Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno state has said that the 2023 national census data; will overcome the challenges of insecurity to lives and property in the country.
Zulum made the declaration, yesterday (Thursday), in Maiduguri at the National Population Commission (NPC) Stakeholders’ summit at the Musa Usman secretariat complex.
He said that the security challenges have been bedeviling the six geopolitical zones with the loss of many lives and property.
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Prof. Isa Marte, the Governor disclosed that the data generated from the population and housing census will also improve the living conditions of the vulnerable population.
“The irregular intervals of census taking in Nigeria has; however, denied the nation of the enormous benefits of comprehensive baseline data for evidence-based decision-making of policy makers,” he said.
Marte, therefore expressed optimism that the Commission has the capacity to conduct a credible census next year.
He maintained that the NPC has the required capacity to conduct reliable, credible, and acceptable head count in 2023.
He said that with the deployment of technology to ensure the conduct of the first fully digital census with methodology will enhance data quality for contiguous planning in the nation.
Besides, he assured that the State government is committed to ensure that the 2023 Census is successful in 27 Local Government Councils.
The NPC’s Federal Commissioner, Isa Buratai disclosed that Abadam in the only council that is yet to be demarcated.
“We are putting in more efforts to visit the border community with Niger before the end of this year,” he said.
According to him, the Stakeholders summit is organised to create public awareness on the conduct of the forthcoming census.
He, therefore solicited for their cooperation to receive feedback and suggestions from the communities.
“The Commission is committed to ensuring that the results of the census are acceptable to Nigerians and the quality of data to be generated meets international best standards for planning and development,” he said.
Representative of Shehu of Borno, Zannah Borkoma, Mohammed Alkali and the Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), Brig-Gen. Jibrin Ibrahim expressed commitment to ensure a successful census exercise.
Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Dauda Iliya pledged to partner with the Commission by mobilize people of state to participate in the headcount.
