The Nation Newspaper

Tag: census

  • Funding crisis, improper planning hinder census

    Funding crisis, improper planning hinder census

    • President raises panel to rev up plan

    Despite President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s interest in the conduct of an accurate census of persons and houses, all is not well with the planning.

    A census, needed to facilitate data for economic planning, has not been held since 2006, whereas the United Nations (UN) recommends that it should be done every 10 years.

    Minister of Budget and Economic Planning Atiku Bagudu, who attended a meeting between the President and a National Population Commission (NPC) delegation yesterday, identified funding crisis as a problem.

    President Tinubu himself identified what he described as stop-and-go activities of the NPC as another problem.

    He proposed to set up a committee that will solve the planning problems to facilitate the census plan.

    NPC Chairman, Nasir Isa Kwarra, raised the hope that the agency was on course to conduct the census, all other things being equal.

    He told the President, according to a statement by Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, that the 2006 census figures were no longer relevant in planning, particularly for key sectors that directly impact the population.

    He added that 760,000 tablets to be used for inputting statistics during the headcount had been acquired and stored with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    Kwarra said the commission would engage development partners for support whenever the NPC received the President’s nod to proceed with the census. 

    The statement quoted the President as saying: “We must ascertain who we are, how many we are, and how to manage our data.

    Read Also: Tinubu to Nigerians: I understand your challenges, reforms crucial

    “Without an accurate census, we can’t successfully plan for employment, agriculture and food sovereignty.

    “So, many problems come up without accurate data.

    “We should work on our financial muscle well in place to lift our burden before we go and meet development partners for the census.

    “We should work out the figures before discussing the role of development partners.

    “This stop-and-go activity on the census cannot work with me. So, we better have a definite path.

    “I will set up a committee for you to look at the issues critically and do a source and application of resources.

    “Where can we get help, and what can we lift before we embark on proclamation?”

    The President reiterated his commitment to ensuring accurate and reliable figures from the national census to strengthen development planning and improve living conditions through more efficient social security.

    He noted that government incentives, such as the sale and distribution of fertilisers, could be easily improved with reliable data and demographics.

    President Tinubu also told the delegation that biometric capturing with multiple identification features such as facial and voice recognition would be central to the census.  

    The President told the team that he would set up a committee tasked with evaluating critical issues, identifying potential funding sources, and mapping out the application of resources to make the census a success. 

    He also said that the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) must be part of the review.

    Bagudu told the President that lack of funds was primarily the cause of the delay in commencing the census.

    The minister said census data was central to future planning and resource distribution.

    He noted the President’s desire to have the census conducted but pointed out that lack of funds had been the drawback.

    Bagudu said: “At a retreat for the ministers in 2023, Mr President, you reiterated your commitment to the census, so there is no doubt about your desire and commitment to have the census.

    “In fact, at the last Federal Executive Council meeting, you asked me what the problem was, and I told you it was simply an issue of lack of ability to fund the census.

    “Even today (yesterday), before this meeting, I called the NPC chairman and restated your commitment to the census.

    “However, the commission and all of us in the team need to agree on the minimum amount we can source to support Mr President in making the final decision.

    “The NPC indicated that 40 per cent of the funding for the 2006 census came from development partners.” 

    Bagudu noted that the enumeration done by NPC so far had been helpful.

    He said: “Mr President, we have been having ecosystem meetings to link the identity agencies, even the geo-spatial chaired by the ministry, because of our mandate as the supervising ministry of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

    “So, the NPC, NBS, NIMC, Ministry Of Digital Economy, ministries/agencies  in charge of passport, social register, voters’ register, and even telecoms data have been meeting with the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) to see how much is available to the government regarding data and how much optimisation can take place.”

  • Census and national transformation

    Census and national transformation

    • By Chiechefulam Ikebuiro

    Sir: In 2011, the National Census results in India revealed an anomaly in key gender metrics -the Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB). The CSR, defined as the number of girls per 1,000 boys aged 0–6 years, showed a steady decline from 945 in 1999 to 927 in 2001 and further dropped to 918 in 2011. This decline was largely attributed to the Sex Ratio at Birth, which highlighted deep-rooted gender discrimination and women’s disempowerment.

