By Naomi Sharang

The Chief Executive Officer, Barnksforte Technology Ltd., Mr Dayo Bankole, has said that the launch of the Self- Service Application by National Identity Management Commission(NIMC) is laudable.

He said that the launch of the App by the Director-General NIMC and Minister of Interior on Sept.16 was a major milestone in ensuring seamless National Identity Number(NIN) enrollment for Nigerians in the diaspora.

Bankole gave the commendation in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday.

He commended President Bola Tinubu for making the right choice of appointing the minister and Acting DG to lead the agencies on National Identity Management.

Bankole said that the self-service mobile application was developed in partnership with  Barnksforte Technologies Ltd., a local ICT company, in accordance with National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Data Protection laws.

He said that the application was designed with strict adherence to the provisions of NITDA Regulation on data protection and data privacy in Nigeria, following the business requirements of NIMC.

Bankole said necessary measures had been put in place to ensure the security and protection of data while using the self service app, adding that since data was considered  the ‘oil’ of the digital era, it was important to protect it.

He further said besides being seamless, the cost of using the self- service app was minimal, adding that “it is cost effective compared to foreign technologies.”

Bankole explained that the  application had four self-service modules; self-service NIN enrollment, modification of data and validation as well as digital identity generation.

According to him, the application is designed by Barnksforte Technologies Ltd., one of NIMC’s technical partners, with a long standing relationship.

Bankole pointed out that the use of the application which is accessible from anywhere in the World, would enable Nigerians in the diaspora to enroll, modify, validate and obtain digital Identity without the need to travel back to Nigeria.

The CEO said the application would be available on Google Play Store and IOS App Store once it is rolled out.

“The Self-Service NIN Enrollment is  limited to Nigerians in the Diaspora, to enable them self-enroll for NIN from the comfort of their homes.

“On modification of data, it is a global service that allows for modification of data of a Nigerian with NIN and it includes names, date of birth, address and phone number modifications.

“In the same vein, validation is  a global service that allows for validation of data for Nigerians with NIN by recapturing their facial and fingerprint bio-metrics to eliminate the challenge of missing bio-metrics and it is essential for standardization.

“Lastly is the digital Identity generation, which is also a global service and it allows for conversion of NIN into a digital ID or QR Code and  can be presented to third party vendors when one’s NIN is required for day-to-day transactions.

“This eliminates the exposure of NIN to the public and it contains the owner’s bio data, finger and facial bio-metrics,” he said.

He said the self-service application was one of the two modules  of NIMC’s Contactless System.

“It is a cutting-edge technology enabled on mobile devices to support seamless enrollment of Nigerians into the National Identity Database with no limitation, in addition to other NIMC’s services.”

According to him,  while the agent based solution is for Nigerians within the country, the self service mobile application was designed for Nigerians in the Diaspora.

“The solution consists of a module which NIMC’s enrollment partners through their agents enroll Nigerians for NIN all over the country and another module, the NIMC Self-Service Mobile Application,, which was launched on Sept. 16,” he said.

Bankole also recalled that the acting Director-General of NIMC, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, at the celebration of the 5th National Identity Day emphasised the transformative power of identity, highlighting its role in unlocking access to essential services.

“Identity is more than a mere card or a number; it symbolises our existence, our entitlements and our place within society.

“It unlocks access to essential services, social benefits and pathways to personal and economic growth.”

Bankole equally recalled the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, emphasising the need for secure and verifiable identities in the modern digital age.

He said, “This is where access to essential services, banking, and even online social media platforms all require proper identity verification.

“We live in the modern digital age where a secure and verifiable identity is vital for any set system to work. Think about it, you can’t access bank services and get ATM cards without proving your identity.”(NAN)
(www.nannews.ng)

===========

Edited by Julius Toba-Jegede

By Diana Omueza

The Global Awareness for Public Safety Foundation (GAPS) has urged the Federal Government to revive and reactivate public safety institutions for effective protection of lives and property in Nigeria.

Dr Chuks Alozie, Director-General of GAPS, made the call on Wednesday in Abuja during a courtesy visit to Rev Yakubu Pam, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christains Pilgrims Commission.

The Global Awareness for Public Safety Foundation is an NGO with the goal to enlighten the public on ways to prevent and manage dangers within their environment.

