By Samuel Edu

The Federal Commissioner representing Ondo State at the National Population Commission, Dr Oladiran Iyantan has said that Nigeria would be losing out globally among the committee of states if it does not conduct the much anticipated census as a matter of urgency.

He said this in line with the resolution of the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations which urged Member States to conduct at least one population and housing census during the period from 2015 to 2024.

Iyantan declared this during a meeting organised for media executives in Ondo State on the 2023 population and housing census at the Federal Secretariat, Akure on Saturday.

The NPC Federal Commissioner who noted that the commission has left no stone unturned in ensuring a successful census, stressed that it would be a great disservice if the census is not held as soon as possible.

“Nigeria is already losing out among other nations conducting census globally as we last conducted census 17 years ago.

“Resolution of the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations urged Member States to conduct at least one population and housing census during the period from 2015 to 2024, Nigeria will be far behind if this exercise is not done urgently.

“The census would have been conducted by the previous administration, but the then president thought it wise to leave it for the incoming administration since the data that would be generated is more important for the success of this new administration.

“We are made bold to say that as a commission, we have left no stone unturned in ensuring that this exercise is a success and this is why we are advocating that the census be conducted as soon as possible.

“Though some of our international collaborators advised the commission to have the exercise by November this year, but we will be proposing the the first quarter of next year to the president so that this new administration will have enough time to settle down.

He, however, solicited maximum support from media practitioners towards the success of the exercise.

In his good will message, the chairman, Owena Press Limited, Sir Ademola Adetula assured the commission of its support at every point in time.

Adetula who was represented by Editor of The Hope Newspaper, Mr Akindele Adubuola, commended the efforts of the commission and urged them to touch every other areas necessary towards the success of the exercise, stressing that the cooperation of the masses will be determined by the level of readiness on the part of the commission.