Lagos state government yesterday underscored the importance of accurate data to adequate planning which is necessary to bring about inclusive development and growth in all sections and sectors.
Speaking while receiving a delegation from the Nigerian Statistical Association (NSA) on behalf of the state government on a courtesy visit, the Commissioner for Establishment, Training and Pension, Dr. Akintola Benson, said adequate data remains critical to bringing about efficient planning and execution of policies and programmes that would help to enhance quality of life of the people.
The delegation led by NSA Second Vice President, Dr Olusanya Olubusoye, and former Statistician General of the Federation, Chief Oladejo Ajayi, had scheduled to visit to intimate the state government about the forthcoming international conference of the association to be held in Lagos from September 6 to 8, 2017.
Benson, who received members of the NSA delegation alongside the Special Adviser to the Governor on Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Hon Benjamin Olabinjo; Permanent Secretary, Lagos state Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Abayomi Kadri; and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mr. Tunde Ogunleye, commended the association for putting the conference together.
“For instance, today, nobody can actually ascertain the exact population of Nigeria. Some people will say we are 180 million, some will say we are 150 million; some will say we are 250 million. The question is what is the exact figure of our population? In essence, this conference will give us insight on how to get the accurate data that will help us to plan properly,” he said.
Earlier, in his opening remarks, Olubusoye, who is the chairman of the National Organising Committee of the conference, said the courtesy visit was basically to officially introduce the officials of the NSA and the members of the Organising Committee.
