FIC Report (Abia State) – Abia State Deputy Governor, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu has inaugurated the Members of Abia Census Publicity Committee for 2023 Population And Housing Census with a charge on them to create an aggressive awareness campaign on the commencement and importance of participation in the Population and Housing Census Exercise.
Speaking while inaugurating Members of the Committee at the Hotel Royal Damgrete, Umuahia, the Deputy Governor, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu said the importance of having an accurate and authentic census figure for the State and Nation cannot be overemphasized as it will afford Government at the State and Federal levels to ascertain the exact demographic data of it’s citizens for adequate planning and development purposes.
Sir Oko Chukwu noted that, apart from Government knowing the accurate and acceptable census, it will help in annual budget planning as demographic data population is one of the indices Federal Govt consider in the allocation sharing formula to various States and stressed the need for the Committee to do the needful and ensure that Abia is not shortchanged in terms of inadequate and accurate population database.
The Deputy Governor who is also the Chairman of the Committee appealed to Abians and entire South East Zone to take the issue of making themselves available to be captured in the population and housing census exercise and condemned some ill-advised persons threatening people against participating in the exercise which is counter productive.
He used the forum to commend NOA and the DG BCA, Sir Anyaso Anyaso and Management for their sensitization programmes so far and called for the use of the Station as an effective tool of creating the much needed awareness to ensure that the State records a very reliable and acceptable population while assuring that Government will do all it can to ensure a successful population and housing census exercise in the State.
In his address, the Federal Commissioner, National Population Commission, Abia State, Chief Johnny Nwabuisi disclosed that figures attributed to the State is not commensurate with what is on ground in terms of population and assured that the National Population Commission is irrevocably committed to ensuring that the 2023 census is done rightly and professionally.
Presenting her address, the State Director, NPC, Lady Juliana Ezebuiro said seeking a full fledged participation towards the population census has become necessary to right all the demographic wrongs attributed to the State and promised that the Commission is determined to reach every nook and cranny of the State as the overall gains is very overwhelming.
In his remarks, the State Director, National Orientation Agency( NOA) Lady, Chibuogwu Edede represented by the Deputy Director in the Agency, Mr. Orji Victor commended the National Population Commission Abia State for the synergy existing between and established with NOA in driving the implementation of this year’s National Population and Housing Census in Abia State.
She further stated that the Agency would utilize her full structure and personnel in the 17 LGAs to get the people involved to support the 2023 Population and Housing Census.
Members of the Abia State Census Publicity Committee include the Commissioner for Information, Chief Eze Chikamnayo, the GM, NTA, Mrs Nkechi Onyedibie, the DG BCA, Sir Anyaso Anyaso, State Director, NOA, Mrs Chibuogwu Edede, Chairman, NUJ, Victor Ndukwe, Chairman, CAN, Senior Apostle Emma Agomuo, Federal Information Officer, Mrs Gloria Abiakam and Chairman, State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Joseph Nwabeke among others.
The event which featured the decoration of the Deputy Governor, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu with the population insignia as an advocate of the National Population and Chairman of the Committee attracted the presence of top government officials and stakeholders in the population census exercise.
