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  • NPC asks military for support to deliver credible census

    NPC asks military for support to deliver credible census

    The Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Mr Nasir Kwarra, has sought the support of the Nigerian Army in conducting a credible census in Nigeria.

    Kwarra made the call when he paid a courtesy call on the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, on Thursday in Abuja.

    He said the visit was to thank the CDS for the good job the military had been doing for the country, adding that they had continue to defend their territorial integrity of Nigeria and making sure that the nation experience peace.

    NPC boss said the military had also continued to support the commission in the process of preparation for the conduct of the census.

    ”The census which was supposed to have been conducted in April, was put on hold pending the new administration.

    “Mr President has reassured us that the census will be conducted. We are here to seek support of the army in provising security coverage for functionaries, offices at the states and local government levels, as well having access to the military barracks nationwide,” he said.

    Responding, Gen. Musa said the military was ready to support the commission to ensure that a credible census is conducted.

    He said the military recognises the importance of census, saying that a comprehensive census would make sure that developmental processes were being followed adequately as well as growth for the country.

    He said the aspect of security was where the military was most concerned .

    “So, it is going to be a comprehensive thing and they include the aspect of logistics and the military has a very comprehensive logistics system that works very well wherever we are.

    “We are going to put all those available to ensure that we have a successful census,” he said.

  • NYSC, NPC, and UNICEF join forces to revolutionize birth registration in Nigeria

    NYSC, NPC, and UNICEF join forces to revolutionize birth registration in Nigeria

    The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the National Population Commission (NPC), and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) today announced a new partnership aimed at enhancing birth registration in Nigeria. The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) solidifies the commitment of the three organizations to collaborate and support the digitalized birth registration process in 22 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    This partnership aims to provide a robust framework within which the parties can implement a comprehensive and efficient digitalized birth registration process across Nigeria. By leveraging their existing resources and facilities, the NYSC, NPC, and UNICEF intend to benefit at least 12 million under-5 eligible children who will be registered as primary beneficiaries. Additionally, families, parents, caregivers, communities, households, state and local government areas (LGAs), and ward level administrators will be indirect beneficiaries of this collaboration.

    Speaking on this significant collaboration, the Director General NYSC, Brigadier General YD Ahmed expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “The NYSC is honoured to join hands with the NPC and UNICEF in this vital initiative. Our deployment of 850 corps members as coordinators and supervisors, spread across 22 states and the FCT, will ensure effective monitoring and supervision of the birth registration process. Together, we will strive to achieve comprehensive data collection and availability, supporting increased birth registration coverage in our respective LGAs.”

    The NPC, as a key partner, will play a crucial role in ensuring the success of this partnership. According to Chairman of NPC, Honourable Nasir Isa Kwarra “We are committed to supporting the recruitment of ad hoc birth registrars at the ward level and ensuring the availability of registration materials to coordinators and supervisors. By distributing protocols, checklists, FAQs, and informational materials, we aim to engage local government chairpersons, traditional and religious leaders, and communities to promote the importance of birth registration. Together, we will generate and analyze digitalised birth registration data at the LGAs and wards, ultimately increasing birth registration coverage.”

    UNICEF, a leading organization in child welfare and development, will bring its expertise to the table to support the digitalised birth registration services in focus states. “Our primary focus will be on providing technical assistance and evidence-based interventions,” emphasized Cristian Munduate, UNICEF representative in Nigeria. “By integrating birth registration into routine health service delivery, conducting the digitalized birth registration process, and increasing awareness through state and community-level campaigns, we aim to ensure that every child has access to and benefits from the essential health and birth registration interventions they deserve.”

    Through this partnership, the NYSC, NPC, and UNICEF are committed to promoting the importance of birth registration within the National Youth Corps programs, stimulating increased demand for birth registration services in health facilities and at the community level. The collaboration will also foster constructive engagement with local government chairpersons, traditional and religious leaders, leveraging their support to enhance the digitalized birth registration process.

  • NPC spends N200bn for 2023 census preparation

    NPC spends N200bn for 2023 census preparation

    The National Population Commission (NPC) says it has spent about N200 billion to prepare for the 2023 population and housing census.

    This is part of the N800 billion it expected from the Federal Government as total budget, including cost of more than five years preparation.

    Its Executive Chairman, Alhaji Nasir Kwarra, made the declaration at a breakfast meeting with media executives in Abuja on Thursday.

    Kwarra said the cost of conducting digital census was high considering the procurement of equipment and data required for the exercise.

