By Cecilia Ogezi (Correspondent, Abuja)
The Commissioner, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), National Population Commission (NPC), Hon. Joseph Shazin and officials of the commission have paid an advocacy and sensitization visit to the Abuja chapter of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria.
Shazin, in his address at the meeting which held at the LEA Nomadic Primary School, Dutse Alhaji, stated that it was in further prepation for the 2023 Census. The Commissioner explained that the advocacy and sensitization visit to the Fulani community leaders, chiefs and village heads is in preparation of the 2023 Census.
He said the commission is going on with the sensitization exercise as a result of experiences encountered during the Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD) exercise where some Fulani communities were not easily assessed.
He disclosed that the decision was reached to involve Fulani youths in the exercise to get the needed cooperation from the Fulani communities. He noted that a few Fulani youths who are literate and computer savvy have been recruited but not in their required number. He said the meeting is to also appeal to the Fulani leaders to bring more of their wards to participate in the exercise.
The NPC Commissioner stressed that as a result of security concerns in these communities, the involvement of Fulani youths who are resident in the communities will encourage other Fulani people to participate in the exercise.
He assured Nigerians that the Census will be a completely digitalized process with all data stored in computer devices, and as such will not be conducted manually like the previous Censuses.
Chairman, FCT chapter of the group, Yahayah Isah, in his address, assured the Commissioner that his message would be duly communicated to the Fulani communities. He noted that their organization is well structured from the national to the local levels.
Isah assured the NPC Commissioner that other stakeholders meetings would be held to effectively pass the message to Fulani communities in Abuja. He lauded the efforts of the Commissioner, stressing that they have not had such visits in previous Censuses. Isah also added that the records of the forth coming Census will reflect his efforts.
The chairman also appealed that the Population Commission should employ children of pastoralists like the Fulani youths, who, according to him, are educated and enlightened enough to work with the Commission to achieve success as they are residents of the communities and are in a better position to effectively capture these areas.
He said information on the date of the Census has to be well communicated while also appealing to members of the organization for their cooperation. He noted that capturing of their data is to the benefit of all. NNL.
