The State Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Ebonyi State Command, Dr Elijah Etim Willie has charged National Population Commission to ensure diligence as they prepare to conduct national population census.
Commandant Willie gave this charge while interacting with the management team of Nigeria Population Commission, led by the Honorable Federal Commissioner, Ebonyi State, Dr Jeremiah Nwankwegu and the State Director, Mrs Eche A. N during a courtesy visit.
He especially extolled his spirit of gratitude for acknowledging the State Governor Rt Hon. Bldr Francis Nwifuru who recommend him for the exalted office, noting that gratitude begets gratitude
Commandant Willie reiterated the readiness of the Corps, under his command to diligently discharge it’s responsibilities, adding that the Corps will not hesitate to collaborate with the National Population Commission to achieve its mandate.
“Any country that values population figures would use the demographic indices to plan”
He commended the management team of the Commission for their excellent disposition, charging them to avail themselves of the opportunity of the forth coming census to fill the glaring gap in Nigeria demographic indices.
The security boss enthused that proper population figure would eliminate the squabble embedded in budgetary allocations across government offices.
In an address, the Federal Commissioner in the State Dr Jeremiah Nwankwegu, appreciated Commandant Willie for expeditiously harkening to their request for a courtesy visit. He observed that the impact on NSCDC is being felt in security circle across the country, while charging them to Keep the flag flying.
The Federal Commissioner who assumed duty in the state, barely five months ago, said he came to seek collaboration with the State Commandant, adding that the place of security cannot be wished away during the census
He stressed that the visit was part of strategic move to for necessary advocacy.
The commissioner stressed the role of the Commission to provide data for national bureau of statistics as well as register births, deaths or steal birth, migration and marriages.
He therefore solicited for deployment of some NSCDC personel to man their offices and operations.
He further buttressed the need for the populace to keep abreast of developments relating to the population census which he said has reached an advanced stage. According to him, the Commission is only waiting for presidential proclamation to hit the ground running as all necessary preparation has been concluded.
The national population census would be coming after about 18 years of the last exercise. This time around, the process and procedures would be fully digitized, the Commissioner said
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