By Ese Obote-Ogwu
ASABA/Nigeria: Delta State Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr. Sonny Ekedayen, has emphasized that statistics and data collation are inseparable tools, describing them as the “dynamic duo” essential for producing accurate and reliable information that guides effective economic planning and decision-making.
Ekedayen made the remark when he received facilitators from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) who paid him a courtesy visit in his office. He noted that their visit, though unannounced, came at the right time and would yield immense benefits for the state’s planning process.
“The spontaneous nature of your visit notwithstanding, its timing is impeccable and will yield significant benefits for the state,” he said, while commending the NBS for its role in strengthening statistical systems across Nigeria.
The Commissioner also expressed gratitude to the World Bank and the NBS for their support in enhancing the capacity of statisticians in Delta State, noting that such interventions would help refine data-driven policies and improve development outcomes.
Speaking during the visit, Mr. Bartholomew Ngwee of the NBS thanked the Commissioner for his warm reception and lauded Delta State’s impressive record in computing its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) annually. He said this achievement reflects the vibrancy of the state’s economy and its commitment to evidence-based planning.
Earlier, Ms. Nkechi Madumezia, Director of Statistics, introduced the NBS team to the Commissioner as facilitators of an upcoming three-day training workshop designed to build the skills of state statisticians.
