2023 Census: Deputy Gov chairs Advocacy, Logistics Committee

Gombe State Deputy Governor, Manasseh Daniel Jatau, is to chair the state’s Advocacy and Logistics Committee for the 2023 national census exercise.

The Deputy Governor, who inaugurated the committee in his office on behalf of the governor, Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, said the duty of the committee is to enlighten, sensitize and get the buy in of residents of the state to understand, co–operate, participate and assist in any way for the successful conduct of the census in the month of May 2023.

He told the committee members that their assignment will require the sacrifice of their time, energy and resources to be able to succeed. He added that the government had confidence in them, hence their appointment.

According to the Deputy Governor, even though census predates the biblical era, events and happenings in the society today necessitate the need for census in a nation more than ever.

He said,“the essence of census is to provide essential information about the socio economic variables of a population. Nigeria is no exception, and so the compelling need for a reliable, credible and successful census that will help in planning for not just the citizens but the residents in our various domains becomes imperative as the nation desires to attain development.

“Much as the digital census is most likely to eliminate previous bottlenecks such as political, religious and cultural sentiments associated with accurate census in the country over the years, we should note that it is human beings that control and sometimes manipulate these machines that were meant for ease of carrying out task, with great precision”.

The Committee’s terms of reference include; to carry out wide public enlightenment and sensitisation campaign on the 2023 National Population and Housing Census, devise and implement effective strategies to assist the National Population Commission (NPC) produce accurate and reliable census data, and recommend reasonable and affordable logistics and security assistance to be extended to the National Population Commission.

It is also to supervise, monitor, guide and give directions to Local Governments Publicity and Logistics Committees, as well as to recommend/carry out any other activity that will assist the NPC in realising its over-reaching  vision to produce accurate, reliable and acceptable data of the state.

Membership of the committee include, Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General, Zubairu Mohammad Umar who is to serve as Deputy Chairman.

Other members are: Speaker of the House of Assembly, Abubakar Muhammed Luggerewo; Commissioners of Information, Meshach Audu Lauco; Commissioner for Finance, Muhammad Gambo Magaji; Commissioner for Local Government, Hon. Ibrahim Dasuki Jalo, and Commissioner for Internal Security and Ethical Orientation, Adamu Dishi Kupto.

Others are, the Special Adviser on Project Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation, Prof. Namala Keftin Amuga, Director- General, Civil Service Reforms Commission, Alhaji Yusuf Dauda Kaltungo; Chairman, Board of Internal Revenue, Alhaji Salisu Baba Alkali; Dr. Maijama’a Usman as well as the Executive Secretary, Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Alhaji Sa’adu Hassan.

The state ALGON Chairman, Alhaji Ali Usman and the state Director, National Population Commission, Gombe, Mr. Jude Maigari also made list of the members while the duo of Muhammad Usman Shanu, and Bala Sarki are to serve as secretaries respectively.