Security
THE Federal Government has challenged the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to develop DNA replication and encoding laboratories to help in the detection and prosecution of criminals.
The Minister of State, Science and Technology, Mr Mohammed Abdullahi, said this at the 2019 National Identity Day organised by NIMC on Monday in Abuja with the theme, “Assured Digital Identity For All ”
He stressed the need for NIMC to make strategic partnership with other government agencies to ensure new innovations are introduced to help in combating crime in the country.
Abdullahi also urged the commission to include forensic analysis of data in its operations to support efforts of security agencies.
“To me, NIMC should go beyond photo and bio-data capturing of citizens in support of Nigeria Immigration Service and other financial institutions.
“NIMC ought to include forensic analysis of data by interfacing with the National Biotechnology Development Agency to develop a DNA replication and encoding laboratories to support security agencies in the detection, arrest and prosecution of criminals.
“We at the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology challenge NIMC towards this partnership to develop a modern, effective and Technology driven Identity Management architecture for Nigeria,” he said.
The acting Chairman, Board of NIMC, Malam Bello Gwandu, earlier said Nigeria had a long way to go to achieve the target of legal identity for all, especially in terms of registration from birth.
“You all know the importance of revenue to national identity for the purpose of economic development, security and financial inclusion of the citizenry.
“And, no nation can develop faster without planning in terms of economy, health and other key infrastructure.
“So, the identity we are talking about is the one that will help us to key into our developmental projections,” he said.
Also speaking the Director-General of NIMC, Mr Aliyu Aziz, expressed his gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for the support rendered to the commission towards achieving its mandate.
Aziz, however, said the significant of the day was to create awareness aimed at providing legal identity for all including birth registration by the year 2030 as captured by SDGs 16.9.
The Director General said the commission has issued 36.6 million National Identity Numbers (NIN) to Nigerians as at Sept. 11.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this is the first time Nigeria would join the rest of the world to observe the International Identity Day. (NAN)
– Sept. 16, 2019 @ 17:25 GMT |
Tags: FG urges NIMC to address security challenges through innovations
