In order to garner maximum supports from Ogun residents for the ongoing birth registration, the Ogun State office of National Orientation Agency with supports from United Nations Children Fund, UNICEF and National Population Commission, NPC have called on the residents of the State to key into the programme .
The Agency who while addressing stakeholders including Journalists, Religious leaders, Market men and women and other stakeholders said the registration will allow proper planning by the government.
In her remarks, the Ogun State Director of NOA, Mrs Olufunke Salako while addressing the stakeholders said the Agency joined UNICEF and NPC in order to focus on registering all children between the age 0 to five years and providing them with a National Identification Number for free.
According to her, birth registration is the first legal acknowledgment of a child’s existence which is essential for safeguarding their rights and privileges.
“It is the key to unlocking basic services such as education and healthcare, which are crucial for a child’s development and future.
“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,” Salako said.
Salako urged parents and guardians to visit the nearest registration center of the NPC to register their children.
In her submission, the NPC representative, Mrs Lydia Akinsibo noted that birth registration gives the children a right legal inheritance of the parents.
She urged parents and guardians to take advantage of the opportunity to register their wards, just as she warned them to beware of touts and unauthorised agents while registering.
Dr Pita Obam, the Social and Behavioral Consultant in UNICEF said the agency is committed to sponsoring all programs that directly and indirectly affect children.
He disclosed that the upcoming measles vaccination campaign is scheduled to commence on Sept. 19 to Sept. 25, advising parents to vaccinate their children 0 to 59 months.
He said the vaccination would be at designated vaccination posts and not house to house.
Obam assured of the safety of the vaccines, advising parents not to worry saying that “they are for the safety of our children”.
