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  • 2023: Why candidates will sign second peace accord – Abubakar

    2023: Why candidates will sign second peace accord – Abubakar

    Chairman of the National Peace Accord, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd) has said political parties and their presidential candidates will sign a second peace accord, saying that this was intended to commit the candidates to accept the outcome of the 2023 elections as long as it is adjudged to be free, fair and credible.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the leadership of the 18 registered political parties and their presidential candidates signed the first peace accord on Thursday in Abuja to commit themselves to a peaceful electioneering campaign.

    The candidates included Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), represented by his running mate, Alhaji Kashim Shettima.

    ALSO READ || 2023: Sowore confronts Shettima over Tinubu’s absence as presidential candidates sign peace accord

    Others were Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) and Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). Some more were Mr Adewale Adebayo of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Justice Peter Umeadi, the flag bearer of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).

    In his remarks, Abubakar, a former Nigerian military president said the signing of the peace accord which started in 2015 was still relevant for 2023, noting that the issue of fake news and misinformation posed a singular threat to the 2023 general elections.

    Abubakar thanked political parties, party chairmen and candidates, and indeed everyone that turned out for the 2015 and 2019 peace accord. He further noted that NPC’s efforts contributed significantly to mitigating violent conflicts in previous elections in spite of the challenges.

    “Now that the 2023 general elections are around the corner, issues of major concern that have the potential to negatively impact on the integrity are better imagined. One of such issues is the spreading of fake news. Fake news and misinformation continue to pose a significant threat to the 2023 general elections. I am told already that fake news has also declared the winner of the 2023 election even before the exercise.

    “It has shifted focus away from issue-based campaigns and created the platform for political parties to resort to name calling, personal insults and character assassination. It has taken away our civility and decency in public discourse and conversations and created a toxic atmosphere that has the potential to incite citizens against the state, against other political parties and candidates. It is for this reason that the NPC has organised the signing of two peace accords with the 2023 general elections on the way,’’ he said.

    Abubakar explained that Thursday’s peace accord was to commit political parties, presidential candidates and their spokesperson to peaceful political campaigns and rallies, devoid of violence, incitement and personal insults. He said it was also to ensure that the campaigns were defined by issues at the very heart of the national development and progress.

    “The second accord, God willing, will come up shortly before the elections, and it is intended to commit the candidates to accepting the outcome of the votes as long it is adjudged to be free, fair and credible. We hope this will take place sometimes in January 2023,” he said.

    Abubakar also urged political parties and their candidates to base their campaign on issues affecting the country and not on personal attacks or fake news.

    “It is time for us to promote issue-based campaigns. We are calling on politicians to address issues that are fundamental to Nigerian citizens. We also want to promote respect and tolerance of differences in opinions. We want to ensure that there is civility and decency in public discourse.

    “I appeal to political parties, party chairmen, candidates and their spokespersons to please campaign on the basis of issues that are of significant concern to Nigerians.

    “Avoid the spread of fake news, personal attacks and insults and comply with the spirit and letter of this accord. I appeal to the electorate also to realise that do no good to our electoral process,’’ Gen. Abubakar added.

    A 14-year-old student at the event, Miss Naomi Oloyede urged leaders and political actors, especially candidates to put Nigeria first in all their conduct.

    Oloyede charged them to avoid violence and promote peace during their campaigns.

    “As you start your campaigns, please, in the name of God, have our future in mind and try to leave a safe country for us.

    “This is not the time to settle scores. This is the best gift you can give to us and the greatest assurance that you will retire in peace. If you do this, you will be remembered with fondness and not with blame.

    “I look forward to growing in a beautiful country where there is peace and the rule of law is respected,” she said.

    In his remarks, Chairman of Inter-party Advisory Committee (IPAC), Malam Yabaji Sani said all political parties were committed to peaceful, credible and reliable election.

    Sani is also the National Chairman and presidential candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP).

    He said parties had been praying for peace so that Nigeria would continue to maintain its leadership position in Africa and in the comity of nations.

