Residents of Osun State have commended the state government for launching a citizen identification initiative in the state.
This comes a day after Governor Rauf Aregbesola inaugurated the scheme that requires residents to register with the state for an identification card and which is aimed at enabling the state government to gather data on its population and plan accordingly.
The governor had launched the residency card on Tuesday amid fanfare in Ilesa, explaining that it the card would be integrated into the National Identity Card Scheme for efficiency.
Adenrele Tiamiyu, an artisan who has lived in Osun State for more than a decade, hailed the initiative saying it will further foster security in the state.
“This omoluabi card is long overdue as this will help security agents to identify criminal elements in the state. Since all residents can be identified through the personal information on the card, they can be easily traced,” Tiamiyu said.
Olajide Munirat, a trader is only concerned with the commercial benefits of the card.
For her, having opportunity to get loans with the card is good enough.
“Before now, I have continued to meet brick walls from commercial institutions when seeking loans but going by what Governor Aregbesola said at the commissioning, this is a good thing for us,” she said.
For those who have yet to embrace the initiative, the state Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Corporative, Mr Jayeoba Alagbada, said efforts have been intensified to enlighten more residents about the initiative and the benefits of having the resident card.
Governor Aregbesola, who had inaugurated the scheme along with the Ilesa Government High School on Tuesday, urged parents to embrace it.
In inaugurating the school, the governor stressed that it was important to for parents to ensure that their children get a good education.
He said, “I am happy and fulfilled that we have public schools that can compete with the best in the world and indeed, our new schools are the ones to beat around here.
“All these are in fulfilment of our promise to provide functional basic education. This stems from our conviction that every child is owed basic education. It is a fundamental and inalienable right of every child. We have gone to this length and committed such huge amount on education because we are preparing for the future.”
The governor added, “As a government, we have played our own part very well and we will do more if the need should arise. It is now left for parents and teachers to do their own part.
“Parents should provide the right examples to their children at home. They should let them realise the importance of education and that there is no reliable future outside of it.”
