University don attributes underdevelopment to poor statistics

From: Uche Nnorom, Makurdi

Head, Department of Mathematics/Statistics/Computer Science, Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi Prof. Jonathan Atsua Ikughur has attributed the failure of the country in virtually every aspect to deliberate refusal of leaders to place premium on statistical thinking but on money.
He made this allusion yesterday at a one day Stakeholder Dialogue to mark the 2020 World Statistics Day with the theme ‘Connecting the World with Data We Can Trust’ organized by the Office of the Wife of the Governor Mrs. Eunice Ortom.
Prof. Ikughur pointed out that auditing implementation of statistical thinking through monitoring and evaluation of performance is always deemed a waste of time, noting that if the denominator of a statistician were money like that of the Accountant, or if the Statistics could metamorphosed into money, politicians would have respected the profession.
He further stated that despite the fact the Nigeria Statistical and the Nigeria Population Commissions are statutory bodies, there is not budgetary provisions for executing regular and periodic censuses,baseline and End-line surveys and vital registration.
“On the contrary, rather premium is placed on Electoral system and funding some commissions that do not have direct bearing on development”,he said.
The University Don lamented at the scenery in Benue State that lacks a Bureau of Statistics while other states have developed their statistical system.
“Currently, a search for statistics of Benue State will provide no meaningful data for planning. There is need to articulate challenging issues of the State, the people and the environment, the potentials for development and draw a road map for articulating them.
Convened of the conference and wife of the Governor Dr. Eunice Ortom who was represented by the General Manager, Benue Rural, Water Supply and Sanitation Agency. Mrs. Torkwase Ikyator said this year’s theme emphases on the importance of a robust and trustworthy, statistical data system in the development of any nation.
Mrs. Ortom acknowledged the importance of timely, consistent and reliable data and other statistical indicators of a country’s progress in formulating, implementing and monitoring the key policy decisions taken by government.