By Leo Zwan̄ke, Lafia
The National Population Commission (NPC), in collaboration with the National Orientation Agency (NOA), has set a target to register 189,000 births in Nasarawa State by 2024. The announcement was made during a press conference in Lafia on Thursday, aimed at raising awareness about the importance of birth registration.
Barr. Patricia Kupchi, the Federal Commissioner representing Benue and overseeing Nasarawa State, disclosed that the modernization of the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) system is helping the commission achieve its annual goals.
“Nasarawa State has so far registered 102,000 out of the 189,000 targeted births for 2024, achieving 54 percent of the goal,” Kupchi said. She was represented by Mrs. Priscilla Yohanna Jaggu, the state director of the NPC.
Emphasizing the importance of birth registration, Kupchi noted, “It secures a child’s identity, nationality, and name. It also facilitates access to healthcare, education, and future employment, while aiding national planning.”
Jaggu further revealed that the NPC has recruited and trained 535 ad-hoc staff from local communities to register children aged 0-5 years. “We have gone digital to ensure efficiency in our operations,” she added.
In her vote of thanks, Dr. Precilla Goanduoalor, the Nasarawa State Director of NOA, urged parents to register their children promptly. “This process ensures the government can plan appropriately for facilities like schools and hospitals,” she said, stressing the importance of public participation in the campaign.
