By Ayodele Abere
National Population Commissioner in Ekiti, Hon. Ayodeji Ajayi
The Federal Commissioner, National Population Commission, Honourable Ayodeji Ajayi, has given the assurance that NPC will continue to partner journalists, and that Ekiti journalists would be the first to have access to whatever information that is meant for the public through the NPC.
The Commissioner gave the assurance during the annual social gathering organised for the Media organisations and Management Staff of NPC in the State at his residence in Ado-Ekiti, the State capital.
Honourable Ajayi who stated that he doesn’t take the Press for granted noted that he has been enjoying good relationship with journalists in the State for almost thirty years. He also described the relationship that has been existing between the National Population Commission and journalists in Ekiti State as symbiotic relationship.
In his word, “ever since I became Commissioner, without exaggeration, I am the best reported National Population Commissioner in the South West.
“We are doing some little little things that we are required to do but the truth is, if my partners in the media do not report those things, nobody would take cognizance of whether NPC is existing or not.
“Journalists in Ekiti State have done so many things to support us. When somebody does well and you go to him to say thank you for what you have done, such person will be motivated to do more’.
To further appreciate journalists for all they have been doing in projecting NPC activities in the State, Honourable Ayodeji Ajayi also promised to evangelize on behalf of the media in Ekiti for his other colleagues serving in various Commissions and Boards of Federal Government to be having regular engagement with them to give account of what they are doing where they are representing the State, so that people will be informed of the development at the federal level.
Earlier, in his opening remarks, the State Director of the Commission in Ekiti, Mr Adebola Richard Oladipo acknowledged the vital role that Journalists played in the past during the preparation for Census saying that their support and coverage were instrumental in creating awareness and ensuring that the public was well informed about all their activities.
As the Commission is awaiting signal from the present administration to resume and complete the crucial task, the State Director urged the Journalists to continue their valuable teamwork with them.
Mr. Oladipo revealed that the Commission is currently conducting the 2023 round of Demographic and Health Survey in Nigeria as he stated that the fieldwork for the NDHS commenced on the 4th December, 2023 and that it would last till 4th May, 2024 in fifteen Local Government Areas of Ekiti State.
The State Director added that, in the first quarter of this year in Ekiti, the Commission intends to ensure full automation of the Electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (E-CVRS) as being done in other States of the federation. He urged journalists to help them intensify campaign on the use of data for evidence-based planning in the country.
Speaking on behalf of all journalists in Ekiti State, the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ekiti State Council, Comrade Kayode Babatuyi appreciated the Honourable Commissioner for the honour and respect he has for journalists as he said that’s what Journalists have been clamouring for.
“We don’t want people to fear us but to respect and love us for whom we are. He thanked the Commissioner for leading by example.
Babatuyi used the occasion to appeal to the President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to give the necessary approval to NPC to commence the necessary preparation for the Census which was suspended by the immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari having put in place much efforts.