By Talatu Maiwada
The National Orientation Agency (NOA), in partnership with the National Population Commission(NPC) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has embarked on a nationwide e-birth registration social mobilisation drive.
Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, Director-General NOA, who disclosed this on Tuesday in Yola, said that the registration would focus on all children between the ages of one day to five-years.
Issa-Onilu was represented by Mr David Akoji, Director, Special Duties and State Operations.
He said that the digital excercise was aimed at ensuring that every child in Nigeria accesses essential services such as education, healthcare and social protection.
Issa-Onilu said that the drive would focus on registering children aged zero to five years and would provide every registered child with free National Identification Number(NIN).
“During this drive, every registered child will receive NIN upon face capturing and bith registration.
“We encourage parents and guidance to visit the nearest NPC registration centre to register their children.
“The process is simple, free and requires only supporting documents like immunisation card or existing birth certificate,” the D-G said.
He further said that birth registration was a fundamental right of every child, adding that the initiative is significant to the child, family, community and the nation.
“It is the first legal acknowledgement of a child’s existence, safeguarding their rights and privileges and unlocking access to basic services crucial for their development and future.
“Accurate bith registration is vital for national planning and development, providing essential data for education, health care and public services.
“By registering a child’s birth, families will ensure recognition by the state, protecting them from abuse, exploitation and statelessness,” he said.
He urged parents, guardians and community leaders to take advantage of the excercise and give every Nigerian child access to essential services and a best start in life.
Mr Innocent Mishikir, Director, Civic Registration and Vital Statistics, NPC Yola, said that the commission, with support from UNICEF, rolled out the e-birth registration drive in 2024.
Mishikir said that the goal was targeted at registering nine million under five children in the country within three months.
He said that the excercise had commenced all over the country with 103, 337 children registered between Aug.12 and Sept. 12 across 21 Local Government Area(LGA) of Adamawa.
“Our target for the state is to register 285,000 children in three months, we have registered 103,337 within one month, we are hopeful to reach or exceed our target,” he said.
The Director further highlighted the importance of birth registration to a child, saying it gives identity at the local, state and national level.
He added that the registration protects the child danger such as child trafficking, early marriage, as well as having access to social intervention provided by the government.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that representatives from NIMC, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and youth council also graced the occasion. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng).
