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UNICEF, NPC Partner NYSC On Digital Birth Registration
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the National Population Commission (NPC) have partnered with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for the registration of 12.7 million births in 2023.
The partnership will also include the issuance of birth certificates that provide the names and nationality of every child in Nigeria, under the age of 5, in 21 states, 456 local government areas, and 4,978 wards across the country.
UNICEF Chief of Child Protection, Dr Ibrahim Sesay, stated this while leading a team of officials of the agency and the NPC, to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the NYSC at the National Directorate Headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.
In a statement by the NYSC on Wednesday, Dr Sesay 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 the legal identities of every Nigerian and that the data of every child would be stored in the digital birth registration system in the custody of the NPC, while expressing optimism for the success of the tripartite collaboration.
Meanwhile, NYSC Director of Corps Welfare and Health Services, Mr Omotade Ayodele, disclosed that the MoU between the NYSC and UNICEF/NPC would have 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 Ahmed, represented by the Director, Community Development Service and Special Projects, Mrs. Zainab Isah, while commending the initiative, appealed for adequate security and proper remuneration for the Corps members that would be engaged in the exercise.
Also, the DG of the NPC, Dr. Tellson Osifo, expressed the readiness of the commission for the collaboration.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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