World Population Day: NNPP Chieftain, Ajadi Tasks FG On Need For Regular Census

By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan

A South West Chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo on Saturday, tasked the Federal Government on the need to have regular census exercise so as to get adequate data for appropriate planning for the development of the country.

Ambassador Ajadi who gave the task in a statement to commemorate this year’s World Population Day said the day should be used to remember the need for adequate data for government to plan for the citizens.

He pointed out that the last time Nigeria had a population census was in 2006, and that since then, both the government and the populace have been using guess work in determining the country’s population.

” As we mark this year’s World Population Day, it is necessary to remind the Federal Government on the need to constantly conduct Population Census exercise for proper and adequate planning for the citizens and infrastructural provisions”, he said.

Ambassador Ajadi added, “It is sad that the last time the country has a well accepted Population Census exercise was in 2006. The Census put the population of Nigeria at 140,431,790 then.

” Since almost 20 years, nobody knows the country’s population. What we have been having is guess work. Not only do we need to know the country’s population figure but we need to know the various components as a guide for planning”.

Stressing that, “it is sad that government has been planning blindly,” he added that adequate data is a pillar of growth and development, saying no wonder Nigeria has not making progress in terms of development.

“No nation plan its development programmes without adequate data. Little wonder, the government at all levels have been planning blindly without adequate data resulting in underdevelopment.

“I hereby called on the Federal Government to place emphasis on planning with data and conduct Census exercise regularly.

Ambassador Ajadi noted, “This is a challenge for the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. We cannot continue to do things the same way and expect different results. Adequate Census data is essential for planning. The time to act is now”.