News
Don Tasks FG On Population Census
Emeritus Professor of Statistics, Timothy Bamiduro, has advised the Federal Government to conduct population census to gauge the nation’s population for effective planning and development.
Bamiduro gave the advice in an interview with newsmen yesterday in Abuja.
He said that census was conducted every 10 years in most countries, but that Nigeria had not conducted it for a long time.
It would be recalled that the last census in Nigeria was conducted in 2006.
“The census should form the basis of activities and should be conducted every ten years. The changes between 10 years could be so drastic.
“The Federal Government should invest in conducting census and it should not depend on external donors to finance census.
“The donor agencies have their own concern or objective which may not coincide with Nigeria objectives.
“For example, when we did Multiple Indicators Cluster Survey (MICS III) 2005 to 2007, it was sponsored by UNICEF.
“UNICEF had its own demand and requirement from the survey,’’ he said.
Bamiduro, however, urged the Federal Government to pay more attention to statistical production in the country.
He also advised the government to increase budgetary allocation for the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
“I was surprised when I heard that N10 million was the annual budget for maintenance for NBS, which is very ridiculous; A National Bureau with N10 million?
“A single project in NBS should cost more than that, the outcome of is that all the National surveys they do in this country whether MICS or National demographic and Health Survey will be financed by donors.
“Government should be more serious about statistics, ’’he said.
The don, however, emphasised on the role on statistics in the nation’s building, adding that the country needed to develop all the sectors of the economy through adequate data.
“We have to develop all the sectors; to do all these, you need data, you need information, not information but right information, do right analysis and right interpretation.
“These should lead to policies, planning and to programmes.
“Let me tell you, in Britain, the Chief Statistician is a member of British Cabinet and our Statistician General in Nigeria is an observer.
“They call him when they need figures; he is supposed to be a permanent member of the cabinet because there is nothing you can do without statistics.
“In Canada, it is the same thing, same in USA. The USA Census Department is like the State Office so but here it is not so,’’ he said.:
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
-
Oil & Energy22 hours ago“PENGASSAN Orders Halt Of Gas Supply To Dangote Refinery
-
Education21 hours ago
Students Eulogises PGSA Leadership Role in RSU dev
-
News22 hours agoNigeria At 65: RSG Holds Special Church Service …Cleric Calls For Peace
-
Niger Delta22 hours agoDelta, Tantita Security Services Inaugurate Classrooms for Inmate Education
-
Sports22 hours agoChelsea Fall At Stamford Bridge
-
Editorial21 hours agoCharge Before New Rivers Council Helmsmen
-
Oil & Energy22 hours agoDigital Technology Key To Nigeria’s Oil, Gas Future
-
News21 hours agoDisclose appointment process of INEC chairman, SERAP tells Tinubu