Engineer ‘Seyi Makinde, the governor of Oyo State has flagged off the state’s citizens  registration exercise, declaring that his administration would establish a comprehensive database and proper identity management system.
He said that exercise would also aid effective planning in the state.
Makinde, who stated this while officially flagging off the state resident’s registration exercise held at the executive council chambers of the Governor’s office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, added that the exercise will enable the government know the exact number of residents of the State.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Taiwo Adisa indicated that though Nigeria has a challenge of identity management, Oyo state was determined to achieve what the federal government could not by establishing a system to know, who is who and who lives where.
The statement commended the team handling the exercise led by the Special Assistant to the Governor on ICT and e-governance, Hon. Bayo Akande, for showing commitment to the exercise, urging them to put in more efforts to meet the state’s expectations.
While introducing the exercise, the Special Assistant to the Governor on ICT and e-governance, Hon Bayo Akande, said that beyond providing adequate data for planning and budgeting.
According to him, data gathered would also be of immense help in addressing address challenges of insecurity in the state.
The governor’s aide noted that an elaborate media campaign and sensitization programne would be embarked upon to popularise it. He also stated that the registration exercise would cut across all local government areas in the state, as well as various sectors.
The crew later registered Governor Makinde, with a promise to register each member of the state executive council at a later date.
Packaged by Kunle Gazali