Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady of Nigeria, through her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), has teamed up with the National Population Commission (NPC) and UNICEF to enhance birth registration across the country. The collaboration will be marked by the launch of the UNICEF/RHI Commemorative Birth Certificate for 2024, scheduled for August 29 in Abuja. This initiative aims to provide Nigerian children with their first foundational identity, essential for accessing government services like education and healthcare.
NPC Chairman, Hon Nasir Isa Kwarra, emphasized that this event represents a significant step in the government’s efforts to ensure every Nigerian child is recognized and registered at birth. UNICEF’s Chief Child Protection Officer, Ibrahim Sesay, noted that the partnership with the First Lady’s initiative is crucial in closing the gaps in birth registration and fostering data-driven development plans for children.
The technical aspect of the initiative is being supported by Barnksforte Technologies Limited, which is digitizing the Electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (eCVRS) system. Managing Director Adedayo Bankole highlighted the system’s importance in establishing secure and reliable identities for Nigerian children, ensuring they can access vital services and have their identities verified through national documents.