By Sunday Nkama
A one-day training on R-birth registration, organized by the National Population Commission (NPC) in collaboration with the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), and supported by UNICEF has come to a close in Afikpo Local Government Area with a charge to participants to get the people at the grassroots informed on the ongoing E- birth registration for children between 0 – 12 months
The training, which was held at the Council Hall, Afikpo, on Thursday was aimed at sensitizing stakeholders on the importance of E-birth registration and the ongoing exercise.
Addressing participants, the Executive Chairman of Afikpo Local Government Area, NWACHI, Timothy A. U, emphasized the significance of E- birth registration in providing individuals with legal identity documents. These documents according to him are essential for accessing government services and exercising their rights.
The Council Chairman who was represented by his Vice, Hon(Mrs) Josephine Chinwe Nwogo urged stakeholders to ensure compliance and to enlighten those at the grassroots on the importance of registering children between 0-12 months.
In his opening remarks, the Comptroller of NPC, Afikpo LGA, Mr. Ogbonnia Egwu Isu, disclosed that the commission has introduced a policy of electronic birth registration for children between 0-12 months.
The Comptroller who explained that this nationwide exercise is being carried out in partnership with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), disclosed that registered children will be issued with a identity card that guarantees their access to government services.
The Cluster Head of NIMC, Ebonyi South Zone, Chief Innocent Ajuka; the Chief Orientation and Mobilization Officer, Mrs. Nnenna Emeka Kalu, and the Admin Secretary, Afikpo Primary Health Care, Mrs. Nwafor Angela, all emphasized the importance of birth registration in ensuring that every child has a legal identity. They pledged to collaborate with NPC to achieve their lofty goals.
The Chairman of Afikpo LGA Traditional Rulers Council and Royal Father of Amasiri Autonomous Community, HRH Ezeogo Bassey Onya Idam, thanked NPC for the initiative, which he said signifies Nigeria’s irreversible march towards a new dawn. He noted that the policy will improve the accuracy and reliability of vital statistics, reduce paperwork, and enhance data security and promised to liaise with his colleagues and other stakeholders to ensure the E-Birth registration exercise is a huge success in Afikpo Local Government Area.
The event drew a wide range of stakeholders, including representatives from; the Christian Body; Muslim Community; Town Union; Youth organizations; Women organizations; Health and Education Education sectors
