National ID card officers resume enrolment of applicants
By Damilola Kushimo
It was a moment of relief for applicants of National Identity Card as the local enrolment centre in Isolo resumed operations last week.
The exercise, which is being handled by National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) – a Federal Government Agency had ceased to operate since Covidi-19 pandemic broke out in compliance with the lockdown protocol.
The agency had earlier informed ECHONEWS of its resumption, stating it was expecting the government’s directive and the provision of some infrastructures by the local government.
Following the provision of a conducive office within the council’s customary court with basic facilities including hand sanitizer and hand washing equipment by the Isolo LCDA, the coast became clear for the agency to continue its operation.
According to the Secretary to the Local Government (SLG), Hon. Emmanuel Olojede, the council provided the facilities as requested by the agency to spur its resumption for the benefit of the applicants.
One of the applicants, Stephen Obasi, said the resumption was timely as the ID card registration slip met his needs.
His words: “I am very happy that they’ve resumed the registration. As a matter of fact, I need it today before 3pm to upgrade my account in the bank. Their resumption is so timely. If they have not resumed, it would have been very difficult for me to carry out any bank transaction. From my assessment, their operation is satisfactory.”
Mr. Sunday Okafor who now wishes to be known as Sunday Ajah explained how important the registration is to him in order to perfect all formality as regards his new last name, emphasising that the resumption was at the right time for him.
However, some applicants recalled how their inability to provide the ID card for some important official registrations had cost them fortune prior to this time.
“Their resumption is still timely because I still have the opportunity to apply for Nigerian Navy or Army since I couldn’t put in for Nigerian Airforce due to the fact that I didn’t have the national ID Card which is a major requirement. I hope I get my registration done today anyway,” Amadi Uzoma stated.
Another applicant, Mr. Shamsudeen Bello said: “I need it to request for my pension. I should have collected it before now but I didn’t have National ID Card and I was told it is one of the compulsory requirements. Some of my colleagues have been given their own 25 per cent but I am yet to get mine due to the fact that I don’t have National ID Card and that’s why I have been here since 5am, but the network hasn’t been favorable since they began their operation for the day.”
