… As Deputy governor gets enrolled
Sokoto state government has vowed to ensure that 74% of the state indigenes who are yet to get enrolled for the Nigerian Identity management system, get registered.
Governor Aminu Tambuwal stated this when he received the Sokoto State Coordinator of the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, Engr Garba Balarabe on a courtesy call in his office on Monday.
Speaking through the Deputy Governor, Manir Dan’iya, the governor said the 16% of Sokoto state indigenes that got enrolled into the scheme, is very low compared to the number of citizens in other states.
According to him, the number of those so far registered, was too insignificant when compared to an estimation of over five million people that make up the population of the state.
He urged the people, especially those living in rural areas, to avail themselves of the enrollment as there are multiple benefits to derive from doing so.
The deputy governor who received his Permanent Identity Card after years of enrollment observed that all citizens need card accurate data generation.
“All Nigerians need the identity with which the government can generate accurate data for national and economic development planning.”
Tambuwal said his government “is every ready to assist the NIMC in discharging its responsibilities assuring that his administration would assist it in its efforts to reach the 23 local government areas in Sokoto state.
Speaking earlier, Engr. Balarabe said he was in the Deputy Governor’s office to officially present to him his permanent ID card and to intimate him on the level of enrollment recorded in Sokoto, which is very alarming compared to other states.
Balarabe said since inception of the Sokoto State Office, the commission had been performing its function despite low patronage from the public and little assistance from the state government.
He said from available statistics, only few students, bank customers and others directed to them by officials of Nigeria Immigration Service, because they require the identity card number to transact business or gain access to certain services, patronize the NIMC.
He appealed to the state government to come to their aid and support them in mobilizing and publicizing the importance of having a national identity card, especially in the local government areas where majority of the people are not enrolled.
