By Rotimi Idris
…targets 156,230 children across 16 LGAs
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Ekiti State has partnered the National Population Commission (NPC) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) on digital birth registration awareness program ahead of the exercise in the state.
Speaking with journalists on Monday in Ado-Ekiti, the State Director of NOA, Akin Adeyemi, emphasized the agency’s significant efforts to mobilize and sensitize key stakeholders on the importance of digital birth registration.
He noted that the program, supported by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has been carefully planned to ensure smooth operations throughout the exercise.
Adeyemi urged parents to take advantage of this initiative by registering their children aged 0 to 5, aiming to make Ekiti a technology-driven subnational entity.
His words, “We are here to discuss birth registration. The importance of social mobilization, introduced by UNICEF, is critical so that youths in Nigeria and other social intervention programs requiring international assistance can benefit from them.
“This program is being implemented across all states to carry out government policies and community mobilization. Thanks to our structure, we can effectively disseminate information and encourage all Nigerians to participate in government programs and activities.
“We are particularly focused on encouraging women to register their children aged 0 to 5, and we will continue to raise awareness about birth registration”.
In her remarks, the Ekiti State Director of NPC, Dr. Olufumbi Olowookere, highlighted that leveraging technology will enhance the efficiency, accuracy, and accessibility of the exercise.
According to Dr. Olowookere, “The digital initiative aligns with the commission’s commitment to harnessing innovation for improved service delivery and better outcomes for Ekiti residents.
“The two-month digital birth registration campaign will focus on children aged 0 to 5, aiming to provide them with digital birth certificates”.
She also mentioned that the NPC has recruited 779 ad-hoc volunteers for the exercise, with a target of registering 156,230 children.
“I would like to emphasize that we have a well-established routine for birth registration, which serves children from birth to 17 years old, and it is an ongoing process. To ensure seamless registration, we have trained NPC Registrars stationed in all our NPC offices, hospitals, health centers, and other locations across the 16 Local Government Areas of Ekiti State.
“Birth registration for children aged 0 to 17 is free, although attestation of birth for adults (18 years and above) incurs a fee,” she added.
The representative of NIMC, Ibrahim Olutayo reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to a strong partnership, stating that they will do everything possible to make the exercise a landmark success.
The Ekiti State Commissioner of Police, Adeniran Akinwale, represented by ACP Godwin Jen, assured the agency of maximum security, noting that all Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) across the state will be directed to maintain law and order during the exercise.