    He said the Commission recruited about one million personnel in a bid to conduct a credible and acceptable digital census.

    He reiterated its commitment to a credible and acceptable census and urged the media to sustain the tempo of publicity.

    “It is important to sustain the tempo of the preparation for the census. The focus of the Commission is to lay a foundation for future censuses,’’ he said.

    Dr Inuwa Jalingo, Census Manager, stated that the Commission worked round-the-clock to conduct a digital census.

    Jalingo said the NPC already set up a robust quality dashboard and data for a credible census.

    In his remarks, Dr. Isiaka Yahaya, Director, Public Affairs Department at the NPC, also called on the media to continue to emphasise to the public the imperatives of conducting censuses.

    Yahaya noted that advocacy and publicity were critical to making the census successful.

  • NPC explains last minute census postponement

    NPC explains last minute census postponement

    The National Population Commission (NPC) says the 2023 Population and Housing Census was postponed due to government’s transition programme and the post-election mood in the country.

    Dr Inuwa Jalingo, the 2023 Census Manager and Director, National Population Commission (NPC) said this at a news conference in Abuja on Sunday.

    Jalingo who asserted the preparedness of the commission for the 2023 census, said that the NPC had prepared ground for the first ever digital census in Nigeria.

    He said that the commission had achieved top most success in all ramifications in terms of the preparation.

    “We achieved international standard for digital census.

    “About 450,000 digital gadgets were procured and distributed to all the local governments,” he said.

    Jalingo said however, that government was a continuous process, hoping that the incoming administration would build on the successes recorded for the eventual conduct of the census.

    The Census Manager lauded the Buhari-led administration for its support, saying that the commission had successfully trained about 60,000 facilitators across the country.

    “Any one saying we are not prepared must be saying that out of ignorance,” he said.

    Jalingo reiterated the benefits of Census which were not unconnected with national economic planning and provision of data for administrative planning.

    He said that the commission was able to mobilised Nigerians for the Census with every information required for a successful census.

    The NPC had postponed the Population and Housing Census earlier scheduled from May 3 to May 7 indefinitely.

  • Court refuses to grant request seeking to stop census

    Court refuses to grant request seeking to stop census

    The Federal High Court, Abuja on Thursday, declined a request  seeking an order of court to stop the 2023 Census slated to hold from May 3 to May 5.

    Justice Inyang Ekwo refused to grant the application and instead asked the applicant, Mr Omotuyi Ademola to put the defendant, the National Population Commission, (NPC) on notice.

    According to Justice Ekwo, counsel to the applicant has moved a motion for an interim injunction to stop the conduct of the 2023 Census.

    “However, on considering the motion, I am of the opinion that the defendants should be put on notice.”

    The judge therefore made an order directing the counsel to the applicant, Mr Victor Opatola to put the NPC on notice for the commission to appear in court and show cause why the applicant’s motion should not be granted.

    He adjourned the matter until May 5 for the defendant to show cause.

    Omotuyi, in his ex parte application, prayed the court for an order postponing the fourth coming census for six months.

    This, he said was  to ensure adequate preparation, publicity and adequate funding for the commission.

    He also asked for a declaration that the NPC currently lacked effective preparation and adequate publicity towards the conduct of a credible, effective and constitutional census in the country.

    He further asked for a declaration that the commission was currently underfunded and thus unprepared to conduct a credible, effective and constitutional census.

    The applicant also asked for any further order as the court may deem fit and proper to make in the circumstances of the case.

    Omotuyi had set out two questions for determination by the court.

    “Whether by a true interpretation and construction of the 1999 Constitution  and Section 6 of the National Population Commission Act, the aim, intent, importance and purpose of the 2023 Census will not be defeated for lack of adequate preparation, lack of adequate awareness and publicity and paucity of funds.

    “Whether  if the above is in the affirmative, it will not lead to an exacerbated undercount and inefficiency of the census purpose.”

    In a related motion, the court granted an application seeking permission to apply for judicial review of a Freedom of Information, (FOI), request made to the NPC.

    Ms Rhoda Aransiola who made the application on behalf of her client, Mr Victor Opatola said  the application became necessary when the commission refused to grant the request made by her client under the FOI Act.

    Justice Ekwo asked Aransiola to file the application within seven days.

    He adjourned the matter until May 25 for hearing.

    In the application, Opatola is praying the court for an order granting him leave to apply for an order of mandamus compelling the NPC  to furnish  him with information concerning the forth coming 2023 General Census.

