NPC moves to step up birth registration in difficult Terrains

From Ene Ene, Calabar

The National Population Commission (NPC), has commenced the process of upscaling birth registration in Cross River’s very hard to reach areas.

The National Commissioner, National Population Commission, NPC (Cross River State), Alex Ukam, made this known in Càlabar while speaking during the Advocacy Campaign in collaboration with the Cross River State government.

With the theme “Enhancing the power of inclusive data towards a resilient and equitable future for all” to commemorate the World Population Day stressing that the World Population Day is celebrated annually on July 11, following declaration of United Nations on July 11, 1989.

Ukam stressed that for too long, segments of Cross River’s population in the rural communities had been marginalised or denied population services stressing that these communities should be counted.

He stated that it was against this background that the commission at the state began pursuing the tool of birth registration to ensure the legal recognition of every child in the state.

“Significant progress is being made in birth registration through our collaboration with the primary health care centers across the state but noticeable gaps still exist particularly in hard-to-reach communities and settlements.

“The way forward therefore is for Cross River and indeed Nigeria to ensure a total and effective civil registration of vital statistics, conduct regular censuses to generate data that are timely, credible, verifiable and geo referenced, ” he said.

In his remarks, Cross River State deputy governor, Mr Peter Odey, stressed that the state was putting its weight solidly behind the population commission because accurate data is necessary to assist the state in all forms of developmental planning.

The United Nations Population Fund UNFPA, Programme Coordinator in Cross River State, Dr. Andrew Kirima, said the theme of the event called for reflection on the indispensable role of inclusive data in crafting the resilient and just future for everyone.