have saved the government billions of Naira without ever providing credible evidence or allowing independent verification of his alleged accomplishments. It is a disheartening reality that such misleading claims went unchallenged, allowing him to perpetuate his deceptive tactics. During his time at …

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Why Buhari Exempted Telecomms Services From 5% Excise Duty – Pantami

By Chris Udochukwu The Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Pantami has said that President Muhammadu Buhari has exempted the Digital Economy Sector from excise duty charges in order to sustain and enhance use of Digital Economy services and to further benefit from their positive impacts on the economy. The President gave the approval on 21st March 2023 in line with the recommendations of the Presidential Review Committee on Excise Duty in the Digital Economy Sector. This was contained in a statement signed by the SSA Media/Spokesperson to the Honourable Minister of Communicatiions & Digital Economy, Uwa Suleiman (Mrs) made available to Precise Post in Abuja. The statement reads in full: The attention of the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) has been drawn to a document circulating online titled; Approval for the implementation of the 2023 fiscal policy measures and tariff amendments allegedly emanating from a government institution. However, the Federal Government of Nigeria through the office of the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, wishes to clarify the …

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I’ve defeated those who tried to stop introduction of NIM – Pantami brags

Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Pantami, has revealed that he received several threats from some citizens following the National Identity Policy Implementation. Also, Pantami disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari administration has increased the National Identity Database by 150% in three years. Pantami made this disclosure in his remarks at this year’s National Identity Day commemoration titled, ‘Institutions as Critical Stakeholders for Citizens’ Mobilisation’, in Abuja on Friday. He lauded the success story of the policy despite stiff opposition. He added that the digital Economy sector remitted more money to the FG government more than any other sector. Explaining the importance of digital identity to development, he noted that, “According to World Bank, one billion people don’t have any legal identification, especially in Africa. That is why we have uncountable challenges in Africa, because we don’t have data to plan for our citizenry”. He emphasized that Nigeria has captured more citizens into her National Identity Database than other African countries. The minister said that the essence of the event is to remind citizens why digital identity is important. …

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House of Reps promises to hear motion for Pantami’s resignation if…

The House of Representatives said it will hear the motion of Minority Leader Ndudi Elumelu for resignation of Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, when it is properly presented before it. Spokesperson of the House, Benjamin Kalu, who represents Bende Federal Constituency, in a statement in Abuja, said media reports Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila blocked Elumelu’s motion demanding Pantami’s resignation was a misrepresentation of facts. The statement reads: “The House is aware of several publications on online and traditional media claiming that the Speaker of the House, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, blocked a motion by the Minority Leader of the House, Rep. Ndudi Elumelu purportedly demanding the resignation of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami. “This misrepresentation of facts for the sake of sensationalism has necessitated this statement of clarification. “For the avoidance of doubt, the House is guided by the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives (House Rules) in its operations and administration. “In this case, the Minority Leader should have known better than to present such an issue for debate via Order 6 …

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Resign, your action is inexcusable – Wike Slams Pantami

By Chris Udochukwu Abuja (Precise Post) – Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has slammed the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami over his response to alleged ties with terrorists, urging him to immediately resign as his action is inexcusable. Furiously, Wike noted that “no reasonable Government would allow a person with the issues around Dr Patami remain in its cabinet. He stated this via his twitter handle on Wednesday. Wike tweets read: “No reasonable Government would allow a person with the issues around Dr Patami remain in its cabinet.Ordinarily the Minister should leave immediately but this Government doesn’t care. This should not be allowed, saying it was done in the past or he has repented is not the issue. It is inexcusable, at best we can say the seeds he sowed has germinated and led to the killing and destruction of people. If I was in such a situation I would have tendered my resignation.

