The National Population Commission (NPC), in collaboration with UNICEF and the Zamfara State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), has flagged off a three-day training of trainers on Electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (eCRVS) to promote birth registration in the state.
Speaking at the ceremony in Gusau, the Federal Commissioner of the NPC in Zamfara, Muhammad Muttaka Rini, called on parents, caregivers, and community leaders to embrace the initiative by making eligible children available for capturing during the exercise.
He explained that the eCRVS project was part of the Commission’s constitutional mandate to register births, deaths, marriages, divorces among others.
According to him, the new digital system would replace the manual process to ensure efficiency, transparency, and accuracy in documentation.
Rini noted that, birth certificates would provide children with identity, protection, and government recognition.
He added that, data generated from the registration would be vital for planning, administration, and monitoring demographic indicators such as fertility rate, child and maternal mortality, and causes of death.
The Federal Commissioner disclosed that the National Population Commission is partnering with the Zamfara State Government, the 14 local government councils through ALGON, and the health sector to ensure total coverage.
He added that Primary Health Care centres and community health workers would be engaged to register children at birth, during immunization, and outpatient consultations.
Rini further revealed that the Commission is collaborating with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to ensure seamless generation of the National Identification Number (NIN) for every child registered through the eCRVS system.
While acknowledging challenges of insecurity, inadequate manpower, and logistics in the state, he expressed optimism that with the support of Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration, the obstacles would be surmounted.
He commended the Governor for his support, and appreciated UNICEF, NIMC, state ministries, religious and traditional leaders, and security agencies for their collaboration in making the project a reality.
Rini also stressed the need for traditional and religious leaders to intensify awareness creation to ensure the success of the exercise, noting that registration from birth to seventeen years is entirely free of charge.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Zamfara State Council of Ulama, Sheikh Umar Ahmad Bin Kanoma, urged officials conducting the exercise to reach households directly to ensure families obtain birth certificates for their children.
Sheikh Kanoma further advised that, rural communities and Fulani settlements should not be left behind.
Also speaking, the ALGON Chairman in Zamfara State and Chairman of Zurmi Local Government, Samaila Hussaini, said it is the responsibility of local councils to contribute their quota to make birth registration accessible.
He stressed that, local governments must ensure that every child is recognized through proper documentation, including death registration.
On his part, the Emir of Anka, Alhaji Attahiru Ahmad, assured that traditional rulers would give their full support to achieve the desired objectives of the exercise.
COV/AMINU DALHATU
