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Population Census Not Feasible In 2021, NPC Insists
The National Population Commission (NPC) has disclosed that the conduct of the population and housing census would no longer be feasible in 2021.
The National Chairman of the commission, Hon. Nasir Isa Kwarra, disclosed this in Abuja, while addressing the newsmen on the commencement of the field work for the 1st Pre-Test for the population and housing census.
He said despite a piece of advice offered by the member of House of Representatives against conduct of the exercise on ground of fragile situation in the country, “We are not going to conduct census this year.”
Kwarra, however, said the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration was committed to the conduct of the exercise through adequate funding of the activities of the commission in preparation for the full exercise.
“By the time we are going to conduct the population and housing census, the situation in the country would have improved to pave the ways for a peaceful exercise,” he said.
The NPC boss added that, though no sign of commitment for the proclamation, but Mr. President will make proclamation at the appointed time.
Unlike before, the President is more committed to the funding of the operations and activities of the commission.
He said the preparatory activities for the census exercise pre-test is usually conducted before the actual census and during the middle of the Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD) exercise.
“The conduct of pre-test is aimed at testing the census methodology, the questionnaires, data collection methods, the manuals for field staff, instruction manuals, data editing and coding, data processing and tabulation in preparation for the actual census.
“In this pre-test exercise, some selected Enumeration Areas (EAs) in some of the LGAs in states of the federation demarcated between 2016 and 2018 will be utilised and the census instruments will be deployed to these areas to test run their suitability and readiness for the actual census.”
Kwarra noted that the objectives of the 2021 pre-test include among others, to assess the: Quality and usefulness of the EA maps already created, Demographic and geographic changes that have occurred in the EAs created in 2016-2018, and their implications for census enumeration, uploading of EA maps on census PDAs for census enumeration, Relationship between EAD estimated population and pre-test population
“Educational and other qualifications of potential census enumerators, workload of the enumerators, and logistical support from the states and LGAs.”
He said, “The 1st pre-test exercise will take place in 222 Enumeration Areas (EAs) in 112 LGAs across the 36 states of the federation and the FCT that were demarcated during the 2016-2018 Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD) exercise.
“It will involve a total of 894 field functionaries comprising; 444 enumerators, 37 supervisors, 37 IT supervisors, 37 field coordinators, 37 state coordinators, 37 monitors from the Hq, 37 monitors from the state and six coordinators.”
The Training of the Trainers (TOT) has taken place from April 14 to April 18, 2021, in Abuja while the Zonal Training followed from May 31 to end today in six centres namely, Abuja, Enugu, Gombe, Katsina, Asaba and Ibadan which covers all the geo-political zones of the country.
“The full mobilization to the field and the actual pre-test has been slated for between June 6 and June 13, 2021.
“As already stated, the sampling methodology has been designed to test run and confirm the viability and effectiveness of the already Demarcated Enumeration Areas (EAs) in readiness for a smooth census exercise.”
According to him, “Let me emphasize that, the fieldwork and data collection for the 1st pre-test will commence from June 6 to 13th of June, 2021 in all the 36 states of the federation and the FCT.
“The pre-test will be carried out by 37 teams (one team per state/FCT).
While appealing to the public for a successful exercise, he said, “I wish to end this address on a note of assurance that the conduct of the pre-test is part he preparation of the commission to create good foundation for the next Population and Housing census which will be credible, reliable and acceptable to the country and other stakeholders.
“In making this commitment, the commission is conscious of the important role of the pre-test in the process of authenticating and updating the Enumeration Areas (EADs) in preparation for the next census.
“We would like to caution that the Pre-test is not the actual census but the mirror through which we look at our readiness for the next census. All efforts must be geared towards making it a huge success by all. “
President Bola Tinubu has ordered a Federal Executive Council committee to move swiftly on measures to further reduce food prices across the country.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, disclosed this in Abuja, on Wednesday.
According to him, the directive focuses on ensuring safe passage of farm produce across transport routes to cut logistics costs.
“The President has given a matching order with a Federal Executive Council committee already handling it on how we are going to promote safe passage of agricultural foods and commodities across our various routes in the country,” Abdullahi said at a capacity-building workshop for Senate correspondents.
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Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has faced worsening food insecurity since the removal of fuel subsidy, high transport costs, and insecurity on major highways disrupted the movement of goods.
Despite government interventions, food remains largely unaffordable for millions.
The minister said the plan is tied to Tinubu’s broader vision of food sovereignty—beyond availability to ensure affordability, accessibility, and nutrition on a sustainable basis.
To back this up, he revealed that government is set to roll out a Farmer Soil Health Scheme to boost productivity and a revamped cooperative reform initiative to mobilise resources and empower rural farmers.
“Mr. President has shown tremendous interest in the cooperative sector as a veritable tool for resource mobilisation, for economic activity generation, and to improve the livelihood of members,” Abdullahi added.
