… as deputy receives his
By Ado Hassan, Sokoto
Sokoto State Government has said it will ensure not leas than 74% its indigenes yet to be enrolled into the Nigerian Identity Management System are duly registered and have obtained the National Identity Card.
Government Aminu Waziri Tambuwal made the vow when he received the Sokoto state Coordinator of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Mal. Garba Balarabe in his office.
Tambuwal who spoke through his deputy, Hon. Manir Muhammad Dan’Iya expressed displeasure at 16% level of enrolment recorded of the state indigenes since the exercise commenced.
According to him” the percentage is too low compared to the enrolment of citizens in other states.
” It is quite insignificant to a population of over 5 million people in the state”, he pointed out.
The governor further urged citizens in the state, especially those in rural areas
to avail themselves of the enrollment as there were multiple benefits to derive from doing so, ” it is a civic responsibility and right to obtain the card as a mark of nationalism and patriotism as nationals”, he stresses.
However, Dan’Iya who received his permanent identity card after years of enrollment, stated that: “All Nigerians need the identity with which the government can generate accurate data for national and economic development plan.”
Tambuwal said his government “is ever ready to assist the NIMC in discharging its responsibilities across the 23 local government areas in Sokoto State.
Earlier, Mal. Balarabe said his visit was to officially present to him(Dan’Iya)his permanent ID card as well intimate him on the level of enrollment recorded in Sokoto.
According to state Coordinator,” the level of enrolment in the state is fast alarming compared to other states. “
Though, he told the deputy governor that despite the low patronage from the public and little assistance from the state government, the commission had been performing its activities in tune with its objects since it began operations in the state even as he noted that only few students, bank customers and others directed to the commission by officials of the NIS for reason of business transaction or access to certain essential services patronise the office for ID cards , statistics have shown.
He therefore, appealed for the support of the state government in mobilising and publicising the relevance of obtaining the card especially at the grassroot where many were yet to enroll.
