The Borno state Governor Babagana Zulum says the 2023 Census data will address the security challenges bedeviling the country.
Governor Zulum stated this at the National Population Commission stakeholders summit in Maiduguri.
Represented by his Chief of Staff Professor Isa Marte, the Governor explained that the data generated from the population and housing census will also improve lives of vulnerable population.
He noted that the irregular interval of census taking in the county has denied the nation the huge benefits of comprehensive baseline data for evidence based decision-making.
The Governor expressed optimism that the National Population Commission has the capacity to conduct a credible census in 2023.
“The National Population Commission has the required capacity to conduct reliable, credible, and acceptable census come 2023, with the deployment of technology to ensure the conduct of the first fully digital census in Nigeria as the census methodology will enhance data quality” Zulum said.
Professor Zulum assured that the state government is committed to ensure that the 2023 Census is successful in all the twenty seven local governments of the state.
Federal Commissioner National Population Commission Borno state Alhaji Isa Buratai disclosed that Abadam is the only local government yet to be demarcated, as efforts are on to visit the area in the coming weeks.
According to him, the state stakeholders summit is organised to create public awareness on the conduct of the forthcoming census, solicit the cooperation of the stakeholders and receive feedback and suggestions from the communities.
“The Commission is committed to ensuring that the results of the census are acceptable to Nigerians and the quality of data to be generated meets international best standards for planning and development purposes” Buratai assured.
Representative of Shehu of Borno, Zannah Borkoma of Borno Alhaji Mohammed Alkali and that of the Theatre Commander Operation Hadin Kai Brigedeir General Jibrin Ibrahim expressed commitment to ensure a successful exercise.
Chairman Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ comrade Dauda Iliya promised to partner with the Commission to mobilize people of state to participate in the headcount.
Cov/Dauda Iliya