Efforts to strengthen civil registration and prepare for the next national census received renewed attention as the Chairman of the National Population Commission, Aminu Yusuf, met with traditional leaders in Imo State.
Yusuf made the appeal during a visit to the Chairman of the Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, Emmanuel Okie, in Owerri, where he emphasized the importance of accurate demographic data for national planning, development, and fair resource distribution.
He noted that traditional institutions play a vital role in mobilising communities, stressing that their influence can help improve participation in civil registration programmes. According to him, birth registration is essential for establishing legal identity and ensuring children have access to services such as education, healthcare, and social protection.
Yusuf explained that the Commission continues to oversee the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics system while awaiting the formal announcement of the census, adding that ongoing registration efforts remain critical to sustainable development.
He urged royal fathers to intensify awareness campaigns within their communities, assuring that both census and registration processes are secure, confidential, and designed to support national growth. Yusuf also commended Okeke for his leadership and reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to collaboration.
In response, Okeke expressed appreciation for the engagement, describing it as a positive step toward inclusiveness, and pledged the continued support of traditional leaders in advancing population and registration initiatives across the state.
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