Ben Ezechime, Enugu
Residents of Enugu State have said they were not aware of the forthcoming National Population Census in the country from May 3-8, 2023, across the country.
Speaking to Ikengaonline many residents expressed worries over lack of sensitisation and awareness for the exercise by relevant authorities.
According to, Mr Olu Omotayo, a Civil Rights Lawyer, he said though he was aware of the exercise, many residents around him were not aware.
He said that the general awareness among the people was very low, adding that the National Population Commission (NPC) was not doing enough in the area of sensitisation.
“For me, I am aware of the census but around my area it appeared many residents are not aware of the census.
“With just three weeks to the commencement of the exercise, I wish the commission could do more, otherwise the government should start thinking of shifting the census further,” he said.
Omotayo also said that people have not yet recovered from the 2023 elections.
“So, they are not really ready to be thinking of another government exercise now.
“We know that anything like census is very critical and controversial and holding it just after a controversial national election, a lot of people may not be interested, “Omotayo said.
Also speaking, Mr Steve Ofilli, a current affairs analyst, said the awareness and sensitisation by relevant authorities in charge, was very poor.
“Apart from some of us who are close to the media and have access to reading newspapers, many other residents are not aware of what is happening.
“I think the NPC need to do more in the area of sensitisation because I am sure these things were budgeted for by the Federal Government.
“National census is a very important exercise. It aids national economic planning and must not be taken lightly,” he said.
Similarly, a trader at Holy Ghost market, Enugu, Mrs Juliet Ede, said she was, neither aware nor interested about anything.
Ede said she would never participate in any government programmes until she was able to forget what happened in the 2023 Elections.
“They should leave us alone, I beg. All the efforts we put in to change Nigeria for good by standing for hours on the sun to vote.
“Our votes did not count; so, how are we sure that our heads will count,” she said.
Mr Mark Okpo, a politician said he was fully aware of the census exercise.
He, however, said that the government’s plan of scheduling the census on the same year with the national election was improper
“I am also disturbed about several items omitted on the exercise including issues like, exclusion of tribe and religion,” he said.
