The National Orientation Agency (NOA), in collaboration with the National Population Commission (NPC), the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), and with support from UNICEF, on Wednesday launched a one-day stakeholders’ sensitization meeting in Hadejia to promote birth registration across Jigawa State.
Speaking at the event, the State Director of NOA, Ahmed Tijjani Said, explained that the sensitization exercise was being conducted simultaneously across the five emirates of the state to mobilize critical stakeholders on the importance of birth registration and certification.
According to him, participants included information officers, community mobilization officers, women development officers, ward development committee chairmen, religious leaders, NPC officials, and other community influencers who are expected to cascade the message to the grassroots.
He emphasized the need to use social media platforms and community networks to educate caregivers and parents on the ongoing birth registration exercise, noting that the involvement of ALGON has already led to significant progress in 287 wards across the state, with active participation from primary healthcare facilities.
During his presentation, Danladi Abubakar, representing the NPC, demonstrated the new digital birth certificate to participants.
He explained that the registration covers both indigenous and non-indigenous children aged 0–12 months, while children above five years are required to obtain attestation and affidavit forms, submit two passport photographs, fill an online form, and pay a processing fee.
Danladi further noted that the new digital birth certificate now includes the National Identification Number (NIN) and other vital personal details.
He commended Jigawa State for achieving 108% coverage in last year’s birth registration exercise.
In their goodwill messages, representatives of religious and traditional institutions, Reverend Samson Adebushi, Moses Nnamani, and Yakubu Hassan Imam, pledged their support for the campaign and promised to spread the message during sermons, church services, and community gatherings.
The sensitization meeting is part of ongoing efforts to ensure every child in Jigawa State is duly registered at birth, thereby securing their legal identity and access to basic social services.
Credit: Musa Muhammad