  • How we`ll minimise census errors – NPC

    How we`ll minimise census errors – NPC

    Alhaji Nasir Kwarra, Executive Chairman, National Population Commission (NPC) on Tuesday said Post Enumeration Survey (PES) is designed to redress possible errors in the census process.

    Kwarra, represented by Dr Tony Ayejina, Federal Commissioner for Edo, said this in Abuja at the Master Trainers level on PES for members of staff of NPC.

    He described the workshop as a roadmap to credible and qualitative census in 2023.

    “Errors are inevitable in a large scale data collection such as a Census.

    “Errors can arise from many sources in the conduct of the census, especially in field data collection and processing procedures.

    “The PES has, therefore, been designed to redress these possible errors in the census process,” he said.

    Kwarra, who said that the exercise was in conformity with the United Nations Principles and Recommendations for Population and Housing Censuses, defined it as complete re‐enumeration.

    According to him it has become important to conduct PES to give credibility to the census results and engender confidence in census data users.

    He said that PES had become a plausible independent evaluation programme mainly used to measure coverage and content error in the context of the census in many developing countries.

    Dr Collins Opiyo, Chief Technical Adviser (CTA) to the National Population Commission (NPC) restated calls for credible and acceptable census.

    Opiyo, who urged the total commitment of the commission to conducting credible census, called on all to be counted.

    He described the PES as imperative to achieving qualitative census.

  • 2023 census ‘ll eliminate fraud, multiple counting — Commissioner

    2023 census ‘ll eliminate fraud, multiple counting — Commissioner

    Dr Ipalibo Harry, a Federal Commissioner representing Rivers in the board of National Population Commission, said the digitisation of the planned 2023 census would eliminate fraud and multiple counting.

    Harry, who is the Census Committee Chairman, said this while speaking with newsmen on Thursday in Abuja.

    He stated that being the first digital census, every house in Nigeria and the visible inhabitants would be captured and counted.

    According to him, the digitalisation of the exercise with available Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD) map at their disposal, will ensure credibility of the exercise, and eliminate multiple counting that characterised previous exercises.

    While calling on Nigerians to shun all manner of misconception and prejudices about the census, he said that this would be the first Housing and Population census in Nigeria.

    “Other censuses in the past were only population counting but this one would be counting both houses and roads.

    “And it is also the first digital census where every house in Nigeria is captured, the inhabitants visibly captured and counted.

    “If you say you have 10 children, we will see those children who will in turn append their signatures and be counted,” he said.

    The commissioner said that the 2023 census would be a paradigm shift from the old practice where people were counted manually.

    Harry expressed confidence in the preparedness of the commission to deliver a credible and acceptable census that would be globally acceptable.

    He emphasised the need for all Nigerians to be counted during the exercise in order to provide genuine data for national planning and security.

    Harry described the 2023 census as an agenda setter for economic, security, political and national planning with provision for accurate data.

  • Buhari unveils 2023 Census Project Document, lauds NPC for successful Trial Census

    Buhari unveils 2023 Census Project Document, lauds NPC for successful Trial Census

    President Muhammadu Buhari has unveiled the 2023 National Population and Housing Census
    Project Document, aimed at promoting robust and informed national conversation on procedures for the census.

    He unveiled the document at the National Stakeholders Summit on the 2023 census, organised by the National Population Commission (NPC), in collaboration with the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) Nigeria in Abuja on Thursday.

    The president said the conduct of the 2023 National Population and Housing Census had become imperative in view of the need to produce new set of demographic and socio-economic data for the country.

    According to him, data will provide the basis for national planning and sustainable development. He added that the country’s inability to conduct a population census in the last 16 years created an information vacuum as data from the last census conducted in 2006 had been rendered out of date for planning purposes.

    Buhari said “population is a critical factor in a nation’s efforts toward achieving sustainable development.

    “People are both the agents and beneficiaries of the process. Knowledge of the national population in terms of size, distribution and socio-economic characteristics are required for planning.

    “’This, therefore, makes the conduct of census an essential governance activity. With a projected population of 216 million, Nigeria is the sixth most populous country on the African continent.”

