The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) with the National Population Commission (NPC) have enlisted the support of NYSC for the registration of 12.7million births in 2023, including the issuance of birth certificates that provides the names and nationality of every child in Nigeria that is under the age of 5, in 21 States in 456 LGAs and 4,978 wards across the country.
The UNICEF Chief Child Protection, Dr Ibrahim Sesay stated this when he led a team of officials of the agency and National Population Commission (NPC) to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the NYSC at the National Directorate Headquarters in Abuja.
He said 800 Corps Members would be enlisted for the exercise, and would work alongside the National Population Commission officials.
He stated further that the registration of births and birth certificates are legal identities of every Nigerian.
Sesay, who said the data of every child would be stored in the digital birth registration system in custody of the National Population Commission, expressed optimism that the tripartite collaboration would be a success at the end of the day.
The Director, Corps Welfare and Health Services, Mr Omotade Ayodele disclosed that the MoU between the NYSC, UNICEF/NPC is having UNICEF as the lead agency, but added that the Scheme is willing to partner with organisations that are prepared to contribute to national development.
The NYSC Director General, Brigadier General Yusha’u Dogara Ahmed commended the initiative.
The DG, who was represented by the Director, Community Development Service and Special Projects, Hajiya Zainab Isah appealed for adequate security and proper renumeration for the Corps Members that would be engaged in the exercise.
The DG, NPC, Dr Tellson Ojogun Osifo also expressed readiness of the commission for the collaboration.