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Expedite Action on Census Conduct, CSO Tells NASS

…lauds NPC over preparedness for a credible Census
The Conference of Ethnic Tribes and Minorities (COETAM) in Nigeria has called on the members of the National Assembly to renew and escalate calls for a credible national census exercise which is long overdue for the country.
In a statement released to journalists in Abuja on Monday by the organization and signed by Comrade Patrick Ameh commended the Committees on National Population and Identity in the 10th National Assembly for it’s co-operation and excellent legislative roles in guiding the National Population Commission in the performance of their functions.
“As we are all aware, the role of the National Population Commission is critical to the planning and development of the nation which is the ultimate agenda of the current administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu”.
The group noted that without credible data, Nigeria’s development would be hindered insisting that considering the last census exercise which was done in 2006 , there is every urgent need for the government to conduct another national exercise to accommodate the sudden population explosion and correct the defects of the last census exercise which was widely contested.
“Even by our own laws as pioneered by the national assembly and the United Nations conventions, a national Population Census exercise is long overdue hence the appeal for action” “There can be no meaningful development and prosperity if the government continues to plan with unreliable data especially in the face of global economic uncertainties ” The statement added.
The organization also highlighted the sterling reforms spearheaded in the management of future census exercises under the current leadership of the Commission with regard to the preparation for the proposed national census exercise ” Worthy of note is the transition of the commission’s operational capacities; seamlessly replacing analog operations with digital systems that would minimize and eliminate human errors to ensure credibility of the exercise”
“The training and retraining of over one million resources persons across the country, the acquisition of Digital Personnel Assistants , the design, development and procurement of relevant IT infrastructure as well as the successful demarcation and marking of the entire country by the commission, more than ever points to the preparedness of the Commission to deliver a credible and acceptable census exercise when Mr President issues the proclamation” This is highly commendable.
“At the level of Civil Society Organizations, we are confident that the current Commission under the leadership of Alh Nasir Isa Kwarra is positioned to deliver on its mandate hence the appeal for our elected representatives to renew and escalate the conversation for this very important exercise as part of their roles for in seeking the good of their people” If we prioritize census as we do the elections , we can be sure as a nation to experience even development. ” this is the only way to appropriate resources and services based on statistics for the overall public good”
The group also called on civil society, religious leaders, traditional rulers and corporate organizations to join the conversation on the need for a truly credible national census exercise as soon as practicable so as to reset and fasttrack development to match President Tinubu Renewed Hope Agenda.
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PANDEF Clarifies Visit To Tinubu, Knocks Wike Over Inflammatory Comments

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called on President Bola Tinubu to prevail on the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike to retract his publicly disparaging remarks made recently against the socio-political body.
PANDEF described as regrerrable and embarrassing comments by Wike in the aftermath of the group’s visit to Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, even to the extent of insulting the late former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South Leader, Chief Edwin.
Recall that the FCT minister had, on Thursday, during a media chat, described PANDEF as “the worst organisation anybody can rely on”, while also calling the board of trustee members of the body “political merchants”.
In a statement signed by PANDEF Chairman on Saturday in Abuja, Ambassador Godknows Boladei Igali, urged President Tinubu as the father of the nation, to prevail upon the Honourable Minister to retract his inflammatory statements and extend due respect to these eminent.
Igali clarified that the meeting with the president provided a valuable platform to discuss pressing issues of national and regional importance. Adding that “PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region.”
His words: ^To set the record straight, PANDEF the foremost socio-political body representing the South-South regions, composed of some of Nigeria’s most distinguished personalities. The delegation to Mr. President included chairpersons of at least four of the six SouthSouth states’ traditional councils, senior traditional rulers of major ethnic groups, former governors, past presiding officers of the Senate, prominent entrepreneurs, academics, and high-ranking retired military officers.
“It is, therefore, highly regrettable and totally unacceptable that a serving minister in the Federal Government would exhibit such brazen disrespect towards individuals of this standing. This attitude perhaps explains his continued refusal of the Minister to engage with the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which PANDEF constituted as far back as October 2024, despite repeated attempts to reach.
“The Honourable Minister (Wike) characterized PANDEF as the worst organization ever” and accused its members of visiting the Presidential Villa merely to solicit financial favors. These statements are not only false but also unbecoming of a public official of his stature.
“PANDEF hereby calls upon Mr. President, as the father of the nation, to prevail upon the Honourable Minister to retract his inflammatory statements and extend due respect to these eminent Nigerians and traditional rulers who were, after all, esteemed guests of the Commander-in-Chief. It is apt to remind that the Minister does not own the Niger-Delta and his errant conduct should not be condoned.
“Notwithstanding this regrettable development, PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region,” Igali stated.
On efforts to restore peace in River State, Igali restated PANDEF’s commitment for peace in the oil-rich State.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which remains committed to resolving the Rivers State crisis,” Igali stated.
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