Health
NPC Charges New Commissioners To Advance Census, Birth Registration
The National Population Commission (NPC) has urged its newly inaugurated federal commissioners to strengthen preparations for Nigeria’s next population census and improve birth registration nationwide.
NPC Chairman, Dr Aminu Yusuf, gave the charge in Abuja during the assumption of office ceremony for seven newly inaugurated federal commissioners.
The commissioners were formally inaugurated by President Bola Tinubu at a meeting of the Federal Executive Council before assuming duties at the commission.
Yusuf, represented by the Commissioner representing Bayelsa, Mrs Vivian Izonfuo, said the new commissioners were taking office at a critical period in Nigeria’s demographic development.
“My dear colleagues, your inauguration today comes at a critical period when the demand for accurate and reliable population data is greater than ever.
“As the commission continues to strengthen the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics system and prepares for the next census, your wealth of experience will be invaluable in supporting the realisation of these objectives for greater service delivery,” he said.
The chairman welcomed the commissioners representing Sokoto, Kwara, Bauchi, Ekiti, Zamfara, Jigawa and Katsina states into the commission’s leadership.
He said their appointments reflected President Tinubu’s confidence in their competence, experience and commitment to national service.
Yusuf described the NPC as a strategic institution with constitutional responsibility for conducting population and housing censuses, civil registration and demographic surveys.
According to him, the commission serves as the principal adviser to the President on population-related matters and provides critical data required for national planning and sustainable development.
“The data and statistics generated by the commission provide a critical foundation for evidence-based policymaking, equitable resource allocation, infrastructure planning and the efficient delivery of social and economic services across the country.
“Consequently, the commission’s work remains indispensable to informed governance and the achievement of Nigeria’s development objectives,” he said.
Yusuf expressed confidence that the expertise and dedication of the new commissioners would further strengthen the commission’s capacity to deliver on its constitutional mandate.
Responding on behalf of the commissioners, Mr Isiaka Yahaya, representing Kwara , pledged their commitment to supporting the commission’s programmes and enhancing its national relevance.
He said the commissioners had familiarised themselves with the commission’s achievements and challenges before assuming office.
“We are coming here well informed, not only of the numerous achievements the commission has recorded, but also some of the core challenges that you are facing.
“This is a very important national institution that deserves the support of every Nigerian and every government because we deal with information that has to do with the daily activities and welfare of the people of Nigeria,” he said.
Yahaya assured the management and staff of the commissioners’ readiness to work collaboratively toward achieving the commission’s constitutional mandate.
He reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to strengthening birth registration and generating quality demographic data to support national development.
“The goal is to work harder to make NPC relevant to sustainable development in Nigeria and to ensure that birth registration is strengthened so that every Nigerian child is given a proper identity.
“We intend to continue to generate data that will be relevant to sustainable development and we call on all Nigerians to support NPC,” he said.
Yahaya added that the commission was established by the constitution to serve Nigerians and provide data-driven guidance for national development.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Abiemwense Moru