A former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, on Monday appealed to the management of National Identity Management Commission, to make the national identity cards available to all eligible Nigerians, most especially those living in the rural areas.
He said this while receiving his national identity card at his Hilltop residence, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
He activated his own national identity card using his own fingerprints.
Obasanjo, however, expressed concern about the process of activating the card stressing that he knew he got special treatment in activating his own card.
He also appealed to the NIMC to simplify the process at the rural level, because of the technology being deployed.
Obasanjo said he had budgetted N16m for the same exercise when he was Head of state in 1979, but some people organised a protest against it.
He said, “When I broached the subject of identity card in 1979, there were protests by those who felt otherwise.
“Today I am happy there is no objection. What Sagem gave us was not this sophisticated. Maybe we are getting the best, maybe not. I hope what we have now can be updated.
“My concern is the complication. I know I get special treatment. How will ordinary people be treated? How much facility on the card is useful to them? What is the penalty for losing the card.
“I hope this project will enhance security. It will also make easy intelligence gathering.”
The Director -General of NIMC, Mr. Chris Onyemenam, assured the former president that the rural dwellers would be adequately covered, and all issues raised adequately addressed.
A pilot programme for rural farmers, he added, had commenced in Kogi State where issues of internet access and illiteracy pose challenges.
He said non-Nigerians were not permitted to get the national identity card as it only accommodates Nigerians from 16 years and above.
He said this while receiving his national identity card at his Hilltop residence, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
He activated his own national identity card using his own fingerprints.
Obasanjo, however, expressed concern about the process of activating the card stressing that he knew he got special treatment in activating his own card.
He also appealed to the NIMC to simplify the process at the rural level, because of the technology being deployed.
Obasanjo said he had budgetted N16m for the same exercise when he was Head of state in 1979, but some people organised a protest against it.
He said, “When I broached the subject of identity card in 1979, there were protests by those who felt otherwise.
“Today I am happy there is no objection. What Sagem gave us was not this sophisticated. Maybe we are getting the best, maybe not. I hope what we have now can be updated.
“My concern is the complication. I know I get special treatment. How will ordinary people be treated? How much facility on the card is useful to them? What is the penalty for losing the card.
“I hope this project will enhance security. It will also make easy intelligence gathering.”
The Director -General of NIMC, Mr. Chris Onyemenam, assured the former president that the rural dwellers would be adequately covered, and all issues raised adequately addressed.
A pilot programme for rural farmers, he added, had commenced in Kogi State where issues of internet access and illiteracy pose challenges.
He said non-Nigerians were not permitted to get the national identity card as it only accommodates Nigerians from 16 years and above.
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