Dr. Tony Ayeijina, Federal Commissioner, National Population Commission, Edo State has asserted that the current security situation in the country has made it imperative that this year’s census “be conducted in a secured environment, such that both men and materials will be safe.”
He made the assertion at the inauguration of the Edo State Census Security and Logistics Committee in Benin City on Thursday morning.
“Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and it is projected and it is projected that she will become the third most populous country in the world after India and China by the year 2050.
“There is no gainsaying the fact that the country is much overdue for a census, seventeen years after the last one was conducted. The present administration under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, must be commended for seizing the bull by the horns and taking the bold decision to conduct a census for our dear country, Nigeria.
“It has often been said, that next to war, census is the most expensive, demanding, challenging and daunting peace time activity. This is underscored by the humongous number of personnel and materials to be deployed for the census. This gargantuan number will involve moving men and materials across the nooks and crannies of the state during the conduct of the census.”
He reiterated that the role of the Committee “will be pivotal, critical and strategic towards the successful conduct of the census in the 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.”
Census must be conducted in a secured environment, says National Population Commission
