No going back on NIN, SIM verification, says Pantami
Minister denies link with terror group
MINISTER of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami, yesterday, said Federal Government would not go back on the verification of National Identity Number ( NIN) and Subscriber Identification Modules ( SIM) aimed at curbing the rising insecurity level in the country.
Pantami, while reacting to a report linking him to a particular terror group, twitted via his official Twitter handle @ Drisapantami: “On the issue of NIN- SIM verification to fight insecurity, there is no going back. Our priority as government based on the provision of our constitution 1999 ( as amended) Section 14( 2) b is security, not just economy. For sure, no going back at all.”
A report, which went viral, yesterday, alleged that the United States placed Pantami on a “terror watch list” for alleged ties with the late Boko timation would stop him from implementing the good Haram founder, Mohammed policies of President MuhamYusuf. madu Buhari on security.
The minister, however, said “Finally, if you are yet to verify that his lectures against the your SIM, using NIN, do it very doctrines and all other evil soon, before our next action. people have been available Criminals are feeling the for over 15 years. “The lectures heat.”
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He said that by the grace of tion ( FBI) Terror Watch List, dehis creator, no amount of in- scribing it as a propaganda that could only be the last resort of disgruntled enemies of progress.
In an article made available to The Guardian, yesterday, Suleiman observed that one of Pantami’s earliest policies on the registration of SIM cards was aimed at fighting terrorism as it hindered unregulated sale and registration of SIMS. “The current NIN/ SIM linkage also seeks to further give impetus to that policy.”
According to Suleiman, it is heart breaking that while the rest of Africa is scrambling to partner with Pantami, albeit the Digital Economy sector which he has nurtured to global relevance, Nigerians who should take ownership of this generational enigma are at the forefront of a plot to pull him down. .
“Just last month, by consensus, Pantami emerged the chairman of West Africa Telecoms Regulatory Assembly, a regional body made up of the highest decision makers in the industry. That is Africa recognising integrity and patriotism and the way to a future of global reckoning.”