The 2023 Population and Housing Cencus will continue to dominate discussions on public
domain after football and post election matters. Many doubted if Nigeria could take on the two giants that concern the old and young, male and female, rich and poor, strong and infirm at once.
Despite the skeptism, we nearly scaled through both, but President Buhari after realising that the aftermath of these two could be consuming in time and energy and after consultation with the Federal executive Council and the head of NPC postponed it to be executed by the incoming administration, just as he was smarting from the post election matters.
On the positive side, the NPC whose responsibility it is, has shown enormous concerns, not leaving any space but rather energizing with the same speed and the zeal of a proselyte, backing up their claims that they can deliver the goods.
Earlier today on the FRCN, the national radio, their officials engaged the listeners, answering avalanche of questions from regular commentators and new ones as I listened keenly.
The questions ranged from their readiness, fairness to timing and the usual debilitating ethnicity and religious diversity that take the shine off genuine efforts in Nigeria.
Some went further to doubt if it will not be based on land mass rather than people on ground.
Interestingly, staunch and popular commentators like Ada Odazi aka Radio mama, chief Olumba from Orlu Imo State, a new female voice from Benue State and others, posed pertinent questions which the guest speakers fielded with satisfaction.
Dr Inuwa Jalingo was at his best. On a good note, he did note dominate the space but allowed his colleagues to contribute immensely.
Most interestingly, they firmly showed consistency and vehemently displayed that rather than slow down, they have engaged all concerned especially the ad-hoc workers with strategic engagement with online refresher courses to avoid relapse and disinterest.
Funds, the normal Nigeria anomaly haven’t been the issue. One listener raised the fact that most of the ad-hoc staff have not received their stipends. This was not denied but clearly explained that choice of banks, network, student’s account status, wrong info and double identity could be the problem but that the funds are intact.
As they stated, nothing was going to stop them even adverse weather conditions, power outages, rough terrain like the riverine cannot halt their march which in my mind, I have likened to soldiers invasion. They may have acquired boats and motorcycles for fast movement and easy navigation.
My confidence was strengthened by the fact that they have adapted to savvy technologies of the day when you talk about the GPS that is satellite-bsed. GIS, homegrown data processing systems and other digitised gizmos are safely in their kitty.
My greatest impressions came from the mention of GPS, an American marvel and wonder, based on the use of satellite, a device that pushed technology miles ahead. The GPS, a global positioning system that depicts objects wherever they are in the world, even in the caves gave maximum confidence.
Do you know that the Osama bin Laden saga was made easy by the GPS? The tracking of vehicles today and the near accuracy of Google maps are gains of GPS and more. As the NPC has avowed, every house in Nigeria is captured even in David’s forest. This helps their job and aides crime fighters if they want a collaborative relationship with the NPC in the future.
Let us be optimistic, wishing the NPC well because you count and will be counted!
Eddie onuzuruike, is based in Umuahia, Abia state
