A Wake-Up Call for Gombe Families
Imagine your child being denied access to education or healthcare simply because they don’t have a birth certificate. Sounds unfair, right? Well, that’s the reality the National Population Commission (NPC) is trying to prevent in Gombe State. In a statewide campaign, the NPC is urging residents to register births and deaths, warning that failure to do so could have serious consequences. Here’s why this initiative is a game-changer for Gombe families.
The Campaign: Spreading the Word Across Gombe
The NPC has kicked off a massive sensitization campaign across Gombe’s 11 local government areas. So far, the team has covered six LGAs, including Akko, Yamaltu-Deba, Kwami, Funakaye, Balanga, and Nafada. The goal? To educate residents on the importance of birth and death registration and how it impacts their lives.
Alhaji Abubakar Danburam, NPC’s Federal Commissioner for Gombe State, emphasized that this isn’t just about paperwork—it’s about securing a brighter future for children.
“Children without birth certificates could face challenges in accessing essential services like education and healthcare,” he warned.
Why Birth Registration Matters
A birth certificate is more than just a piece of paper—it’s a child’s ticket to a better future. Without it, children may be denied:
Education: Schools often require birth certificates for enrollment.
Healthcare: Access to medical services can be restricted without proper documentation.
Identity: A birth certificate is proof of identity, essential for everything from exams to job applications.
Danburam stressed that registering births is a simple step that can prevent these challenges down the line.
The Overlooked Importance of Death Registration
While birth registration gets most of the attention, death registration is equally important. Reliable death records help the government:
Identify public health issues.
Allocate resources effectively.
Plan for future healthcare needs.
“Without reliable death records, the government struggles to identify prevalent health issues and distribute resources effectively,” Danburam explained.
Making Registration Easy and Affordable
To ensure everyone can register, the NPC has set up 93 registration centers across Gombe. These centers are conveniently located in primary healthcare facilities, emir’s palaces, and the offices of village and district heads.
Here’s the best part:
Birth certificates for individuals under 18: Free of charge.
Attestation certificates for those above 18: N4,000.
What’s at Stake: A Brighter Future for Gombe
The NPC’s campaign isn’t just about filling out forms—it’s about empowering Gombe residents to secure their children’s future and contribute to the state’s development. By registering births and deaths, families can ensure access to essential services and help the government plan better for the future.
