The Federal Commissioner representing Ondo State at the National Population Commission (NPC), Mrs. Olukemi Iyantan, has disclosed that preparation is in top gear to conduct another population census in Nigeria within the shortest time possible.

Mrs. Iyantan, while speaking with The Hope in her office over the weekend, said that while a date had not been fixed for another census, the Federal Government had put measures in place to conduct the national headcount before the end of the present administration.

Her words: “We can’t say precisely, but the filler we have gotten is that if it doesn’t happen this year, it will next year. We should have done it in the last administration, but it was postponed. Nothing is stopping the census from taking place anytime soon, and we are preparing for that.

“Some time ago, the government set up a working committee for the census. With the filler from the president, it should take place before the next presidential election.”

Mrs. Iyantan assured that the Federal Government had emplaced all the necessary human and material resources for a hitch-free census while encouraging the public to turn up for the exercise and provide needed information once it commences.

The Federal Commissioner, while noting that an accurate head count is line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, said that an accurate population census is the only way the government can be armed with enough data to plan and execute development projects for the citizens, adding that it is the right of the people to have their data captured during census, adding that it is difficult to have the needed development without knowing the number of people in the country.

She said, “There are many benefits from having accurate data. It helps the government to know the infrastructure that people in various communities need, like roads, schools, and maternities.

“When you are in a rural area, you should enjoy it like people in the city. If, for example, I have access to the basic needs of life in my village, what am I looking for in the city? With amenities in the villages, people will not need to come to the city looking for greener pastures.”

While expatiating on the Commission’s efforts to ensure that all citizens have their details captured by the government, Mrs. Iyantan admonished the people of Ondo State to visit the nearest NPC office for registration of births and deaths, assuring that the Commission has offices in all the 18 local government areas of the state.