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NPC Plans Digital Census In 2023 Seeks Army’s Support
The National Population Commission (NPC) has said that it was ready to deploy digital equipment for the conduct of the 2023 National Population and Housing Census.
The Federal Commissioner in charge of Bayelsa State, Mrs. Izonfuo Gloria disclosed this at the opening ceremony of second level management training workshop for staff of the commission in the South-South zone in Port Harcourt.
Gloria, who represented the Zonal Director of the commission, Dr Ipalibo Harry said the commission was determined to ensure that the results of the exercise was credible and accepted by Nigerians and the international community.
She said a good knowledge of the processes as well as the census document was key to the success of the exercise.
Also speaking, the Director, Data Administration and Zonal Coordinator, Prince Abubeka Afegbua, said the use of digital technology in the conduct of the exercise would reduce human errors.
He said the commission expects its staff to key into the drive and the processes.
According to him, the commission was using hybrid technology in the conduct of the exercise.
Earlier, Rivers State Director of the exercise, Madam Barika Nwineh, said it was important that management staff of the commission be adequately trained and acquainted with the activities and having good knowledge of the census document, the techniques and the organisation of the census materials.
According to her, “The objective of the training is to ensure that the state directors, comptrollers and other senior management staff are exposed to detailed principles and methodologies for a successful census in the country”.
She also said that the training would provide a platform to train key personnel at the state and local government levels.
“During the training, areas of concentration will be on management rules, regulation and procedures that are necessary for the implementation of census taking”, she said.
Meanwhile, the Chairman, National Population Commission (NPC), Mr Nasir Isa-Kwarra, yesterday, solicited the support of the Nigerian Army to conduct the pre-census exercise and the main census in 2023.
Isa-Kwarra made the call when he led the management team of the commission on courtesy visit to the Army Headquarters in Abuja.
He said that NPC required the collaboration of the Nigerian Army to carry out its assignment considering the security challenges bedevilling the nation.
NPC boss said the Nigerian Army had continued to play important role in providing security for its officers on the field bearing in mind the volatile nature of some parts of the country.
“We are here to solicit your continued support as we continue to carry out other sensors exercises that will lead to the national census in April, 2023.
“We want to also engage with you to make sure that we deliver to Nigerians an accurate and generally acceptable census come 2023.
“Our job entails a lot of fieldwork and because of the current security challenge, we cannot go anywhere without the support of your men,” he said.
Isa-Kwarra said the delineation exercise had been completed in 774 local government areas remaining Birnin Gwari in Kaduna State and Abadem in Borno because of security challenge.
He also called on the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Farouk Yahaya to direct commanders of the various formations to grant access to census officials to count Army structures during census.
Responding, the Chief of Army Staff, Farouk Yahaya, pledged to ensure adequate support for the commission in carrying out its assignments, adding that army had always supported all government agencies towards national objectives.
He said that both army and NPC were partners in progress in pursuing national agenda, especially the responsibilities for the population census.
Yahaya said that population census remained an important ingredient in national development, saying the data generated from the census would also be useful in the efforts to ensure national security.
“Be rest assured that the Nigerian army will continue to support you any time because this is a national call. So, anytime you come calling, we are ready willing to provide security and support for your job,” he said.
By: John Bibor
Spokesman to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Segun Sowunmi, has advised his principal, Atiku, to learn from President Bola Tinubu on how to form a coalition.
The Tide reports that in a bid to wrest power from President Tinubu in 2027, Atiku has been leading the movement by opposition politicians to form a coalition of political parties ahead of the next general election.
Last month, opposition politicians set up a team comprising former Minister of Transpiration, Rotimi Amaechi, and former Governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke, to decide whether to float a new party or fuse into an existing platform.
While the main opposition party, PDP, struggles with a perennial leadership crisis, the former Vice President is bent on establishing another political force to take power from the ruling party in 2027.
But Sowunmi, who has been Atiku’s ally for many years, disagrees with his move, saying instead of forming a coalition with another political platform, he should coalesce opposition politicians into the PDP.
Speaking during an interview on TVC on Tuesday, Sowunmi, who was Atiku’s campaign spokesperson in the last election, asked his principal to learn from President Tinubu on how to form a coalition.
Sowunmi believes Atiku, having benefitted from the PDP as a former Vice President and getting the party’s presidential ticket twice, should not seek to form a coalition that will not have the PDP as its base.
He said, “I’ve always said to people, people love with their hearts. I love atiku with my bones. But I can’t help him against himself. You can’t run vice presidency on PDP two times with Obasanjo, get presidential candidate on that same party two times. I don’t agree with him that the next best thing is to be shopping for…(a platform) If you want a coalition, why are you not coalescing them into your party?” he asked.
