Nigerians Furious Over MasterCard’s Logo On National ID Cards

The yesterday’s launch of the new
Nigerian National Identity Cards
containing the branded logo of the
American firm MasterCard ignited
hot discussions and rage with
people across the country
demanding for cards withdrawal.
On Thursday, August 29, President
Goodluck Jonathan received his eID
card, similar ones that will be issued
to more than 13 million Nigerians
and after the completion of the pilot
program – to more than 100 million.
However the country citizens got
infuriated over the fact that the
Nigerian authorities, through the
National Identity Management
Commission (NIMC), not only
provided biometrics of 170 million
Nigerians to a foreign commercial
company but also allowed them to
stamp its insignia, the MasterCard
symbol on the cards, which are
supposed to be a symbol of national
sovereignty and pride.
According to Premium Times,
Nigerians also recalled the leaked
facts of surveillance carried out by
National Security Agency of the US,
where MasterCard head office is
located.
One of the commentators said that
the Nigerians MasterCard’s emblem
on the card could be compared to
the trans-Atlantic slave trade
abolished in the 19th century.
Shehu Sani of the Civil Rights
Congress who criticized the new ID
cards , which are later to be given to
Nigerians from 16 years of age and
older, said:
“The new ID card with a
MasterCard logo does not
represent an identity of a Nigerian.
It simply represents a stamped
ownership of a Nigerian by an
American company. It is
reminiscent of the logo pasted on
the bodies of African slaves
transported across the Atlantic.”
The cards, which were supposed to
provide the Nigerians with numerous
benefits and conveniences, did not
bring the desired optimism, as a key
instrument recognised by the federal
constitution will host the logo of a
foreign private entity.
Lead Director of Centre for Social
Justice Eze Onyekpere was quoted
saying:
“Nigeria’s colours and coat of arms
is what should be there. As far as
we are concerned it cannot stand.
It is not worth it if that’s what
they have done.”
Apart from national issues, economic
and security implications came as
special concern for many Nigerians.
It was interpreted that all adult
Nigerians are forced to become
compulsory customers of MasterCard
by receiving their eIDs.
Regarding the security, the former
FCT minister Nasir El-Rufai said:
“Clearly, there are National
Security implication. All these data
go to the American payment
platform.”
As for the economic consequences,
the reader named Ola Onanugaola
said:
“Good idea but bad
implementation. Why do we have
to brand the e-ID card? Are these
people aware of the huge economic
and security implications of the
branding. “Any country population
database/information is too vital
to attached to any non-
governmental organisation.”