    “A comprehensive and detailed information concerning the Quality Test Assurance report on the devices and technology to be deployed by the commission towards the coming 2023 General Census until Judgment is delivered in this case within 7 days of the delivery of judgment.

    “An order granting leave to the applicant to apply for an order of mandamus compelling the defendant  to furnish him with comprehensive and detailed information concerning any conflict of interest in the allotment of contracts or jobs given by or to contractors towards the coming 2023 General Census until judgment is delivered in this case within 7 days of the delivery of judgment.”

    The applicant is also seeking an order granting him leave to apply for an order of mandamus compelling the defendant  to furnish him with comprehensive and detailed information concerning Information on the funds received so far by the Commission towards the conduct of 2023 Census.

    He further asked the court  for a declaration that the refusal by the defendant to release the information or record requested  amounted to a violation of Section 7 (1) and 4 (a) & (b) of the Freedom of Information Act and the action was illegal and unconstitutional.

  • Flood takes over NPC, NYSC premises

    Flood takes over NPC, NYSC premises

    A downpour on Thursday caused flooding of the National Population Commission (NPC) and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) premises at Babs Animashaun Road, Surulere, Lagos State.

    The heavy rain, which started about 11.30 a.m.,  continued until about 1.00 p.m, took over the entire premises of the NPC and NYSC, which have, over the years, been witnessing severe flooding after rainfalls.

    Thursday’s flooding is of much concern since the NPC is set to conduct the 2023 National Census – a major national assignment – from May 3 to May 5.

    When the rain subsided, workers and visitors were seen wading through the flood, which poses great dangers to their health and the environment.

    Some staff who spoke with NAN said it was “normal” for the area to be flooded whenever it rained. However, they said they had expected the flooding to stop after the rehabilitation of Babs Animashaun Road.

    Babs Animashaun road is very critical to the connectivity and socio-economic development of the state since it connects Surulere axis to the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.

    “Sadly, the situation is the same. The flooding here continues. I am not sure anyone considered the NPC and NYSC offices to do anything to stop or reduce the flood.

    “We are located close to a canal, which makes it worse. We are not even talking about the effects of walking through the stagnant and dirty water,’’ a worker said.

    It was the same situation at the NYSC, Lagos State Secretariat,  after the heavy rain. NYSC, Lagos State Secretariat, Babs Animashaun Road,  Surulere, Lagos.

    Some corps members and visitors were seen outside the gate discussing in groups whether to go inside the compound or turn back.

    Our correspondent observed that some of the staff eventually decided to turn back.

    Following the rain, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) advised Lagos residents to take  precautions to avoid dangers.

    Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, Territorial Coordinator (NEMA), Lagos, gave the advice in a statement on Thursday.

    Farinloye advised school proprietors and teachers to keep children in their custody for 30 minutes after rainfalls before releasing them.

    He advised people not to take refuge in makeshift shelters as the places could  be washed off by floods.

    He also urged drivers to exercise patience as the highways could  be blocked and flooded.

  • Bayelsa NPC commissioner abducted by gunmen

    Bayelsa NPC commissioner abducted by gunmen

    The Bayelsa Federal Commissioner at the National Population Commission, Mrs Gloria Izonfuo has been abducted by gunmen.

    Police spokesperson in Rivers, SP Grace Iringe-Koko who confirmed the abduction on Monday, said Izonfuo was abducted on Sunday alongside her driver and maid at the Ogbakiri Junction on the East-West Road.

    The trio were returning to Port Harcourt after a trip to Brass in Bayelsa when they were abducted.

    Iringe-Koko added that police tactical teams had been deployed to ensure the rescue of the commissioner and her aides.

    Izonfuo was formerly Head of Civil Service in Bayelsa.

    The abductors already demanded N500 million naira ransom for the release of the victims.

    Izonfuo had been at the centre of pre-census activities in Bayelsa in the last two weeks.

  • 2023 census: NPC debunks hacking of server

    2023 census: NPC debunks hacking of server

    The National Population Commission (NPC) has reassured the public of the safety of its server and data as they prepare for the 2023 Population and Housing Census.

    Dr Isiaka Yahaya, Director, Public Affairs Department (PAD) said this in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday.

    A staff of the Commission and Comptroller of Chanchaga LGA, Niger State, Mr Sanusi Maigida had earlier claimed that the NPC server was hacked.

    Maigida had cited this development as the reason for the postponement of the LGA-level training of the Supervisors and Enumerators for the 2023 Population and Housing Census.

    Yahaya, who reaffirmed the commitment of the commission to a credible and acceptable census, said that its server was not hacked.

