DELTA State for the better part of last week colourfully played host to thousands of Statisticians from across Nigeria, parts of Africa and the diaspora. It is indeed remarkable that the conference culture, of international magnitude is burgeoning alongside tourism and hospitality in Delta. This is largely attributable to the predictable peace, spirit of hospitality of the people and rapid development of support infrastructure which the State has consistently built on in the past one decade. Asaba, once sleepy but now sprawling capital city on the verge of the Niger River has also become a compelling and alluring go-to conference city in Nigeria.
The theme of the second international conference of CISON: Big Data And Analytics in Nigeria: Developing a national data ecosystem for enhanced national prosperity proved to be both timely, topical and aptly visionary with the President of the Chartered Institute of Statisticians of Nigeria, CISON, Dr Godday Ebuh reiterating that data has become the world’s new crude oil while statistics remains the veritable tool for harnessing data for informed policy decisions and enhanced development.
He therefore called on policy makers across the country to practically support and align with what has become the trend globally; the use of statistical data ecosystems to drive enhanced development. In this direction, he called on Statisticians across the country to remain committed on the path of professional integrity, transparency and Unwavering credibility in the discharge of their assignments. In this light Dr Ebuh commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration in Delta State for setting the pace in appreciating the imperatives of a robust and integrated national data ecosystem in contemporary economic growth trajectory driven by knowledge, information and technology.
The CISON President said it had become noteworthy the way Delta State has consistently leveraged on statistics for informed developmental decisions across the key sectors of the State’s economy.
Dr. Ebuh noted that data had become the world’s new crude oil, which Nigeria must join in its exploration, and commended the Government of Delta State for not only being statistician-friendly, but also exemplary in allowing data to drive development in the state.
CISON President called for integrity, integration and collaboration amongst professional Statisticians towards building a robust and reliable national data ecosystem, stressing the need for Nigeria to harness big data to be able to make informed policy decisions and drive national development. In his words, the train of global resort to data has left the station. Nigeria has no choice but to join or risk being left behind.
While declaring the conference open, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori had emphasized the critical role of data in shaping Nigeria’s development strides, highlighting the importance of a robust and integrated national data ecosystem in driving economic growth and development.
The Governor who had a fitting and effective representation in the person of Dr. Kingsley Emu, Secretary to the State Government reiterated that the theme of the conference, was apt, timely and forward-looking.
He equally congratulated the Institute for sustaining the conference culture which, he remarked, was an important platform for a much needed dialogue on the role of data and analytics in shaping Nigerians development trajectory, emphasizing that data-driven decision-making was essential to policymakers and development focused stakeholders.
Oborevwori reaffirmed that his administration relied on data for planning and development, and had always supported the Central Office of Research and Statistics with funds to undertake and publish several statistical surveys crucial to informed policy decisions and resource allocation.
The Governor also emphasized that the true promise of big data lied not in the sheer volume of numbers collated, but in the capacity to transform the numbers to actionable knowledge that could drive policy and shape changes. On this score, he urged statisticians to embrace innovative techniques and address the challenges of data governance and privacy in an increasingly digital world. The Statistician-General of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Prince Adeyemi Adeniran called for a more robust collaboration amongst the directorates of Statistics across the States for a more active and dynamic national data ecosystem not fragmented data existing in silos.
In a goodwill message, Minister of Education, Dr. Olatunji Alausa, represented by Mr. Matthew Nganjiozo, described “Big Data Analytics” as a game-changer for education and a transformative tool that has the capacity to unlock prosperity.
He made it clear that in the face of economic challenges and global uncertainties, harnessing statistical methodologies could inform policies, optimize resource allocation, and personalize learning experiences.
The ebullient host and proven, proactive Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr. Sunny Ekedayan, who had worked tirelessly with members of the local organizing committee to ensure a successful hosting praised the Chartered Institute of Statisticians of Nigeria for choosing Delta State as host of its 2nd Annual International Conference, describing the gathering as a testament to the growing importance of data in shaping the destiny of nations and emphasizing the significance of data in present day knowledge-driven world.
The Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Economic Policy, represented by the Director of Statistics, Dr. Usman Okpanachi noted that policy decisions of CBN are critically informed by data as collated by the National Bureau of Statistics urging a more efficient collaboration in the months ahead towards a more vibrant economy that will ensure improved living standards and undeniable prosperity for more Nigerians.
It should also be put on record that the Chairman, Local Organizing Committee and Delta State Director of Statistics, Ms Elizabeth Nkechi Maduemezia lived up to her billing as a Statistician-Amazon and unassuming but firmly rooted technocrat.
With the second international conference of CISON over, the expectation of Nigerians is that the economic indicators and standard of living statistical data being brandished by the National Bureau of Statistics should be a fair and faithful representation of what the average citizen is encountering both at the open market places and the family dinning tables. A situation where official Data points towards tremendous economic success while the reality at the market places is showing crippling hyper inflation and unabated cost of living crisis raises credibility and integrity issues on the part of the professional Statisticians and the Agencies interpreting the facts behind the figures. For Data to drive development, it must be free of political bias, inclination and colourations.
The integrity of professional Statistician must be unassailable. Now that Delta State has demonstrated convincing pedigree and consummate capacity in conference hosting, there is the need to leverage on this proven, profound competence to further build on the State’s tourism and hospitality potentials. On its current conference hosting profile, Delta Provides a serene , secured and convivial environment both for work , rest and creative human interactions. Participants testified of the warm and hospitable ambiance exuding beyond the conference venue to the major cities across the State. There’s no doubt that Delta is truly setting the pace in tourism and hospitality towards a greater Nigeria. CISON, sure, deserves to be celebrated.
Its President Dr Godday Ebuh remarkably demonstrated leadership, zeal and passionate commitment to the affairs of the Institute. Delta State also deserves high level commendation for showing the light for other States to follow in the quest for Big Data And Analytics in driving development and enhancing prosperity. The highlight of the week long event was the presentation of a plague to the Governor of Delta State, followed by his decoration with CISON emblem and paraphernalia in recognition of his support for the Chartered Institute of Statisticians of Nigeria and statistics.
