Sanwo-Olu, Oniru, Charge NPC on Accurate Census

The National Population Census, NPC, in conjunction with the Lagos State Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, has held a stakeholders summit in Lagos on the 2023 population and housing census.

Attended by Stakeholders from Oyo, Ekiti, Ondo and Osun, including traditional rulers from across Lagos State, members of civil society organisations, students, Market men and women and other various interest groups, the event with the theme: “2023 Census, Getting the People Involved”, was held at the Adeyemi Beero Auditorium in Alausa, Ikeja.

Scheduled to be conducted in April 2023, the census will be the country’s first since 2006.

During the ceremony, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu who launched the Census implementation and strategy plan, said he had set up a number of committees to ensure the success of the exercise in the State

The Governor recalled the controversies and tensions which accompanied all previous Census and pointed out that Nigerians cannot afford to have these disturbing outcomes happen again in 2023.

Noting that new technologies that would make enumeration easier and more credible would be used during the exercise, Governor Sanwo-Olu pledged the support of his administration to the NPC,
and urged all residents to participate actively in it.

“We have a responsibility to get it right this time, for ourselves and for future generations, we must all play our parts by cooperating with the National Population Commission officials and Committees set up”

Chairman of the NPC, Alhaji Nasir Isa Kwarra enjoined residents to stay in the city for the exercise and solicited the continued support of the State government.

Speaking on behalf of the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwanu Akiolu and other traditional rulers in the State, the Oniru of Iruland, Oba Gbolahan Lawal, appealed to those living in Lagos not to travel out of the State during the exercise and urged the NPC to share data from the Census with State governments for adequate planning.

The traditional ruler who assured the NPC that traditional rulers in the State would get those in their domains ready for the Census, urged the organisation to conduct adequate sensitisation prior to the exercise.

“Research shows that it is only the National government that has access to the census data and this affects how the states develop policies. The states mostly provide intervention without data on a “predict and provide” template.
I want to use this opportunity to appeal to the Federal Government to share data derived from this next census with the state governments to enhance their planning. I will also like to implore the National Population Commission to create more awareness and sensitize the public on the forthcoming census and its importance. People need to know what to do towards and during the exercise, On our part as community builders, that is Royal Fathers, traditional rulers, community leaders, we will help in communicating to households the importance of providing access to NPC officials during the exercise” he said.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was decorated as 2023 Population and Housing Census Patron during the event.