The former PDP governorship candidate in Ogun State advised the ex-VP to learn from Tinubu on how to build a coalition without dumping his political party.
“Look at your rival, your friend. You guys started together. At best, even if you want to say he’s building a coalition is he not coalescing opponents into his place”? Sowunmi asked again.
The PDP chieftain, who recently showered praises on Tinubu after he visited him, said the President has an “uncanny ability to make everybody individually feel special” regardless of political affiliations.
His words: “That guy (Tinubu) is something oh, he has this uncanny ability to make everybody individually feel special. It doesn’t matter whether you are a former foe or a president’s friend, every moment you share with him, I don’t know how he does it, though you’re going to leave the place feeling that you matter, feeling that he gets it, feeling that what you guys are talking about is important. And there’s something about him, when he gives you his word, he will say something like ‘ko le ye’, meaning that to the best of human ability, it will stand.”
Meanwhile, there have been conversations about Sowunmi’s political stance as many questioned his relationship with Atiku, with whom he shares a longstanding political relationship.
Asked about his relationship with Atiku following his meeting with Tinubu, Sowunmi said he doesn’t know if the former Vice President is upset.
“I don’t know whether Atiku is upset or not upset, but I know a lot of our followers are talking a lot of nonsense, and I’m wondering how I became attached to Atiku when I’ve been in PDP since 1999 never leaving,” he responded.
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has introduced a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to fix inconsistencies in tax services across its over 300 offices nationwide.
The move aims to make tax processes clearer, more transparent, and easier for Nigerians.
In a statement, Special Adviser on Communications and Advocacy to the FIRS Executive Chairman, Mr. Collins Omokaro, said the updated SOP is a key part of the agency’s plan to improve taxpayer experience.
He explained that, in the past, different FIRS offices used different methods, which often confused taxpayers.
“This is about people, experience, and impact. It’s a step towards a tax system that supports voluntary compliance and national development,” Omokaro said.
The new SOP provides a single guide for key processes like registration, payment, audit, and enforcement. This will ensure all FIRS offices follow the same steps, making the system fairer and more predictable.
FIRS Executive Chairman, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, described the SOP as more than just a set of rules.
“This SOP is not just a technical document; it is a declaration of who we are becoming as a service. It reflects our commitment to transparency and service to the Nigerian people,” he said.
The SOP also supports FIRS’s digital transformation, combining human and technological systems to deliver faster and more reliable services. It will also improve internal efficiency by providing clear guidance and better training for staff.
“With this rollout, every FIRS staff member has a clear mandate: study it, apply it, and embody it. That’s how we’ll earn the trust of Nigerians,” Omokaro added.
The reform is part of FIRS’s efforts to become a more service-driven organisation, focused on clarity, consistency, and national growth. The agency hopes the new SOP will make tax services better for Nigerians and increase public trust in the system.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, says the Federal Government is committed to building a world-class public service in Nigeria.
Walson-Jack made this known in Abuja, on Wednesday, at a World Press Conference ahead of the International Civil Service Conference and the African Public Service Week scheduled for June 25 to 26 in Abuja.
She said a recent study tour to Singapore was part of preparatory activities aimed at positioning Nigeria’s civil service for excellence and attracting global participation in the upcoming events.
“The study tour to Singapore was the first major activity we undertook under the collaboration between the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation and the Heads of Service of the 36 states and the FCT,” she said.
According to her, the visit, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), involved 20 State Heads of Service and was designed to benchmark best global practices and enhance Nigeria’s public service delivery.
“The idea was born out of our ongoing collaboration, where we share ideas and knowledge across federal and state levels.
“Singapore was chosen because it is globally recognised for excellence in public service,” she explained.
Walson-Jack noted that the second phase of the tour will involve the remaining 17 heads of service later this year.
She said the tour provided participants with the opportunity to engage with both public and private sector institutions in Singapore, compare administrative practices, and gain insights into global standards.
“It was an eye-opener and a capacity-building opportunity.
“Since our return, several state civil services have begun implementing reforms in collaboration with the federal service, particularly in areas such as capability development and digital transformation,” she added.
Walson-Jack further disclosed that Nigeria would host a reciprocal study tour during the upcoming African Public Service Week, where foreign delegates will engage with various federal institutions.
“They will see firsthand our digitalisation efforts, performance management systems, and other reform initiatives aimed at transforming our civil service.
“We hope the experience will inspire similar actions in their home countries,” she said.
