The National Identity Card registration which began some weeks back is gradually gaining momentum even though many opine that it is coming at a trying period. The federal government through the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy is revving up with the exercise.
Nationwide, the numbers are already building up and a regular pattern is being seen in terms of the turn-up.
Unconfirmed reports have it that already, about 175 million SIM card owners have been captured in the exercise.
In Kano, about 2 million people are said to have been captured. This makes it imperative to consider how well this registration is also going in other parts of the country.
Recent visuals captured in Lagos, especially at the Alausa center show a major disparity in the profiling of the bulk of enthusiastic mobile line owners seeking to be captured. The numbers show a larger number of the aged and elderly compared to that of the younger generation.
This it must be said appears to be the usual trend whenever exercises of national importance are being conducted and is coming with not much of a surprise.
Nigeria’s millennials, now commonly referred to as the ‘Sorosoke’ generation are largely known to be active on social media but usually docile and nowhere to be found at times like this when far-reaching national exercises are being carried out.
It is not an uncommon sight to see largely the uneducated and elderly spend hours under severe harsh weather conditions at polls just to cast their ballot and make their voice heard. This goes on to tilt the results in directions largely not favoring the yearnings of the younger population.
Nigeria’s millennials who are usually the loudest on social media are most times, unfortunately, found wanting when it’s needed most.
It is worthy of note that the only major compelling factor here that would force many to eventually go out would be the threat that SIM cards not registered may be blocked.
This is a wake-up call to the young generation to approach every issue that greatly affects their future such as this with every sense of urgency and importance it deserves. Nigeria’s millennials or the sorosoke generation must begin to take active and visible roles in exercises such as this.
It goes without saying that failure to register SIM cards owned by each individual will come at a great cost.
As the popular dictum goes, a word is aptly enough for the wise.
Editor’s Note: Sorosoke, a term which gained popularity during the October 2020 EndSars protest is a Yoruba word that translates to mean ‘Speak Up’. It is largely used to refer to Nigeria’s millennials and generation Z. The EndSars campaign was largely powered by millennials and a sprinkling of Gen Z.
