NPC Seeks Osun’s Cooperation On Health Survey

THE National Population Census (NPC) has sought the cooperation of local government chairmen and residents of Osun State in the ongoing Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey.

The survey which commenced in December 2023, will run till April 2024.

Speaking with newsmen in Osogbo on Tuesday, the Team Lead of the survey in Osun, Mr. Olusola Karim, noted that some residents of the state in the local governments already visited were not as cooperative as expected. 

Karim who explained that the survey would help the Federal Government put appropriate measures in place in the area of house and health demography, sought the maximum cooperation of Osun residents. 

He said: “So far, we have visited about four local governments in the state but the challenge is that our people do not give us the needed attention.

“They claim some people had already visited them and were not interested since it is not a census. 

“We want to urge the local government and the community people to give us maximum cooperation. This will help us in our job. 

“The survey will help the government to put appropriate plans in place, especially in relation to house demographic and health in the country. By knowing this, it will help the government to plan and address the needs of the citizens.”

Earlier while delivering the speech of the National Chairman of the Commission, Hon Nasie Isa Kwarra, the State Director of NPC, Mrs. Tinuola Adeboye, explained the objectives of the survey.

Some of the objectives, according to Adeboye, are; “To gather high-quality data on a wide range of vital indicators, including fertility rates, maternal and child health, contraceptive use, childhood mortality, gender-related issues, nutrition, HIV/AIDS awareness, and more.

“To provide data supporting evaluation needs of maternal and child health and family planning programs, enabling evidence-based planning and resource allocation, produce timely results and ensure wide data dissemination, informing program managers and policymakers.

“To strengthen Nigeria’s capacity for data collection, analysis, and utilisation, enhancing national ownership of the process and strengthen national capacities by using collected data to identify demographic and health-related basic social needs, develop equitable growth strategies, address social poverty, and align with national development strategies.”