FROM IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY
Nigeria has been projected to become the third most populous country in the world after India and China by the year 2050 with the present growth rate.
This was disclosed in Benin city by the Honourable Federal Commissioner National Population Commission Edo State, Doctor Tony Aiyejina at the inauguration ceremony of ‘The Edo State Census Security and Logistics Committee. ‘
Dr Aiyejina , said that, there is no gainsaying the fact that the country is much overdue for a census, seventeen years after the last one was conducted. The present administration under the leadership of President Muhammad Buhari (GCFR), must be commended for seizing the bull by the horns and taking the bold decision to conduct a census for our dear country, Nigeria.
He said, “ it has often been said, that next to war, census is the most expensive, demanding, challenging and daunting peacetime activity. This is underscored by the humongous number of personnel and materials to be deployed for the census. This gigantic number will involve moving men and materials across the nooks and crannies of the state during the conduct of the census. “
“We have to protect our men and materials during the census, hence the need to seek for the assistant of all our security agencies, because the National Population Commission cannot do it alone”.
Dr. Aiyejina told the security chiefs in attendance that “the Census, being a national assignment, demands that every one should join hands to make it successfull even as the commission is leaving no stone untouched towards achieving a successful outing.”
The honorable commissioner said , in the
face of the security challenges currently bedeviling the country, I want to salute the gallantry and sacrifices of Officers and Men of our security services, (some of whom have paid the ultimate price).
Aiyejina appealed to Enigies, Community leaders and everyone in the state to cooperate with the enumerators who will be moving around to carry out their duties as their cooperation will enhance success of the census.
Dr Aiyejina also appealed to the media to help educate and enlighten Nigerians on new ways of census taking ahead of the conduct of the exercise. He stated that all the materials are safe as they have been tested to be in good conditions by experts.