.By Austin Osayande, PhD
The General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Nigerian Army/Land Component Commander, South South, Operation DELTA SAFE, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, has affirmed that the National Identification Number (NIN) is a critical national project that must be supported to succeed.
According to the Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Major Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Abdusalam made the call when the State Coordinator, National Identification Management Commission (NIMC), Rivers State, Mr Bob-manuel Ibiba Agala, paid him a working visit at his office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The GOC, while welcoming the team, acknowledged the importance of the project to the nation. This, he said, would assist the nation tremendously in checkmating the population, knowing the movement of the citizenry in and out of the country, as well as checking the level of crime and criminality in the society.
Major General Abdussalam used the medium to appreciate the State Coordinator for establishing an office in the Barracks.
This, he stated, had eased the pains troops and their families have been going through in a bid to get registered.
The GOC further stated that with NIMC domiciled in the Barracks, going forward, there would be the need to enforce “Operation show your NIN as a requirement for having access into the Barracks”.
He spoke of the Division’s support to NIMC to enable the commission to discharge its constitutional responsibilities effectively.
This, he said, was demonstrated when the Division provided an office space for NIMC to operate in the barracks.
Earlier, the Rivers State Coordinator, Mr Bob-manuel Agala, while appreciating the GOC for the warmth reception, accorded him and his team, added that the Division has demonstrated the much-needed support to the commission.
The State Coordinator further stated that the Commission is saddled with the responsibility of keeping the database of all Nigerian citizens. Hence, the advocacy to the barracks, having seen that troops of the NA have little or no time to be registered due to operational engagements.
This, he said, informed the decision of the commission to bring her services closer to the Barracks community for easy enrollment.
He urged all to endeavour to register as this has huge benefits.