    He further said that due to the rapidly growing nature of the population and large proportion of youthful population, Nigeria is projected to be the third most populous country in the world by 2050 after India and China.

    He, however, noted that in spite of the country’s high-ranking position on the global demographic map, population census had been irregular and longer than the UN recommended 10 years.

    “This irregular and long interval of census taking in Nigeria has denied the nation the huge benefits of comprehensive baseline data for evidence-based decision-making,” he said.

    According to the president, the nation requires new data to drive the implementation of the recently launched revised National Policy on Population for Sustainable Development and other government policies.

    “The 2023 census data is also needed to tackle the security challenges bedevilling the country, as it will give an overview of the population, where we are and who we are.

    “Our administration is convinced that the National Population Commission has the commitment and capacity to deliver to the nation a reliable, credible, acceptable and successful census.

    “We are also satisfied with the deployment of technology by the commission to ensure the conduct of the first digital census methodology to enhance data quality,” he added.

    He said that the outcome of the preparatory activities for the main census had been reassuring that the commission was progressing in the right direction.

    “The just concluded trial census, in which my household was enumerated in my hometown, Daura, Katsina State, has renewed our hope and confidence in the capacity of the commission to deliver the 2023 census,” Buhari said.

    Earlier, the NPC chairman, Alhaji Nasir Isa-Kwarra, had commended the president for his continued support and assistance to the commission.

    According to him, the commission remains committed to the conduct of credible and acceptable census in 2023.

    He explained that the national stakeholders summit was meant to create public awareness on the conduct of the 2023 census, including the methodology and timeliness.

    He said the summit was also meant to promote robust and informed national conversation on the processes and procedures for the census and to solicit the cooperation and support of key stakeholders.

    It was also aimed at convincing citizens to submit themselves for enumeration purpose during the 2023 census.

    The summit, according to him, will also provide a platform to offer clarification and receive feedback and suggestions on salient issues and considerations related to the conduct of the census.

  • Obasanjo tasks NPC on accurate, credible 2023 census

    Obasanjo tasks NPC on accurate, credible 2023 census

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Tuesday tasked the National Population Commission (NPC) to conduct accurate, credible and acceptable data, in the forthcoming 2023 census, saying that it would assist the country in planning and formulating policies.

    Obasanjo made the call during a courtesy visit by the Executive Chairman of NPC who came alongside with the country representative from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Nigeria, and other officials of the commission at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta.

    According to him, if a credible and accurate census is achieved by the NPC, it will help the nation in planning better and formulate policies that will aid the development of the country.

    He, however, recalled the last census conducted in 2006 during his administration, to be first in history to be conducted without conflicts, acrimony and contention.

    He stressed that Nigeria had failed to adequately use the results of census previously conducted in country.

    “We are running away from making use of our census, the same way we are running from religion and ethnicity.
    “The census should lead to real demarcation of constituencies which we have run away from since 2006

    “Census figures that we do not use for planning, for real demarcation and all that is not serving a useful purpose; it is a waste of money; I believe we should get this right, so that we will be able to know where we are today.

    I don’t know how long we will keep running away from census, and we keep deceiving and lying to ourselves, by running away from the truth we must face and deal with it,” he said.

    Earlier, the NPC chairman, Mr Nasir Kwarra, in his remark, commended Obasanjo for conducting a successful free census in 2006 and for giving the commission the solid platform to continue.

    Kwarra said the aim of the Commission’s visit to Ogun was to monitor the conduct of the trial census in Imeko-Afon Local Government Area as one of the six areas selected for full enumeration across the country.

    He noted that the overall objective of the trial census was to assess the overall preparedness of the NPC to conduct a successful population and housing census.

    He described the trial census as a dress rehearsal for the 2023 population enumeration.
    The chairman, who had earlier paid a similar coutesy visit to the state governor, Dapo Abiodun and the Alake of Egbaland Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, expressed the commitment of the commission in delivering a credible, accurate and acceptable census, assuring that the exercise would be successful.

