By Eben Enasco
Nigeria’s National Population Commission (NPC) says the need for the incoming administration of then President-elect, Bola Almed Tinubu to be allowed to take ownership of the 2023 census led to the postponement of this year’s enumeration exercise in the Country.
It also stated that the compelling need to ensure no part of the country is left behind when embarking on the conduct of the census during the rainy season contributed to the decision.
Dr. Tony Aiyejina, the NPC Federal Commissioner said in Benin City on Wednesday, while Speaking at a one-day breakfast interactive media chat on the Postponement, that the commission had prepared to have a successful conduct of the 2023 Census before it was postponed Sin and die.
Dr. Aiyejina noted that the 2023 general election as well played a pivotal role in the cancellation activities despite pleading to insulate the process to allow the census to run independently.
He stressed that the immediate past Nigeria President, Muhammadu Buhari gave the commission a free hand to operate and never tele-guarded its activities.
The Federal Commissioner, however, extolled the support of the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, the Traditional institutions, and religious leaders in the state, expressing the exceptional role played by the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Ewuare II.
He lamented that Census Conducted in the Past, was riddled with Controversies including the 2006 Census, declaring that the new leadership went instead for Technology Using Personal Digital Assistant, PDA, that is geo-fed to avoid similar feat of the past.
Reacting, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State Council, Comrade Festus Alenkhe said Census is key to human development.
He urged the commission to provide information on the new date fixed to conduct the aborted Census to build trust.
Other speakers who gave overviews of the Cartographic Perspective in Census taking, on the preparedness in Edo State, Vital Registration in Edo State, including Saturday, Ekeoba, Rita Aigbokhan, Adesuwa Aighobahi during the interactive session noted that it was a complete deviation from the traditional methodology now applied by Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD).