    The public affairs department boss described as false and misleading, the information on hacking of the commission’s server.

    “We wish to assure the public that the security of the data for the
    2023 Population and Housing Census is absolutely guaranteed.

    “The commission is committed to upholding the highest standards of data protection and maintaining the trust placed in us by the Nigerian population,” he said.

    Yahaya explained that the Commission’s Chairman, Alhaji Nasir Kwarra’s visit to the United Nations was to attend the 56th Session of the United Nations Commission on Population and Development was to the benefit of the country.

    He said the chairman also presented Nigeria’s statement on ‘Population and Development’ at the global event and has since returned to the country ahead of preparations for the first digital Census in Nigeria.

    “Over the years, it has been the standard practice for the Chairman of the Commission to attend the annual event on Population and Development in line with the mandate of NPC as the coordinating agency on population matters in Nigeria.

    “Consequently, the public is advised to disregard the false statement trending online about the hacking of the commission’s server and the subsequent travel of the NPC Chairman to restore the purported hacked server,” he said.

    He assured of the commission’s determination to continue to update the populace on developments regarding the 2023 Population and Housing Census as events unfold.

    Yahaya solicited for Nigerians’ support to ensure a secure and successful 2023 Census exercise.

  • 2023 census: Make yourself available to be counted – NPC to Deltans

    2023 census: Make yourself available to be counted – NPC to Deltans

    The National Population Commission (NPC) has advised the people of Delta State to make themselves available for counting in the 2023 population and housing census.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Chief Richard Odibo, NPC’s Federal Commissioner in Delta gave the advice in an interview on Wednesday in Asaba, the State capital.

    Chief Odibo gave the advice while disclosing that NPC plans to train about 20,000 personnel for the 2023 census in Delta.

    He said that the personnel would be in categories such as enumerators, supervisors and coordinators.

    Odibo said the commission had been carrying out training for all levels of functionaries in other parts of the country, including Delta.

    He said the commission had for long commenced the processes for the success of the 2023 census.

    ”The first thing we did across the country was to conduct the enumeration area demarcation.

    “Every local government area in Delta has been demarcated including the hard-to-reach areas.

    ”Thereafter, we have tested our instruments and carried out what we called the trial census within Delta,” he said.

    Odibo said some people were unaware of the new innovation that would be employed during the exercise.

    “A lot of people are not aware of the technology to be used during the 2023 Census.

    ”I advise the people of Delta to cooperate and make themselves and their children available to be counted and discard myths about census that does not hold water.

    ”Census enables the Federal Government to plan for every citizen of the country, including children both the able-bodied and the physically challenged,” he said.

    The commissioner, therefore, called on the state government, policy and decision-makers to ensure they enlightened their people on the need to make themselves available to be counted.

    ”We expect the state government, policy and decision makers to do their bid.

    ”When we generate the data, we will disseminate it to the policymakers to make use for the country’s development,” he said.

  • 2023 census: NPC to spend six dollars to count a citizen

    2023 census: NPC to spend six dollars to count a citizen

    Barring any last minute changes and subject to approval, the National Population Commission (NPC) will spend six dollars to count a citizen in the 2023 census.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports a Federal Commissioner of the NPC in Enugu State, Mr Ejike Eze made the disclosure on Sunday.

    Mr Eze disclosed that the Commission had made a proposal to that effect, while dismissing claims that the N869 billion budgeted for the 2023 census exercise was exorbitant.

    The Federal Commissioner argued that the N869 billion budget was the least when compared with the budgets of other countries for census.

    “The U.S.A. spent between 12 dollars and 15 dollars (N5,760 –N7,200) to count a citizen, while Malawi spent nine dollars (N4,320) per citizen.

    “In Nigeria, however, we are making a proposal to spend six dollars (N2,880) to count a citizen,” Eze said.

    He went further to dismiss calls for a shift in the dates of the exercise and argued that census is not the same as election where there are competitors, winners and losers.

    Eze, meanwhile, assured that the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) will not be a threat to the 2023 national population and housing census scheduled for May 3 to May 5.

    He said the group had sufficiently understood the need to allow residents to participate in the exercise to make it successful as doing otherwise would not help its cause.

    He noted that the NPC had encounters with IPOB in two local government areas of Enugu State during the demarcation of the areas preparatory to the headcount, but the intervention by government resolved the issues.

    “IPOB has on its own embarked on advocacy to encourage people to participate in the census.

    “We have been able to engage IPOB to convince it that its agitation requires information that the census would provide,’’ Eze said.