IntercontinentalNewsReservoir: NBS, UNICEF conducts cluster survey in Kaduna communities to strengthen data for development

By Sani Idris Abdulrahman

National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in collaboration with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and other development partners, has on Monday begun the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS).

The MICS field survey, was conducted at Layin Dattawa, Rigasa, Igabi and Sabon-Gari, Kaduna South LGA, as part of efforts to generate reliable data to enhance the well-being of citizens.

The national exercise, implemented by the NBS in collaboration with UNICEF, among others development partners, was to equip government with accurate, evidence-based data for targeted interventions, particularly in health, education and household welfare.

Husseni Habu, the Program Monitoring Specialist, UNICEF Kaduna, commended the conduct of the exercise in the state, describing the level of cooperation from residents as encouraging and reflective of the state’s commitment to improving citizens’ well-being.

“What we have seen so far is very good. I am impressed, and I believe that at the end of the day, we will have, if not 100 per cent something close to full cooperation,” he said.

Habu added that the data generated would enable government to better understand community needs and allocate limited resources effectively.

“The data will guide the government to direct resources to where the real issues are. Given that resources are limited, it is important that whatever is available goes to those who truly need it,” he noted.

Also speaking, the NBS State Officer, Mr Johnathan Bako, said the indicators generated by the survey would support government and donor agencies to design effective interventions, especially those addressing maternal and child health.

Bako, represented by Mr. Raymond Yohana, explained that a robust mobilisation strategy was deployed from the local government to the community level, leading to encouraging responses despite occasional resistance.

Bako further emphasised the financial magnitude of the survey, stressing that without donor support, the cost would run into billions of naira due to personnel needs, extensive training stages, logistics and field deployment.

“It is a huge financial commitment, and we appreciate UNICEF and all donor agencies for making this survey a reality,” he said.

According to him, the Kaduna State component targets 20 respondents per enumeration area across 50 areas, amounting to about 1,000 respondents, adding that the fieldwork is expected to continue until March.

Some residents interviewed, including Ali Hudu and Aisha Aliyu of Danmadami in Rigasa, who expressed appreciation for the exercise, saying the visit by the survey teams showed that government was becoming more concerned about improving people’s living conditions.

They called on fellow residents to cooperate and provide accurate information, stressing that the data would help government plan better and deliver more effective interventions.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that MICS is conducted every four years to produce a broad set of indicators covering household living conditions, maternal health, child survival, education, immunisation, and illnesses affecting children under five.(NAN)