Alhaji Chiso Dattijo, the Federal Commissioner of National Population Commission (NPC) representing Sokoto state, has called on stakeholders to support NPC and other agencies to obtain inclusive population data.
Dattijo made the call in Sokoto at a press conference in commemoration of World Population Day (WPD) organized by NPC and Sokoto state government supported by United Nations Population Funds (UNFPA).
Newsmen reports that WPD is annually commemorated on July 11 around the globe to raise awareness of global population issues and to celebrate those contributed to solving such issues.
The Commissioner represented by NPC state Director, Alhaji Malami Marafa-Gagi, described inclusive population data as crucial to modern demographic planing of any society.
He said modern data gathering tools and Information Technology are being use to ensure right and inclusive population data collections and enjoined stakeholders to support the drive at all levels.
He explained that NPC ensure collaboration with national, state and non governmental agencies on every data collection aspects.
“Nigeria is among the nations that do not have sufficient, comprehensive and inclusive data to evaluate its performance.
” Making civil registration systems functional would guarantee all births and deaths are registered,”he said.
The Commissioner stressed that public criticisms and complains regarding data findings were normal as mechanisms were inplaced to testify it’s correctness.
“ Even inclusive data is not an end in itself, but a means to informed decision-making, especially to shape policies, programmes, strategies, plans and budgets that promote inclusivity and equality.
“ Together with stakeholders, we can forge a future where every person is counted, every community is acknowledged, and every need is addressed.” he said.
He emphasized that the world needs to do more for inclusion to end inequality, to find and grow peace and prosperity, and to weave more threads of hope.
He described the 2024 edition of WPD with theme “Embracing the Power of Inclusive Data Towards a Resilient and Equitable Future for All” as apt and timely.
” The theme.as a reflection of decades International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) action programme for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
” It offers opportunities to look beyond patches of improvements in data collection and analysis, but ask ourselves as producers right questions, ” the Commissioner added.
In her address, the UNFPA Programme Officer, Ms Gloria Enueze, emphasised the need for use of new technologies and increasingly enabling more granular as well as timely measurements for bridging the gaps in data collections.
Enueze said most marginalised communities were underrepresented in data, and the consequences deeply affect their lives and well-being.
According to her, UNFPA research revealed acute and growing inequalities within and among countries, and that women from racial and ethnic minority groups were nearly invisible in statistics tracking maternal deaths.
She expressed commitment to support federal and state governments to harness inclusive data to build resilient systems and societies.
Malam Musa Wamakko, the Director of International Cooperation in Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, reiterated state government committement to work with national and international agencies enhance data collections for optimum usage.
Wamakko sought for more understanding and support to obtain inclusive data which connotes to ensuring that the data we collected gives account of all people, a person or part or a group of people, regardless of their age, gender, ethnicity and location.
Mr Sani Abdullahi, the Sokoto state Statistician General, said modalities were underway to deploy right technologies and systems in data collections, preservation and sharing in the state.
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