By Joy Salami
National Orientation Agency (NOA), in collaboration with other agancies,embarked on a community mobilisation drive in Lokoja on the importance of e-birth registration.
The social sensitisation campaign is part of on-going efforts by the stakeholders to ensure Kogi children from birth to age five are officially recognized through digital birth registration.
This initiative, championed by National Orientation Agency (NOA), National Population Commission (NPC), and UNICEF, seeks to protect children’s rights while providing accurate data for national planning and development.
During a press briefing and stakeholders’ sensitization event in Lokoja, the state capital, NOA Director General Lanre Issa-Onilu described birth registration as a fundamental step in acknowledging a child’s existence.
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Represented by the Acting Kogi State Director of NOA, Mr. Patrick Edogbanya, Issa-Onilu emphasized the importance of e-birth registration in addressing societal challenges such as population management, election credibility, and access to healthcare. “This initiative is part of our ongoing commitment to account for every child,” Issa-Onilu stated. “
E-Birth Registration is vital for creating a reliable system that enhances governance and tackles key developmental issues.
The digital system replaces traditional paper-based methods, utilizing Android devices for data collection to improve efficiency and accuracy.
Issa-Onilu disclosed that 10 of the 21 local government areas in the state had already been covered in the first phase, with the remaining 11 LGAs, including Lokoja, targeted in the current phase.
He stated that “Our objective is to ensure every child in Kogi State is registered,” he affirmed.
The NOA Director further revealed that “This effort will continue beyond the current phases until no child is left out, with dedicated partners and forward-thinking leadership, we are building a future where no child goes unregistered,”.
Since the initiative was launched in August, over 185,000 children have been registered, nearing UNICEF’s target of 211,314 children for Kogi State by December.
Head of Vital Registration at NPC, Mrs. Ralie Omattah, expressed optimism about surpassing this target but acknowledged challenges, including parental reluctance in rural areas and logistical issues tied to integrating National Identification Numbers (NIN) into the process.
Omattah disclosed that the partnership with NOA has been crucial in expanding the program statewide, noting that despite the challenges, we are confident in exceeding our target through collaborative efforts.
Assistant Chief Identity Officer Mr. Olusegun Jeminiwa, representing NIMC State Coordinator, Mr. Paul Popoola, reiterated the agency’s commitment to supporting the initiative.
A child as young as a day old can now be registered in the NIMC database,Jeminiwa stated. Adding that this collaboration not only enhances program efficiency but also ensures inclusivity for every Nigerian child.
The joint efforts of NOA, NPC, NIMC, UNICEF, and other stakeholders underscore a shared determination to provide every child in Kogi State, and across Nigeria, the right to identity and recognition. Beyond facilitating national planning, digital birth registration guarantees children access to essential services such as healthcare and education.
Stakeholders continue to urge greater media involvement and public participation to support the success of this initiative across Kogi State.
