The National Population Commission (NPC) says it has put everything in place to conduct the 2023 population and housing census but awaiting instructions from President Bola Tinubu to start the exercise.

Clifford Zirra, the NPC federal commissioner in Adamawa, disclosed this during an interactive session with a media executive on the status of preparations for the census on Wednesday in Yola.

According to the commissioner, Mr Tinubu has been satisfied with the level of achievement recorded by the commission.

He said the census was a vital exercise that significantly shaped the nation’s future.

“The commission welcomes the decision of the federal government on the postponement of the conduct of the census in order to give the new administration the opportunity to have input in the census process,” he said.

According to him, the postponement has also allowed the commission to further perfect its processes and systems for conducting the first-ever digital census.

Mr Zirra also disclosed that the commission had carried out all the necessary preparations towards the census, such as the enumeration area demarcation, the conduct of pre-tests and trials, the training of field staff, and the establishment of ICT infrastructure across the country, among other activities.

Abubakar Hamma-Adama, director of NPC in the state, appreciated the support and collaboration between the commission and media organisations during the preparation to date.

The commission has also commemorated the 2023 World Population Day with the theme “Unleashing the Power of Gender Equality: Uplifting the Voices of the Women and Girls to Unlock Our World’s Infinite Possibilities”. 

(NAN)