Anambra Traditional Rulers, Other Stakeholders Promise Full Support To Ensure Success Of 2023 National Census
By Nneka Anoliefo
Awka, October 25th,2022.
Traditional Rulers in Anambra State and other stakeholders have promised to do all they can to ensure that the 2023 National Census becomes a success.
The traditional rulers expressed their commitment at a Stakeholders Summit on the 2023 Population and Housing Census, organized by the National Population Commission, NPC,
in collaboration with Anambra State government, at the Professor Dora Akunyili Women Development Center, Awka.
The Chairman, Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, who is also the traditional ruler of Onitsha, Obi Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, who stated this in his Goodwill message, complained about how some enumerators posted to the state in previous census refused to do their jobs unless their conditions were met.
These conditions include provision of Accommodation, feeding and other logistics, noting that in such a dilemma, communities had to bear the costs.
Obi Achebe also highlighted three challenges that can inhibit accurate census to include porous borders movement of persons during the exercise as well as transportation of Census officials.
He urged the Commission to correct the anomalies ahead of the exercise.
The State Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs Mr Collins Nwabunwanne, in his remarks, promised to spread the message to all the 21 local government Areas in the state as a way of mobilizing, sensitizing and educating the people for them to avail themselves the the exercise, to be counted.
The Honourable Federal Commissioner, National Population Commission, Anambra state, Mr Chidi Ezeoke, in his Address, described the support from Governor Chukwuma Soludo as consistent and a Source of inspiration to the Commission to deliver a digital credible and accountable Census.
He enumerated the objectives of the workshop to include creating Awareness on the conduct of the 2023 Population and Housing Cencus, as well as its imperatives, Methodogy and time line, to promote robust and informed conversation on the processes and procedures among others.
In his Goodwill message the State Director, National Orientation Agency, NOA, Barr. Charles Nwoji, explained that if their campaign is consistent, continuous, Widespread and timely, the authorities would tackle the foundation of resistance, stigma, marginalization and misconception that prevent the people from full participation especially Women, youths and the vulnerable who reside in the rural areas.
Other traditional rulers who commended the National population Commission for organizing the Stakeholders meeting were Igwe Christopher Okpala of Akwaeze, Igwe Pius Omachonu of Olumbanasaa, Igwe Joel Egwuonwu of Umuawulu, and Igwe Okeke of Nawfija among so many others.
They promised to extend the sensitization to their communities and subjects to encourage them to participate fully and be counted.
