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CBN Postpones The Launch Of Nigeria’s First Digital Currency, eNaira

As Nigerians await the launch of the country’s first-ever digital currency dubbed the eNaira, which was scheduled to be unveiled tomorrow, 1st of October, 2021, the country’s apex bank, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced today, Thursday, September 30th, 2021, that the planned launch of the eNaira will no longer hold tomorrow, as a new date will be announced in due course.

The launch of the nation eNaira has generated a lot of excitement among the citizens who were all looking forward to October 1 as they were eager to get on board and enjoy the new initiative by the CBN. The postponement will definitely come as a huge disappointment as they have to wait for a later date which is yet to be announced by the apex bank.

In the statement released by the CBN and was signed by the Director of Communications, Osita Nwasinobi, The apex bank explained that although they thought that merging the launch of the new digital currency with the 61st Independence Day celebration of Nigeria would be a perfect climax, they went back on that decision “in deference to the mood of national rededication to the collective dream of One Nigeria.”

The statement titled, “CBN defers eNaira launch to mark Independence Anniversary”, read in part:

“Ahead of the anticipated launch of Nigeria’s Central Bank Digital Currency, known as eNaira, the Spokesman of the Central bank of Nigeria, Mr. Osita Nwanisobi, says the planned unveiling on October 1, 2021, has now been deferred due to other key activities lined up to commemorate the country’s 61st Independence Anniversary.”

While assuring that there was no cause for alarm, Nwasinobi said the CBN and other partners were working round the clock to ensure a seamless process that will be for the overall benefit of the customer, particularly those in the rural areas and the unbanked population.

However, Nairametics has gathered that the unexpected traffic to the eNaira website forced the management of the CBN to go back to the drawing board as the surge was unexpected. According to the economic website,

“An unanticipated surge in visits on the website of the Central Bank’s eNaira initiative has led to the sudden postponement of the launch of the apex bank’s digital currency dubbed “eNaira.” The surge led to a recalibration of the number of potential users, which the bank now believes could be ten times more than earlier expected soon after the launch. The bank, therefore, decided to postpone the launch in order to recheck and retest the robustness, safety, scalability and security of the eNaira system.

“The eNaira website recorded about 480,000 hits the first day it went live. The visits grew to over 1.7 million the next day and has averaged over 2.8 million hits daily since then. Apart from attracting hits, the website has also recorded a surge in usage with the time spent on the site generating content of over 80 GB daily. Nairametrics understands this required that the apex bank conduct another stress test on its systems to ensure it is capable of withstanding a further surge in traffic when they go live.

“The apex bank seems to have learnt from the botched launch of Obamacare which was coincidentally launched on the 1st of October 2013. Back then, the website was unable to consistently handle 500 users at once in the testing phase, and tests failed with 2,000 users over a three-day period, according to a Reuters report at the time. Engineers conducted performance tests just before launch and the results pointed to capacity issues that could affect a smooth experience on the launch date. Yet they proceeded, embarrassing President Obama.

“To sidestep a similar fate, Nigeria’s central bank decided to postpone the launch until they have assurances that their system has the right capacity to withstand a surge in visits.”

News

NIMC Cracks down on Illegal NIN Centres after discovering Unauthorised Enrolment

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has arrested several illegal NIN operators and seized registration equipment in Gwagwalada. Officials warned Nigerians to avoid unapproved roadside agents to protect themselves against identity theft and extortion.

If you’ve ever been tempted to register your National Identification Number (NIN) through a roadside “agent” who promised to get it done faster, you may want to think twice. The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has stepped up its fight against illegal NIN registration and unauthorised data modification, arresting several suspects during an enforcement operation in Gwagwalada and other locations.

The Commission said officers from its Inspectorate Compliance and Enforcement Unit (ICEU) carried out the operation seizing machines and other equipment allegedly used for illegal NIN enrolment.

According to NIMC, the crackdown is aimed at protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s National Identity Management System and stopping people from exploiting Nigerians through unauthorised registration and extortion.

The agency explained that many of the complaints and problems experienced by NIN holders often happen because some people choose to bypass the Commission’s approved registration process.

It reminded Nigerians that NIN enrolment can only be done at NIMC-approved enrolment centres, while changes to personal information, such as names, phone numbers or dates of birth, should only be made through the Commission’s official self-service modification platform.

NIMC also encouraged NIN holders to download the NINAuth mobile application from the Google Play Store or Apple’s App Store. The app allows users to access extra security features, print their NIN slips, and manage other identity-related services securely.

