Eyitayo Oyetunji, the federal commissioner of the National Population Commission in Oyo, says the NPC is committed to conducting a credible and acceptable census.

He gave the pledge Wednesday in Ibadan during the ‘Oyo State Stakeholders Summit on the 2023 Population and Housing Census-Get Involved’.

The NPC organised the workshop to broaden the support base for the successful conduct of the 2023 census in Oyo.

Mr Oyetunji commended the Oyo government for its support during the trial census, reiterating the NPC’s resolve to conduct a credible census that citizens would accept.

He said the stakeholders’ engagement was more necessary given the need to use digital methodology for the conduct of the census.

“The need to engage all stakeholders is made even more paramount in view of the digital methodology which has resulted in the deployment of the latest relevant technology for the census,” stated the NPC commissioner. “The commission is set to conduct a fully digital census that is transformational and that will incorporate geo-referenced census data to meet the best international standards.”

He added, “It will provide the data needed for the development aspirations of our nation.”

Mr Oyetunji said without buy-in from critical stakeholders, all technical efforts would be in vain, imploring them to all get involved. He solicited the support of the state government in creating a platform for clarification and toward the successful conduct of the census.

Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal commended the NPC for sensitising the people and involving all stakeholders, saying such was a right step in the right direction.

“This sensitisation workshop being conducted by the National Population Commission is a step in the right direction to really wake our people up to the challenges of census,” Mr Lawal stated. “Get us in the right mood, the right template, so that when we go into the national census, we will be aware of the importance of national census figures.”

The deputy governor pledged the government’s readiness to support the commission in conducting a credible census.

“Whatever we need to do as a state, we must do to complement the efforts of the national population commission,” he said.

In their goodwill messages, stakeholders commended the commission for its efforts so far. They called on the commission to conduct a successful census and ensure accurate data to help the nation plan well.

(NAN)