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Frontline pro-democracy civil society organizations on monday converged in Abuja to review the level preparedness the National Population Commission and Nigerians over the forth coming population census exercise which was tentatively slated for this year.
“Rising from an expanded emergency meeting of (12) Civil Society Organizations coordinated by the Save Nigeria Movement (SNM) Convener of the group and Human Rights activists Rev Solomon Semaka while briefing media noted the commitment of the National Population Commission to a highly successful census exercise driven almost 100% by technology and supported by most advanced census tools and equipment ” the group was reacting to calls by some sponsored elements to mobilize phantom protests against the commission for simply performing their statutory role in line with the statue establishing the commission”
” The commission is empowered under the law to organize, manage and conduct census and head count including with choice of dates once the commission gets the node of the president ”
Our independent findings reveal that this is exactly what the commission has followed which has earned her the confidence of Mr President and Nigerians so far”
As more Nigerians become aware, the census exercise is long over due based on the United Nations standards and it is not in doubt that the current leadership of the National Population Commission had consistently demonstrated the commitment to ensure that the long overdue census is conducted and done within record time” so that Mr President will finish strong and well.
“Despite the push by the Isa Kwarra led commission to have this very important national exercise, a lot of factors may be involved in the delay. ”
Some these challenges, the organization noted according to findings included , funding, insecurity, and the 2023 general elections ”
“Just as election management is strictly in the hands of INEC so is the power of conducting census exclusively in the hands of the commission ” the application of funds, choice of template, guidelines and the dates as well everything involved in the conduct of National population excercise is the sole responsibility of the commission”
“As leading frontline pro-democracy groups that have been involved in monitoring governance at the highest levels, we appreciate the commission for the proactive efforts and for her effective and transparent utilisation of limited resources which in all honesty are not enough for the exercise ”
“We must commend the ingenuity of the Isa Kwarra led commission for judicious application of little funds available for the purpose of the forthcoming census ” the group said, it was shocked but impressed with how much the commission has achieved with staggered approvals and urged it to sustain the tempo.
Also reacting to media insinuations that there was a deliberate plot to postpone the forthcoming census so as to frustrate the process describe such allegations as laughable and knee jerk activism insisting such thinking stands logic on its head ”
” How can the same commission that has suffered total neglect over the years to get attention to perform her statutory roles suddenly mount deliberate roadblocks in it’s own path when it has eventually managed to get the support of Mr President? Rev Semaka queried. This doesn’t add up.
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“Is it not the same commission that pulled efforts together to attract technical support and foreign donations for the success of the forthcoming census? It makes no sense at all to turn back and blame the same people who within record time have convinced Mr President to approve of the very important exercise ”
The group insisted that census is more critical than elections and urged Nigerians to approach it with the seriousness it deserves and shun divisive and retrogressive tactics of fifth columnists”
“Without an effective census, true development will continue to be a mirage and our findings indicate that the Alh Isa Kwarra led commission has received assurances from the president to support this very important exercise before the administration winds up ”
Further justifying the need for the postponement of the census earlier slated for this March and April, the groups insisted that the Postponement in the general elections made it imminent for the commission to readjust given the importance it placed on the outcome of the census exercise” and we commend the commission for her flexibility, ingenuity and swift actions to protect the integrity of the census process”
In another reaction on likely postponement of the census exercise, the Conference Of Harmonized Civil Society Organizations (CHSCO) maintained that the commission was within rights and powers and have demonstrated capacity beyond doubt and subsequently moved a motion for a vote of confidence on the commission for implementing an excellent agenda in line with the desire of Mr President and wishes of Nigerians to be counted ”
The groups jointly as a mark of support for the success of the census said, it was satisfied so far with stakeholder engagements and preparations pioneered across the length and breath of the country and beyond to ensure a reliable and successful census exercise ”
“Accordingly, we urge the people of Nigeria to show and sustain moral support for the president and the commission to end well without distractions for the future of Nigeria ”
“No matter what people will say, there’s no stakeholder engagement by the commission that doesn’t seek views of everyone including the traditional institutions and, labour unions and students groups. I can assure you that every decision taken by the commission is done so after wide consultation under the leadership of the Isa Kwarra led commission ” Go and verify! This census exercise we are talking about, go and find out the level of stakeholder involvement including the civil society, so I do not know where the commission has gone wrong” Nigerians should simply remain focused on the future the statement added.
The group while commending the minister of national planing ,Mr Jeddy Agba and the president made a case for timely release of budgeted funding to avoid unnecessary pressure and confrontation and blackmail by faceless organizations and their enablers ” this will help the federal government to end well as planned.
“The preparedness for the forthcoming census from all indications is by far the most reliable and transparent driven fully by technology tools and it is the single most important exercise for Nigeria and Nigerians ”
” The group further commended the international community especially UNPFA and others who have confirmed their satisfaction in the preparedness of the commission so far at different fora of consultations”
The CSOs also said it would continue to share informative and educational literature on the forthcoming census to market women artisans and ordinary Nigerians so as to avoid unnecessary misinformation and sensionalisation of the national exercise.
