2023 CENSUS: ANAMBRA STAKEHOLDERS CALL FOR MORE AWARENESS

REPORTER: NDU NWANNAH

Stakeholders in Anambra State have reiterated the need to create adequate awareness at the grassroots to ensure the success of the 2023 National Population and Housing Census.

They made the call during the State Level Workshop on Compendium of Localities organized by the National Population Commission (NPC) at the Government House, Awka.

Addressing the gathering, the Secretary to the Anambra State Government, Professor Solo Chukwulobelu, said there was the need to adequately sensitize and mobilize the citizens to be involved in the census.

Represented by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Publicity, Mrs. Onyinye Edokwe, Professor Chukwulobelu, noted that the presentation of the compendium was necessary because collection and analysis of data were critical in the successful conduct of any census.

Delivering an address, the Federal Commissioner Representing Anambra State in the commission, Mr. Chidi Ezeoke, also explained that the Compendium of Localities was important in Census Dissemination, National Planning and Development.

Mr. Ezeoke noted that the involvement of the stakeholders in the census project was important to help in creating awareness in their communities.

The State Director of NPC, Dr. Joachim Ulasi, stressed that a good knowledge of the localities was important in the census, while urging the stakeholders to support the exercise.

The Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Anambra State, Mr. Charles Nwoji, pledged that the agency would utilize its platforms to disseminate appropriate information on the census.

The President of the Anambra State Association of Town Unions, Chief Titus Akpudo, expressed the willingness of the communities to collaborate with NPC in driving the progress of the assignment.

Contributing, the Head of Local Government Administration, Idemili North, Mrs. Rita Chike-Obuekwe, said the workshop would provide the platform for efficient data generation during the census.

In a message, the Administrative Secretary of INEC in Anambra State, Mr. Jude Okwuonu, noted that the success of the census would promote development in all sectors of the economy.

Highlight of the event was the presentation of the list of localities in the state by the Deputy Director, Cartography, NPC, Abuja, Mr. Jude Ezeoke; and other members of staff of the department.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU