2023: Gombe Assures of Hitch-free Census
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has assured the National Population Commission (NPC), of the commitment of his administration to the success of the 2023 population and housing census in the state.
The Governor gave the assurance while declaring open Stakeholders Summit put together by the National Population Commission at New banquet Hall of the Government House on Wednesday.
Our correspondent reports that the theme of the summit is “Strengthening Collaboration, Soliciting Cooperation and Support of Key Stakeholders for the success of 2023 census”.
He described the event as timely as it would provide platform for robust state level conversation on the processes and procedures for the conduct especially towards encouraging citizens participation.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government Prof. Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, Governor Inuwa Yahaya expressed the belief that the summit would afford stakeholders the opportunity to brainstorm and proffer ideas and strategies that would educate the citizens and grab fully the importance of Census in National Development.
He said, “the state government is convinced in the capacity of NPC to deliver to the nation a reliable and credible census especially with the change from analogue to digital deployment of modern technology by the commission this according the governor will enhance the quality of data and inspire confidence of Nigerians and acceptance of the census outcome.”
The Governor also disclosed that as part of support the census processes the state government has set up a committee including members of National Population Commission to tour the 11 Local government areas to enlighten the populace for a successful conduct of the enumeration exercise.
He further urged the resource persons and participants to use the summit to discuss exhaustively in order to chart a way forward towards achieving the objectives of the commission.
In his speech the Federal Commissioner representing Gombe state, Abubakar Mohammed Danburam, appreciated the state government for the tremendous support to the Commission in its quest to deliver credible and acceptable census for planning and development of the state and country.
Danburam said, “the summit will also provide stakeholders the opportunity to discuss some of the achievements and challenges of the Commission in preparations to 2023 census.”
He also said the summit would strive to create public awareness on census imperatives, methodology and timelines, promote robust and informed national conversation the processes and procedures as well as convince citizens to submit themselves for enumeration purposes for the 2023 census.
“Unlike the previous exercises the 2023 census will be modern technology driven assuring that the commission is committed to ensuring that the results of the census are acceptable to Nigerians,” Danburam added.
In a closing remark, the State Director, National Population Commission, Jude Maigari commended the State Government for it immeasurable support in all the phases of Enumeration Area Demarcation EAD exercises, “one and two census Pre-test and the just concluded Trial Census aime at actualising the preparations towards the 2023 Population and Housing Census.
He thereby called on Traditional, Religious leaders and all relevant stakeholders to play their revered roles in advocating for the participation of their subjects and followers.
Goodwill messages were also received from Religious and Traditional leaders.
Joshua Danmalam, Information Officer SSG’s Office.