- During the inauguration, the state coordinator of the NPC, Lady Adaku Ezebuiro, emphasized the importance of volunteers expanding their knowledge of digital birth registration systems
The National Population Commission (NPC), in partnership with the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), has launched a three-day training program for volunteers on Electronic Civil Vital Registration Statistics (ECVRS).
The initiative, aimed at registering children aged zero to five years, kicked off in Abia State, with the training taking place at the Bende Local Government Area headquarters.
During the inauguration, the state coordinator of the NPC, Lady Adaku Ezebuiro, emphasized the importance of volunteers expanding their knowledge of digital birth registration systems. She noted that the training is designed to prepare the ad-hoc volunteers for their roles in various wards across the state.
“The registration exercise can be a tedious assignment because it is not easy for one to go to the rural areas to collect data on new babies, but it will not be a big deal if you take it as a hobby,” Ezebuiro remarked. She urged the participants to be passionate about the task, highlighting the necessity for a strong grasp of computers and Android phones.
The training is currently being conducted in three clusters: Bende, Isialangwa North, and Aba North local government areas. In its first phase, 128 participants will be trained, including 45 from Umunneochi, 52 from Bende, and 31 from Isuikwuato local councils. The second phase, covering other local government areas, is set to commence shortly.
A resource person from UNICEF, speaking on condition of anonymity, underscored the organization’s role in supporting government efforts to protect children’s rights globally. He emphasized that birth registration and certification are foundational for safeguarding children’s rights and providing them with a recognized identity.
“The birth certificate plays a significant role in giving children a name and protection. This training is not a data-hunting exercise but is aimed at ensuring that the right of a child is given to the child,” he stated. He highlighted that registering children would address future issues related to their health, education, housing, and food security.
The NPC faces challenges due to manpower shortages, making such training programs crucial for bridging the gap. UNICEF’s involvement includes building the capacity of NPC staff in ICT and training ad-hoc staff to ensure comprehensive coverage during the upcoming birth registration drive.
“This training is basically to ensure that the persons doing the work are better informed and equipped, especially now that the registration has gone digital. Very soon, they will be hitting the field to collect data electronically,” he added.