By Ahmed Ahmed
The National Population Commission (NPC) has called on Nigerians to remain cooperative with the commission in the ongoing Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) programme to perfect the execution of the exercise.
Alh. Ibrahim Darazo, the Federal Commissioner, NPC in Bauchi state made the call in a news conference on Wednesday as part of activities to launch the 2023/2024 NDHS.
Darazo also sought for cooperation of the Bauchi State Government in facilitating the smooth conduct of the ‘very important survey’ by availing the commission of necessary support.
According to him, the NDHS 2023-2024 survey in Bauchi state was conducted in 41 selected clusters across 17 Local Government Areas of the State.
He said, already, the selected clusters had been already shipped and the respondent households were listed during the first stage of the survey exercise that was expected to last for a period.
The NPC Commissioner added that in the second stage of the survey which was ongoing, the interview team of nine members would visit each of the selected clusters located in various localities one after the other.
He listed the interview team to include two males, three females, two Biomarkers, one Capi supervisor and the team supervisor.
“The data we collect and analyze will not merely be numerical values; they will represent the health, aspirations, and challenges of our communities.
“It is important to bear in mind that the impact of the survey transcends statistics and extends to the lives of every individual, every family, and every community in Nigeria.
“In the light of the above, I wish to call on the good people of the state in the selected clusters to cooperate with our interviewers and respond honestly to the questions they will be asked as data gathered will be confidential,” he said.
Earlier, the Bauchi state Director of NPC, Mr Hudu Babale, said that the commission received 100 per cent cooperation from the people during the mapping exercise which was the first stage.
He said the call for more cooperation was due to the interview stage being very important as personal but confidential questions would be asked of respondents.
He also called on media houses in the state to help enlighten the masses so that no personal questions would be made public.