    The data revealed a strong socio-cultural and religious preference for boys, leading to pre-birth discrimination through gender-biased sex-selective abortions and post-birth discrimination through neglect of girls’ health, nutrition, and education.

    In response, the Indian government launched the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (Save the Girl Child, Educate the Girl Child) initiative. Since its implementation, the national SRB has increased from 918 to 930 girls per 1,000 boys, and the gross enrolment ratio of girls at the secondary school level has risen from 75% to 78%. Institutional deliveries have also surged from 61% to 97%, significantly improving maternal and child health outcomes

    In essence, the BBBP scheme has made the safety, education, and health of girls a cornerstone of national development.

    In 2010, Brazil’s census revealed stark regional disparities in income, education, and access to services. This data informed the development of the Bolsa Família, a social welfare program designed to address inequality and poverty.

    Bolsa Família has been instrumental in reducing poverty rates and enhancing the well-being of beneficiary households by increasing consumption, improving access to basic services, and promoting social inclusion. The conditional cash transfer program, in particular, has helped break the cycle of intergenerational poverty, lifting over 35 million people out of extreme poverty.

    Read Also: Tanker explosions: FRSC, Fire Service join forces to combat fatalities

    Between 2003 and 2014, Brazil’s extreme poverty rate fell from 12% to 4%, while the Gini coefficient, a measure of income inequality, dropped from 0.58 to 0.51. School attendance rates among beneficiary children rose to over 95%, and dropout rates among children aged 6 to 17 decreased by 71%.

    In 2020, China’s census highlighted an aging population and a declining birth rate. In response, the government revised its one-child policy, allowing couples to have more children, supported by increased maternity leave benefits, housing subsidies, tax breaks for larger families, expanded childcare services, and reduced educational costs.

    These policy shifts were further supported by urban infrastructure development aimed at creating age-friendly environments, enhanced healthcare facilities, and housing options suitable for growing families in rapidly expanding cities.

    These examples illustrate the transformative potential of census data in addressing social, economic, and demographic challenges. A census is far more than a mere headcount as we are wont to believe. It is an invaluable tool for understanding the needs of a population, guiding policymakers, and informing development strategies.

    In the same vein, the absence of timely and accurate census data can hinder effective planning and development. For instance, Nigeria’s last census was conducted in 2006, nearly two decades ago. This lack of up-to-date data undermines the ability to plan for education, employment, healthcare, and infrastructure needs. The United Nations recommends conducting a census every 10 years to capture significant demographic changes and inform policymaking.

    The failure to conduct a census has left us all guessing at the true size of the population. This lack of data is detrimental to our national development, and this gap must be filled.

    That the president has given the directive to conduct a census this year is a welcome move, as it is long overdue.

    A comprehensive census is critical to national development. It informs policymakers of the needs of different regions. For instance, data on age distribution can help plan for education and employment programs tailored toward the youth population.

    An accurate census helps pinpoint demographic pressure points, such as youth bulges, which, if unemployed (as is the case here), can fuel crime and extremism. Our intelligence agencies can now use the data to predict where potential radicalization or security threats might emerge and deploy resources accordingly.

    It can help forecast labour force trends, identify skill gaps, and design policies aligned with future needs. It will help identify consumer markets and areas requiring investment. It will guide industrialization efforts.

    It’s high time we leveraged census data to build a more inclusive, secure, and prosperous country.

    While some may harbour mistrust about the census, fearing that it could be misused for personal gain, the president and the National Population Commission (NPC) must take steps to ensure transparency and accountability throughout the process.

    The time to prioritize credible census is now. Accurate data is the bedrock upon which our national progress can be built ensuring the needs of all citizens are met and the future of generations is equipped to thrive

    •Chiechefulam Ikebuiro,

    chiechefulamikebuiro@gmail.com

  • Population census long overdue, says Abbas

    Population census long overdue, says Abbas

    Speaker Abbas Tajudeen has said that a national head count was long overdue to establish the actual population of the country.

    The Speaker, who spoke when the board and management of the National Population Commission (NPC) paid a courtesy visit, decried the delay in the conduct of national census, saying it would have established the country’s numerical strength.

