Expectations of census 2006
Sunday, Mar 19, 2006

Census 2006 has become a topical issue in cities, communities and even among families in Nigeria, which has a long history of census.
The first ever census in Nigeria was conducted in Lagos in 1866 and was preceded by the 1871 and 1896 censuses which were also restricted to Lagos Island and parts of the mainland.
In 1901, 1911 and 1921, other censuses followed but again these only averred some urban towns in the Lagos colony and Lagos itself. The 1952/53 census was elaborate but unacceptable for fear of double counting because of its non-simultaneity.
The first post independence census was in 1962 and was outrightly cancelled and another conducted in 1963, which figures became official until 1991. Before 1991, census was conducted in 1973 but the results were declared unacceptable due to massive inaccuracies, thus the 1991 census became the first to break the myth of failed censuses in Nigeria.
*The 2006 census is important, because it is a population and housing census and the fact that accurate census is vital to the development of any nation cannot be over-emphasized.
To this end, President Olusegun Obasanjo has said that the time had come for a change as it was embarrassing for any nation looking to achieve greatness, stability, growth and sustainable development to be without an acceptable population figure.

President Obasanjo stated that with the giant strides the country is making in all spheres of development, Nigerians must make the census a priority. “Good governance under a democratic dispensation must be data driven”, he said. He further said the preparation for the 2006 census is a major step in the effort to launch Nigeria into the era of successful censuses devoid of lingering controversies and tension. He pointed to the fact that acceptable headcount must be fair and transparent and as such, advised all personnel involved in “Census 2006” to be diligent.
The Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Chief Samila Danko Makama, has given indications that all parameters for an accurate census have been put in place including the translation and publication of the questionnaire into 14 different Nigerian languages to remove doubts that might arise by the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation.
In Rivers State, the Federal Commissioner of NPC, Mr. Bello Abubakar Wudil says already 27,056 personnel have been engaged for the smooth running of the exercise. He also said all controversies of the past have been taken care of because this time everyone is involved, unlike in the past.
People have been advised not to migrate but to stay in their usual places of abode but there is the fear that this might not be possible in view of the two days public holidays that is being declared by the Federal Government.
The NPC commissioner, Mr. Wudil was however, optimistic that the Census 2006 which kicks off on 21st March, to end on 25th March, 2006 will be transparent as he asseted that the nature of the exercise put everybody as a stakeholder, emphasising that scientific methods are being employed.
So far, N40 billion have been earmarked for the exercise, with the Federal Government of Nigeria contributing half and other partner agencies as EU and UNDP contributing the other half, have been expended, according to Mr. Wudil. He explained that the people of Rivers State would respond by co-operating with the enumerators.
Who is to be counted? Mr. Wudil says everyone who resides in Rivers State, including foreigners, the destitute, the blind, the deaf and dumb. Even lunatics will be counted, so what about you?
The State Director, National Orientation Agency, Chief Andy Nweye says the state is on course and is fully prepared for the census. He explained that the shortcomings that were experienced in the past are not peculiar to Rivers State and that they have been taken care of. Chief Nweye appealed for the usual Rivers warm hospitality to the enumerators.
He advised that no one should try bribing the enumerators to be counted twice but to receive them warmly and accommodate them, even going the extra mile of providing food for them.
He appealed that everyone living in Rivers State should stay in Rivers State and be counted here in order not to frustrate the efforts of the government of Nigeria. “Everybody living in Rivers State should be counted in Rivers State, it is not by force but by conviction and you must realise the importance”, he concluded.
“From what we have seen of the sensitisation programmes of the government, I would say Rivers State is ready”, so says Dr. Ibanibo Frank Briggs of the Department of Petroleum Resources, NNPC.
He said wanting to be counted in one’s own community would make them travel, “but that’s not right”. He foresees that this problem would linger for a long time unless the issue was adequately addressed by government. He said that the fuss about the non-inclusion of religion and ethnicity in the questionnaire was uncalled for a government has its reasons for, not including those parameters. “I’m sure it’s in the best interest of the nation”, he concluded. Dr. N.B. Anokari, Director of International Institute of Journalism is determined to be counted, he says, “even if we are not well prepared we can not stay away, we must partake in the census”, explaining that the results will aid adequate planning in future. He says he is not against the idea of completely leaving out religion and ethnicity in the questionnaire.
These two parameters have been the major cause for concern all over the world. He is optimistic that this time around the exercise would be better because there has been improvement in the quality of enlightenment and equipment. He said it would be unfair for anyone to travel from his place of residence. In any case, he said the urge to travel was old-fashion and enjoined Nigerians to wake up to modern times.
On the performance of the press, Dr.Godwin Okon, Lecturer at Rivers State University of Science and Technology, said the press had done very well in the dissemination of information. It has also pointed out pitfalls with a view to correcting them. He said the grey areas had also been tidied up because of the attention they got from the press.
In all these there is still a dark spot in the silver sky. We received reports from enumerators and facilitators who chose to remain anonymous that they had not been treated fairly. They complained of accommodation and non-payment of their allowances.
Some members of the partner agencies have also reported that some local government Chief Executives had not been very co-operative.
Mr. Joel Ade, a civil servant expressed shock that inspite of the publicity and enlightenment campaigns, people at the grassroots do not seem to understand what is going on and as such are not so interested. Some see it as another political gimmick to waste time and money as well as a distraction from other important issues.
Mr. Isaac Saloka, a Director in the Ministry of Environment said that no matter what was being said, people would still travel to their places of origin and this would greatly distort the demographic figures that would be obtained. He advised, “you don’t put pressure on the infrastructures in Port Harcourt and now move to your village to be counted there”. Such people don’t deserve to come back to live in Rivers State,” he said. Mr. Saloka also stated that the citizenry do not have any clue as to what questions to expect, explaining that this could pose a bit of a problem. He concluded emphatically, “I must be counted for it is important, and it is my civic responsibility.”
Miss Rita Paul of Government Girls Secondary School, Oromineke says she doesn’t yet understand the full import of what census is, but would surely stay to be counted at her residence here in Port Harcourt. She said she appreciates govern-ment’s effort and must contribute her quota by being counted and prayed God to sustain the state’s leadership. She also said she needed to have prior knowledge of the questions that would come her way.
Speaking on the importance of census, Miss Karina Jacob, a student said house-listing would enable the government locate some communities that had otherwise stayed hidden and also help to project the nation’s image.
Census she said helps the government to ascertain the number of unemployed persons in a state. She said she must make herself available for counting.