DamDap Global, Kalejaiye organise 3-day NIN registration exercise for prospective JAMB candidates, school leavers

Following the difficulties encountered by prospective candidates for the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board examination (JAMB) in registering for the National Identification Number (NIN) which is a mandatory requirement for the examination, DamDap Global Investment Limited in conjunction with the office of the traditional ruler of Otumara community in the Lagos Mainland Local Government of Lagos state have facilitated NIN registration for 500 prospective JAMB candidates and secondary school leavers in the district.

The three day NIN registration exercise, according to Director of DamDap Global Investment Limited, Mr Fred Idinye, started on Friday, August 20 and it is expected to end on Sunday, August 22.

It will be recalled that the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) had insisted one the National Identity Number, NIN as a prerequisite for the 2021 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), but later had it postponed consequent to the difficulties encountered by candidates during the NIN registration exercise.

Speaking on the exercise, tradition ruler of Otumara community, High Chief Kehinde Kalejaiye stated that the free NIN registration exercise is aimed at easing the financial burden, extortion and stress JAMB prospective candidates encounter in the process of getting captured by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) as part of requirement for JAMB registration.

He said, “As a parent, I feel the pain and stress our children are confronted with in their efforts to get registered for NIN. You need to visit NIMC registration centres in Ikeja and other areas across the state to see the extent of suffering these people are subjected to under the sun and rain just to get captured for NIN. As a result of this, many of them are denied the opportunity of getting enrolled for JAMB.

In fact, we heave a sigh of relief when the JAMB registrar announced the postponement of the commencement date for NIN as a condition for JAMB registration. But then we must plan ahead.

So to relief both parents and candidates of stress and extortion, that is why we organise a 3-day NIN registration exercise in conjunction with DamDap Global Investment under which over 500 secondary school leavers and JAMB prospective candidates are expected to be registered for the NIN.

We know the importance of education and this explains our efforts and insistent on the construction of Senior Secondary School in Lagos Mainland Local Government. Our children are our future and we appeal to the Lagos State Government to accede to our demands.”

One of the beneficiaries, Cynthia Okoro shares her harrowing experience while trying to register for the NIN.

She said, “The NIN requirement for JAMB registration compounded my registration predicament. At the Ejigbo LCDA in Lagos state where I went to register, I was told to pay N5000 before I could be registered. Since I couldn’t afford the amount, so, I shelved the idea of enrolling for JAMB until I heard it has been postponed. My joy knew no bound when I heard it on Radio that some people are organising free NIN registration exercise. I quickly rush down here to register. With this, I will be able to register for the coming JAMB examination.”

A member of the Otumara Community Development Committee, Mr Muraina Nurudeen applauded the exercise, noting that the impact of it will be felt in the number of candidates enrolling for JAMB examinations.

He said, “We have seen instances of residents being exploited over NIN registration. Their woes are compounded when JAMB made a prerequisite for registration; a move we know will have adverse effect on parents and prospective candidates in the district.

Agents from NIMC have been visiting our community seeking to register residents for as high as N5000 per person but they couldn’t afford it. But this NIN registration exercise is free for prospective JAMB candidates and partly adults. They distributed the NIN form to secondary school leavers and those that are preparing for the JAMB examinations because NIN is a prerequisite for JAMB.

This is one of the many programmes from the stable of our traditional head targeting at improving the quality of lives of residents in the Lagos Mainland Local Government. He is always on the side of the people.

Not many parents would have considered getting their children enrolled for the NIN because of the stress and extortion but today, they are doing it for free and at their doorsteps, thanks to the community head. I can only say residents of Otumara community and the entire Lagos Mainland Local Government are blessed to have him as our ruler.”

A politician, Hon. Hakeem Esuru-Osho appreciates the community head for his kind gesture, noting that, “If we have more of him around, the suffering of our children will be lessened. As a result of his intervention, all prospective candidates for UTME in the Lagos Mainland Local Government would easily get registered for their NIN.

We know the extent of agony and extortion our children are subjected to while attempting to register for NIN but today, High Chief Kalejaiye and his partner have made easy for them by facilitating this 3-day free NIN registration exercise for 500 JAMB prospective candidates.

We appreciate his gesture and we hope he will continue to promote and advocate for quality education for our children.”