Preparations for the commencement of the digital census have kicked off in Nigeria, ahead of the 2023 population and housing census, according to an address presented by the Honourable Federal Commissioner, representing Bayelsa and Rivers State at the National Population Commission, Dr. Ipalibo M. Harry.
Speaking at a one day summit organised by the Commission on October 17, in Port Harcourt the Rivers State Capital, Harry said, the summit was organised in a bid to proactively engage stakeholders ahead of the 2023 census, “to get some positive feedback and invaluable cooperation and support, so that together we can ensure the successful conduct of a credible and acceptable census next year.”
Excerpts of his speech: “I am very delighted to welcome all distinguished stakeholders at this very important Rivers State Stakeholders Summit on the 2023 Population and Housing Census being convened today by the National Population Commission, Rivers State Office.
Today’s event marks a major milestone in the journey towards the first ever digital census in Nigeria. It provides us with the unique opportunity to proactively engage the good people of Rivers State and get some positive feedback and invaluable cooperation and support, so that together we can ensure the successful conduct of a credible and acceptable census next year.
I wish to start by expressing deep appreciation to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Rivers State for the support extended to the Commission in the preparatory activities for the next census especially the Enumeration Area Demarcation, which has been fully carried out in all the LGAs in Rivers State. This underscores the deep appreciation of your Administration of the importance of demographic data for development planning and the commitment towards concrete improvement in the living standard of the people of the state.
May I emphasize that the consistent support of the Executive Governor as ably represented here today is a source of inspiration to the entire Commission to deliver a credible and reliable census that will drive the development planning of the country. On behalf of the entire Commission, I say thank you, sir.
I also want to thank you all the stakeholders, for the invaluable support you have given to the Commission and its field functionaries in our preparatory activities for the 2023 Census.
As you are aware, the National Population Commission convened the National Stakeholders’ Summit on 11th August 2022 at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja. The objective of the summit which was declared open by President Muhammadu Buhari was to broaden the national support base for the successful conduct of the exercise. Following the successful conduct of the National Stakeholders Summit, it has become imperative to hold the state level stakeholders summit. Accordingly, the summit is being convened in all the states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
The goal of the State Stakeholders Summit is to broaden state level support base for the successful conduct of the 2023 Census. The specific objectives are:
To create public awareness on the conduct of the 2023 Census including its imperatives, methodology and timelines;
To promote robust and informed conversation on the processes and procedures for the 2023 Census;
To solicit the cooperation and support of state level stakeholders for the conduct of the 2023 Census and;
To provide a platform to offer clarification and receive feedback and suggestions on salient issues and concerns related to the conduct of the 2023 Population and Housing Census.
The goal of Census taking is to ensure that the results are acceptable and credible hence the need for engagement with the stakeholders to get their feedback on the instruments and to enrich the process. In the past, the Commission has engaged many stakeholders including UN organizations, State Governors, the National Assembly, relevant MDAs, Traditional and Religious Leaders, Youth and Women Groups, Civil Society Organizations, Internally Displaced Person communities, and Disability groups among others in the development of the census instruments and there is great stakeholders’ input into the instrument.
As you are all aware, preparations for the conduct of the 2023 Population and Housing Census are in top gear and as part of efforts to deliver a credible and reliable census, the Commission is committed to ensuring that the results of the census are acceptable to Nigerians and the quality of the data to be generated meets international best standards for planning and developmental purposes. In line with the United Nations principles and recommendations for the 2020 Round of Population and Housing Censuses, the 2023 Census will be fully digital and the Commission has deployed technology to conduct the exercise and enhance data quality.
Your Excellency, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, permit me to present a video documentary on the status of preparations for the 2023 Census. The documentary presents the achievements recorded in the journey towards the 2023 Census and the outcomes of our strategic engagement with key stakeholders which have engendered national ownership and endorsement of the exercise.
(AT THIS STAGE, THE VIDEO DOCUMENTARY WILL BE PRESENTED)
” I wish to end this address on a note of assurance to Nigerians and our development partners that the Commission remains committed to the conduct of a credible and acceptable census that will be transformational and meet international standards. In the 2023 Census, everyone will be counted in the right way, at the right place and time, and for the benefits of all persons resident in Nigeria. .
I therefore wish to call on all stakeholders here to join hands with the National Population Commission in realizing the dream of providing the needed demographic data that will facilitate and place our country on the pedestal of sustainable development. I thank you for your kind attention.”
Heads of security agencies, captains of industry, Traditional rulers, legal practitioners, women and youth groups were amongst dignitaries at the summit.
