The Federal Commissioner, National Population Commission, Dr Tony Aiyejina has said that the Commission is set to conduct the first digital census in the country.
He disclosed this at the inauguration of the Edo State Census Security and Logistics Committee held at the office of the National Orientation Agency, Benin City.
Aiyejina said, Nigeria has had a checkered history of organizing censuses, right from the first census that was conducted in 1866, to the last one which took place in 2006.
“Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and it is projected that she will become the third most populous country in the world after India and China by the year 2050.
“Seventeen years after the last one was conducted, the present administration under the
leadership of President Muhammad Buhari
(GCFR), must be commended for seizing the bull by the horn and taking the bold decision to conduct a census for our dear country, Nigeria.
“In the face of the security challenges currently bedeviling the country, I want to salute the gallantry and sacrifices of Officers and Men of our security services, (some of whom have paid the ultimate price).
“The current security situation, therefore makes it imperative, that the census be conducted in a secured environment, such that both men and materials will be safe.
” We are set to deliver the most credible and flawless census ever and so, we are having all our materials for the exercise lodged at the offices of security agencies for security safe keeping and that is why we call it digital census coming up in may.
“It is against this background, that the role of this committee will be pivotal, critical and strategic towards the successful conduct of the census in Edo State.
” I also have a personal conviction that our gallant security agents will rise up to the occasion and make Edo secure and safe for the 2023 Population and Housing Census”
He said that, Edo State being a peaceful State, the census will be orderly and peaceful. He therefore urged the Edo People to cooperate with the enumerators that will collect and collate their data
