By Francesca Hangeior
The National Orientation Agency, NOA, has charged Nigerian parents to ensure that they register their children’s birth to avoid denying them rights as citizens.
The event which was in collaboration with UNICEF and National Population Commission, NPC, focused on the need for parents to register their children aged 0-5 free of charge.
Speaking with stakeholders at NOA head office in Osogbo, Osun State capital on Monday, NOA State’s Director, Bola Morgan, disclosed registering a child is a fundamental right a child must not be denied.
According to her, birth registration is focused on registering all children aged 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.
“It is the key to unlocking access to basic services such as education and healthcare, which are crucial for a child’s development and future.
“Moreover, accurate birth registration is vital for national planning and development, as it provides the government with essential data to plan for education, healthcare, and other public services. By registering a child’s birth, families ensure that their children are recognized by the state, which is the first step in protecting them from abuse, exploitation, and statelessness.”
Representative of NPC, Gbenga Osungbohun urged parents to take cognizance of their duty to their children, which include registration and proper documentation.
He then urged parents and guardians to take advantage of the ongoing free registration for the advantage of their unregistered children.