The National Orientation Agency (NOA), in partnership with the National Population Commission (NPC), targeted 272,701 birth registration in Jigawa.
Mr Ahmed Tijjani, the NOA Director in the state, stated this at a news conference on birthday registration social mobilisation drive, in Dutse on Thursday..
Tijjani said the 2024 birth registration was being supported by the UNICEF, and solicited the support of stakeholders, including traditional leaders for a hitch-free exercise.
“NOA in partnership with NPC and UNICEF is excited to announced the launch of a nationwide birth registration social mobilisation drive aimed at that every child in Nigeria has access to education, healthcare and other essential services.
“This drive is focused on registering all children aged 0 to 5 years and providing them with a National Identification Number (NIN) free of charge. Birth registration is a fundamental right of every child
“Birth registration is crucial for developmental purposes, be it economic, social, or political. No nation can develop without it,” Tijjani said.
He enjoined parents to ensure that their eligible children are registered during the exercise billed to end in November.
The director also urged religious and community leaders to support the initiative in the state.
“Parents are encouraged to visit the nearest registration centre of NPC to register their children and the exercise is free, requiring only immunisation card or an existing birth certificate of a parent or guardian.
“We are also calling on community and religious leaders to take part in this crucial initiative and. Let’s work together to give every child in Nigeria the best start in life.
“By registrering our children birth, we are not only securing their future, but also contributing to the development of our nation,” the director added.
According to him, the exercise which will run from August to November, is an opportunity for parents to ensure that every child in their community, ward and local government area is registered and has access to to vital services.
Mr Abdullah Muhammad, the Head of Virtual Registration Department of NPC in Jigawa, said the exercise would be conducted in three phases, adding that 1,510 trained adhoc staff, 90 NPC personnel and 200 health workers had been deployed to the 27 LGAs of the state.
According to Muhammad, some 118,110 children are targeted in nine LGAs under phase one; 79,125 children in nine LGAs in phase two and 78,466 in nine LGAs in phase three.
“Each health facility at ward level across the state will have one ad hoc staff to register children during the exercise,” he said. (NAN)
