Bayelsa State Launches Birth Registration Drive To Empower Children

From Mgbo Nnachi In Yenagoa*

Yenagoa, Bayelsa State—The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has launched a major campaign to increase birth registration rates in Bayelsa State, enlisting the help of various stakeholders in an effort to ensure that every child between the ages of zero and five is legally registered.

The initiative, led by NOA in collaboration with the National Population Commission (NPC) and UNICEF, brought together key figures from Bayelsa’s social landscape, such as media representatives, traditional rulers, religious leaders, women’s groups, and non-governmental organisations.

A press conference at the Federal Secretariat in Yenagoa served as the launchpad for this social mobilisation campaign.

Mr. Edward Banigo, State Director of NOA, emphasised the drive’s goal of raising public awareness about the importance of birth registration, especially in light of Bayelsa State’s current low registration rates.

The campaign makes use of the “e-Birth” registration system, which is being implemented in all of the state’s local governments.

“This initiative makes birth registration free and accessible to all,” Mr. Banigo explained.

“We intend to strengthen Nigeria’s civic registration system by providing this critical service directly to the people.”

He also emphasised that every child has the fundamental right to a legal identity, and that registration ensures access to essential services such as healthcare and social protection programs.

The State Director urged stakeholders to spread the birth registration message far and wide, particularly in rural communities, to ensure that all children are registered.

Accurate population data, he emphasised, is critical for development planning.

Mrs. Evelyn Micah, State Director of the NPC, emphasised the importance of birth registration, stating that a birth certificate is the first official document a child should receive, as it serves as a gateway to essential services.

She encouraged parents to take advantage of this opportunity to register their children and urged all residents to support the dedicated staff who are working tirelessly to reach even the most remote communities.

The initiative received strong support from a variety of stakeholders. The Traditional Rulers Council, represented by His Royal Highness, Venerable Princewill Consul, thanked the organisers and encouraged them to expand their efforts to rural areas.

Rev. Father Joseph Opelema, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Bayelsa State, promised to spread the message throughout the Christian community.

Mr. Taritein Boco, Chairman of BANGOF, emphasised the critical importance of birth registration and the need for ongoing public awareness campaigns in a variety of public spaces, such as markets, schools, religious centres, and transportation hubs.

The Eunice Nnachi Women Advocacy Foundation (ENWAF) praised NOA, NPC, and UNICEF for their public awareness campaigns and reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that women are adequately informed and empowered to register their children.

This collaborative initiative represents a renewed effort to ensure that all children in Bayelsa State have the fundamental right to legal identification.

Working together, the stakeholders hope to significantly increase birth registration rates, empower children, and contribute to more effective long-term development planning.