By Olukayode Idowu
The Nigeria’s 2023 Census received a major boost with the donation of Post Enumeration Survey (PES) Laptops to the National Population Commission (NPC) on Friday by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Presenting the 16 laptops, put at a cost of N2 million each to the Chairman of NPC, Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra, the Country Representative, UNFPA Nigeria, Ms Ulla Mueller said Census-taking is a priority national development activity worldwide that should be conducted at least decennially, insisting that: “Despite a seven years’ delay, the Nigeria 2023 Population and Housing Census is billed to be transformative in its agenda and process, buoyed by the extensive use of digital technology to ensure transparency and credibility as well as quality results.”
Mueller said: “The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is delighted to identify with the 2023 Census agenda, continuously providing an enabling environment to ensure that it is embedded in the SDGs framework, ICPD goals, Agenda 2063 and the Nigerian national development vision – all of which emphasize the dire need for up-to-date data pertaining to individual circumstances and ensure that we Leave No One Behind in making key decisions.
“As the Lead global partner, UNFPA brings to the Nigeria 2023 Census high level technical expertise, experience, comparative advantages in operational intelligence and best practices collated from decades of work in more than 150 countries.”
She noted that with the availability of the PES laptops Nigeria’s 2023 Census is bound to meet the global best standard and present the country and indeed the world with a tool needed for development.
She said: “I’m aware that NPC has already put the right structures and work programme in place and are farther along in the process to ensure the successful implementation of the PES as well. Nigeria 2023 Census needs a good PES. It is to be understood that the PES, just like the Census, will be transformational – fully digital and employ methodological and technological innovations to guarantee quality and timely results, and conducted up to international standards.”
The Chairman of NPC, who expressed appreciation for the gift, said: “The presentation of these laptops today not only further affirms the importance of the PES to the entire Census process, but also reaffirms the UNFPA’s commitment towards the success of the 2023 Post Enumeration Survey (PES) and the 2023 Population and Housing Census (PHC) at large.” He added that: “I am delighted to receive with thanks and appreciation the gift of these 16 (sixteen) Laptops and Accessories from the UNFPA under the very able leadership of the UNFPA Resident Representative to Nigeria, Ms. Ulla Elizabeth Mueller in support of the 2023 Post Enumeration Survey (PES). I wish to assure you that these laptops will be put to effective use towards executing the agenda of the 2023 PES.”
