By Anthony Ojo.
The National Population Commission, NPC says there will be restriction of movements and social activities during the forthcoming Population and housing Census.
The Federal Commissioner representing Ekiti State at the NPC, Mr Deji Ajayi made this known at the inauguration of State Publicity/Logistics and Security Committees for the census held at Governor’s office in Ado-Ekiti.
Mr. Ajayi also warned people not to fix ceremony between the period of the exercise, saying the restriction was to ensure adequate participation and get accurate data for the census.
The NPC National Commissioner however stressed the need for stakeholders to contribute their quota by mobilising people to participate in the census to have a successful exercise.
“The Commission will be relying on your expertise and structures to drive the message into every home and household to drum support and participation in the Census”.
“I wish to use this opportunity to reassure Mr. Governor and the good people of Ekiti State that we jointly committed to ensure that everything about 2023 Census is done rightly and professionally. We have the clear vision, commitment and capacity to deliver on this mandate”.
Performing the inauguration, Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji said the importance of census to development could not be over emphasised, as it would assist government in realisation of its agenda.
“Part of the objectives and benefits of Census are determination of population size, distribution and density, establishment of demographic data, economic planning and development programmes, determination of geographical and political representation, as well as assisting government and International agencies in planning”.
“The projection based on the 2006 population census put the population of Ekiti at over two million, the population of the state is now projected at over four million for 2023, this projection will be validated by the exercise”.
Governor Oyebanji who promised the support of the state government for the Commission to deliver on its mandate of conducting a credible census however called on Residents of the state to take the exercise serious and give the needed information to the NPC.
He listed roles of the joint committes to include ensuring that all communities in Ekiti state are covered, all Residents and houses are enumerated, ensuring that the results of the exercise are accurate, making the Census officials comfortable and conducting the exercise in a secured environment.
In a remark, the Ekiti Strate Director of the National Orientation Agency, NOA, Mrs Olawumi Famuyiwa promised that the agency would continue to sensitize the people on benefits of census.
The inauguration of the State Publicity/Logistics and Security Committees for the 2023 census was attended by stakeholders including local government Chairmen in the state, Chairman, Ekiti state Traditional Council, Oba Gabriel Adejuwon, leaders of market women and media Professionals, among others.
