Kwara State Federal Population Commissioner, Abdulrazaq Gidado, has tasked members of the state census publicity committee to familiarise themselves with the technical processes of conducting the 2023 census and other activities of the commission.

This, he explained, will enable them to forge the much-needed national consensus and handle any bias or prejudice arising from the outcome of the exercise.

Speaking at the one-day capacity workshop for the state census publicity committee members, held at the state Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, press centre in Ilorin on Tuesday, Gidado said the knowledge and skills acquired at the workshop would place the members to function effectively.

According to the commissioner, the workshop’s aim “is to ensure broad based national support and cooperation for the implementation of the activities of the national population commission, especially the coming 2023 census.”

He said the workshop would also help to equip the publicity committee members with the necessary knowledge and skills to carry out publicity activities in support of census 2023 at the grassroots.

“Census is a technical exercise with distinct terminology, members are expected to have a deeper understanding of the census methodology in order to effectively sensitize and mobilize the people for the 2023 census,” Gidado started.

He said the commission required solid collaboration in information, enlightenment and advocacy not only to mobilize the entire populace for the population and housing census but also to help to clarify possible misrepresentations and misconceptions that are bound to occur in the process.

Gidado said the workshop would also feature breakout sessions and practical demonstrations to ensure participants develop a deeper appreciation and understanding of the 2023 census methodology.

State Director, National Orientation Agency, Olusegun Adeyemi, in his speech, expressed optimism that Nigeria will get the desired result this time around, considering the level of preparation by the NPC for the impending national population and housing census exercise.

He stressed the need to remain committed to the overall success of the national task ahead.

The state Deputy Governor and Chairman of the census publicity committee, Kayode Alabi, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communications, Mrs Sonibare, tasked the committee members to embark on vigorous viral sensitization of the people at the grassroots immediately after the capacity-building workshop.