Oluwanifemi Ojo
The Federal Commissioner of the National Population Commission in Zamfara, Alhaji Muhammadu Rini, stated that by digitizing the 2023 population and housing census, the process would be transparent and there would be accountability.
Rini said this while speaking with newsmen in Gusau on Monday, adding that a digital census will engender data accuracy and credibility.
As reported by the News Agency of Nigeria, on Sunday, the NPC office in the state educated 75 Jumu’at Mosque Imams on creating awareness and providing information about the 2023 population and housing census.
In his words, “You know, in the previous census, we used paper and pen.
“But the digital census would generate the actual data required for citizens, irrespective of their locations.
“Digitalising the process would ensure transparency and accountability in the census.”
He noted that one of the responsibilities of the commission was to partner and seek for support and cooperation from stakeholders to ensure the success of the exercise in the state.
The commissioner added that to ensure the success of the population and housing census in the state, the commission will engage various stakeholders, including traditional and religious leaders, media practitioners, and Islamic scholars.
“Part of the commission’s measures to ensure success of the exercise in the state was engagement of all stakeholders, including the traditional and religious leaders, media practitioners and islamic scholars.
“Partnering with the Ulama and Imams became necessary considering their role in enlightening and sensitising members of the general public.
He further stated that the traditional and religious leaders have roles to play in encouraging and promoting the participation of citizens in the exercise.
Speaking about the training by the commission, the commissioner explained that, “Just yesterday (Sunday), we trained 75 Juma’at Mosque Imams in partnership with the state Council of Ulama on how to sensitise the general public to the 2023 population and housing census.”
“We selected 75 participants of the training across the 14 local government areas of the state.
“Five Imams were selected across each of the 13 local government areas of the state while Gusau was given 10 Imams.”
He urged the people of the state, particularly the stakeholders, to assist the commission in ensuring that the census is successful in the state.
“As we all know, the census is very critical to national development. The population and housing census is not limited to sharing of resources only.
“The census data is used to determine every sector of human development in the areas of economy, housing, health, education, employment and unemployment,” he stated.
