By Michael Ofulue, Osogbo

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has called on residents of the state to support the National population Commission (NPC) by presenting themselves for headcount when the exercise begins. 

The Governor made the call during the official inauguration of an advocacy committee set up on the exercise held in Osogbo.

The Governor who was represented by his Deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi, highlighted the numerous advantages of population census, noting that it will pave way for national planning and development.

Senator Adeleke further enjoined Osun residents to participate fully in the exercise so as to avail the State of the benefits that can be derived from the housing and population census. 

He used the occasion to implore the NPC to maximize the advantage of the Bank verification Number(BVN) and build on it to ensure easy capturing of figures and data.

In his speech the Federal Commissioner NPC, Senator Mudasiru Hussein expressed the readiness of the commission to embark on a digital census that will be accurate, precise and beneficial to all.

Also speaking, the Director of NPC in Osun State, Mr Martins Owoeye said that efforts have been made to make the 2023 population and housing census acceptable to the whole world.

In their separate goodwill messages, the Chairman, Osun Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Comrade Wasiu Ajadosu, the Director, National Orientation Agency, Mrs Kikelomo Ahmed and the representative of National council for women society all pledged to support the exercise and ensure its success.