Afrigather The Nationwide Inhabitants Fee (NPC), is ready to conduct the Nationwide Inhabitants and Housing Census however awaiting President Bola Tinubu’s approval for a date, the Chairman, Mr Isa Kwarra, says.
Kwarra stated this on Monday in Abuja at a media convention, to herald the commemoration of the World Inhabitants Day 2024, marked on July 11 yearly.
This 12 months’s celebration is themed: “Embracing the Energy of Inclusive Knowledge In the direction of a Resilient and Equitable Future for All”.
Based on Kwarra, the United Nations recommends that we conduct censuses each 10 years.
“The 2020 spherical of census is ending this 12 months. We might be making a speculation to guarantee that we conduct the census earlier than the 2020 spherical of census involves an finish.
“I need to consider that we are going to get it proper, we’re simply ready on the president to present us the date, and the fee is ever ready to do it as soon as we’ve a date declared by the President.
“The assets ought to have the ability to recruit further fingers to assist us in conducting a really strong census that can present inclusive knowledge that’s not simply verifiable, however might be acceptable by all.
“If we begin now, we are able to obtain it; not less than the 2020 spherical of census provides us a possibility to increase as much as April 2025.”
He, nevertheless, stated that the fee would favor to hold out the train in November as that was what was deliberate for earlier within the 12 months.
Talking concerning the significance of conducting the census, Kwarra stated it will allow the nation have the appropriate data/proof/knowledge for measuring and predicting doubtless demographic shifts.
“We have to maintain a census that can deploy trendy expertise to generate well timed, dependable and acceptable knowledge required for addressing the completely different wants of the varied inhabitants teams.
“Additionally, to implement interventions that can create alternatives for progress and take away limitations and inhibitions.”
The Nation Consultant, United Nations Inhabitants Fund (UNFPA), Dr Gifty Addico, stated that well timed censuses would supply the baseline knowledge wanted to trace progress towards the Sustainable Improvement Targets (SDGs).
Represented by the Deputy Nation Consultant, Mr Koessan Kuawu, Addico stated that it will additionally assist to formulate insurance policies that addressed the various wants of Nigeria’s inhabitants.
“In Nigeria, our delay to generate well timed inclusive knowledge via the Inhabitants and Housing Census and different workout routines, have masked the progress made, a lot in order that out of date knowledge is getting used to evaluate our progress made in direction of the SDGs.
“Therefore well timed inhabitants and housing census represents a vital alternative.
“As we put together to enter a brand new 2030 spherical of inhabitants and housing census period, we should be sure that our knowledge era workout routines are prioritised and carried out well timed and recurrently.
“We have to be respectful of particular person rights and precisely displays the multifaceted experiences of all folks.
“I subsequently name on Nigeria to construct a resilient and equitable future, by prioritising funding in complete inhabitants knowledge techniques, guaranteeing secure and inclusive knowledge assortment, collaborating with marginalised communities, leveraging expertise responsibly, and supporting the nationwide census.”
The Chairman, Affiliation of the Development of the Household Planning (AAFP), Dr Ejike Orji, stated that with out census knowledge, the nation was like a ship with out a rudder for resolution makers.
He additionally stated that having dedicated greater than 70 per cent of the assets wanted for the census if the train was not carried out, Nigeria would lose quite a bit.
“So that’s the reason we’re interesting that authorities ought to make sure that this occurs. If it doesn’t occur, we’re in hassle.”
Talking to the theme of the day, the Statistician-Common of the Federation, Mr Adeyemi Adeniran, stated that it held a selected significance for Nigeria, a nation of immense potential and numerous demographics.
“Inclusive knowledge is the cornerstone of knowledgeable decision-making and coverage improvement.
“It supplies us with the insights wanted to grasp the realities confronted by completely different segments of our inhabitants and empowers us to design focused interventions to deal with inequalities and disparities.
He added that Nigeria’s inhabitants which was each numerous and vibrant introduced each immense alternatives and vital challenges.
Nonetheless, to successfully harness the complete potential of the demographic panorama, the nation wanted knowledge that was not solely complete but in addition inclusive.
