The National Population Commission has recorded a low attendance of Nigerians during its trial exercise.
The Federal Commissioner of NPC in Edo state, Dr Tony Aiyejina, disclosed this on Sunday, at a one-day capacity building workshop for journalists on effective reporting of the 2023 population and housing census held in Benin City.
The trial period serves as a preparation for the organisation, ahead of the national headcount schooled for March 29 – April 2.
Aiyejina disclosed the purpose of the seminar was to aid the level of publicity and public enlightenment on the coming exercise.
He noted the use of technology would be employed in the exercise without compromise.
He said, “The present Commission, leveraging on the administration’s approval and support, decided to conduct a digital census for the country, the first of its kind in Nigeria. It was a paradigm shift of epochal proportions, because all processes, before, during and after the census, will be conducted on digital platforms and devices.
He further disclosed Nigerians need to be educated and enlightened on this new way adopted in the execution of the exercise.
“That is why the media as the fourth estate of the realm will play a critical and pivotal role in this census project.
“This is the main reason for holding this capacity-building workshop for journalists. It will avail them the opportunity to understand basic concepts and methodology in census taking that will eventually result in effective reportage of the census,” he added.
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