Census: Stakeholders seek support of traditional, religious leaders for credible exercise in AMAC
Stakeholders in the academia and civil society organisations have called on traditional and religious leaders in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) for a credible and acceptable census in the area council.
They made the call at a one-day interactive session with civil society organisations, organised by AMAC, on Wednesday in Abuja.
The Newsmen reports that the event has as theme: ”The Imperative of Community Mobilisation for 2023 Census: The Role of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC)”.
Prof. Philip Dahida, a lecturer with the department of Public Administration, University of Abuja, said the success of the exercise was important, as such, the area council must provide the needed support to enumerators.
“AMAC has a major role to play in providing technical, logistics, financial as well as security support to census official who would be into the grassroot communities to carry out the exercise,” he said.
He explained that the census provides an opportunity to gather data, plan economically for the country, allocate revenue, create more area councils and federal constituencies among others.
“AMAC should also endeavour to mobilise traditional institutions, organise town-hall meetings in communities and councillors should work with synergy with the chairman to ensure its success.
“It is also important to work with market women and faith-based organisations to mobilise their subjects for the exercise to be successful,” he said.
Also speaking, Mr Christopher Maikalangu, Chairman, AMAC, said that the council would ensure that it mobilises support for the national assignment.
Maikalangu, who was represented by Mr Jafaru Gwagwa, Council Secretary, added that it would be organising town-hall meetings to cascade the message to people at the grassroots.
He also called on traditional rulers, religious leaders and councillors, to do their part by mobilising their subjects to participate in the exercise.
Mr Umar Maikasuwa, District Head, Kuchingoro Community, appreciated the council for the sensitisation, while assuring of their committment to ensuring a successful census exercise.
