By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

ABUJA—The National Population Commission, NPC, yesterday, said it was ready to furnish the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, with the accurate demographic data of eligible electorates in the country, even as it tasked Nigerians to take death and birth registration seriously.

The Chairman of the commission, Chief Samu’lla Danko Makama who briefed newsmen yesterday as part of the activities to commemorate the 2010 World Population Day, pledged the commitment of the NPC towards assisting the INEC in its bid to compile a credible voters register for the forthcoming general elections, adding that the only way to realize the ‘one man one vote’ agenda of the President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration, was by ensuring that everyone member of the citizenry counts.

He, however, decried the fact that ascertaining death and birth rates in the country has remained a great challenge to the commission, a situation he blamed on failure on the part of Nigerians to approach the NPC for proper documentation of such facts.

According to him, “there is need to draw the attention of the general public and policy makers to the implications of rapid population growth, as well as promoting attitudes that are consistent with managing the population for sustainable development and healthy reproductive behaviours.

“It is widely believed that the population of Nigeria is 150 million, but how can you ensure the reliability of this data when the population profile of this country is very dynamic and changes overtime.”