The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved the recognition and
observance of September 16 of every year as National Identity Day.
A statement by General Manager, Operations/Corporate Communications,
NIMC, Abdulhamid Umar said the action is a practical move to create
awareness on the importance of identification as a modern tool for
national development and social cohesion.
According to him, 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.
He said 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.
The letter reads in part: “I am to inform you that the SGF has
considered and approved (i) that Nigeria should join the Coalition for
International Identity Day, which will recognise the role of identity
management for proper planning, governance and efficient service
delivery;
“(ii) that the National Identity Management Commission should proceed
with educational and awareness campaigns on the proposed identity day to
other public and private sector stakeholders including institutions in
the movement.”
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).”
Meanwhile, Director General of NIMC Engr. Aziz said in a statement said
NIMC has lined up a number of activities to formally launch Nigeria’s
Identity Day on September 16, 2019 this year being the debut edition.
The programme he said will take place in Abuja, with stakeholders from
public and private sectors attending.
The ID-Day campaign was initiated at the 4th Annual Meeting of the
ID4Africa Movement on 24 April 2018, in Abuja, Nigeria, as a global
coalition calling for the recognition by the United Nations of September
16 – or 16.9 – as International Identity Day (ID Day) given that
identity plays an increasingly important role worldwide in developed as
well as developing economies.
“The purpose of International Identity Day is to raise awareness
about the important role identity plays in empowering individuals to
exercise their rights and responsibilities fairly and equitably in a
modern society.
“And we are delighted that Nigeria has become the first country in the
world to declare September 16 as ID Day, thereby leading the rest of the
world in this important direction,” said the NIMC DG.
He further explained that the choice of the date, 16 September, was in
recognition of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16.9 which calls for
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,” added.
“The United Nations states that “observances contribute to the
achievement of the purposes of the UN Charter and promote awareness of
and action on important political, social, cultural, humanitarian or
human rights issues.
“They provide a useful means for the promotion of international and
national action and stimulate interest in United Nations activities and
programmes.”