By Praise Chinecherem
The National Population Commission (NPC) has warned officers involved in the data collection for the 2023-2024 Nigerian Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) to ensure accuracy of information from their respondents.
Federal Commissioner of NPC representing Anambra State, Mr. Chidi Ezeoke, made this disclosure in Awka on Thursday during state launch and press briefing of the exercise.
Ezeoke, represented by State Director of NPC, Dr. Joachin Ulasi said any form of manipulation would have negative consequences both to themselves and the country at large.
He however assured that the selected officers were tested and trusted and would deliver accordingly having undergone three weeks intensive training.
He said, “Don’t manipulate data. Interview those to interview. Don’t stay in a place, and interview yourself because when you do that, you’ll repeat the same question.
“But when you interview 20 persons, their views must be different. That’s the secret of the survey. I believe in law of kama. Manipulation will effect both the officer and the country on the long run.”
Ezeoke further disclosed that the survey would cover 20 local governments in the State, excluding Ayamelum where a Verbal and Social Autopy (VASA) survey was conducted in 2018.
“The survey which will run from Thursday, December 7 until Sunday April 21, 2024, will take place in 38 clusters across these 38 localities in the selected local government areas.
“We have about 12 teams comprising two male interviewers and three female interviewers as well as Supervisors, team lead, coordinators and bio markers.
Emphasizing the significance of the survey, the NPC boss stressed it would assist in shaping evidence-based policies, improving public health interventions, and contributing to the state’s overall development agenda.
He urged local leaders and stakeholders to enhance awareness in the survey areas and create a conducive environment for its successful implementation.
He added, “The NDHS, conducted every five years, serves as a vital national sample survey, offering current and high-quality demographic and health data for policy planning in population, health, and nutrition programme.
Expressing gratitude to partners such as the National Bureau of Statistics, United States Agency International Development, (USAID) and others for their support, Mr. Ezeoke commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo for backing the 2023 NDHS.
He assured that the collected data would not be mere numerical values but would reflect the health, aspirations, and challenges of the communities involved.
