…as NPC trains Ondo journalists on effective census reporting
…expresses commitment to hitch free, acceptable exercise
All things being equal, the 2023 Population and Housing Census will hold between March 29 and April 3, 2023 (five days).
This was disclosed on Saturday by the National Population Commission (NPC) Federal Commissioner representing Ondo State, Prince Diran Iyantan, while declaring open a One-Day State level capacity building workshop for journalists on effective reporting of the 2023 Population and Housing Census.
The programme held at the NUJ Press Centre, Akure, was attended by journalists in the state, led by the state chairman, Prince Leke Adegbite.
Prince Iyantan explained that the Commission is fully prepared and ready to conduct hitch-free and acceptable exercise for the development of the country after the last one in year 2006.
Iyantan who represented the National Chairman, NPC, Alhaji Isa Kwarra, particularly solicited the cooperation and support of journalists as critical stakeholders to ensure a successful exercise, saying that the Commission is putting every machinery in motion to achieve the desired results.
He particularly appreciated the media in the state for their unwavering support, especially in areas of giving good publicity to activities of the Commission and sensitizing the populace about the importance of the Population and Housing Census.
The NPC Federal Commissioner said the Population and Housing Census is basically for national planning, and called on all and sundry to support the exercise to have a credible and acceptable exercise which will be digital and Technological based.
In his paper titled “Processes and Methodology for the 2023 Population and Housing Census”, the state Director, NPC, Mr Falusi Oluyemi represented by Mr Yomi Olowolagba, disclosed that population is a critical factor in a nation’s efforts towards achieving sustainable development.
According to Mr Oluyemi, with a projected population of 216,783,381, Nigeria is reputed to be the seventh most populous country in the world and clearly the most populous country on the African continent.
He added that Nigeria has one of the fastest growing populations, with a growth rate of 3.2% and estimated population of over 200 million.
“Due to the rapidly growing nature of the population and large proportion of youthful population, Nigeria is also projected to be the third most populous country in the World by year 2050 after India and China.
“However, despite its high-ranking position on the global demographic map, Nigeria’s population censuses have been conducted irregularly and at intervals longer than the United Nations recommended 10 years. The last population census was conducted 16 years ago, in 2006; previous censuses were conducted in 1991, 1973 and 1963.
“This irregular and long interval of census taking in Nigeria, has denied the nation the huge benefits of comprehensive baseline data for evidence-based decision-making”, he stressed.
While revealing that the exercise is being supported by international organizations and communities, the state Director further emphasised that knowledge of the national population in terms of size, distribution and socio-economic characteristics is required for planning purposes.
The state Head of Census Department, Dr. (Mrs) Olowookere Funmbi, who delivered a paper on “History of Population Censuses in Nigeria and Structure and Mandate of the National Population Commission”, explained that
the media have the means of educating and reaching out to people even in the remote areas, hence the Commission is collaborating with them to ensure a successful exercise.
There were also paper presentations on “Enumeration Area Demarcation for the 2023 Population and Housing Census” by Mr Olayinka Rotimi; “Technological Innovation in the 2023 Population and Housing Census” by the State Head of ICT Department, Mr Ayomiposi Olakanle; and “How to generate Media contents on the 2023 Population and Housing Census” by Head of Public Affairs Department, Mrs Santos-Olubayode Odunayo.
In his goodwill message, the Chairman, NUJ Ondo State Council, Prince Leke Adegbite, who specially lauded the officials of the NPC for carrying journalists along in their all important activities, equally assured them of necessary support in terms of adequate and fair reportage of the exercise.
The workshop also witnessed question and answer session.
