Politics
THE National Population Commission (NPC) has engaged various stakeholders in Kaduna state, to ensure credible, reliable census.
Mr Abdulmalik Durunguwa, Federal Commisioner of the commission in the state disclosed this at a stakeholders summit for the 2023 National Population and Housing Census in Kaduna.
According to him, the aim of the summit is to provide a platform to offer clarification, receive feedback and suggestions on salient issues and concerning the conduct of the 2023 Census.
He said the commission was committed to ensuring that the results and quality of data generated from the census were acceptable to Nigerians while meeting international best standards for planning and developmental purposes.
Durunguwa said that the 2023 census would be fully digital in line with the United Nations principles and recommendations.
Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna, said the goal of the summit was to strengthen collaboration and solicit cooperation in support of key stakeholders for the sucess of the 2023 census.
El-rufai said it was necessary to have an informed state level conversation on the processes and procedures of the census, to convince citizens to make themselves available for emumeration during the excercise.
He said the conduct of census was an essential government activity to ensure an evidence based, reliable demographic data for national planning and development.
The governor commended traditional rulers and local government chairmen for facilitating the just concuded Enumeration Area Demarcation in security-challenged LGAs.
Umma Aboki, Chairman, State Census Committee, said the importance of quality demographic data could not be overemphsised towards development planning for the future.
“Government needs data to tailor its development efforts in providing quality healthcare sevices, education system, recreational centres, jobs and other basic amenities for the population, to project and plan for the future,” she said.
Aboki said to ensure smooth conduct, the state swiftly constituted a state steering committee.
She said that the aim for the committee was for conducting and coordinating census preliminary activities towards having a seamless population and housing census for 2023 in the state.
Alhaji Ahmed Bamalli, Emir of Zaria, commended the commision for the initiative, saying there was no country that could develop without accurate data.
He disclosed that for the past one year, traditional rulers were being engaged on the excercise.
The emir called on stakeholders of the commission to have an accurate data of citizens for proper planning. (NAN)
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Tags: Mr Abdulmalik Durunguwa National Population Commission
