2023 CENSUS: NPC LAUNCHES PUBLICITY COMMITTEE PLEDGES INDEPTH COVERAGE INCLUDING TERRORISTS ENCLAVES
2023 CENSUS: NPC LAUNCHES PUBLICITY COMMITTEE PLEDGES INDEPTH COVERAGE INCLUDING TERRORISTS ENCLAVES
Federal government has set up a publicity committee for conduct of the proposed 2023 population and housing census.
The committee’s mandate is 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 expected to take place simultaneously in every household in the country.
Members of the committee are the Chairman, of the National Population Commission; the Director General, of the National Orientation Agency (NOA); the Director General, of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA); the Director General, of Federal Radio Corporation (FRCN); Director General, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and the Director General, Voice of Nigeria (VON).
The President, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ); the Director-General, of the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC); the President of, the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE); the President, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC); the Director General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation; Executive Director, National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) and Director General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC).
The President General of, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA); President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN); President, of the National Council of Women Society (NCWS); President, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS); President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN).
Others are President, of the Market Women Association of Nigeria; Representative of Civil Society Groups; Chairman, of the Public Affairs Committee (NPC); Chairman, of the Census Committee (NPC); Deputy Chairman, the Public Affairs Committee (NPC); Chairman, the Census Committee (NPC); Deputy Chairman, Public Affairs Committee; Chief Technical Adviser, (CTA); Director General, NPC; Census Manager, Director, Census (NPC) and Director, Public Affairs Department (NPC) to serve as the secretary
Speaking at the presidential score card and inauguration of the committee, the chairman, Nigeria Population Commission (NPC), Mr Isa Kwarra stated that the census is being prepared to cover all the remote parts of the country including terrorists’ hide outs.
He explained that the mobilisation of critical stakeholders to support and take ownership of the process to achieve the desired outcome is imperative, a possibility that is hinged absolutely on the ability to speak to the people in the language that will galvanize and mobilize them to participate in the enumeration.
He stated that those to carry out the census would be trained in the different zones of the nation.
Kwarra assured of the commission’s commitment to ensuring that everything about the 2023 census is done rightly and professionally.
All the buildings and structures in the country have been captured and geo code. We have been able to produce a digital map
Many of the equipment needed for the exercise are already on ground and more to come as we are exploring all options to ensure a successful conduct of the census.
He disclosed that President Buhari has approved the building of a permanent head office for the commission and state offices in all its branches nationwide.
On the expenditures, he said that the federal government gave the commission N10 billion to do the enumeration and demarcation of the country which started about five years ago.
Another N197 billion was voted for the conduct of the national census in the 2022 national budget. The census is billed to take place immediately after the nation’s general election in March, this year.
He said that funds have been released to the commission to commence the enumeration process.
“The overarching vision of the 2023 census is to produce not only accurate, reliable and acceptable census data but also an inclusive and user-friendly data that will be used by all segments of the society for development planning and critical programme interventions.
“Therefore, as part of this commitment, 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 census is acceptable to Nigerians and the quality of the data to be generated meets international best standards,”
Earlier, Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed said the conduct of the 2023 Population and Housing Census is a top priority of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari necessary to bequeath an enduring legacy of evidence-based planning for sustainable development.
He said the conduct of the 2023 census will complement the efforts of government by laying a sustainable basis for a planned and prosperous Nigeria.
“As you are aware, Nigeria last held a population census in 2006. That was 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. He said.
