From Mgbo Nnachi, Yenagoa
The National Orientation Agency, NOA has solicited the support of all relevant stakeholders in Bayelsa State to ensure the successful implementation of the Birth Registration Drive for children between zero to five years.
The NOA collaboration with the National Population Commission, NPC and the support of UNICEF brought together all media stakeholders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, women groups and Non governmental organizations for a press conference on Birth Registration Social Mobilization Drive held at the Federal Secretariat, Oxbow lake, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
State Director, Mr Edward Banigo noted that the essence of the conference was to raise public awareness on the e-Birth registration currently being carried out in all the local government areas of the state to address the low level of birth registration in Bayelsa State.
Mr Banigo noted that the birth registration drive would take the registration process to the people by making it free and accessible adding that the initiative would also strengthen the civic registration system in Nigeria.
“As parents and stakeholders, it behoves on us to ensure that all children are registered to give them legal identity that will grant them access to vital services”
He urged all stakeholders to take the message of birth registration to people in all communities particularly at the grassroots to ensure that all children are registered for accuracy of population data in development planning.
Also speaking, State Director, National Population Commission, NPC, Mrs Evelyn Micah emphasized the need for the Birth Registration saying it is the first certificate that should be given to every child to access health care, social protection services and other benefits as a citizen of the country.
Mrs Micah called on parents to make use of the opportunity to register their children adding that all residents of the state should give the adhoc staff the needed support to carry out this exercise particularly in hard to reach towns and communities.
“Every child deserves a birth certificate, it is free from 0-17 years, children have the right to legal identity through the birth registration. It also helps the government for effective planning for social, state and national development ”
On his part, Chairman, Traditional Rulers Council, represented by His Royal Highness, Venerable Princewill Consul expressed appreciation to the organizers of the conference and urged them to visit the rural areas to carry out the exercise.
In a goodwill message, Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Bayelsa State, Rev Father Joseph Opelema pledged to take the message to the christian community for the successful conduct of the exercise.
On his part, Chairman, BANGOF, Mr Taritein Boco noted that the issue of birth registration cannot be overemphasized hence all persons should be committed to ensuring that more campaigns are made in various public places such as markets, schools, worship centres and motor parks within the state.
Representative of the Eunice Nnachi
Women Advocacy Foundation, ENWAF gave assurance that they would do their part in ensuring that more women are educated and informed on the need to present their children for birth registration.
ENWAF commended NOA, NPC and UNICEF for their public awareness efforts in the local government areas, engaging people in the birth registration process for the success of the exercise.
