In the light of the recent partnership between the Agency and National Identity Management Commission, the Borno State Directorate embarked on series of activities and advocacy visits to seek for support and create more awareness and sensitize the public on the benefits of the national identity management systems (NIMs) and national identity numbers (NINs).
In his opening remark, the State Director represented by Deputy Director Admin and Programmes Alhaji Ja’afar Imam stressed the purpose of the visit in all the places visited which he said there are series of activities lined up by the agency nationwide which are expected to span through the month of August 2018. The advocacy visits was aimed at sensitizing, enlightening and mobilizing the general public on the benefits of national identity card and the need for popular participation in the enrolment exercise in the state.
On the 27th of August 2018 the agency’s visit first port of call was the District Head of Maisandari in MMC, Alhaji Abba Bukar represented by his Secretary Alhaji Ibrahim Sanda Liberty. The District Head in his response pledged his commitment to make adequate arrangement for the success of the exercise in his domain. He even promised to support the enrolment exercise to the nearby communities not under him if given the chance by NIMC at the ratio of 40% to 60% respectively.
On the 28th August 2018, the team was at the palace of the District Head of Limakara / Jale of Gwoza LGA Alhaji Abdulwahab Galadima Boyi in his office. He promised to inform his subjects and show readiness to shoulder the expenses of the NIMC staff that would go and enrol his people. He said that the place has a security challenge, but he promised to guarantee their safety, accommodation, transportation and will even hire chopper to convey them till they finish the exercise if need be. He therefore seized the opportunity to appeal to NIMC through NOA to arrange their staff that would handle the exercise of enrolment while he bears all the expenses as promised.
On the 29th August 2018, the entourage also paid a similar visit to the District Head of Kulli in Marte LGA Alhaji Zanna Bukaar. The District Head stated that he is aware of the programme, thus, he would do all his best to enlighten his subjects on the importance and benefits of the national identity card. In In his response, the Deputy Director urged the District Head and three of his members to visit NOA office the next day to enrol in the on-going exercise to serve as an example to others.
Similarly, the team also paid a visit to Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) secretariat office along Budum in MMC on the 30th of August 2018. The JNI State Chairman Sheikh Muhammad Goni Sa’ad Ngamdu assured the agency that the message would reach all the spiritual leaders especially Imams of Juma’at Mosques to include it in the Friday sermons for two months and even beyond. He stated that Nigerians have ‘I don’t care attitude’ and slow in doing things, thus promised to continue to sensitize their followers to obtain the card. Finally, he promised to be on the forefront to enlighten the public and the JNI is ready to partner with NOA in all the programmes anytime and enjoined the agency to maintain the tempo.
The agency on 31st August 2018 visited the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in their office at Wulari Jerusalem, Maiduguri, the chairman Mohammed William Nagga revealed obvious reasons why we should all enrol in the National Identity Card. He said when he visited Israel, he used the National ID Card as means of identification, all he did was to place the card before a machine and it reveal all details about him on a screen. In view of this when he returned to Nigeria he requested NIMC to come and enrol people both Christians and Muslims, and about 32,000 people were enrolled both in IDP camps and host community in Wulari.
The Clergy Man requested a Nigerian National Flag from NOA so that they can hoist in their office which the agency obliged.
To crown it all, on the 3rd of September 2018, the agency took the sensitization campaign round the city of Maiduguri to sensitize the general public on the benefits of the National Identity Cards. The places visited includes Motor parks, small scale business areas, market places (Monday market), Keke Napep parks and on major roads in the metropolis. Hitherto, so many questions/observations were raised by individuals and groups on the issue of the enrolment process and answers given by the NOA team.
Long queue, delay in the process of registration has been identified by many people who made contributions at the occasions. They said for example one would go to the center office for consecutive three days before she/he is enrolled, sometime he/she stop going out of frustration and anger.
Others lament on the attitude of the staff of NIMC who collect money and show fatherrism in the exercise.
Delay in issuance of the permanent identity card
Some were enrolled more than a year or two yet didn’t collect their card.
In view of the above, the general public urged for more enrolment centers across the state to facilitate the exercise to make it easier for both the enrolment and collection.
At this juncture NOA enjoined all and sundry to be patient and law abiding citizens to achieve their goals especially on anything that has to do with their life and national interest.
Highlights of the occasions were the distribution of NIMC posters/ placards, handbills to the public.
In conclusion, the agency received warm welcome, robust deliberations in all areas visited and they all assured the agency of their support and collaboration on not only this campaign objectives but also in all areas that bind us together so that we can build Nigeria of our dream.