ALGON President Applauds Governor Radda as Katsina Launches Landmark Birth Registration Initiative with UNICEF
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In a landmark step toward improving child welfare and national planning, the Katsina State Government has officially launched a comprehensive Birth Registration Programme in collaboration with the United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), the National Population Commission, and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency.
The colourful event, which brought together key stakeholders across government and development sectors, was marked by speeches of gratitude, commitment, and optimism for the transformative impact the initiative is expected to have on the lives of children and families in Katsina and across Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, the National President of ALGON, Hon. Engr. Bello Lawal, who also doubles as the Executive Chairman of Kaita Local Government Area, expressed profound appreciation to Governor Umar Dikko Radda for his visionary leadership and commitment to human capital development through effective partnership with UNICEF and other key institutions.
Hon. Lawal lauded Governor Radda for “transforming the social and economic landscape of Katsina State” and for “bringing renewed value to the state’s healthcare delivery system.”
He praised the Governor’s proactive involvement in promoting inclusive health and development initiatives, describing the Birth Registration Programme as a “critical milestone in building a more accurate, data-driven and equitable society.”
The ALGON President reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of all 34 local government councils in the state to fully support and achieve the objectives of the birth registration programme.
He noted that ALGON at both state and national levels remains dedicated to driving the initiative’s success in partnership with the National Population Commission and other implementing agencies.
In his remarks, Hon. Lawal also thanked the members of the Katsina State Executive Council, health ministry officials, and development partners for their steadfast contributions to the state’s health sector.
He specifically commended Governor Radda’s introduction of a reward system for top-performing local governments, noting that the incentive would “foster healthy competition and accountability among council chairmen.”
He urged all LGA chairmen to take ownership of the programme for the benefit of future generations, emphasizing that “accurate birth registration is not just a record-keeping exercise, but a foundation for social protection, economic inclusion, and national security planning.”
Describing the progress made so far as a “game-changer,” the ALGON President underscored the initiative’s potential to serve as a national asset that enhances development planning, social safety nets, food and economic security, and demographic management.
He called on other states across the federation to emulate the Katsina model and adopt similar initiatives to ensure universal inclusion and national data integrity.
The event was graced by the 34 Local Government Chairmen in Katsina State, representatives from ALGON’s national office — including Hon. Samuel Akala, Special Assistant to the National President — and a cross-section of stakeholders and citizens drawn from across the state.
The Katsina Birth Registration launch marks a significant step forward in Nigeria’s collective effort to ensure every child is counted, protected, and given a fair start in life.
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