The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has said birth registration is the key to unlocking access to essential services such as education and healthcare, which are crucial to the child’s development and future.
The Director General of NOA, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, stated in Asabaon Thursday during the press conference on the Birth Registration Social Mobilisation Drive, Delta State by NOA in collaboration with United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and National Population Commission (NPC).
He said the drive for birth registration and social mobilisation aims to ensure that every child in Nigeria has a National Identification Number. (NIN), free of charge, saying child registration is a fundamental right of every child.
Represented by Anthony Eromosele, Special Assistant to the MD (Partnership & Programming), l said registration is the first legal acknowledgement of a child’s existence and is essential for safeguarding their rights and privileges now and in the future.
“Accurate birth registration is vital for national planning and development, as it provides the government with essential data to plan for education, health and other public services. By registering a child’s birth, families ensure that the children are recognised by the state, which is the first step in protecting them from abuse, exploitation and statelessness.
Mrs Tracy Ikolomi, Delta State Director, NOA, in her welcome address, said during the drive that every child aged 0 to 5 years will receive a NIN upon face capturing and birth registration, advising grandmothers, youth, women, and church leaders to take the message far.
Jeremiah Erunube, Delta State ICT Team Leader, National Population Commission (NPC), Delta state, advised parents to visit the nearest registration centre of NPC to register their children free, requiring only supporting documents such as an immunisation card or an existing birth certificate of a parent or guardian.
Barr Latimore Offensive, DG of Delta State Orientation & Communication Bureau, called on parents, guardians, and community leaders to participate in the crucial initiative.
“Even if your wife and children are not around, once you have siblings, arrange them for registration. The government needs it for planning. We shall be partnering with NOA since the people we are talking to are Deltans,” Offensive stated
Others who expressed satisfaction with the drive are the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev Oko Akokotu, State Deputy Chairman, Chief Paul Oronyeli, Oko Community Kingdom, community, youths, and other leaders, who vowed to spread the message everywhe
