Nigerian veteran stand-up comedian cum actor, Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome, professionally known as Ali Baba, has lamented over how much we are an undocumented nation.
The popular comedian pointed out how it is difficult to get accurate data about the people living in Nigeria, how lack of adequate documentation is ruining the country and exposing Nigerians to international ridicule.
According to Ali Baba, “Until we begin to take our citizenship seriously in Nigeria, other countries will continue to deny us international privileges.
“A country where the security architecture does not include knowing who is who… is gradually crawling to a failed state status.
“As far back at the days of Jesu Christ, CENSUS was taken. Just to know who is who.
“2020 After the death of Christ, we still dont know how many children are born. How many people died. What is the number of physically challenged Nigerians. Who are the ex convicts. What is the number of women….
“We are planning budget with speculative statistics like people gambling.
“Even if there was to be a census tomorrow, what database has been built by the Population Commission and office of Statistics? Ordinary INEC server… is like going to the moon.
“We know that people will retire, but we cannot start paying the retirees, till they die. Ghost workers everywhere.
“No national forensic service. House help will rob you, and the police will be asking you “where do you think we can find her?” The person has live in the boys quarters… go find the finger prints.
“Assassins go to Aso Rock’s senior officer’s house. That means the house is filled with forensic harvest. Naaaaaah! Police is still investigating.
“Someone will steal a phone and send it to Bauchi. Another person will buy it and insert a sim card. The same IMEI number… and our telecoms cannot help to track that person.
“Our documentation is Zero. A taxi driver took off with my cameras, phones and laptop bags. I had the number plate. @jonasagwu of FRSC helped track the car to Lagos and we found out who was now driving it, the police said I should forget the case.
“The police cannot even track the officers who join them with forged certificates!!!
“And I know why. The people who benefit from these poor structures, will not let a proper documentation of Nigerians happen.
“How will they win elections? How can they inflate budgets? How can they hide and protect criminal elements that work for them? How?“
