Accurate data information is a critical resource that can be used by the government to improve innovations as well as deliver better service to its citizens.
This was stated by the commissioner for Finance Budget and Economic Planning, Hon. Asiwaju Idris during the occasion of the flag-off of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey ( MICS 6)/ National Immunisation Coverage Survey( NICS) in Lokoja
In his speech, Hon Idris welcomed the State officer and her team from the National Bureau of Statistics and other participants to the State
He said that the 2021 survey is conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in collaboration with the United Nations International Children Emergency Funds ( UNICEF) and National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) in Kogi State
The Commissioner who noted that the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey( MICS) is a household survey, said its purpose is to provide up-to-date data for assessing the situation of children and women in Nigeria and for monitoring socioeconomic activities. He also said the National Immunization Coverage Survey( NICS) is a household survey but designed to provide data on vaccination services
Emphasising the importance of data, the Commissioner said the survey will provide up to date information especially on the situation of women and children, contribute to the improvement of data monitoring system in Nigeria and provide data for SDGs reporting and the African Union Agenda 2063 monitoring as well as provide reliable data for immunization coverage of children aged 0- 47 months for both the basic vaccination and complimentary antigens among others
While assuring the team from the National Bureau of Statistics of their safety in the state, the Commissioner said the state government will provide all the necessary support for the successful completion of the exercise and the development of the state.
He used the medium to commend the governor, Alh. Yahaya Bello for providing a safe and enabling environment particularly for the exercise and also, for the wonderful leadership being provided in the state.
State officer of the National Bureau of Statistics Mrs. Esther Pwajok commended the contributions of the state government towards the development of statistics in the state
She stated that the National Bureau of Statistics is the apex body designed by the Federal Government and it is saddled with the responsibility of data collection for all statistical information required
Mrs. Pwajok who stated that the MICS survey is carried out every four years said the Covid 19 pandemic last year hindered the exercise and called on the people to cooperate with the enumerators to enable them to achieve the purpose of the survey
She said UNICEF is in charge of the survey and it’s mostly concerned about women and children. The survey will be conducted for children under five.
The eradication of Polio in Nigeria is a further attestation of the importance of accurate data information
While appealing to the State Government to provide them with mobility for easy movement, the State officer said the water level is high due to the rains and it may slow down their assignments
Also speaking at the event, the State Ag Statistician Gen. Mrs. Irewole Ayo Alani noted that the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey ( MICS 6)has been tried and it is a trusted survey that has been practiced in not less than hundred countries. She said although it was first used in Nigeria in 1995.
She said two teams are in the state and each team comprise of a supervisor and four interviewers
Speaking further, she said fifty(50)enumeration areas will be covered across the 21 local government areas and each of the team will cover 25 enumeration areas.
Mrs. Alani said in an enumeration area, which is also a cluster, 20 households will be covered and in all, 1000 households will be enumerated
Princess Funsho Sumanu
Public Relations Officer