CurrentReport Blog The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the National Population Commission (NPC), has initiated a comprehensive three-day training program for ad-hoc registrars focused on birth registration in Abia State. This initiative is part of an effort to address the backlog of unregistered children and ensure accurate vital statistics.
The training took place at two centers: Umuola Egbelu Community Secondary School in Aba North and the Union Development Centre in Isiala-Ngwa North. New Telegraph closely monitored the sessions, which saw active participation from volunteers across various local government areas. Sponsored entirely by UNICEF, this training aims to equip ad-hoc registrars with the skills necessary for effective birth registration.
Training Centers and Participant Breakdown
Umuola Egbelu Community Secondary School, Aba North:
- Local Government Areas Covered: Obingwa, Aba South, and Aba North
- Number of Trainees: 194 volunteers
- Aba North: 29
- Aba South: 116
- Obingwa: 49
Union Development Centre, Isiala-Ngwa North:
- Local Government Areas Covered: Osisoma-Ngwa, Isiala-Ngwa South, and Isiala-Ngwa North
- Number of Trainees: 139 volunteers
- Osisoma-Ngwa: 60
- Isiala-Ngwa South: 37
- Isiala-Ngwa North: 42
Objectives and Training Content
The training focused on Electronic Vital Registration (E-VR), which is crucial for capturing accurate birth data. Volunteers were instructed on:
- Correctly documenting the baby’s name, sex, date of birth, and parents’ names.
- Collecting parents’ National Identification Number (NIN) to ensure a documented link.
- Registering children aged 0-5 years, with provisions for those up to 17 years old at local government secretariats or primary health centres.
Key Remarks and Impact
Lady Dorothy Ekeneme, Head of the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Department, NPC Abia State, emphasized the importance of the training in reducing the backlog of unregistered children. She reiterated that the registration process is free, funded by UNICEF, and highlighted the necessity for registrars to adhere strictly to the guidelines.
Ekeneme also praised UNICEF’s role in this initiative, noting that the accurate data collection will aid both federal and state governments in policy-making, particularly in healthcare and other humanitarian services. This data is essential for addressing issues like age cheating in sports and employment, as it provides verifiable records of children’s ages and birth details.
Challenges and Solutions
Resource person Mr. Solomon David advised the volunteers to exhibit patience and professionalism, especially when dealing with both educated and uneducated populations. He stressed the importance of verifying all data, including the age of the mother and birth order, to ensure the accuracy and success of the registration exercise.
Registration Targets
The number of volunteers assigned to each local government area was based on the expected number of children to be registered:
- Aba South: 25,000
- Aba North: 6,000
- Obingwa: 11,000
- Isiala-Ngwa North: 9,000
- Isiala-Ngwa South: 8,000
- Osisoma-Ngwa: 13,000
This focused and well-coordinated effort by UNICEF and NPC marks a significant step towards achieving comprehensive birth registration in Abia State, ensuring that every child’s birth is documented accurately and efficiently.
