*FG must deliver credible, acceptable census- Elumelu
The 2023 population and housing census has a funding gap of N327.2b which is equivalent to $709.9m.
The federal government has so far committed N291.5 billion ($632m) to the Census. This is just 46% of total funding for the Census.
The total amount required to enable the census to hold including post Census activities is said to be N869 billion ($1.88b).
On the other hand, Census requirement is N626b ($1.36b) which is about $6 per capita, just slightly above the threshold of up to $5 per capita. Post-Census -up to 2025, require – N243b ($527m).
The Minister of State Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba, disclosed this at the high level partner engagement to galvanise support for the 2023 population and housing census, in Abuja, Monday.
The United Nation Population Fund (UNFPA) is the key partner in the effort to ensure that 2023 population and housing census hold.
The Minster disclosed that funds were appropriated for the Census in 2021/2022, noting that the Census was initially planned for 2022, but was moved to 2023, after the elections.
He, however, disclosed that some key activities have been completed and processes set up towards the 2023 population and housing Census.
Some of them, he said, include demarcation of 773 Local Government Areas into enumeration areas for the Census. Only Abadam LGA is yet to be demarcated. A hybrid enumeration strategy has been use to demarcate the LGA; conduct of First & Second Census Pretests, as well as Trial Census; mapping of special populations and compilation of Historical Events Calendar to aid accurate collection of age data during the Census and set up of a robust Data Quality and Monitoring & Evaluation structure for the Census.
Other activities that have been conclude, he said, are the development of e-Recruitment system to ensure transparency, fairness, and inclusivity in the recruitment process; set up of a Census Call Centre and Situation Room; conduct of the Trial Post Enumeration Survey; convening of a Stakeholder’s Conference at the National and State levels and a Donor’s Breakfast Meeting in collaboration with UNFPA and development of a comprehensive Publicity and Advocacy Strategy.
Other are the training of more than 60,000 facilitators at National, Zonal levels and State level; training of more than 10,000 Specialized Workforce, Centre Managers and Monitoring and Evaluation Officers and inauguration of Census Security & Logistics, and Census Publicity Committee at the National level. Inauguration at State and LGA levels ongoing.
Speaking, the Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Hon Nasir Isa Kwarra, assured that the Federal Government will provide adequate security in all parts of the country to ensure the activity is hitch-free.
According to him, just like the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) did during the presidential election, it was able to conduct elections despite the security challenges.
“During the census, we are bringing together all the security agencies including the military, Air force, Navy, the police and other paramilitary agencies.
“Right from the time we commenced the enumeration area demarcation, they gave full coverage in all parts of the country.
“Except for Abadam local government area in Borno State, we had made a move to go in and somehow they got information, they thought it was the security agencies that were going in there, they started attacking people, luckily our people have not reached there, we decided to stay back. We could not do physical enumeration demarcation in Abadam, so we have to deployed technology.
“In addition to Abadam, there are a few local government areas like in Birnin Gwari, we could not do the entire local government, so we are using the hyhrid technology there as well as some few local governments in Zamfara state.
“This hybrid technology is as good as the physical process. We have physical map of Abadam.
We are using hybrid technology for areas that are hard to reach.”
The applauded the donors, especially, the UNFP for joining hands with the Federal Government in realizing the dream of providing the needed demographic data that would ensure rapid development of the country.
On his part, the Chairman of Elumelu Foundation, Chief Tony Elumelu, charge the private sector to provide the needed support to the federal government to ensure the success of the population and Housing Census which, according to him, will ensure rapid development of the country.
He insisted that the task before the NPC is to deliver a census that is acceptable to all.
“Census is very important. It will enable us to know our numbers, our demography and our profile.
“Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa with an estimated population of over 200 million.
“The last time census was done in Nigeria was in 2006. In that year, we recorded a population of 140 million people.
“It is projected that this our 200 million population could grow to over 400 million in year 2050. This could make Nigeria the third most populous country in the world.
“For me, this task is critical and very important for our country’s future. If we don’t know out population, we cannot properly plan for the future and we cant talk about our society’s growth. Therefore, credible demographic data is of profound importance for the public and private sector alike.
“As a private sector player with investment in key sectors of the economy and with the work we do at El;umelu Foundation in empowering young entreprenuers and building their entreprenuers capacity in our continent, I understand first hand the value of available, accessible, credible and accurate data to make informed decisions and in driving development and creating opportunities.
