Edo Assembly, NPC collaborates for successful e-birth registration of children

By Editor 

December 4, 2024

The Edo State House of Assembly has promised to work in collaboration with the National Population Commission (NPC) for the successful e-birth registration of children between O--five years in the state.

Maria Edeko, the Deputy Speaker of the House made the pledged

when staff of the National Population Commission, led by 

Tony Aiyejina, the Federal Commissioner in Edo state  visited her at the Assembly Complex in Benin.  

The PDP lawmaker representing Esan North East constituency II in the House said the house would work closely with NPC to ensure the effective registration of children across the state.  

Edeko, who emphasized the importance of accurate and comprehensive data on children, noted that the e-birth registration was needed for the formulation of sound policies, particularly in the provision of health infrastructure.  

"Mr Speaker and other members of the 8th  Assembly are very passionate about the welfare of Edo people, and we will do our best in our own little way to support this exercise.

"The registration of children plays a pivotal role in policy planning, enabling the government to make informed decisions on health services, education, and social welfare.  

"A reliable register of children would not only aid in identifying areas with high population growth but also allow for the optimal allocation of resources, ensuring that no child is left behind"she said.

She, however, called on  NPC to engage a broad spectrum of local community leaders in the registration campaign. 

 

She also called for a  collaboration with town criers, traditional rulers, churches, mosques, and local radio stations to create widespread awareness and encourage participation in the process.  

The lawmaker opined that by  collaborating with them the message would reach even the most remote parts of the state, ensuring maximum coverage and the success of the registration initiative.

She, however, assured of the lawmakers' commitment to working with the NPC through their various constituencies to ensure that every child in the state is captured in the exercise.  

Earlier in his address, Tony Aiyejina, the NPC Federal Commissioner in Edo, noted that the visit was to inform the House of the Commission's plan to carry out e-registration of children under 0-5 years in the state.  

Aiyejina explained that children aged 0-5 years would be registered and provided with a National Identification Number and birth certificate at no cost.  

He said the exercise, which commenced in August in other states of the federation, is scheduled to end on December 31, 2024.  

He attributed the delay in the commencement of the exercise in the state to the just-concluded governorship election in the state.  

The NPC boss,however, solicited the support and collaboration of all lawmakers in the Edo Assembly through their constituencies to create awareness about the ongoing exercise.  

He noted that the initiative is aimed to ensure that every child in Nigeria has access to essential services such as education and healthcare of.  

Aiyejina, also informed the Deputy Speaker about the NPC’s ongoing 2024 Verbal and Social Autopsy (VASA) study, which investigates the causes and contributory factors of deaths among children under five years of age and women of reproductive age.