Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra says residents of the state would be fully mobilised to participate in the national population census billed for next month.

This, Mr Soludo said, was to avoid the mistake of the last edition of the census where South-East residents refused to be counted.

The governor noted that the government used the opportunity of the campaigns ahead of the recent elections to send the message to the nooks and crannies of the state.

Mr Soludo made these declarations on Thursday when he inaugurated the Security/Logistics and Publicity sub-committees of the National Population Commission (NPC) in Anambra.

The governor, who was represented at the event by Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, said census was as crucial as election as it was a tool for effective governance which was the essence of the existence of government.

Communities, churches, civil societies organisations and other community-based stakeholders were encouraged to join in the planning and enlightenment efforts of the Federal and Anambra governments in the state.

Mr Soludo also directed all the state media channels to develop a message on the census which would be played before and after every news hour.

On his part, Chidi Ezeoke, Federal Commissioner representing Anambra in the NPC, said the sub-committees were imperative to the success of the national population and housing census in the State.

Mr Ezeoke assured that the Commission would deploy digital technology in the conduct of the census and no stone would be left unturned in its resolve to generate quality and internationally acceptable data for informed planning.

(NAN)