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Kano records highest number of digital birth registration in Nigeria – official
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The National Population Commission Director (NPC) said Kano state has registered 933,589 child birth under the newly introduced digital registration, the highest in Nigeria.
KANO FOCUS reports that the state Director, Alhaji Ismaila Al-Hassan Dogo, made this known on Friday in Kano, at a media dialogue on birth registration organised by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in collaboration with National Orientation Agency (NOA).
Based on the road plan the UNICEF introduced, the body targeted about one million unregistered children in Kano, from zero to five years for the 44 local government areas of the State.
“The essence is that if we can get these children registered, they will be added to the database of Kano state population.
“Similarly, this exercise is being done in other 21 states of the country, noting that all the states that were targeted for this exercise in the 22 States
“Therefore, at the end of the exercise, all unregistered children would now be registered, thus taking care of backlog in the registration.”
“When you say census, you are counting people, which shouldered with registration of birth, it based on this the body would project the figure for the country, local government or the state.
“To enable the country know the population figure of the nation, to know the identity, where he or she belongs to, and failure for people not to have the certificate such a person does not recognised as a citizen of that very country, hence the need for a bonafide citizen to have a birth certificate.”
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has said that despite the birth registration uptake in Nigeria, it has been less than optimal, depriving Nigerian children the basic rights recognised by both the UN and the Nigerian Government.
According to UNICEF, if Nigeria must meet Social Development (SD) 16.9, it is imperative that concerted efforts are required to address all the outstanding barriers that have restricted universal birth registration in Nigeria.
This is just as the body added that millions of children, under 1 year of age either born within the communities or those accessing the formal health system to receive vaccines, are missing out on opportunities to be registered at health facilities.
Chief UNICEF field office Kano, Rahama Farah, noted that “If the births of eligible children are not registered, it deprives the Nigerian child a right to a formal identity. Legally speaking, that child becomes invisible and does not exist”.
Birth registration is therefore a significant right which the Nigerian government has covenanted to accord her children.
“Yet, Article 7 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), specifies that every child has a right to a name and nationality. Article 7 also prescribes that children must be registered when they are born and given a name which is officially recognized by the government.”
According to the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2021, only 54.6 per cent of the under five children births are registered in Kano State, compared to 57. 3 per cent at the national level.
In Katsina and Jigawa states, under-five birth Registration is as low as 23.6 percent in Jigawa, and 67 per cent, in Katsina state.
The MICS 2021 survey also found that 2 out of every 3 mothers and caregivers of children aged below five years, whose births were not registered, did not know how to register their children.
The MICS 2021 puts percentage of children under 5 whose births are registered as ranging from as high as 89 per cent for the richest wealth quintile, to as low as 33 per cent for the poorest wealth quintile.
He added that the Population Division of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, World Population Prospects 2019, about 20,000 children are born every day in Nigeria, and that the 2023 projected population for children under 1 year is 7,465,417: and the children under 5 is 35,597,131.
To ensure that the birth of every child in Nigeria is registered, UNICEF is supporting the Government in strengthening coverage of birth registration during immunization services in health facilities, capturing children who are under one year of age as soon as they are born, during Maternal and New-born Child Health Weeks (MNCHWs), and through Supplemental Immunization Activities, using digitalized processes.
The National Population Commission (NPC) is the Nigerian agency assigned the statutory responsibility of documenting vital statistics which includes registering births of children in Nigeria, and only birth certificates issued by the NPC are recognized by law.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Dr Goni Faruk Umar has urged Muslims to embrace Taqwa in their daily lives, describing it as a foundation of Islam and a key to righteous conduct and success in this world and the hereafter.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Islamic scholar made the call while delivering a Juma’a sermon at the New Juma’a Mosque, Rumfa College, Kano.
In the sermon, Dr Goni Faruk Umar explained the meaning of Taqwa using classical Islamic scholarship, including an account involving Umar ibn al-Khattab and the companion Ubayy ibn Ka’b to illustrate the concept.
According to the account cited in the sermon, Sayyadina Ubayy once asked Khalifa Umar bin Khattab whether he had ever walked along a thorny path. When Khalifa Umar bin Khattab answered in the affirmative, Sayyadina Ubayy asked how he navigated it. Khalifa Umar bin Khattab replied that he gathered his clothes and proceeded cautiously to avoid being pricked.
Sayyadina Ubayy then explained that this was the essence of Taqwa: being constantly mindful of one’s actions and carefully avoiding what displeases Allah.
Dr Goni Faruk Umar said Taqwa should not be limited to acts of worship but should also guide Muslims’ conduct in contemporary society, particularly in their use of digital platforms and social media, control of the tongue, and relationships within the family.
