By Modupe Gbadeyanka
In order to have data that will help with the formulation of socio-economic policies that will address the needs of households, basic educational development, child and maternal health, reproductive health, among others, the Oyo State government has flagged off the sixth Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS).
The scheme commenced last Thursday and was kicked off by Governor Seyi Makinde through his Special Adviser on Economic Affairs, Professor Musibau Babatunde.
Mr Makinde said the data achieved from the MICS will enable the state to assess its current position and also enable it to project into the future in the context of the 20-year development plan of the state.
He added that the survey would support his ongoing efforts to prepare its development plan and to track the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the five-point agenda of the present administration.
According to him, the objectives of the programme are to provide up-to-date statistical information on the conditions of children and women in Nigeria and specifically on child’s rights; provide data for SDG reporting and the African Union Agenda 2063 monitoring; provide reliable data for immunisation coverage of children aged 0 to 47 months for both the basic vaccination and complementary antigens, and determine obstacles to utilization of routine immunization services.
In his remarks, the state’s Statistician-General, Mr Adekunle Ajuwon, lauded the programme, adding that the present administration’s commitment to the collation of data is commendable.
He noted that the rate of out-of-school children has reduced drastically, due to the conduct of past surveys in Oyo state.
