National Identification Number
The National Identity Management Commission, on Thursday,
announced that September 16, has been approved as the National
Identity Day by the Federal Government.
In a statement by signed by Abdulhamid Umar, NIMC’s General
Manager, Operations/Corporate Communications, the Commission
revealed the Day, was to create awareness on the importance of
identification as a modern tool for national development and social
cohesion.
Part of the statement read, “The Secretary to the Government of
the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha conveyed the government’s
approval in a letter dated August 29, 2019 and addressed to the
Director General of the National Identity Management Commission
(NIMC), Engr. Aliyu Aziz.
“In the letter signed on the SGF’s behalf by David K. Gende, the
Director, Planning, Research & Statistics in the Office of the
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Mustapha
conveyed government’s approval to the NIMC chief executive officer
that Nigeria ‘should join the Coalition for International Identity
Day,’ in response to the latter’s earlier request.
“By that approval, therefore, Nigeria becomes the first country
in the world to formally adopt September 16, otherwise called 16.9,
as Identity Day (ID-Day).”
The maiden celebration of the National ID Day would take place
in Abuja.
Engr. Aziz explained that the choice of the date, September 16,
was in recognition of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16.9 which
calls for a legal identity for all including birth registration by
2030.
“Many important issues on the international development and
human rights agenda have an observance day. For example, 10
December is Human Rights Day, while 20th of June is Refugee Day.
Now is the time for identity to have a day of observance,” he
stated.