NOA, NPC Begin Free Birth Registration For Newborn In Osun

 

Osun does not have a database for children given birth to in the state, OSUN DEFENDER learnt.

According to data from the United Nations Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organisation (UNICEF), the state in the last 33 years has failed to produce data for newborns.

The State Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mrs Bola Morgan, revealed this at a news conference in Osogbo, on Monday.

She said the non-availability of the data is largely due to the fact that most mothers give birth to their children at home, traditional, churches or mosques’ birth delivery homes.

Morgan also adduced the situation to fear and superstition by people who believe documenting the birth of a child might lead to his or her death.

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OSUN DEFENDER reports that to forestall the ugly trend, NOA in partnership with the National Population Commission and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has commenced free birth registration drive for children of zero to five years in the state.

This is as the agency will provide National Identification Number (NIN) to children who register through the programme nationwide.

Morgan said birth registration of children is very important as government needs the data to plan and ensure that every child in Nigeria has access to education, healthcare and other essential services.

“The drive is focused on registering all children from 0-5 years and providing them with a National Identification Number (NIN) free of charge.

“Birth registration is a fundamental right of every child and this initiative seeks to highlight its importance to the child, the family, the community and the nation at large,” she said.

Mr Gbenga Osungbohun, the National Population Commission, Osun State Director, in his address said birth registration is not limited to any particular age, as anyone who need birth certificate can visit the commission or its centres to register.

Osungbohun said government is working towards capturing and having adequate data of children born in the country and that children from ages 0-18 years can register for free.