UNICEF Urges Nigerians to Embrace E-Birth Registration
The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has urged Nigerians to adopt E-Birth Registration for their children to give them a quick and sustainable legal identity.
Chief of UNICEF Lagos Field Office, Celine Lafoucriere gave the advice on Tuesday, at the start of a two-day media parley tagged: “Giving Every Child A Legal Identity: A Media Dialogue To Drive E-Birth Registration In Southwest Nigeria”.
Lafoucriere said E-Birth Registration was innovative and important not only for the children but also for the country, stressing that it helps to establish a child’s proof of legal identity.
The UNICEF Field Chief who noted that birth registration is a fundamental right, said a child remains invisible to policymakers without it.
She explained that E-Birth Registration was a critical step towards identifying and protecting the rights of children as well as making adequate provisions for their future.
She said the digital model could help the country plan strategically in the areas of education and healthcare for all registered children on the platform.
“E-Birth Registration ensures that every child is given a legal identity. It helps the government in budgeting and planning for the future.
“Without registration, a child remains invisible and such a child’s access to education and healthcare is somewhat restricted. E-Birth Registration of children gives them a legal and geographic identity”, she said.
Lafoucrieres added that the innovative approach of E-Birth Registration allows the country to get more undocumented children registered, making planning for them easier and more seamless.
She added that data provided could also help critical stakeholders apart from government institutions monitor the progress and implementation of children-centred policies.
“It presents an opportunity to create a good registration system, supplying data necessary for effective planning and implementation of policies”, she said.
The media dialogue was organized by UNICEF in collaboration with the National Population Commission (NPC), the Lagos Office and the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development.
It was to create and drive awareness for the innovative model of E-Birth Registration in Nigeria.
Dominica Nwabufo
