Residents of Mainika community in Gwarzo Local Government Area, Kano State, have turned out in large numbers for the ongoing electronic birth registration exercise.
The initiative is specifically designed to provide a legal identity for children living in hard-to-reach and underserved settlements.
The program is supported by the Government of the Netherlands and implemented through a collaborative effort between the National Population Commission (NPC), the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), and UNICEF.
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Over 700 Children Registered in Mainika Alone
Speaking during the exercise, Rabi’u Abdullahi Gwarzo, the focal person for Under-One Birth Registration, described the turnout as highly encouraging.
He noted that the program successfully targets remote communities that are frequently left out of government documentation exercises.
Gwarzo expressed gratitude to UNICEF for providing technical assistance, training personnel, and supplying the registration equipment that has ensured a smooth process.
However, he pointed out that logistical hurdles specifically transportation and feeding allowances for field workers remain major challenges.
He appealed to the ALGON chairman to intervene and bridge these operational gaps.
Enumerating the success of the exercise, Bashir Aminu Dambazau from the NPC commended the community’s participation.
He highlighted that the transition from manual to electronic registration has completely simplified the process.
Children now receive their birth certificates immediately after registration.
The digital system drastically improves data management and government documentation accuracy.
parents turned out in droves, expressing a deep understanding of how a birth certificate secures a child’s future.
Maryam Sagiru (Mother of 6): Shared that she ensured all her children were registered, urging other mothers to leverage the modern, electronic system.
Rukayya Sani (Mother of 7): Highlighted her personal efforts to secure legal identity documentation for her household due to its long-term benefits.
Malam Uba (Father of 16): Explained that with four wives and sixteen children, he has consistently mandated that every single child down to the youngest be fully registered.
No Documentation, No Development: Community Leaders Warn
The Ward Head of Mainika Tashar Gajere, Hayatu Sambo, emphasized that local leadership has been actively sensitizing residents.
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He issued a stark reminder to parents about the risks of skipping the exercise.
Sambo warned that a lack of documentation could exclude children and entire communities from future government interventions, healthcare initiatives, and development programs.
“Any community or child without proper registration may be left out because the government will not have accurate records about them,” Sambo warned.
He concluded by praising the residents for their cooperation, calling the massive turnout a vital step toward ensuring social inclusion and accurate data tracking for the next generation.