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Pantami reacts to terrorism allegation, says he employed more christians than muslims as staff

Abuja (Precise Post) – The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, has denied any ties to terrorist groups or ethnic and religious bigotry, saying he employed more Christians than Muslims as his staff. Pantami, a Muslim cleric, said he had never had issues with his Christian aides, friends and associates of many years. He stated this in an interview with Peoples Gazette on Friday evening, amidst the raging controversies of recent reports that the minister is linked to terrorist groups going by his past controversial Islamic teachings. “My driver is Mai Keffi, a practising Christian. I also have a Christian, Ms Nwosu, as my secretary and Dr Femi, a Christian, as my technical adviser. “If I did not like Christians or I did not see them as my brothers and sisters, I would not have been working with them for so long. I employed more Christians than Muslims on my staff because I believe in merit and competence over ethnic or tribal sentiments. “I have never condoned terrorism and I reject any affiliation to terror groups. I …

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Pantami Says NIN Registration Takes Five Minutes At NIMC Offices

By Chris Udochukwu Abuja (Precise Post) – The Federal Government has informed that it takes five minutes for each Nigerian to complete the National Identification Number registration at any of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) offices nationwide. The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, disclosed this on Friday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today. “Each person takes around three to five minutes to complete the registration and go as long as you have completed your form,” he said. “You can complete the form virtually without visiting any office but there are things that require you (to be there) physically like your biometrics; you cannot submit your biometrics without you (being there) physically.” Reacting to the crowds that throng NIMC offices nationwide, the Minister said 95 percent of applicants appear at the agency’s offices without being invited. He said despite the government’s directives for Nigerians to observe the COVID-19 protocols while registering, Pantami lamented that the applicant shuns directives. The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa PantamiFile photo: The Minister of Communications and Digital …

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Why NCC Ordered Suspension Of New SIM Sale, Registration

Abuja (Precise Post) – Nigerian Communications Commission has directed Mobile Network Operators to immediately suspend the sale and activation of new SIM cards to allow an audit of the Subscriber Registration Database. The Director, Public Affairs at NCC, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, in a statement on Wednesday, said it was absolutely necessary for operators to comply until the audit exercise had been concluded. According to him, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, directed the commission to embark on an audit of the Subscriber Registration Database. He, however, said an exemption might be granted following approval from the Federal Government through the commission. He warned that non-compliance with the directive would be met with strict sanctions, including the possibility of withdrawal of operating license. Adinde said the audit would help to consolidate the achievement of the SIM Card registration exercise. The director explained that the objective of the audit exercise was to ensure compliance to set quality standards and requirements by mobile network operators. According to him, the directive became necessary in view of the preponderance of pre-registered SIMs …

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Buhari Breaks Silence On Death of Isa Pantami’s Little Daughter

President Muhammadu Buhari has reacted to the death of Isa Pantami’s daughter, Aisha. Reacting on Tuesday, Buhari commiserated with the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami. A statement signed by his spokesman, Garba Shehu said that the president had earlier placed a call to the minister on Monday evening. It said that Buhari condoled with all members of the family on the sad event, urging comfort in the teachings of the Holy Prophet on the transient nature of life. President Buhari prayed that Allah will accept the soul of the departed, and grant her Jannah tul Firdaus, according to the brief statement. Source

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FG Committed to integrate ICT in to Socio-Economic Development – Minister

By Ibrahim Kado Gombe – Dr Isa Pantami, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, says the Federal Government is committed to integrate ICTs into the socio-economic development in order to transform the country to a knowledge-based economy. Pantami stated this at the opening of 7th Regular Meeting of the National Council on Communications and Digital Economy in Gombe on Monday. Pantami, who was represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Musa Istifanus, said connectivity, capacity building and inter-agency collaboration were key factors that would bridge the digital divide and enhance technology development across the nation. “We can only address these new challenges by ensuring that we actively engage with stakeholders. “The society has realised the gains of ICT and we are committed to utilising these possibilities. “New policy interventions will be required that address global challenges in areas such as digital economy and local challenges of societal cohesion,” he said. According to him, new technology capabilities offer new ways to make it achievable. He, therefore, called on the participants to take advantage of the meeting and come up with solutions to …

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