Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Archbishop of the Catholic Diocese of Abuja, and the Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Muhammad Samaila Mera, have urged the incoming government under Bola Ahmad Tinubu to continue with the Housing and Population Census.
The religious leaders spoke during a round table engagement with traditional and interfaith leaders in Abuja on improving human capital development through girl-child education.
According to Onaiyekan: “Census should be a regular thing and should be done properly. The only thing is that the time fixed for the census was bad timing and I think President Muhammadu Buhari did well to postpone it. So, the incoming administration should make sure it is done properly as plans have already started and have continued.
“Our country has always been reluctant in reflecting religion in our census. I am one of those who believe that religion is an important aspect of our life in this country, and to do a census without reflecting on it means we are closing our eyes to an important reality. If it reflects tribe and place of birth, it should reflect religion.”
On his part, the Emir of Argungu Alhaji Muhammad Samaila Mera stated that the census should be conducted in a conducive climate.
“Census is very important; you can’t plan anything without knowing who you are planning it for. Census is important for everything we do, but I think we should do it in a conducive climate,” he said.
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