Alozie said there was the need for government at all levels to collaborate with stakeholders to revive all public safety institutions to boost safety and wellness of citizens.

“Regular awareness for public safety will play a critical role in preventing and protecting the public from events that could endanger their safety and security.

“Government and institutions at all levels should ensure the protection of lives of persons in their territory, organizations and institutions against threats to their well-being, survival and prosperity, ” he said.

He urged the government to reactivate emergency services and first responders, including the law enforcement agencies, fire service, emergency medical services, security and military for effective service delivery.

Alozie also prayed for wisdom for the NCPC boss to reposition the commission to reflect the goodness of the Christian community in and outside the country.

Responding, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christians Pilgrims Commission, Rev. Yakubu Pam, thanked the group for calling for the repositioning of the commission and other institutions to reflect their mandates.

Pam also assured the group of its willingness to collaborate, to provide the needed awareness on public safety and its organizations.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

==========

Edited by Benson Ezugwu/Idris Abdulrahman

By Fortune Abang

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights have called for a holistic approach to protecting migrants rights.

The organisations made the call on Monday at the opening ceremony of a two-day training on human rights and migration, organised by the UN in Nigeria for staff of the NHRC in Abuja.

The training titled: “PROMIS-Protection of Migrants’’ is meant to strengthen capacities of West African states, develop human rights-based responses to smuggling of migrants and combat rights violations.

The Executive-Secretary of NHRC, Mr Tony Ojukwu (SAN), described the PROMIS – Protection of Migrants project as apt in efforts to tackle issues related to violation of the rights of migrants.

Ojukwu said the training would provide NHRC personnel with understanding of international human rights frameworks, treaties and regional instruments relevant to human rights at international borders.

According to him, the need to adopt a human rights-based approach to migration management has been underscored by the multiple thematic and sectoral interests that converge in migration management.

“In our world today, migrants face dehumanising conditions, illegal arrests and prolonged detention, torture, inhumane and degrading treatment, life threatening conditions on land and sea.

“As we focus on irregular migration and smuggling across our borders, it is important we do not lose sight of trafficking within Nigeria becoming an epidemic.

“As human rights advocates and frontline defenders, staff of the National Human Rights stand on a strong legal and institutional footing to tackle this present and emerging styles of human rights violations.

“I want to pledge that this training programme we are receiving today under the auspices of PROMIS and the OHCHR shall be extended to all our state offices in due course as migration is all encompassing.

“We will continue to work with our partners within and outside the government to strengthen policies, and practices that impact on human rights of migrants, victims of trafficking and smuggling of migrants.’’

The executive-secretary decried social, economic and political vulnerabilities such as poverty, inequalities, conflicts, and human insecurity to be major triggers to irregular migration, trafficking and smuggling of migrants.

He said the NHRC Amendment Act of 2010 vested the commission with wide ranging powers to monitor human rights, conduct investigations on violations, embark upon public interest litigations, conduct research and produce Guidelines and Advisories.

Speaking at the event, Adwoa Kufuor-Owusu, Senior Human Rights Adviser, Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said that migration related issues had affected countless lives of individuals and communities.

She said that though migration could transform societies, economies and individual lives, its challenges could lead to violations of human rights of migrants if not properly managed and safeguarded.

According to her, to manage and safeguard vulnerabilities that might arise in the context of migration, various legal and institutional frameworks were established both at international, regional and national levels.

“We gather not only to deepen understanding of these issues, but to reaffirm our commitment to core human rights principles of dignity, equality and non-discrimination for everyone everywhere, regardless of migratory status.

“It is my sincere hope that over the two-day training you will seize the opportunity to strengthen your capacity to apply various international and national human rights frameworks to migrants, especially at international borders.

“I equally hope the discussions in this training will allow for reflections on synergies between the NHRC and other stakeholders, for effective promotion and protection of migrants in Nigeria,’ she said.

She reiterated the UN’s commitment to collaborate with the NHRC to support Nigeria and enhance the promotion and protection of the rights of migrants, especially migrants in vulnerable situations.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training was put together under the auspices of the joint initiative by the UN Human Rights Office and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

A total of 25-NHRC staff across field offices from Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Sokoto, Edo, Ogun, Oyo, Cross River, Katsina, Borno and Taraba attended the training. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

==========

Edited by Deborah Coker/Halima Sheji