He urged worshippers to exercise restraint in their speech, act responsibly online and uphold their obligations to family members in accordance with Islamic teachings.
The cleric also highlighted the spiritual and worldly benefits of Taqwa, including relief from hardship, ease in personal affairs, forgiveness of sins and increased rewards in the hereafter.
Quoting verses from the Qur’an, he cited Allah’s promise in Surah At-Talaq, verses 2 and 3, that whoever fears Him will be granted a way out of difficulties and provided for from sources they could not have anticipated.
He also referred to Qur’an 65:4–5, which promises ease in affairs, the removal of sins and the multiplication of rewards for those who maintain Taqwa.
The scholar reminded Muslims that worldly life is temporary and that the hereafter is their permanent destination. He therefore urged them to regard Taqwa as the best provision for the journey beyond this life.
Citing Qur’an 2:197, he emphasised that the best provision for the hereafter is Taqwa, urging believers to remain conscious of their responsibilities to Allah.
The sermon also featured prayers and salutations upon Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), his family and companions, in accordance with the Qur’anic instruction in Surah Al-Ahzab, verse 56.
Dr Goni Faruk Umar concluded by encouraging Muslims to remain steadfast in faith, follow the guidance of the Prophet and make righteousness a guiding principle in their daily lives.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Political allies and loyalists of former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Arc Aminu Dabo, have begun resigning from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State following his withdrawal from the ruling party.
KANO FOCUS reports that the supporters, operating under the political group Dabo Alheri Ne, reportedly include members across Kano State’s 44 local government areas.
Barely two days after Dabo announced his resignation from the APC, a prominent stakeholder of the group, Garba Zakiru Dambatta, said members had welcomed the decision and were showing solidarity by submitting their resignation letters to their respective ward party chairmen.
Dambatta, a former APC chairman in Dambatta Local Government Area, said the group’s members were disappointed with what they described as the prolonged marginalisation of Mr Dabo and his supporters within the party.
According to him, despite Mr Dabo’s contributions to the APC and efforts to strengthen the party and manage disagreements among its members, some key stakeholders had continued to sideline him and his loyalists in party activities.
Dambatta reaffirmed the group’s commitment to standing by Mr Dabo’s political decisions and supporting his future political journey.
He also urged the former NPA managing director not to succumb to political pressure or reverse his decision to leave the party.
“This step you have taken, we have the conviction that it is the beginning of a new chapter of goodness in your life,” Dambatta said.
Among the prominent members of the group identified as supporting Mr Dabo’s decision are Abba Rabee’u, a former Senior Special Assistant on Political Awareness; Almustapha Jilani Danmalam, a former Senior Special Assistant on Education; Jamilu Abdullahi Zangon-Mata, a former Senior Special Assistant on Entrepreneurship; and Fahd A. Dabo, a former Special Assistant on Youth Mobilisation.
The individuals reportedly served during the second term of former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
The group also said several other party loyalists and supporters were backing Dabo following his resignation.
However, the statement did not provide the number of members who had formally resigned from the APC or indicate whether the party leadership had responded to the development.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Five players of Kano Pillars Amputee Football Club have been invited to the national camp of Nigeria’s Special Super Eagles ahead of the 2026 Amputee Football World Cup in Mexico.
KANO FOCUS reports that invited players are Isah Yusuf, Abba Musa, Habu Friday, Emanuel Betel and Usman Ahmed. They are currently in Abuja with the national team as preparations intensify for the global tournament.
The Team Manager of Kano Pillars Amputee Football Team, Jamilu Uba Adamu, disclosed this in an interview with Ashiru Rabiu Gidan Tudu, Information Officer of the Kano State Sports Commission.
Adamu described the invitation as recognition of the players’ dedication, discipline and outstanding performances.
He expressed confidence that the players would represent Kano State and Nigeria with honour at the championship.
According to him, the call-up also demonstrates Kano Pillars’ commitment to nurturing talented amputee footballers and contributing to the development of the sport in Nigeria.
The 2026 Amputee Football World Cup is scheduled to take place from November 13 to 22 in San Juan de los Lagos, Mexico. A total of 24 countries, including seven African nations, are expected to participate.
The Executive Chairman of the Kano State Sports Commission, Muhammad Tukur Babangida, congratulated the five players on their invitation, describing it as well deserved.
Babangida expressed confidence that they would justify the confidence reposed in them by the national team selectors.
He assured the players of the commission’s continued support and urged them to remain focused, disciplined and committed to making Kano State and Nigeria proud on the international stage.
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