    Abbas expressed support for an order by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu the NPC should conduct a biometric census.

    Read Also: Afenifere to Tinubu: Overhaul security architecture to curb kidnappings, banditry

    He expressed readiness to meet with Tinubu after liaising with Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio on the matter.

    Abbas said: “It is unacceptable for a country as big as Nigeria to stay for 19 years without conducting a population census.”

    He said a census exercise would stop the doubts by critics who feel the country’s population is exaggerated.

    While pointing out that the budget of the NPC was inadequate to conduct a successful census, the Speaker said the Federal Government may consider other sources of funds, including the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF).

  • $52.88; Census; pre-emptive firefighting!

    $52.88; Census; pre-emptive firefighting!

    Stolen money returned again and again. This time just last week it is $52.88m linked to assets seized from Diezani Alison-Madueke, a former petroleum resources minister.  At every turn to fight corruption, we are thwarted. Time was when the clarion cry was ‘Let’s have women in power in both public and private. They will not be so corrupt.’  Well, we all remember Oceanic Bank and its female leadership. We all remember the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs with its successive female leadership. Then we were told we need a younger leadership which would be less greedy and less corrupt. We have had several governors who could be classified as much younger than their predecessors. Sadly, several of them have been summoned to EFCC and some are in court facing corruption questions some of them around payment of school fees years in advance for their children. So, not surprisingly, it seems the corruption bug does not discriminate on the basis of sex or gender or age or ethnicity and religion and language spoken. Anyone and everyone placed in authority, or in any employment at every level from gateman to General Manager, can decide to become corrupt or remain honest.

    Let us not make any excuses about institutional corruption. An institution is a building and cannot be corrupt. It is the humans in the institution that create the corruption. Corruption is a personal decision which becomes the cause of the a debilitating disease resulting in deprivation of money, material, opportunity and can worsen actual physical disease through theft of money required for food, treatment, surgery, medicines. Corruption makes school books expensive and scarce, school equipment inadequate and a student under educated and not fit to pass the examination.

    $52.88m is a lot of money especially with our rubbish exchange rate of N1,600+ to the dollar. But it is just the tip of the iceberg of funds MIA-Missing in Action across every sphere of governance and a lot of the private sector.

    We always seem to leave it too late before ‘discovering’ massive fraud after the harm has been done. Pre-emptive monitoring with resultant reduction of corruption if not total prevention should be the lessons taught and learnt. So how many more episodes are we going to witness before the lessons are learnt and put into practice?

    Corruption takes many forms especially when it comes to the population count. We must GET THE NEXT POPULATION COUNT RIGHT.  Judging from 30 million election turnout and National Identity Number, NIN and other statistics and the over 60 million ghost potential voters who had cards allocated but did not turn up to use their cards and the fact that censuses have always been corruptly manipulated for political and economic advantage, many believe the overall census figure may be inflated by 30% or more. Now 30% of the touted numbers is 140-160million. Let us be generous and agree on a current population in the region of approximately 160m.  We are planning a census. Will it be as secretive, corrupt and contentious as previous censuses some of which were marred? Remember the former Nigerian Population Commission (NPC) chairman who wanted to reveal all only to be unceremoniously dismissed, fortunately with his life.

    Read Also: Simon Ekpa’s arrest has reduced tension in southeast, says CDS Musa

    But is a multibillion census on a nationally empty stomach a wise decision expenditure at this time? What will make it any more accurate than past censuses mired in miscounting, inflated and deflated and politically manipulated numbers?

    Surely, our government does not want to count people who will become corpses through hunger and security mishaps before the census figures are even published. Indeed, the census count workers may be ridiculed or even attacked by irate citizens going through the extreme hardship being faced by almost the entire population at present.

    So, we should first save Nigeria from food famine and insecurity and the high cost of living and kick the census exercise football 2-3 years down the road to a more stable time.

     There are serious lessons Nigeria must learn and teach from the massive climate change upheavals going on worldwide-heatwaves, floods, fires, drought, and earthquakes. We are in a dangerously hot period in Nigeria and have had market fires, sadly, a usual occurrence now. Massive fires in different parts of the world have been on the rise in recent years, the worst currently ongoing in Los Angeles. Our prayers and thoughts are with the victims and the homeless. We are told that overhead electricity cables, destabilised by wild winds were prone to spark and set fire to the dry grass following a long drought.