    He, disclosed that 7,718 enumeration areas had been selected for the trial census to test run the suitability and readiness for the actual census in 2023, noting that six local government areas would be fully enumerated during the tria.

    “The six local government areas that will be fully enumerated are Toungo Local Government Area, Adamawa State (North-East); Daura Local Government Area, Katsina State (North-West); Karu Local Government Area, Nasarawa State (North-Central).

    “Imeko-Afon Local Government Area, “Ogun State (South-West); Idemili South Local Government Area, Anambra State (South-East) and Brass Local Government Area, Bayelsa State (South-South),” are the reat.

    He, however, gave assurance that despite the insecurity challenges confronting the country, the commission would not relent in carrying out the activities effectively in providing the country an accurate database for planning, formation of policy and development.

  • 2023 population census will be conducted electronically – NPC

    2023 population census will be conducted electronically – NPC

    In a news conference in Lokoja, the Federal Commissioner, National Population Commission in charge of Kogi State, Isah Habibat Jimoh, disclosed that the 2023 population census will be conducted electronically and not manually which would make it impossible for anyone to manipulate as was done in the past.

    He said, “The era of manipulation is gone, where politicians and other interested groups manipulate the exercise thereby giving wrong results”.

    He pointed out that the 2023 census will be different as the commission is going to conduct a digital census stating, “Once you are captured by their machine, it goes directly to the central server at the headquarters where it would be difficult if not impossible for the figures to be changed or tampered with”.

    He said, “The Commission is determined to successfully conduct the trial Census in their quest to deliver a credible, reliable, acceptable and verifiable census to the nation.

    To this end, he said that the Commission has introduced new technologies such as Census PAD and CSP to ensure that the upcoming trial census serves as a good rehearsal that will make the 2023 population and Housing Census credible, reliable and acceptable.

    “To ensure that the trial Census does not lose focus in view of predetermined objectives and processes, monitoring and evaluation instruments have been developed to assess the extent to which objectives are being met or not and whether the processes are being adhered to or not,” he said.

    He stressed that all loopholes in the previous census have been blocked by the Commission and as such the coming population and housing census will be different.

    He said staff have been motivated very well by the Commission in order to avoid people, the community and even politicians, from corrupting them.

    He promised that the commission will conduct a credible and transparent population and housing census in 2023.

  • 2023 Population Census: NPC launches Call Centre

    National Population Commission (NPC) has launched a call centre for the 2023 Population and Housing Census.

    The Chairman of the commission, Alhaji Nasir Kwara, said at the launch in Abuja on Tuesday that NPC had intensified preparatory activities for the successful conduct of the first digital census in Nigeria.

    He said “the launch of this integrated call centre for the 2023 census is yet another major step toward making the head count a resounding success.

    “It also underscores our commitment toward providing demographic data for national planning.”

    He described population census as “a people-oriented activity that seeks to capture the demographic characteristics of the populace across the length and breadth of the country.”

    The chairman emphasised the imperatives of putting in place a platform for constant interaction between the commission and the people through which information could be obtained, clarified and feedback received on the census process.

    According to him, the Call Centre is equipped with modern Information and Communication Technology facilities for video conferencing, emails and telephony to facilitate effective communication for the census.

    Kwarra explained that “this call centre will serve as an information hub for seamless interface between NPC and the public before, during and after the census exercise.

    “Enquiries from the public to the commission about the census process, on field activities and other census frequently asked questions are expected to be responded to by trained personnel.

  • Gunmen kill former NPC Commissioner in Nasarawa

    Gunmen kill former NPC Commissioner in Nasarawa

    Gunmen on Sunday, killed Mr Zakari Kigbu, a former Federal Commissioner of National Population Commission (NPC) at his residence in Azuba community near Lafia, Nasarawa State capital.

    ACP Rahe incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lafia.

    According to Nansel, the gunmen stormed the victim’s residence at about 12:30 a.m., shot at him before abducting two of his children- a boy and a girl.

    The Police Command spokesman said that upon receiving report of the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Adesina Soyemi, immediately deployed

    Police personnel comprising Anti Kidnapping unit and Police Mobile Force to the scene.

