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Minister Clem Agba
By Akpan David, Calabar
Nigeria Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Clem Agba has disclosed that the Federal Government is determined entrench a system that will eliminate the practice of doctoring official data for individuals’ gains.
He said government was poised to ensure the existence of robust and reliable statistics.
The minister who spoke in Calabar during the he 44th anniversary of the Nigeria Statistical Association (NSA) also declared that data for any country, and Nigeria for that matter, has become imperative. The theme of the conference focused on climate change and socio-economic issues in statistics.
Agba has stated that importance of statistics and data cannot be over emphasised.
He said the them was apt as it was set to address the Sustainable Development Goal 13 which was on takinh concrete steps to combat climate change.
Agba said data are important for effective information dissemination as well as fully understanding climate problems in the context of sustainable national development.
“A proactive response to climate issues will best serve the development of Nigeria in the context of sustainable development.
“To be proactive therefore, one of the major trends that is guiding the Federal Government’s ongoing development of the Medium Term National Development Plan from 2021 to 2025 is the Green Economy.
“Like the rest of the world, Nigeria is committed to developing measures that will protect it from the vulnerabilities of the adverse effect of climate change.
“As a nation, Nigeria needs to move towards climate adaptations that will diversify its energy sources away from fossil fuel to embracing the green economy.
“However, the global energy transition must be inclusive, equitable and just, taking into consideration different realities of various economies of the world, he said.
He said statistics was a vital source of information as it provides policy makers with correct data on all aspects of life; the state of the economy, including the growth of the population, health and others.
Some of the events at the annual event was election of new officers.
Making a remak about the event, Governor of the state, Prof Ben Ayade used the opportunity to charge newly elected officers of the NSA to ensure that there is accurate statistics are that they are available in the country as a way of boosting the economy.
The governor spoke at the closing ceremonies of the events marking its 44th anniversary.
The elected officers included Dr Godday Ebuh as new president, Prof Gulumbe Usmanas 1st vice president, Prof Joy Nwabueze as 2nd vice president, Dr Aruno Charles as national secretary and Ekpenyong Emmanuel John as assistant national secretary.
Ayade challenged the Statisticians to provide the Country with reliable data, adding that such have impacted against the country in recent times.
He urged the association to collaborate with the Federal Government to compile analyses and management of data, which can be relied on as working tools for effective management and development.
According to him, it is the responsibility of the Association to work with the Federal Government of Nigeria to provide a data-based system which is durable.