    Our electricity suppliers must be trained on protocols instructing them to immediately switch off the relevant sections of the national grid at the first signs of high winds or when a fire alert is received. The electricity authorities need to pay much more attention to weather reports and should be in the  state security loop to quickly take counter measures should he face a similar fire hazard seen in LA. The winds have often fanned ignited dry grass smoke across the expressways of Nigeria and fires are common along many roadsides in the dry season, some deliberate some spontaneous. Instead of overhead electricity cables, underground cabling is now being recommended abroad. Will that happen here? Importantly, we must make more protocol guidelines and effort to discourage random unsupervised fires from now on. We must fight fires before they start.

  • Why Nigeria should conduct census soon, by NPC Chair Kwarra

    Why Nigeria should conduct census soon, by NPC Chair Kwarra

    • ‘We’re still awaiting president’s nod’

    Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC) Nasir Isa-Kwarra yesterday said Nigeria needs to conduct the National Population and Housing Census to meet up with the 2020 round of censuses.

    Isa-Kwarra said the commission is ready to conduct the census but awaiting President Bola Tinubu’s approval.

    He spoke in Abuja while addressing reporters at the 2024 World Population Day, themed ‘Embracing the Power of Inclusive Data Towards a Resilient and Equitable Future for All’, at the NPC headquarters.

    Isa-Kwarra said the country would have a very robust census that will provide inclusive data that is not just verifiable, but acceptable by all.

    He added: “If we start now, we can achieve it. At least the 2020 round of census gives us an opportunity to extend up till April next year. So, if we start preparation by April next year, we should be able to conduct a census. But we would really like to work in November. At the beginning of the year, we wanted to conduct a census in November but we are waiting for that nod.  

    Read Also: Samoa agreement: Tinubu govt won’t endorse sodomy -Fani-Kayode

    “I agree with you that we do not have up-to-date data because we have not conducted a census. And the global body recommends that we conduct censuses as at when due. Yes, the 2020 round of censuses is ending this year, and we have been making advocacy to ensure we conduct it before the 2020 round of censuses ends.

    “I want to believe that we will get it right, we are just waiting on President Tinubu to give us the go-ahead. We can do it. The commission is prepared and once we have a date proclaimed by the president, and the resources are available, we would do it. We would have a very robust census that will provide inclusive data that is not just verifiable but acceptable by all.

    “Nigeria needs to strengthen its data generating institutions; fund periodic data collection exercises that are inclusive and comprehensive and, most importantly, provide a legislative frame to engender timely conduct of censuses as well as promote the use of these data to guide policy decisions. Some of the key messages to reflect on going forward, include –that inclusive and reliable data/evidence can enable ascertaining a peaceful and prosperous future, building of resilient systems and societies; data collection and analysis tool should be deployed to facilitate good representation and use of data.

  • Fed Govt plans census of schools

    Fed Govt plans census of schools

    The Federal Government yesterday said it is planning to carry out a census of all schools in the country.

    The government said the data from the census would enable it to tackle the challenges facing the sector.

    The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, announced this at a two-day capacity-building workshop for desk officers in the ministry, its departments, and agencies (MDAs) yesterday in Abuja.

    He said: “It is our plan that by the end of this year or early next year, we will be signing a partnership contract with a firm that will be working with our IT people to generate data on all schools in Nigeria.

    “This is because we need to know our teachers and every single student. We need data to know the trend of learning and our school infrastructure.

    Read Also: Rivers residents jubilate as police kill notorious cult leader

    “This exercise will enhance decision-making and policy formulation as the data collected and collated will aid evidence-based planning, measure implementation and progress, and identify areas where improvement is required.”

    Mamman decried the rate of learning crisis in the country, saying a report submitted to him showed that some pupils found it difficult to identify numbers while many others could neither read nor solve simple mathematical questions.

  • ‘Census of agric land critical to attracting investment’

    ‘Census of agric land critical to attracting investment’

    The conduct of a credible census of agricultural lands nationwide is critical to attracting foreign investment, the Deputy Managing Director – OCP Africa Project Incubation (West Africa), Caleb Usoh, has said.

