The National Population Commission has said that the proposed 2022 general census will still hold, despite odds.
The commission however said it could not give a particular date yet as plans were still ongoing.
The commission also restated its irrevocable commitment to positively re-write the history of the census through the conduct of accurate, reliable and credible census in the country.
The NPC chairman, Nasir Kwarra, stated this on Monday at the opening ceremony of the workshop on Census Management Training for Chairman and Honourable Federal Commissioners organised by the Commission in Karu, Nasarawa State.
Kwarra explained that the Commission was leaving no stone unturned in 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 purposes
He said, “If we are to align ourselves with the vision and mission statement of the Commission, whose vision is to become the population centre of excellence and the most responsive public institution in Nigeria and a mission to be the leading demographic agency in Africa, meeting the data needs of end-users and ensuring robust population quality for national transformation and global competitiveness, then, we must all work assiduously to achieve these goals.
“Let me use this opportunity to assure my fellow countrymen and women that the National Population Commission is irrevocably committed to positively rewriting the history of censuses in Nigeria and delivering to this great nation an accurate and reliable census that will be purposefully relevant in the drive towards sustainable development.
“Preparations for the 2022 Population and Housing Census are on course and the Commission is confident that the prospect for an accurate and reliable census appears brighter than ever.
“This optimism is rooted in the fact that the present Commission has taken time to identify and deliberate on issues that stalled past censuses and have resolved to avoid those pitfalls through the adoption of scientific planning and modern digital technology.
“This new approach will no doubt enhance the credibility of the process by eliminating double enumeration of respondents and improve the accuracy of the census result and the acceptability of the census outcome both locally and internationally.
“I am therefore appealing to Nigerians to join the Commission in the bid to give our dear country accurate and reliable data through the forthcoming census.”
On the exact date for the conduct of the headcount, Kwarra said the census would definitely be conducted without him being specific on the actual date.
“I can assure you that a census will be conducted. For me to give any particular date, I cannot do that because the national leadership is still discussing the matter and they will let the nation know at the end of their deliberations.
“I can tell you that very soon, you will hear it from Mr. President himself.”
He argued that the census exercise could be conducted in 2022 while the nation is preparing for the general elections in 2023.