“The upcoming census is very key in our nation’s development as it provides opportunity to collect accurate and reliable data on our country; population and housing which will serve as tool for policy makers, private sector and civil society organisatrions.
“The census will affect how we allocate resources and so many other important issues. It is important that it is credible.
“Nigeria’s population estimates and demographic profile are unclear and projections which are debatable.”
While lamenting that population figures in Nigeria have been politicized, the business mogul said: “Population figures have been used for revenue distribution, office allotments, legislative representation and power and even elections. The stakes are therefore high for different interest groups.
“We, therefore, need to act for our nation as a whole and our next generation by ensuring we get credible outcome.
“The challenge before the National Population Commission, therefore, is to conduct, the census that meets the public acceptable criteria.
“It must therefore, be credible, transparent, viable, accessible and universal coverage. A credible exercise and outcome should be a source of pride and a demonstration of our capacity as a country.
“The government, therefore, faces a herculean task of conducting a census in a time frame that may be consider very tight given the proximity of the census and our current political climate.”
The UNFPA Country Representative in Nigeria, Ms Ulla Mueller, commended the effort of the federal government to hold the population and housing census despite daunting challenges.
She reiterated that census is necessary for the development of any society, according to her, with accurate data, planning will be difficult
She explained that the need for credible census cannot be over emphesised, stressed that, without accurate data, decisions are made in the dark without accuracy.
The high level engagement was highly attended by stakeholders including captains of industry, bank executives, heads of UN agencies and many others.
Xxxxc
Oyebanji restates commitment to improved health care facilities
From John Silas
Governor, Oyebanji has reiterated the commitment of his administration towards ensuring comprehensive renovation of all government hospitals across the state.
The Governor disclosed this when he paid an unscheduled visit to the General Hospital, Ilawe-Ekiti.
He said his administration embarked on the renovation of all health facilities in the state in order to ensure effective health care delivery system in the state.
Governor Oyebanji, who was conducted round the hospital complex by the Chief Medical Director, Dr Oladimeji Ashafa; expressed dissatisfaction over the current state of the Ilawe hospital. He, however, said he was happy that he came to see the situation by himself, adding that regular inspection of facilities and projects across the state would be a major feature of his administration.
He urged the workers in the hospital not to be discouraged by the physical structure, assuring them that the hospital would be captured in the next phase of the hospital renovation project, which he said was being done in phases.
He also called on prominent Ekiti indigenes across the state to contribute their quotas in ensuring the well being of government facilities in their localities.
The Governor, who made a personal donation of a 7.5kva generating set to the hospital to boost its services and bring about effective service delivery, assured that the hospital would get a facelift very soon as it was bound to be captured in the subsequent phase of hospital renovation exercise.
Addressing the staff of the hospital after the inspection, Mr Oyebanji commended them for their perseverance, commitment and dedication to their duty in spite of the challenges of dilapidated facilities and structures in the hospital.
“I have seen the situation at this General Hospital, Ilawe Ekiti, I am not happy about it but it is good that I have come, we will go back and see what we can do. Renovation of hospitals has started and it is an ongoing project. Inspecting facilities is going to be a permanent feature of my administration, I want to see things for myself.
“I don’t want you to be discouraged and don’t want you to despair because you are dealing with lives, you may not like this situation, it would have been worse than this if you were not here. I want you to be encouraged and as a government, we would support you. And I will also talk to prominent indigenes of this town to do something about the facility here.” He said.
Also, addressing some residents of the town, the Governor assured them that the road from Ilawe to Ikere Ekiti would be revisited as his government has begun the process to mobilize the contractors handling the project to site.
He also assured youths in the state that government would soon inaugurate programmes that would empower them calling on them to key into the programme aimed to cut across party lines.
Earlier, the Governor had also paid an unscheduled visit to the Technical College, Igbara Odo, where he inspected ongoing renovation of the school. He said his administration would boost vocational education and make it attractive to the citizens as one of the pathways to entrepreneurship.
Xxxxx
Feb. 25 Polls: Northern states civil society networks rate INEC Low
From Maduabuchi Nmeribeh, Kano
The Conference of Northern States Civil Society Networks has said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) performed below expectation in the last presidential and National Assembly elections across the country.
