PROTOCOL,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
A cordial welcome to each of you as we convene today for a pivotal occasion—the State Launch of the 2023-24 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS). This moment symbolizes the culmination of strategic planning, collaborative efforts, and unwavering commitment from all participating stakeholders. Your esteemed presence here today further underscores a collective dedication to advancing the field of knowledge, policy formulation, and, crucially, the health landscape of the state and the nation as a whole.
For over three decades, the National Population Commission has spearheaded the implementation of the NDHS, in close collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, and key partners. This survey has been instrumental in providing invaluable insights that inform evidence-based policies, enhance public health interventions, and contribute to the broader development agenda of our nation. Together, we have elevated this survey from a research initiative to a cornerstone of dependable demographic and health metrics for Nigeria.
As we proceed on this collective journey, I would like to express gratitude to our esteemed partners and collaborators for their ongoing support to the survey. I sincerely thank our partner agencies including the National Bureau of Statistics, and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and others, for their unwavering support and collaboration. Special recognition to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for their support, specifically for providing primary funding for the survey, and for providing technical expertise through the ICF International. We are also deeply thankful for the support received from notable and longstanding partners including the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), The Global Fund, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, UNICEF, WHO and various others. This support has been indispensable in bringing the survey to its present stage, and we sincerely appreciate your commitment to this cause.
Overall, the presence of all of us here signals our support, dedication and readiness to engage and commit towards having quality data from the 2023-24 NDHS. As we all know, the data we collect and analyze will not merely be numerical values; they will represent the health, aspirations, and challenges of our communities. As such, each one of us here, from researchers to administrators and policy makers, holds a critical role in ensuring the success of this survey.
Once again, I warmly welcome you to the event. As we officially launch the 2023-24 NDHS, let's bear in mind that the impact of our work transcends statistics. It extends to the lives of every individual, every family, and every community in Nigeria. I express my gratitude for your commitment and dedication to this cause. Together, we are setting the stage for positive change, and I am confident that the data we gather will guide us toward a healthier and more prosperous future.
Thank you for being part of this significant journey.
His Excellency, Silas Ali Agara
Honorable federal commissioner
National Population Commission
