First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has urged parents to register the birth of their children with the National Population Commission, NPC.
According to her, this will enable them access their rightful benefits from government.
Tinubu said this yesterday in Abuja at the official inauguration of her Renewed Hope Initiative, RHI, and UNICEF commemorative birth certificate to accelerate birth registration in the country.
She said the programme is aimed at providing a strategic action plan, mobilise leadership and political commitment with a view to accelerate birth registration as part of civil registration and vital statistics system in the country.
“I hope that this action embarked upon today will get us on track to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, SDG, 16. 9. 2 – “a legal identity for all, including birth registration.
“It is important to note that a robust and efficient civil registration system is pivotal to our development and governance.
“This ensures that every live birth is recorded and forms the basis for policy, planning and service delivery that meets the needs of all Nigerians. This is more than an administrative task, it provides the foundation for our social security.
“To all parents, birth registration is very vital. It is the child’s legal proof of identity, as a Nigerian, without which children will not be fully recognised by government, they could miss out on government’s provision of healthcare, education and other social amenities.”
UNICEF’s Country Representative, Ms Cristian Munduate said the digital transformation led by the introduction of the eCRVS system is a true game-changer that had allowed the organisation to register births accurately.
“Together, we can ensure that every child is accounted for and given the identity they deserve, therefore, let us move forward with optimism and renewed partnership.
“Let us create a sustainable and inclusive birth registration system that serves every child in Nigeria, the work we do today will shape the future of this great nation, ensuring that every child is recognised, protected and given the opportunity to thrive.’
The director-general of NPC said birth registration is legal, as it would ensure that all Nigerians, especially children have access to basic programmes that government has for them.
“The registration of birth of a child gives a digital identity and opportunity to access the rights and services they deserve.”