    Nansel said the CP had also visited the scene for on-the-spots assessment and condole with the family.

    He said the police would not rest on their oars to ensure that the abducted children were rescued unhurt.

    “The police will carryout a comprehensive investigation to unravel, arrest and prosecute those behind the dastardly act,” Nansel said.

    The PPRO, therefore, called on members of the public to avail the police with useful information that could lead to the rescue of the abducted victims and arrest of the perpetrators.

    The deceased was a former National President, Eggon Cultural and Development Association (ECDA).

    NAN

  • FG to hold National Census after 2023 Elections – NPC Chairman

    FG to hold National Census after 2023 Elections – NPC Chairman

    The Federal Government is targeting April 2023 for the conduct of the National Population Census.

    The Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Nasir Isa-Kwarra, made this known at the end of the virtual meeting of the Council of State, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in Abuja.

    Newsmen reports that the last population and housing census in Nigeria took place in 2006.

    The total population in Nigeria was estimated at 206.14 million people in 2020, according to the latest census figures and projections from Trading Economics.

    According to the NPC boss, the national census will be held after the general election, slated for February and March 2023.

    He disclosed that the commission would deploy high technology in the conduct of the national census.

    Kwarra said: “The National Population Commission is to conduct a Pilot Census in June this year, after the political parties’ primary elections.

    “It is very crucial to hold a census because it is a very important exercise for the nation.

    “This is because through census we generate the data that we use for policy making, for planning, for development, by the three tiers of government, and the private sector, they all need this.

    “If you are a private sector, you’re producing something; certainly, you need to know the population of an area if you want to create a market there.

    “So, census data is very crucial, very important. Because, the data we’ve been using are just projections, estimation. And are sort of obsolete, we need the actual census data to use for our planning.’’

    Gov. Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa, who also briefed correspondents on the outcome of the meeting of the Council of State, disclosed that President Buhari would meet security chiefs on Tuesday next week, over the current security situation in the country.

    He said the meeting followed recommendations and comments by the Council of State.

    He said the necessary measures would be taken to ensure that farmers across the country, to carry out their activities without any hindrance to boost food production across the country.

    NAN reports that the 2006 census placed Lagos State in the South as the second most populous state with 9.0 million people.

    Overall, the 2006 census stated that the North had a higher population than the South.

    NAN reports that according to the census results, the northern states account for 75 million people, while the southern states have 65 million population.

  • Buhari swears in NPC, ICPC Commissioners

    Buhari swears in NPC, ICPC Commissioners

    President Muhammadu Buhari has sworn in commissioners of the National Population Commission (NPC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

    Newsmen reports that the swearing in took place shortly before the commencement of the weekly virtual meeting Federal Executive Council (FEC) at the State House, Abuja, on Wednesday.

    The affected commissioners of the NPC included: Chief Benedict Effiong (Akwa Ibom), Mrs. Gloria Fateya Izonfo (Bayelsa), Kupchi Patricia Ori Iyanya (Benue), Dr Haliru Bala (Kebbi), and Dr Eyitayo Oyetunji (Oyo).

    The ICPC commissioners included; retired Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Olugbenga Adeyanju (Ekiti State), Sen. Anthony Agbo (Ebonyi), Anne Otelafu Odey (Cross River), Alh. Goni Ali Gujba (Yobe), and Dr Louis Mandama (Adamawa).

    Newsmen reports that those attending the FEC meeting physically at the Council Chamber are; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha and Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, and the National Security Adviser to the President, retired Babagana Monguno.

    Other ministers attending the meeting include the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, Agriculture, Mahmud Muhammed, and Environment Muhammed Abdullahi

    Others are Power, Abubakar Aliyu; Finance, Budget and National Planning, Dr Zainab Ahmed; Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu; Science and technology, Ogbonnaya Onu and the Minister of State for Health Olorunimbe Mamora.

    The Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Folasade Yemi-Esan and other cabinet ministers are participating virtually from their respective offices in Abuja.