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From Fred Itua, Abuja
The Chairman of the National Population Commission, Nasir Isa Kwarra, has assured that the 2023 national population and housing census, will be free, fair and credible.
Kwarra stated this in Abuja on Thursday, when the Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Lai Mohammed inaugurated the Publicity Committee of the 2023 census.
Kwarra said the overarching vision of the 2023 census is to produce not only accurate, reliable and acceptable census data, but also inclusive and user-friendly data that will be used by all segments of society for development planning and critical programme interventions.
He said part of the exercise, the Commission will deploy full digital technology in the conduct of the census and it will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the results of the exercise are acceptable to Nigerians and the quality of the data to be generated meets international best standards.
He said: “This aspiration has informed the methodology and quality of preparations for the census in the last few years. In all these, the need for Advocacy, Publicity and Public Enlightenment cannot be overemphasised.
“The job before it and indeed this Committee is phenomenal, this is in consideration of the need to inform, educate and enlighten Nigerians on the scope of the Census which will involve the counting of every person resident in Nigeria during the conduct of the exercise and that it will take place simultaneously in every household in the country.
“Given this scenario, information, they say “rules the world” as such, targeted advocacy and sustained publicity is no doubt imperative to the successful conduct of the Census exercise. This becomes even more crucial in view of the fact that the census is taking place immediately after the conduct of the 2023 General elections. Therefore, the mobilisation of critical stakeholders to support and take ownership of the process to achieve the desired outcome is imperative and it hinges absolutely on our ability to speak to the people in the language that will galvanize and mobilize them to participate in the 2023 census.
“To this end, the Commission will be relying on your expertise and structures to drive the message into every home and household to drum up support and participation in the 2023 Population and Housing Census.
“I wish to use this opportunity to reassure my fellow countrymen and women and the international community that the National Population Commission is irrevocably committed to ensuring that everything about the 2023 census is done rightly and professionally. We have the clear vision, commitment and capacity to deliver on this historic mandate.”
Minister of Information in his earlier remarks the 2023 census itself is a legacy programme of the Buhari
Administration.
“As you are aware, Nigeria last held a population census in 2006. That’s about 17 years ago – almost an eternity when you consider the importance of population census to national development. It is recommended that a national population census be held every 10 years.
“The conduct of the 2023 Population and Housing Census is a top priority for the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. It is borne out of the desire to bequeath an enduring legacy of evidence-based planning for sustainable
development.
“Our population remains the most important equation in our national development. The people are both the agents and beneficiaries
of the development process, hence development must start and end with meeting the aspirations of the people for improved living standard.”
