The ongoing nationwide electronic birth registration for children aged 0 to 5 years has encountered a significant setback in Edo State due to low enrollment rates.
Sources revealed that while other states are close to 100% of their targets, Edo is yet to reach 20% in the exercise, which commenced on July 29.
Reacting to the situation, Dr. Tony Ayejina, National Commissioner of the National Population Commission (NPC) for Edo, attributed the poor performance to the lack of support from the previous state government.
“The case of Edo is obvious because of the election. The whole of August and September was used for electioneering, and (Godwin) Obaseki used that as an excuse not to listen to anybody or provide the expected support, unlike in other states.
“We waited until the new government was sworn in on November 12. Even now, the governor has not settled down to give us attention.
“I was in Edo to set a template to kick-start the process. We are getting close to 20%, which is not a pass mark,” he said.
Dr. Ayejina further explained that his efforts to engage local government chairmen to drive the exercise were unproductive.
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According to him, the chairman of the Edo chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) has been unresponsive.
“The Commissioner for Local Government has not been appointed, so they asked me to see the Permanent Secretary in the ministry.
“The Permanent Secretary issued a letter to all local government councils, but this has also yielded no results.
“The 192 councillors in Edo ought to take responsibility and participate, but that has not been the case.
“I presented all necessary information and papers to the ALGON chairman in Edo, yet no desired results,” he lamented.
On the implications of the low enrollment, Dr. Ayejina warned that Edo children risk being excluded from Federal Government and UNICEF planning.
“Our people need to understand the implications. Without a census, the government relies on this survey and other data for planning purposes.
“Every child must have a legal identity. If they don’t have an electronically generated birth certificate, they lack legal status.
“I created jingles and went to the Edo Broadcasting Service (EBS), even using my personal funds for a few broadcasts. There is no money to do more.
“In other states, pro bono services are provided for such initiatives.
“UNICEF pays N300 per registration for ad hoc staff, but unfortunately, this amount does not resonate with the Edo people.
“In the North, governments augmented this amount, doubling it, and the exercise was completed with enthusiasm. Some states have already achieved 100% completion.
“We have until December 31, but Edo can request an extension to register more children,” he said.
Dr. Ayejina urged Governor Monday Okpebholo to act swiftly on the commission’s pending requests to ensure Edo State is not left out of the exercise.
He added that with the governor’s support, Edo could request an extension to meet its target for this critical registration initiative.
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