The Federal Government has reiterated that the 2023 census was not a contest or competition like the just-concluded general elections.
Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC) Publicity Committee, Garba Abari, noted that Nigeria wasted so much time on elections which have now come and gone.
Abari addressed reporters in Lagos State after a town hall to sensitise stakeholders on the forthcoming exercise. Other members of the NPC Publicity Committee who spoke at the briefing were Director-General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Osita Okechukwu, Federal Commissioner, representing Oyo State and Chairman, Public Affairs Committee of Eyitayo Oyetunji, and Director of Public Affairs of NPC, Isiaka Yahaya.
Abari described the census as ‘an important national event which must be given adequate attention more than what was given to the elections.
“This is an important national event that affects every one and requires the participation of all. We must get it right this time around,” he said.
Okechukwu on his part said the census was meant for development and not a contest or competition. “It is not a contest between states or local governments; it is not a contest between tribes, and definitely not a religious contest.”
Oyetunji said: “This census is coming at a very critical time because the figure will be a tool for the incoming government. This census is for all of us, not for the outgoing government or incoming government alone.”
He noted that without accurate information, the government would only be throwing resources into the drain. “Therefore, we must work together to make sure this exercise succeeds so that the government can use the figure to plan. The housing census is aimed at establishing how many households we have and the living condition of the household, what are the infrastructures available to them?” he added.