The National Population Commission (NPC), has stressed the need for the incoming administration to be allowed to take ownership of the 2023 census led to the postponement of this year’s Census in the Country.
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The Commission also stated that the compelling need to ensure no part of the country is left behind when embarking on the conduct of the census during the rainy season contributed to the decision.
Speaking at a one-day Breakfast interactive media chat on the Postponement of the Federal Commissioner, Dr. Tony Aiyejina said the commission had prepared to have successful conduct of the 2023 Census before it was postponed “Sin and die.”
He therefore thanked the media for their cordial relationship they had with the Commisson so far,that make the agency to performed to the extend of progress recorded within short era.
Dr. Aiyejina disclosed that the 2023 general election as well played a pivotal role in the cancellation activities despite pleading to insulate the process to allow the census to run independently.
He further buttressed that the immediate past Nigeria President, Muhammadu Buhari gave the commission a free hand to operate and never tele-guarded its activities.
The Federal Commissioner, extolled the support of the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, the Traditional institutions, and Religious leaders in the state, expressing the exceptional role played by the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Ewuare the Second.
He lamented that Census Conducted in the Past, was riddled with Controversies including the 2006 Census, declaring that the new leadership went instead for Technology Using Personal Digital Assistant, PDA, that is geo-fed to avoid similar feat of the past.
Responding, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State Council, Comrade Festus Alenkhe said Census is key to human development.
Alenkhe urged the commission to provide information on the new date fixed to conduct the aborted Census to build trust.
Other speakers who gave overviews of the Cartographic Perspective in Census taking, on the preparedness in Edo State, Vital Registration in Edo State, including Saturday Ekeoba, Rita Aigbokhan, Adesuwa Aighobahi during the interactive Session noted that it was a complete deviation from the traditional methodology now using Enumeration Area Demarcation, EADs.
