The National Population Commission (NPC) and National Orientation Agency (NOA), in partnership with the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), have launched a birth registration social mobilisation drive in Nasarawa State.
The initiative according to the federal commissioner NPC representing Benue and Nasarawa states, Barrister Patricia Kupchi, is targetted at 198,000 new registration within the third quarter of 2024.
She stated this during a press conference to create awareness on the importance of the exercise yesterday in Lafia.
She said the commission has already achieved 102,000 out of the targeted number representing about 54 percent in the exercise which commenced last month.
Represented by the NPC director in the state, Mrs Priscilla Yohana Jaggun, the federal commissioner explained that the exercise focused on the registration of all children aged 0-5 years.
She said the commission has introduced an innovation in its operation, adding that birth registration exercise is now done digitally, explaining that the innovation has taken care of recurring multiple birth and death registration challenges that the commission hitherto faced.
Speaking earlier, the NOA director in the state, Dr. Priscilla Gondoalour, noted that accurate birth registration is vital for national planning and development, as it provides the government with essential data to plan for education, healthcare, and other public services.
She stressed that birth registration is the first legal acknowledgment of a child’s existence and essential for safeguarding their rights and privileges.
She urged parents and guardians to take advantage of the opportunity and register their wards at the nearest NPC centre.
“By registering a child’s birth, families ensure that their children are recognised by the state, which is the first step in protecting them from abuse, exploitation, and statelessness,” she explained.
Aren Koro Kuje, Mr. Sunday Namo, who represented the Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage appreciated the NPC, NOA, UNICEF and other stakeholders for the initiative.
He assured of the support of traditional rulers in the state in ensuring the success of the exercise state.
