61.7% of Bauchi children not registered at birth in 2021: UNICEF
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says only 38.3 per cent of under-five children in Bauchi State were registered at birth in 2021.
The declaration was made in Bauchi on Saturday by Tushar Rane, chief of UNICEF Bauchi Field Office.
He said at the beginning of a two-day planning meeting that the office was targeting birth registration for 1,080,984 under-five children in the state in 2023.
He explained that birth registration was an essential tool for protecting children’s rights; for planning, and promoting development and citizenship.
“According to the 2021 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, birth registration of Under-five children was at 38.3 per cent in Bauchi state.
“In 2022, a joint UNICEF and government performance review took place, and Bauchi State was found to be one of the lowest performers in birth registration,’’ he said.
In his remarks, Matthew Temidayo, national director, Department of Civil Registration and Vital Statistics, National Population Commission (NPC), said the 2023 exercise would be conducted in the 20 local government areas of Bauchi State.
He said the NPC would engage volunteers at ward levels to conduct the 2023 birth registration of the Under-fives.
He added that the exercise would be conducted with the NYSC, Bauchi State government and the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria.
Mr Temidayo also said the NPC would conduct a similar exercise in 22 low-performing states nationwide.
“Ten local government areas will participate in the first phase, which would span 15 days, while the second batch of 10 local government areas would be covered in the following 15 days.
“Volunteers would be drawn from wards to gain residents’ trust and compliance for a hitch-free exercise,’’ he explained.
Also speaking at the meeting, Ali Babayo, permanent secretary, Bauchi State Ministry of Health, reiterated the state government’s commitment to improving healthcare services.
He commended UNICEF and other stakeholders for supporting activities around birth registration and other healthcare programmes.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
Kaduna govt constructs airport-style bus terminals to boost public transport
The Kaduna government says its ultra-modern Eastern Terminal, designed like an airport terminal, will transform transportation and create thousands of jobs upon completion.
Economy
Naira gains N4.80 at official market, trades at N1,375.30 per dollar
The naira on Tuesday appreciated at the official market, trading at N1,375.30 to a dollar.
States
Tinubu advised me never to negotiate with criminals, Gov Ododo says
“I don’t play with criminals, and I don’t negotiate with them. I can tell you that, as far as Kogi State is concerned, we don’t have a department for ransom payment,” he said.
Heading 1
U.S. has spent $37.5 billion on Iran war: Hegseth
“The estimate we have as of today is $37.5 billion,” Mr Hegseth said.
Lagos
Slain Lagos NURTW organising secretary buried amid tears
Mr Ajiboye died days after he was attacked by gunmen.
