First Lady Launches New Birth Certificate To Boost Civil Registration

The First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu has emphasized that a robust and efficient civil registration system is pivotal to National Development and Governance.

She stated this at the official Launch of the 2024 UNICEF/RHI Commemorative Birth Certificate at the State House in Abuja.

Senator Tinubu in a statement by her media aide , Busola Kukoyi ,noted that the renewed drive for the registration of every life birth will help the nation achieve the Sustainable Development Goal 16.

“It is important to note that a robust and efficient civil registration system is pivotal to our development and governance. This ensures that every live birth is recorded, and forms the basis for policy, planning, and service delivery that meets the needs of all Nigerians. This is more than an administrative task; it provides the foundation for our social security”.

She highlighted the benefits accruable to any society which prioritizes birth registration which includes proper and adequate planning by government.

“Our children, the treasure of our nation, should be guaranteed their rights and privileges from the onset.

A well-functioning civil registration and vital statistics safeguards these rights and ensures that no violation goes unnoticed. To all parents, birth registration is very vital. It is the child’s legal proof of identity, as a Nigerian, without which children will not be fully recognised by the Government.

They could miss out on government’s provision of healthcare, education and other social amenities. Without a birth certificate, children will be unable to prove their age and this puts them at a great disadvantage. I therefore encourage all parents to register the birth of their children and obtain authentic birth certificates recognised by the government”.

The First Lady explained that the commemorative birth certificate will run from 29th August to 31st December, 2024.

“I also congratulate the National Population Commission, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Identity Management Commission and Barnksforte Technologies Limited, the private sector partner, for their bold initiative to ensure that a national identification number is issued to every child at birth, starting in 2024. That is why the Renewed Hope Initiative is launching the 2024 commemorative birth certificate to support the government’s birth registration drive.

This particular certificate will be issued by the National Population Commission for the birth from 29th of August, 2024, like the ones we just saw today, to 31st December, 2024 with the RHI logo.”

Speaking at the ceremony, the Managing Director of Barnksforte Technologies Limited, the technical partner to the National Population Commission,Adebayo Bankole, said the partnership seeks to provide the Technological solutions to end users, capturing and verification of Births in Nigeria, as prior to this, registrations have been carried out manually.

He stressed the vital role of establishing a foundational identity and ensuring the security of data for every child.

“Barnksforte Technologies Limited (BTL) is honored to partner with the Renewed Hope Initiative, led by Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, in collaboration with the National Population Commission (NPC) and UNICEF. “We want to help create a seamless, accessible, and accurate digital identity framework for all Nigerians which will enhance service delivery, reduce bottlenecks, and supports efficient policymaking with real-time data.”

“ We are proud to support this transformative journey towards a more inclusive and transparent civil registration system. Together, we are building the foundation for a secure and comprehensive identity framework for Nigeria’s future.

The UNICEF Country Representative, Ms Christian Munduate appreciated the efforts of the Nigerian Government in ensuring that no birth goes unregistered especially with the introduction of technological methods to ramp up the statistics.

“Nigeria has done a lot and now with the First Lady lending her voice and her initiative, I am sure we will achieve the desired mark”.

On his part the Dein of Agbor HRM Dr Benjamin Keagborekuzi noted the pivotal role women play in achieving success in all aspects of life. The Paramount ruler also urged youth to be patient with the present administration.

Other traditional rulers present, including the Ooni of Ife, Emir of Shonga, Etsu Nupe and the Tor Tiv lent their voices to the cause saying the availability of birth data forms the basis for the country’s social security.

There was the symbolic electronic registration of children at the event conducted by the NPC Chairman, DG National Identity Management Commission and Barnksforte Technologies Limited, the private sector partner. Also present were Wives of State Governors who are to cascade the drive to enhance birth registration to their various states.