By Katsina Times
The Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Dr Aminu Yusuf, on Tuesday inspected digital birth registration at the Commission’s registration centre at Wuse General Hospital, Abuja, as part of activities marking the 2026 Africa Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) Day.
Dr Yusuf, accompanied by the Federal Commissioner for Plateau State and Commissioner overseeing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mrs Mary Ishaya Afan, NPC Director-General, Dr Abuh Mohammed, and other senior officials, observed the live digital registration and issuance of digital birth certificates to newborns.
The exercise was also witnessed by UNICEF Chief of Child Protection, Nigeria, Ms Natalie McCauley, and Acting Medical Director of Wuse General Hospital, Dr Hannatu Ovosi.
Three newborns received digital birth certificates from the NPC Chairman during the exercise. They were two-month-old Chimamanda Eliora Mela; 11-week-old Tayyib Shaheed; and one-day-old Peter Vishekwo, a twin.
Speaking during the event, Yusuf said digital birth certificates, alongside the simultaneous generation of National Identification Numbers (NIN), would provide children with legal identity and facilitate access to essential services, including healthcare and education.
He urged parents to register their children’s births promptly, describing birth registration as essential to protecting children’s rights and securing their future opportunities.
Yusuf said accurate civil registration and vital statistics were also crucial for effective national planning and development.
“Without reliable data, effective policymaking becomes impossible,” he said.
The NPC chairman commended the management of Wuse General Hospital for hosting the exercise and presented gifts to the registered newborns.
Afan commended Yusuf’s leadership, saying the Commission’s civil registration and vital statistics system had undergone significant digital transformation since his assumption of office.
Ovosi welcomed the NPC delegation and thanked the Commission for choosing the hospital for the CRVS Day commemorative exercise.
McCauley said birth registration was an important tool for child protection, noting that registered children were more visible to systems designed to provide essential services and protect their rights.
The NPC Director-General, Dr Abuh Mohammed, also commended the chairman’s leadership and presented additional gifts to the newborns.
The event was attended by the FCT Territory Director, management staff, the Chairman’s technical aides and other officials of the Commission.
Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!