    The implementation of the census is in line with the resolution of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), which recommends that all countries carry out an Agricultural Census once every 10 years.

    The last Agricultural Census was in 1993/94, resulting in many data gaps and inconsistent data that will be balanced.

    Speaking with The Nation, Usoh explained that information produced from the census will provide the demographics of agricultural holdings, land area, irrigation system, workers, agro-tourism and financing facilities.

    Usoh noted however that carrying out a national agric land census would depend on the resources the Federal and States government have.

    He noted: “it also depends on what challenges you are going to fix in the short and long term.”

    Read Also: No ransom paid for school children’s release – Fed Govt

    He noted that at the stage of the nation’s development an agric census was critical. His words: “a very accurate survey of agricultural lands is very important. It is very unfortunate that we are behind in many things. If somebody comes to ask for such data we wouldn’t have it.It is important. But this kind of project should be carried out by the state governments. Constitutionally agricultural and other lands are held by the states. The states have a mandate for agriculture as well as the Federal government. They should be able to carry out mapping of agricultural lands within their domains in order to provide data on it. The data will be used to encourage investments in agriculture. When you have a mapping of the land, it provides investors with true information on ownership and how to access it. It shows title to the land which can be monetised. The owner can use the title to access agricultural credit. It is not just about mapping but the potential for the owners or investors.”

    According to him, the mapping will increase the availability of agric  land and its responsiveness to evolving firm demands, strengthen industry growth and  opportunities.

    Agricultural census covers households and business organisations involved in agricultural activities.  It includes food crops and commodities, livestock, fisheries and aquaculture, logging and forestry.

    Analysts believe census of agriculture will provide the most comprehensive statistical survey on the country’s agricultural production, covering information on the structure, dynamics and production level of the activity.

  • FG to carry out census of schools

    FG to carry out census of schools

    The Federal Government on Monday said it would carry out a census of all schools in the country.

    The government said the data from the census would assist in tackling the challenges facing the sector.

    The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, stated this in Abuja on Monday at a two-day capacity-building workshop for desk officers in the ministry, its departments, and agencies.

    Mamman said the school data would help the ministry to advise the state governments to move to do the right thing.

    He said: “It is our plan that by the end of this year or early next year, we will be signing a partnership contract with a firm that will be working with our IT people to generate data on all schools in Nigeria.

    “This is because we need to know our teachers and every single student; we need data to know the trend of learning and our school infrastructure.

    “This exercise will enhance decision-making and policy formulation as the data collected and collated will aid evidence-based planning, measure implementation and progress, and identify areas where improvement is required.”

    The Minister also decried the rate of learning crisis in the country saying a report submitted to him showed that some pupils found it difficult to identify numbers while many could neither read nor solve simple mathematical questions.

    He however noted that impacting soft basic skills on students was a part of the ministry’s plans towards achieving its deliverables.

    The Minister said the training was aimed at enhancing the capacity to track, collate, harmonise and report progress in the implementation of the Ministerial Deliverables and the Education Sector Roadmap.

    “It will further ensure that government policies and programmes are effectively tracked and implemented,” he added.

    He charged heads of MDAs, desk officers, and other participants to tailor their programmes, activities, and projects towards the realisation of the deliverables.

    The myinister urged the participants to turn in timely, credible and reliable report of the activities, programmes and projects of their departments and organisations.

    Read Also: Police arrest fake Soldier for armed robbery, extortion in Kaduna

    Mamman said: “The uppermost focus of the Ministry in general is in the areas of ensuring the generation of credible, timely, and reliable education data at all levels and the promotion of skill development.

    “It is also in the enhancement of skill development across the entire education landscape for innovative and employability education; teacher training and development; and reducing the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria.

    “I believe if we get it right in education, everything else will fall into place.

    “The doctors who man our hospitals, the nurses who deliver the vaccines, the engineers in charge of our construction work—everybody is the by-product of our activities.”

    The Minister commended the government of Kaduna State and the security organisations for helping in the release of the 287 abducted schoolchildren in the state.

    The Senior Education Officer, Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO), Ian Attfield, pledged to support the government in actualising the deliverables and addressing the learning crisis through continuing education financing.

