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NPC said to give reliable census. The National Population Commission launched the 2023-24 Nigeria Demographic Health Survey on Thursday, and the reconstruction of the Akwa Ibom State NPC office building for the exercise would formally commence.
During the ceremonies, Mr. Nasir Isa Kwarra, Chairman of the National Population Commission, assured everyone that the NPC will deliver a credible, reliable, and acceptable population census in the country.
He went on to say that the commission would go to great lengths to ensure that its employees have a comfortable working environment.
The NPC chairman, who was represented by the Federal Commissioner for Akwa Ibom State, Benedict Ukpong, stated that the rebuilt facility was in preparation for the next population and housing census.
He praised President Bola Tinubu for his financial and spiritual support in making the inauguration possible, and he praised NPC workers for their perseverance, endurance, and long-term efforts.
“As you know, the commission is still planning for the next census.” In this regard, we will leave no stone unturned to ensure that all corresponding facilities, including a habitable and safe working environment, are provided to ensure the commission’s constitutional mandate, which is the effective delivery of the next population and housing census that is credible, reliable, and acceptable.
“The remodeled and reconstructed office building we are officially inaugurating today will serve as the administrative hub for the effective functioning of the Akwa Ibom State NPC office where vital meetings and critical decisions that concern the growth and progress of the commission will be made,” he stated.
He went on to say that one of the goals of the 2023-24 NDHS is to collect high-quality data on a variety of critical indicators, such as fertility rates, maternal and child health, contraceptive use, childhood mortality, gender-related issues, nutrition, HIV/AIDS awareness, and so on.
Mr. Emmanuel Edem, State Director of NPC, represented Ukpong, who indicated that the survey would give data to assist the assessment needs of maternal and child health and family planning programs, enabling evidence-based planning and resource allocation.
“For more than three decades, the NPC has diligently implemented the NDHS in collaboration with key partners, consistently raising the bar for demographic and health data collection in Nigeria,” he stated.
“Today, as we launch this survey at the state level, we reiterate our commitment to upholding the same high standards of excellence and precision that have defined the NDHS over the years,” he said.
Amanam Nkanga, Special Adviser, Bureau of Political and Social Reorientation, who was represented by Mr. Solomon Johnson, Director of Administration of the Bureau, also spoke and praised NPC for the newly renovated and reconstructed building offices.
He stated It is an indication that the NPC is working on and preparing for an accurate census, as well as assurance that the Bureau would work in harmony with the commission on demographic and population issues.
Mrs. Helen Amakwe, the NDHS State Coordinator, stated that the exercise will begin in Akwa Ibom following a month-long training of the team in Akwanga, Nassarawa state, and a zonal flag-off in Port Harcourt.
Amakwe added that the exercise, which is held every five years, is the eighth in the series in Nigeria, and that NDHS is a semi-census program carried out across the Federation’s 36 states, including the FCT.
She said that the study will encompass 25 local government areas in Akwa Ibom, comprising 39 clusters and 14,000 families, and would focus specifically on women’s and children’s health.
According to her, the Akwa Ibom NDHS team consists of ten people, including herself, three female interviewers, two male interviewers, two biomarkers, a team leader, a CAPI supervisor, and two drivers.
She stated that the poll is being undertaken in conjunction with the Ministries of Health, Women’s Affairs, and Education.