Birth, death registration: NPC collaborates with traditional institutions, LG’s in Katsina

The National Population Commission says it is collaborating with traditional institutions and Local Government Councils in Katsina State to sensitise the public to the importance of birth and death registration.
The NPC Director in the state, Alhaji Lawal Ahmed, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Katsina.
According to Ahmed, the initiative is in recognition of the fact that births and deaths are two elements that bring about changes in population in the country.
He said that birth registration in the state was not up to 50 per cent, which he noted, was not encouraging.
The director said that the state had 198 registration centers across the 34 local government areas.
He also disclosed that the State Government had directed that 10 additional registration centers be opened in each local government area.
He said: “With the directive given by the State Government, the state will now have a total of 361 registration centers in the political wards in the state.’’
He called on parents to note that birth registration is a right of every child and that it is free of charge.
Ahmed said: “Though, some health facilities and traditional institutions are issuing birth certificate, but the one issued by NPC is the only certificate recognised nationwide.”
The director also said that UNICEF had provided working materials such as register booklets, registration forms and certificates to ensure that every child is registered.
He appealed to the media to intensify efforts at enlightening the public on the importance of birth and death registration.
Ahmed said according to the 2006 census, the state had a population of 5,801,534, out of which, 2,948,279 were males, while 2,853,305 were females.
He also said that the projected population of the state in 2018 stood at 8,355,278, out of which, 4,246,028 are males, while 4,109,248 are females.