- By Halimah Olamide
The Nigerian Identity Management Commission has highlighted why publishers of online media are critical to the overall success of the country’s identity management project.
NIMC said with internet providing information to majority of the population especially youths, it has also become a fertile ground for misinformation.
The Director General of NIMC, Engr Adesoye Coker-Odusote, while speaking at the opening session of a two day roundtable in Lagos, said the relationship between the commission and online publishers must ensure progress and the success of Nigeria’s identity project.
Regretting that the internet is “a breeding ground for misinformation and rumours, which can severely impact the reputation and trust in organizations,” Coker-Odusote said NIMC recognized that the power to amplify the commission’s successes, noting also that “there is also the potential for misunderstandings that can spread rapidly.”
The roundtable drew publishers of major online media on Friday.
Saying the mandate of NIMC is ambitious, the Director General said achieving these goals requires effective mobilization of citizens through strategic communication.
He said, “Pursuant to our commitment to transparency and accountability, we have instituted robust mechanisms for participation, grievance redress, and regular monitoring to enhance operational performance and mitigate social risks.
“Our grievance redress system includes a centralized grievance register, a contact centre, and multiple channels for submitting complaints.
“This system ensures that queries are addressed promptly,
problems with implementation are resolved efficiently, and
complaints from ecosystem partners are effectively managed.
- NIMC under my watch is committed to complying with all
extant laws and regulations governing the protection of data in
Nigeria.”
The NIMC boss said the organisation has done so much towards ensuring compliance
with the highest standards of data security.
He said NIMC has sanitized the system and
processes, while ensuring the integrity of data on the country’s
identity database.
We shall not rest on our oars. Let me at this point, thank the online publishers for all the
support you have been giving to the commission, particularly, since I
assumed office at NIMC. We do not take this for granted.
“While we take deliberate steps towards deepening our
engagements with you, rest assured of our commitment to the
highest standards of professionalism in the implementation of
NIMC’s mandate.”