Managing Director/CEO of the Niger Delta Basin Development Authority (NDBDA), Prince Ebitimi Amgbare, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive on community driven ward level National Identification Number (NIN) registration and enrollment.
Prince Amgbare, who made the commendation when the Bayelsa State Coordinator of the National Identification Management Commission (NIMC), Dr. Eric Obi visited him in his office on Thursday at the NDBDA headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, emphasized that the initiative will take the NIN registration beyond traditional centers, reaching rural and underserved populations in all 774 local government areas.
He reiterated that by taking the registration exercise to the ward level, more people can obtain their National Identification Numbers, stressing that the decentralized registration exercise will further enhance national security and identity verification.
“This community-driven NIN registration exercise aims to increase accessibility and inclusivity, especially for rural and underserved populations. This fresh move aligns with the “Renewed Hope” agenda, aiming to decentralize registration, boost national security, and increase grassroots inclusion.
“The NIN Registration centres will now be closer to communities, reducing travel distances and making it easier for people to register.
The goal of the presidential directive is to collect comprehensive data, enhance security, prevent illegal registration, and strengthen national identification,” Prince Amgbare maintained.
Earlier, the visiting Bayelsa State Coordinator of NIMC, Dr. Eric Obi, had briefed the Managing Director of the need for key stakeholders to sensitize rural communities on the essence of the registration, adding that the initiative targets rural and underserved areas, ensuring more Nigerians are part of the national identity system.
Dr. Obi said accurate data collection will help prevent identity fraud and strengthen national security, informing that a comprehensive database will facilitate more efficient government services and social interventions.
The move is seen as a step towards achieving the “Renewed Hope” agenda, focusing on grassroots development and national growth, informing that the NIN exercise is free of charge for all citizens and legal residents, including children and adults.
The Bayelsa State Coordinator was accompanied by the Head of Performance Management System, Udeme Okon, Head, Inspectorate and Enforcement Unit, Douglas Tamunoemi, and Supervisor, State Office/Head of operations, Jato Selekezei
Executive Director, Finance & Admin, Chief (Mrs) Mary Alagoa (Rivers), Executive Director, Agricultural Services, Mr. Felix Kurogha (Bayelsa) and Executive Director, Planning, Investigation & Design, Prof. Nnamdi Akani (Rivers) were also in attendance.