The event, with the theme, “Parliamentary Reporting: Issues, Challenges and Responsibilities,” also featured Senate Media Committee Chairman, Senator Yemi Adaramodu; ex-presidential aide, Senator Ita Solomon Enang; and NILDS DG, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman.
The Federal Government has warned contractors, including foreign firms, that any breach of regulations in road projects awarded to them may lead to arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, issued the warning during an inspection of the ongoing dualisation of the East-West Road (Section IIIA) from Eleme Junction to Onne Port Junction in Rivers State.
The section is being executed by Reynolds Construction Company (Nigeria) Limited.
Responding to questions from journalists, Umahi commended the quality of work on the project but expressed displeasure over the slow pace, stressing that the December completion deadline remains sacrosanct.
On the project, he said:“The quality of the work is excellent, but the pace of work is totally unacceptable. Let me make it very clear to the contractor that this project will neither be reviewed nor varied in price or claims.
“I’m sure we have issued over 10 warning letters to them. If they fail to comply with the completion deadline of December 15, we will not extend it.”
He added that the ministry had already put measures in place to enforce compliance
“The comptroller has negative certificates to issue, and I will recover the money from any of their other projects. All those letters are on record, and when the time comes, they will be invoked. Any contractor who refuses to abide by regulations will have the EFCC and ICPC to contend with,” he said.
Umahi further disclosed that the Federal Government had directed that road projects valued below N20bn would no longer be awarded to expatriate companies, in line with its “Nigeria First” policy aimed at strengthening indigenous capacity in the construction sector.
“This is part of the Nigeria First policy of the Federal Government. Henceforth, no expatriate firm will be awarded any project valued below N20bn. Such projects must go to indigenous companies, while expatriates focus on higher-value projects requiring more technical capacity,” he said.
The minister also noted that the Federal Ministry of Works had adopted a funding prioritisation framework to sustain road projects initially financed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited under the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme.
He stressed that President Bola Tinubu had directed that none of such projects should be abandoned, adding that priority would be given to critical economic corridors.
Umahi also decried the indiscriminate parking of heavy-duty vehicles on highways, saying it was damaging the pavements of completed sections of the road.
He said letters would be sent to state governors and the Inspector-General of Police to enforce punitive measures against defaulters.
Earlier, the Federal Controller of Works in Rivers State, Mrs Enwereama Tarilade, said RCC had completed 15km of the right carriageway and commenced work on the left carriageway, with one kilometre already laid in Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement.
The Rivers State Government says it will ensure the smooth and successful takeoff of the newly established Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET), in Ogoniland.
This commitment was made yesterday by the Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), during a courtesy visit by the university’s Governing Council and Management team at the Government House, in Port Harcourt.
The high-level delegation was led by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council, Professor Don Baridam and the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chinedu Mmom.
In his address, Administrator Ibas warmly congratulated the pioneer council and management on their appointments, describing their task as both a recognition of individual accomplishment and a historic call to duty.
“This is not just a recognition of your personal achievements but also a call to history to shape an institution that will have a profound impact on Rivers State, the Niger Delta, and indeed our country,” he stated.
The Administrator commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the establishment of the specialized university in Ogoniland, describing the initiative as “timely and strategic.”
He emphasized that the university’s presence offers a critical opportunity to drive research, innovation, and community-focused solutions to the region’s pressing environmental and developmental challenges.
He further noted that the university’s core focus aligns perfectly with the priorities of his administration.“We consider this university not merely as another institution of higher learning but as a strategic partner in our collective effort to rebuild Rivers State under the ongoing state of emergency and beyond,” he affirmed.
Responding to specific requests presented by the delegation, Administrator Ibas assured the university of immediate support in critical areas essential for the its commencement.
These include the provision of operational vehicles, key facilities, and the completion of the access road to the campus, adding that other vital needs, such as perimeter fencing, refuse disposal, and the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy, would be addressed within the framework of the state’s broader infrastructure and support programmes.
To ensure swift action, the Administrator directed the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) to work closely with the university’s Governing Council to prioritize the sequence of requests, particularly those tied to the commencement of academic activities in September 2025.
“Let me assure you that Rivers State Government will stand as a dependable partner to the Federal University of Environment and Technology. We see this university as part of our long-term investment in knowledge, innovation, and the future of our youths,” he emphasized.
In his remarks, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Professor Don Baridam, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and community development.
He disclosed that the Federal Government has directed the institution to formally commence its academic session in September 2025, adding that preparations are in full swing to ensure a smooth take-off with adequate infrastructure and resources in place.
“Today’s meeting marks the beginning of a strategic partnership between the Rivers State Government and FUET, envisioned to establish the university as a premier hub for research, innovation, and sustainable development in the Niger Delta”, he said.
