NIMC Urged to Issue National e-ID Cards to Women, Bags Award

Dame Patience Jonathan, the first Lady, has urged the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to ensure that all Nigerian women get enrolled into the National Identity Database, and also receives their new National e-ID Cards.
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Speaking shortly after she was presented her Card by Barrister Chris Onyemenam, director general of NIMC, at the state house in Abuja yesterday, the first lady commended the Commission for delivering her National e-ID Card in record time.

The First Lady's advice came on heels of NIMC clinching two awards in the 2014 National Information Technology Agency (NITDA) - NIHILENT e-Governance awards programs organised to evaluate all e-governance projects in the country.

‎She however noted that the Commission must work judiciously to ensure that no woman is left behind in the enrolment of the National Identification Number (NIN) and the issuance of the National e-ID Card.

‎According to her, the National e-ID Card will enable me assert my identity as a Nigerian, but the Commission must ensure that the e-ID Card reaches to the Grass-root areas and hinterlands, especially to the women folk.

“NIMC must ensure that the distribution of the e-ID Card should reach all Nigerians particularly the women folk which is my Primary Constituency.” she said.

‎She added that, NIMC must quickly embark on a massive awareness and sensitisation campaigns in the rural areas in particular and Nigeria at large to further create awareness on the project.

‎The first lady also implored NIMC to ensure that the new National e-ID Card is not faked and urged the commission to collaborate with the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) to ensure that the National e-ID Card supports and compliments the International passport.

“The NIMC must however collaborate with Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), indeed the combination of the International passport and the National e-ID Card will help affirm the identity of any Nigerian, “she said.

She added that this new card should be able to differentiate Nigerians from Non-Nigerians and also assist the security agencies, fish out non Nigerians who are posing as Nigerians.

A press statement from Abdulhamid Umar, deputy director, Corporate Communications‎ NIMC also contains that NIMC was awarded the best runners up in two categories: ‘web presence and e-Governance project, following an exhaustive jury and assessment process.
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The Director General, NIMC who was represented by the Deputy Director, Corporate Communications said NIMC was indeed honoured by the awards.‎

The Nigerian Customs Service received the first position web presence while Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) received the best position e-Governance project in the same category.

On ground to chair the event was the first Lady Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan.

She was represented by Mrs. Mohammed Sambo the wife of the Vice President.

Others at the event include Information and Communications Technology heavyweights such as Director General/CEO of Omatek Computers, Mrs Florence Seriki, the DG NITDA, Mr. Peter Jack, the Board Chairman of NITDA and a host of others.

With a theme creating market opportunities for indigenous ICT Products and Services, the NITDA through the awards, aims to recognize leading lights in the area of e-Governance in Nigeria, disseminate knowledge on effective methods of implementing the initiatives, encourage innovation in e-Governance as well as foster a collaborative environment for problem resolution, risk management and future planning.

Peter Jack, director general, NITDA, noted that all government agencies must proactively invest in Information Technology in order to consolidate on the gains of past investments in the sector.

He explained that NITDA collaborated with NIHILENT in this years “NITDA-Nihilent e-Governance Awards” to evaluate, recognize and promote excellence in implementation of e-Governance and ICT initiatives.

NIHILENT Nigeria, a subsidiary of NIHILENT, an India based global consulting and solutions Integration Company has a strong e-Governance capability, with proven expertise in the design and development of e-Governance policies, strategies and programmes for national and local governments.

Nihilent will work with NITDA in designing a comprehensive evaluation framework for the awards.