2023 Census: We want an error free national head count – Adeleke charges NPC

As the nation prepares for another national population census, the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has charged the National Population Commission (NPC) to ensure that the exercise is error free.

Governor Adeleke also stated that it is only an error free exercise that would be acceptable to all and sundry.

The governor gave the charge on Thursday during a visit by the management team of the NPC led by its Commissioner in the state, Senator Mudashiru Hussain.

While asserting that population census is critical for national planning and to meet the needs of the people in terms of infrastructures, services and general development, he added that the history of the exercise in the country has been fraught with controversies which must be avoided during the 2023 exercise.

In his words, “The Census is critical for national planning. Accurate Census helps the government to meet the needs of the people in terms of infrastructures and services.

“The history of the National Census in Nigeria is controversial. We must get it right this time around.”

He also used the opportunity to call on the residents of Osun to participate fully in the exercise.

“Just like the general and state elections, I urge the residents of the state to participate fully and cooperate with enumerators during the population exercise, because getting counted during the census is a national civic responsibility,” he said.

Earlier in his address, the Osun NPC Commissioner, Senator Mudashiru Hussain, said the Commission is fully prepared to carry out the exercise.

Hussain also affirmed that they have the backing of President Muhammadu Buhari who has also given them the matching order.

He said, “The Commission has been embarking on training and retraining of functionaries since 2018.

“The Commission has started training functionaries for Enumeration Area Demarcation, where the larger unit of the entire land is divided into smaller units for the effectiveness of the exercise.

“Officials have been trained digitally for the smooth running of the programme.”

According to reports, the last national population census in Nigeria was held in March 2006 under the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo.