President Buhari
The federal government on Thursday explained President Buhari’s insistence on conducting population census this year, saying that it is borne out of his desire to bequeath an enduring legacy of evidence-based planning for sustainable development.
Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, gave this position at the latest edition of President Muhammadu Buhari Scorecard media series featuring the Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Alhaji Nasir Isa Kwarra.
Mohammed also pointed out that the conduct of the census is a priority programme for President Buhari, saying:
“Today’s edition is a special one, because this is the first time since this series started that we are having a Special Guest who is not a Minister – and that guest is the Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Alhaji Nasir Isa Kwarra. He is here to tell us about the 2023 National Population and Housing Census, after which we will inaugurate the Census Publicity Committee – which I chair.
“Ladies and gentlemen, 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.
“The Buhari Administration has invested heavily in human capital development, social infrastructure, agricultural development, e.t.c., all part of building Nigeria’s economic base. The conduct of the 2023 Population and Housing Census is therefore to complement the giant strides of government by laying a sustainable basis for a planned and prosperous Nigeria.”
He said the government noted with satisfaction and commendation the effort of the Commission to “positively rewrite the history of census in Nigeria through meticulous planning and massive deployment of technology at every stage of the national exercise.”
The minister added: “We are happy to note that the Commission is not only making efforts to conduct the 2023 Census but also laying a solid foundation for the seamless conduct of future censuses.
“The Enumeration Area Demarcation, which involves the division of the entire landmass of Nigeria into small enumeration areas that can be covered by a pair of enumerators, has been carried out meticulously and digitally and the products generated will be relevant for other planning purposes. All the buildings and structures in the country have been captured and geo coded.”
He, therefore, urged all persons resident in Nigeria to extend maximum cooperation to the NPC in its bid to deliver accurate and reliable demographic data for planning purposes.
TRIBUNE
For more stories, please visit our website – www.ntaabeokuta.com.ng; YouTube channel – NTA Abeokuta News; Facebook Page – @NTAABEOKUTACHANNEL12 and Instagram – @ntaabeokuta1979
