*….. admonishes Osun residents to fully participate in the exercise*
As the national population census draws nearer, Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has charged the National Population Commission (NPC) to ensure that the exercise is free from error so that it would be acceptable to all and sundry.
Governor Adeleke gave the charge today in his Country Home, Ede, during the courtesy visit paid to him by the NPC Commissioner in the State, Senator Mudashiru Hussain.
He asserted that population census is critical for national planning and to meet the needs of the people in terms of infrastructures, services and general development, adding that the history of the exercise in the Country is fraught with controversies which must be avoided this time around.
The State helmsman also harped on the need to deploy appropriate technologies in the head so that its accuracy can be enhanced.
Governor Adeleke also assured the authority of NPC that Osun is ready and fully committed to mobilising the people for the exercise.
He however used the opportunity to call on the residents of Osun to participate fully in the exercise, just like the general and State elections, admonishing that getting counted during the census is a national civic responsibility.
Speaking earlier, the National Population Commission Commissioner in Osun, Senator Mudashiru Hussain, who led his team members on the visit said the Commission is fully prepared to carry out the exercise, affirming that President Muhammadu Buhari has given them the matching order.
While explaining that the Commission has been embarking on training and retraining of functionaries since 2018, the Commissioner disclosed that the Commission has started training functionaries for Enumeration Area Demarcation, where the larger unit of the entire land is divided into smaller units, for the effectiveness of the exercise.
He also said that his officials had been trained digitally for the smooth running of the programme.
The Commissioner had earlier craved the indulgence of those around to observe a minute silence in honour of the late Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, while congratulating Governor Ademola Adeleke on his victory at July 16 Governorship election.
Present at the meeting were: Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Teslim Igbalaye, Senator-elect, Akogun Lere Oyewumi, NPC State Director, Mr Owoeye Olawale, among others.
Sunday Okunade