The Politics of Census in Nigeria
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
Population is the major determinant of national affairs. It leverages power and determines public policy and revenue allocation as areas with higher population are entitled to a greater share of the national resources in terms of state creation, representation and other national consideration. Moreover, politics especially democracy thrives on numbers. So, population figures also shapes election result, since a more population place will justifiably cast more voters. It, therefore, a power toll. Both for economic and political activities (Ezukanma 2003).
The imperatives of population in gaining leverage at every of national affairs makes census count imperative and vita for any and every form of meaningful development to occur in a nation. Census is a total process of collecting, compiling and publishing at a specific time or time of all person in a country or delimited territory, (united nations, 1972). Viewed as a whole, census involves five steps, namely planning, and preparation, enumeration, compilation of data collected and report analysis of data collected and issues of reports.
Taking cognizance of data needs for most purposes the United Nations has drawn up a list of items of information which ought to be included in any census schedule or questionnaire. These core items that have to be included for enumeration exercise to be considered a census fall into categories:
Geographical, person, house hoods and economic characteristics. Geographical characteristics relate to a place where a citizen was found at the time of census or a place of usual residence and place of birth (united nations, 1958). Under personal and house characteristics cine such item as sex, age relation to head of house hood, marital status, children ever born. Children alive, literacy school attainment. Economic characteristics relate to the type of activities, occupation or industry in which a citizen is engaged, and his status
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
Population is the major determinant of national affairs. It leverages power and determines public policy and revenue allocation as areas with higher population are entitled to a greater share of the national resources in terms of state creation, representation and other national consideration. Moreover, politics especially democracy thrives on numbers. So, population figures also shapes election result, since a more population place will justifiably cast more voters. It, therefore, a power toll. Both for economic and political activities (Ezukanma 2003).
The imperatives of population in gaining leverage at every of national affairs makes census count imperative and vita for any and every form of meaningful development to occur in a nation. Census is a total process of collecting, compiling and publishing at a specific time or time of all person in a country or delimited territory, (united nations, 1972). Viewed as a whole, census involves five steps, namely planning, and preparation, enumeration, compilation of data collected and report analysis of data collected and issues of reports.
Taking cognizance of data needs for most purposes the United Nations has drawn up a list of items of information which ought to be included in any census schedule or questionnaire. These core items that have to be included for enumeration exercise to be considered a census fall into categories:
Geographical, person, house hoods and economic characteristics. Geographical characteristics relate to a place where a citizen was found at the time of census or a place of usual residence and place of birth (united nations, 1958). Under personal and house characteristics cine such item as sex, age relation to head of house hood, marital status, children ever born. Children alive, literacy school attainment. Economic characteristics relate to the type of activities, occupation or industry in which a citizen is engaged, and his status