They tasked the electoral umpire to brace up to the challenges and perform better during Saturday’s governorship and state Assembly elections in Nigeria.
The Conference regretted that most Nigerians were not satisfied after the conduct of February 25 elections by INEC.
Addressing Journalists at Tahir Guest Palace, Kano, Chairman of the Conference, Ambassador Ibrahim A. Waiya stated that, “the presidential and National Assembly elections conducted on the 25th February by INEC has fallen short of the standard of all elections practices and ethics.”
According to him, “INEC has raised so much credibility question on its name and created doubt on the minds of Nigerians regarding INEC preparedness to conduct free, fair, credible and acceptable elections in Nigeria.”
He, however, expressed happiness that, “timely distribution of electoral materials especially to LGAs offices were really commendable. Quick responses to BVAS issues on the election day were also impressive. The Election was on a general assessment peaceful.
“The Nigerian security agencies like EFCC, DSS, NDLEA, NSCDC, Nigeria Police Force had performed wonderfully well in ensuring peaceful polls during presidential and national Assembly elections, and that they would continue with the work in the next elections.”
Waiya said it was unfortunate that, “the elections were highly polarized along religion and ethnicity.”
The Conference noted that, “compliance with the provisions of Electoral Act 2022 must be observed to ensure electoral credibility in Nigeria
“Electoral offenders of any kind must be punished under the laws of the country to discourage others from perpetrating electoral offences again in Nigeria
“Those found in the act of intimidating and suppressing voters at polling units must be made to face the wrath of the law no matter how highly placed they are
“The impunity of the state governors during elections must be addressed to checkmate their overbearing interference in elections
“It is imperative for INEC to review all evidence of electoral malpractices presented before the commission in the interest of peace and security as
“Political party and party processes must be reformed to tackle issues of money bags and Godfatherism in Nigeria’s politics. Where the political parties fail to get it right, it is absolutely impossible for Nigeria to get its general election right
“Issue-based campaigns must be encouraged rather than identity sentiment along religion and ethnicity
EFCC should continue with their good work to reduce the commercialization of the electoral process through vote buying and selling.”
Waiya regretted that, “the conduct of the 2023 Presidential and National Assembly elections were poor, especially with the attitude of the commission to ditch result transmission from polling units across the country.
“This singular act has given room for suspicion of human interference and manipulation of results and could prune the will of the people as freely expressed at the poll.”
Further speaking during the Press Conference entitled: “The Conduct of Elections and the question of integrity,” Waiya said: “The 25th February, 2023 Presidential and National Assembly elections had keenly generated a lot of attention from within and outside the country.
“However, this may not be unconnected on how Nigeria is strategically positioned as the largest democracy in Africa.
“Many organizations both local and international had passionately observed the conduct of the elections, especially the local organizations who have been on ground and have been following the trend since the release of the elections timetable.
“Many civil society organizations had observed the conduct of the elections across the 774 Local Government Areas in the country.
“While in some states there were other complementary efforts such as hosting of the election situation room which were focused on data collation and analysis, as well as quick response mechanism to address emerging issues such as what was obtained in Kano State
“Although there were many assurances from the Independent National Electoral Commission before the conduct of the elections, on its preparedness to conduct free, fair, credible and transparent elections.
“Unfortunately, what was witnessed during the conduct of the presidential elections on the 25th Feb. fell below the high expectation of the Nigerians, who had have the high hope more than before, to witness a historic elections in the country. This could be evidently justified by the number of Nigerians that registered as voters numbering to more than eighty five million, all as eligible voters who could participate in the elections.
“It is however unfortunate that, the number of Nigerians that participated in the last elections of 25th Feb. were apparently not happy with the outcome of the elections especially as the elections were massively characterized by many irregularities. Although some of the shortcomings that marred the conduct of the elections, could be summarized into pre, during and post elections.
“The undemocratic tendencies played out during the pre-election phase, which bordered on lack of internal democracy in the political parties processes that produced the candidates of major parties, had an over spelling effects on the conduct of the general election.
“For instance, the commercialization of the party elections that produced candidates at the primaries, had institutionalized vote-buying which eventually translated and resurfaced in the general election. In addition to the above, the violence that also accompanied the campaign activities which were turned bloody in some states, such as Kano, and some other parts of the country.
“These ugly practices therefore transcended into mass electoral violence in a number of places during the presidential election.”
