The Abia State Traditional Rulers Council Monday resolved to move for increased registration for National Identification Number, NIN and Permanent Voter’s Cards, PVCs.
The Chairman, Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Eze Sir Linus Nto Mba, announced while presiding over a meeting of the Council, held in Umuahia in a statewide mobilisation initiative by traditional rulers to significantly increase the number of residents registered for the NIN and PVCs in the state.
Eze Not said the decision was reached following concerns over Abia State’s relatively low registration figures despite its large population.
The royal father emphasized that, as custodians and fathers of the people, traditional rulers have resolved to take responsibility for mobilising eligible citizens, particularly those aged 18 years and above who are yet to register for NIN and voter cards.
According to him, “Our resolve is to ensure that Abia State records one of the highest numbers of registered citizens. This exercise is not for any individual or political interest, but purely in the interest of the state and its development”, and explained that the Council will adopt a grassroots approach by extending the mobilisation drive from the state level to zones, local governments, and autonomous communities to ensure that no eligible citizen is left out.
The Council he said, is also planning to assess the availability and adequacy of registration facilities, including equipment, personnel, and logistics, by visiting relevant offices where registrations are carried out, and stressed that the initiative is non-political, noting that traditional rulers across Nigeria have continued to play vital roles in grassroots mobilisation for national development.
“As true fathers of our communities and the state, we will not allow Abia to lag behind in this critical national exercise,” he convluded.
The Council concluded their meeting with a renewed commitment by the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers to support government efforts aimed at strengthening civic participation and accurate population data for the overall progress of the state.