  • ‘Digital census’ll guaranty that nobody is counted twice’

    ‘Digital census’ll guaranty that nobody is counted twice’

    A civil society organisation, Save Nigeria Movement (SNM), has listed the benefits Nigeria stands to again by adopting a digital census.

    The group noted that a digital census, with all its biometric features, will clear all forms of suspicions and distrust, as nobody will be counted twice and no imaginary entries will be made.

    It further noted that the conduct of a digital census will provide Nigeria with accurate information about its true numbers, population structure, age distribution and the other indices that are crucial for development.

    Convener of the group, Rev. Solomon Semaka, said this at an interactive session with social media influencers in Abuja, where he commended President Bola Tinubu and the chairman of National Population Commission (NPC) for the plans to conduct a digital census.

    The group argued that the outcome of the census would facilitate the actualisation of the renewed hope agenda of President Tinubu.

    Read Also: Ondo Amotekun moves to rescue kidnapped passengers in Kogi

    The group added that with the modalities in place, no tribe or State can manipulate their numbers at the expense of others.

    “The exact population of Nigerians will be known, including other very important statistics within a very short period of time. Participation in this exercise should therefore, be a priority since everybody will be counted as a civic duty.

    “This will enable the government to focus on priority needs like healthcare, education, social amenities, social security and employment generation to mention but a few. In fact, there’s no aspect of our national life that will not benefit from this all important exercise, including you, our esteemed social media influencers.”

    The group expressed satisfaction with the measures put in place by the management team of NPC under Alhaji Isa Kwarra aimed at ensuring the conduct of a hitch-free census in the country.

  • Census: 100 civil society groups rally support for NPC

    Census: 100 civil society groups rally support for NPC

    Not less than 100 civil society groups have passed a vote of confidence on the leadership of the National Population Commission (NPC) on its preparedness to conduct a credible and acceptable census.

    Under the aegis of the Coalition of Civil Society Groups for Transparency and Accountability (CCSGTA), the groups lauded the NPC Chairman Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra for introducing groundbreaking initiatives and reforms to the Commission. 

    Obinna Francis, who spoke on behalf of the Coalition, also hailed the NPC boss for instilling transparency, accountability and probity in the operations of the Commission. 

    While urging Nigerians to continue to support the Commission, Francis assured of a credible census that will help in addressing the myriads of challenges in the country.   

    “The focus on the National Population Commission is in the right direction because of its mandate to ensure accurate census data, which is critical for developing accurate assessments of the nation’s economic well-being and helping the government with proper economic planning,” he said. 

    “The Coalition of Civil Society Groups for Transparency and Accountability is confident that the 2023 population census would go a long way in tackling insecurity in the country, given that it will provide data that can help the government take note of the ratio of security officers proportionate to the nation’s population which can help in improving the security of lives and properties. 

    “It also has its benefits in the critical agricultural sector in the sense that the census data generated can help to formulate, evaluate, change, and propose policies and programs that help farmers develop market strategies, create more efficient production and distribution systems, and assist in developing and improving methods that will increase agricultural production and profitability.

    “We want to seize the opportunity of this Press Briefing to identify with and commend the leadership of the National Population Commission for the laudable initiatives introduced towards attaining a successful National Population Census.  This is on the heels of its leadership’s display of transparency and accountability in utilizing available resources for this national exercise that is critical to translating our hopes and aspirations into tangible realities. 

    Read Also: No allocation for population census in 2024 budget, says Senate panel

    “It is also on record that the National Population Commission has reiterated its readiness to conduct a credible and acceptable census through the implementation of comprehensive security measures to safeguard its servers, applications, and IT infrastructure through robust and concrete firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, regular security audits, encryption protocols, and multifactorial authentication for privileged accounts.

    “The Coalition of Civil Society Groups for Transparency and Accountability is using this medium to pass a vote of confidence on the leadership of the National Population Commission for rising to the occasion in its preparedness for the forthcoming national population census. 

    “We also call on other critical stakeholders in the country to see the success of the national population census as a collective endeavour that does not rest on the shoulders of the National Population Commission alone but require a collective action involving all and sundry. “