Mr Ayoola Lawal, a former Secretary of the Diaspora Chairmen Forum Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says the planned enhancement of the National Identity Card by the Federal Government will re-write Nigeria’s history.
Ayoola, a former chairman of the APC Scandinavia, said this in a statement made available on Tuesday in Lagos.
He said the enhancement, if effectively implemented, would be the needed foundation to rebuild Nigeria.
“What President Bola Tinubu is doing is a foundation to build the country.
“It will integrate everything and curb fraud. It is a modern thing yet to be done in many civilised countries of the world.
“This is a positive development. Nigeria has just begun. I am impressed. This is what Nigeria ought to have done since. Nigerians just need more enlightenment on it.
“Nigerians don’t know the implication of this. The Nordic countries are using this. They do not even know that it is the greatest good that will happen to Nigeria,” he said.
According to him, “Nigeria has a future now. No one can impersonate you. Nobody can enter anyone’s data.”
NAN reports that the Federal Government on April 4, announced plans to launch three new national identity cards in May, and has a target of providing them for about 104 million citizens across the country.
The three new national identity cards planned by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) included a bank-enabled national identity card, a social intervention card, and an optional ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria, through NIMC, the Central Bank of Nigeria, and the Nigeria Inter-bank Settlement System, launched the innovative identity solution with payment functionality for all types of social and financial services to be powered by AfriGO, a national domestic card scheme.
“The National ID card is layered with verifiable national identity features, backed by the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007, which mandates it o enrol and issue a General Multipurpose card to Nigerians and legal residents.
“This card will address the demand for physical identification, enabling cardholders to prove their identity, access government and private social services.
“It will facilitate financial inclusion for disenfranchised Nigerians, empower citizens, as well as encourage increased participation in nation-building,” he said.
Lawal noted that the Federal Government should communicate the huge benefits of the scheme clearly and enlighten Nigerians more.
“It is not a new identity card but will rather significantly upgrade the existing one with additional functionalities, as was planned long before this administration.
“This clarification should aim to counteract the widespread belief among citizens that a completely new identity card is being issued as a means of embezzling.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria should seek to affirm that these enhancements are an extension and amalgamation of previously planned features into the existing National ID scheme.
“This unprecedented integration action of features associated with the NIN card reflects President Bola Tinubu’s dedication and commitment to Nigeria’s renewed hope agenda,” Lawal added.
He said the announcement signified the resolve and audacity of the President in implementing measures previously neglected by former administrations, for reasons known only to them.
“These are the basic building blocks for any country serious about structured development,” he said. (NAN)