Honourable Federal Commissioner of the National Population Commission in Bayelsa State, Mrs Gloria Izonfuo, mni, says President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR has reiterated his commitment to conduct the National Population and Housing Census. She stated this during an interactive breakfast90pmeeting organized by the NPC for media personalities at the NUJ Press Center in Ekeki-Yenagoa on Tuesday.
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In her address, Mrs Gloria Izonfuo provided an update on the status of the 2023 Census. She explained that the Census was initially scheduled to take place in 2023 but was postponed by former President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, to be completed by the incoming administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
Mrs Izonfuo highlighted that the last Census conducted in Nigeria was in 2006, and according to the United Nations, censuses should be conducted every 10 years. The delay in conducting the Census was due to regime change in 2015 and the need for the new administration to settle into governance. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic further stalled the process. However, despite these setbacks, the Commission has made significant progress in preparation for the Census.
Key achievements include the completion of mapping for the entire nation through Enumeration Area Demarcation. The Commission has also developed an in-house app called CensusPAD, which enables the administration of questionnaires from Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs). The app has undergone successful testing and was used during the 1st and 2nd Census Pre-Tests, Trial Census, and Post Enumeration Survey.
In terms of training, facilitators have been trained at the national and state levels for all aspects of the Census exercise. A data quality management team has been put in place to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the data. Enumerators will be monitored through dashboards at the state and national levels, and Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewer (CAPI) will be used instead of paper-based methods.
Bayelsa State has received all the necessary PDAs, which are currently stored in the CBN. Non-sensitive materials for the Local Government Areas have also been received. And the State Government of Bayelsa, under the leadership of Governor Douye Diri, has established both a State Census Committee and a Security and Logistics Committee to provide support for the Census.
Mrs Izonfuo conveyed the present administration’s commitment to the Census and stated that the Commission is awaiting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval of the proposed new date for the Census. Once approved, the public will be formally informed.
The Hon. Federal Commissioner expressed gratitude to Sen. Douye Diri, traditional rulers, local government authorities, and all functionaries involved in the Census process. She also thanked the media for their continuous support.
In closing, Mrs Izonfuo emphasized the importance of the Census and urged everyone to participate, emphasizing the slogan, “You Count, be Counted.”
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