Date: 2020-08-20

The Kwara State Government has expressed its displeasure over the issuance of Citizenship Certificate to applicants without conducting thorough investigation to authenticate their identity.

The Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development, Arc. Aliyu Mohammed Saifudeen disclosed this today in Ilorin at an emergency meeting with Directors of Personnel Management (DPM) of Local Government Councils in the State.

The Commissioner, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Abdurazak Alabere said the indiscriminate issuance of Citizenship Certificate to non-indigenes had deprived bonafide citizens of employment opportunities in the past.

Arc. Saifudeen, thereafter, directed all the Local Government Councils to henceforth conduct thorough identification of intending applicants before issuance of Citizenship Certificates.

He noted that the present administration will no longer accommodate any lapses in the issuance of Citizenship to non-indigenes.

Responding, the DPM, Ilorin South Local Government, Alhaji AbdulKareem Mogaji promised on behalf of the Councils that proper identification would be thoroughly done henceforth to ascertain the true identity of intending applicants.

Also speaking, the DPM of Ilorin East, Mr. Oyebanji Gabriel assured the Commissioner that all the Council Areas would set up an independent identification Committee, in addition to involving the Traditional Rulers, who would have accented and approved the request before issuance of the Citizenship was made.

Meanwhile, Arc. Aliyu Saifuddeen has urged members of KWACCIMA to participate actively in the forthcoming 8th Trade Fair exhibition to showcase the natural endowment potentials of the State to the World.

The Commissioner, while receiving the KWACCIMA delegation in his office, assured them of maximum cooperation and involvement of the Council Areas in the forthcoming exhibition.

Earlier in his remarks, Director General of the Chamber, Prince Suleiman Ayo Fagbemi said that COVID-19 had affected the economy negatively with near closed down of all manufacturing and processing industries.

Prince Fagbemi said the exhibition would avail Local Government Councils in the State opportunity to showcase their potentials and attract potential foreign investors.