TheCable

Olusegun Obasanjo, former president of Nigeria, was at his humorous best on Monday when the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) visited his hilltop mansion in Abeokuta to present his national identity card to him.

Going down memory lane, the former leader said the idea of the card was also contemplated during his military regime in 1979.

He recalled that he was criticised for initiating the idea back then but he noted that unlike then when a far lesser amount would have been spent, the present project would have gulped a huge amount of money.

“It is not funny that I’m collecting the National Identity card at a time that I’m unemployed and unemployable,” he said.

“What we have now is what we wanted to do in 1979 but not as complex as this one and also not as sophisticated as this. Although we are getting the card late, we are getting the best that technology can offer.

“When I broached the subject of identity card in 1979, there were protests by those who felt otherwise. Today I am happy there is no objection. What Sagem gave us was not this sophisticated. Maybe we are getting the best, maybe not. I hope what we have now can be updated.

“It may interest you to note that the national identity card project in 1979 for Nigerians who were 18 years and above was only N16 million. Now, billions of naira must have been expended on the new project now.”

Expressing hope that the device would boost the security situation in the country, Obasanjo spoke on the benefit of the card for the less-privileged.

“I hope this project will enhance security. It will also make easy intelligence gathering,” he said.

“My concern is the complication. I know I get special treatment. How will ordinary people be treated? How much facility on the card is useful to them? What is the penalty for losing the card?

“How much of this functionality in the card will be useful to him and how much will be paid knowing that poverty is still ravaging the rural dwellers. These are issues you will have to address.”

Responding, Chris Onyemenam, the director general NIMC, recalled that the new project was initiated by Obasanjo, who approved the process on May 16, 2007.

He said the concerns raised by the former president were being addressed.

Onyemenam said the commission was already testing the mobile vehicular units that would be used to travel into the creeks and the hinterland.