Reaffirming the agency’s position, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NIMC, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, said the Commission has no room for extortion or unethical practices.

She said the Commission remained committed to providing “seamless and hitch-free NIN enrolment services” for Nigerians and legal residents. The Commission urged members of the public to avoid unofficial registration centres and use only approved channels for NIN enrolment and related services.

It also advised Nigerians to visit its official website and verified social media platforms for accurate information and updates, warning that dealing with unauthorised operators could expose them to fraud, identity theft and invalid records.

News

Veteran Nollywood actor Francis Duru to be buried in Imo State

The family of late Nollywood actor Francis Duru has released details for his final burial rites. Services of songs will be held in Abuja and Imo State before he is laid to rest on December 11, 2026. The family made the announcement in a statement shared on the actor’s official Instagram page on Monday, November 2, inviting relatives, friends, colleagues and well-wishers to join them in honouring his life and legacy.

According to the announcement, a service of songs will be held on Wednesday, November 25, at 5 p.m. at Family Worship Centre, Idris Gidado Street, Wuye, Abuja. A second service of songs is scheduled for Thursday, December 10, at the late Pa Theophilus Ogide Duru’s family compound in Okai, Eziama, Isiala Mbano, Imo State.

The funeral and interment will follow on Friday, December 11, at the same family compound.

The statement, signed by the actor’s son, Ebuka Duru, and sister, Anthonia Chenyi, described him as a cherished husband, father, brother, uncle and friend.

The family also expressed appreciation to those who had supported them with prayers, calls, messages, and other gestures since his death. The statement read, “A remarkable life, a beautiful legacy, a star that will never stop shining. Though our beloved Chief Francis Duru has taken his final bow, his memories will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.”

The family added that the love and support received throughout the difficult period had been a source of strength as they prepared to give the actor a final farewell.

News

Pastor Jimmy Odukoya remarries years after his first marriage ended

Pastor Jimmy Odukoya has remarried years after his first marriage ended, introducing his new wife, Mo Jasyme, to The Fountain of Life Church congregation during a Sunday service in Lagos. Pastor Jimmy Odukoya has found love again, more than a decade after marrying his first wife, Oluwakemi Sade Banjoko, with whom he shares two children.

The senior pastor of The Fountain of Life Church, Lagos, introduced his new wife, identified as Mo Jasyme, to his congregation during Sunday service on November 1, 2026. The announcement came a day after Odukoya sparked curiosity on social media by sharing a photograph of two hands wearing wedding rings with the caption, “To New Beginnings.”

His followers, especially popular celebrities like Broda Shaggi, Ifedayo Agoro and Bisola Aiyelola, congratulated him.

Standing beside his wife in church, Jimmy spoke about how he had been navigating life alone since taking over the leadership of the church following his father’s death. He then introduced her to the congregation as his wife and the church’s new first lady.

The couple subsequently knelt before Pastor Tunde Bakare, the General Overseer of Citadel Global Community Church, who prayed for and blessed their union.

Before his new marriage, Odukoya was married to Oluwakemi Sade Banjoko, popularly known as Kemi. The couple married in London on March 9, 2013, after meeting in Lagos in 2011. They eventually welcomed two children together before their marriage ended in separation.

Interestingly, their relationship began at Ooh La La, a restaurant in Ikeja, Lagos, when Kemi accompanied her cousin to meet Jimmy and a mutual friend.

In a 2013 interview with ThisDay, republished by YNaija, the couple opened up about their courtship ahead of their wedding. Jimmy recalled that although he initially paid more attention to Kemi’s cousin, they eventually started talking at another family gathering.

Their conversations became so frequent that they sometimes spoke from 8 p.m. until 5 a.m.Interestingly, Kemi revealed that Jimmy did not initially tell her he was a pastor. When he eventually disclosed it, she reportedly went silent for about 30 seconds.

Jimmy also recounted how he proposed to her in London, using a sweet wrapper to playfully ask her to marry him before revealing the actual engagement ring.

However, their marriage eventually came to an end. Pastor Jimmy Odukoya’s new wife is Mo Jasyme, a designer and creative entrepreneur who is now known as Pastor Mo Odukoya.

Mo was previously married to British-Nigerian music producer Mosadoluwa Adegboye, popularly known as itsMOSA. The former couple reportedly collaborated on several creative projects during their relationship.

Mo made her first public appearance as Jimmy’s wife at The Fountain of Life Church on November 1, 2026, where she described it as an honour to stand alongside her husband.