By Dipo Olowookere
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has called on Nigerian Statistical Association (NSA) to work closely with it so as to assist in the areas of research and data collation.
The Director of Statistics at the CBN, Dr Mohammed Tumala, explained that this will help the apex bank understand the country better for policy making.
Dr Tumala, who made this known on Wednesday in Lagos at the association’s 1st International Conference themed ‘Positioning National Statistical System for Data Revolution and Inclusive Development,’ also called on government institutions to understand and acknowledge the importance of statistics towards the attainment of national development, stressing that all hands must be on deck to accord the profession its rightful recognition.
He said with the right statistics in place, government can plan very well and also provide infrastructure across the country.
Also speaking at the event, Mr Michel Mouyelo Katoula, in his lecture titled ‘How Useful are our Statistics to Government at all levels and the Ordinary Citizens,’ stated that statistics is a vital source of evidence that helps provide clear objectives on critical aspects of a country life, population, economic performance, health, poverty and well-being.
He noted that data is significant from the smallest unit to all levels of government for proper and accurate planning in matters that affect the lives of the masses.
He emphasized that “Data is just not the collation of numbers but it is consciousness. What we decide with today’s data will create tomorrow’s wealth, future and our consciousness and it is central to communication, research and design.”
Mr Katoula opined that data should be used to heal our communities, to understand our sociological and behavioural patterns and to ensure social justice and survival.
On his part, Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, noted that data collation and analysis were key to good planning in other to achieve all inclusive governance.
Adedapo Adesanya