By Abel Johngold Orheruata, ANIPR

Asaba, March 18, 2025 –

The Delta State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to data-driven governance with the commencement of a five-day training workshop for statisticians in the state.

The State Commissioner for Economic Planning Mr. Sonny Ekedayen made this assertion at a five-day Training of Enumerators (ToE) on the implementation of state gross domestic products workshop organized by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in collaboration with the ministry of economic planning Asaba.

The workshop, which focuses on the implementation of the State Gross Domestic Product (SGDP), was declared open in Asaba by Mrs. Martina Amromanoh, Director of Overseas Development, who represented the Commissioner for Economic Planning, Hon. Sonny Ekedayen.

In her remarks, Amromanoh emphasized the crucial role of statistics in governance and economic planning, noting that accurate data collection and analysis are essential for sustainable development. She highlighted the fact that every sector, including agriculture, education, and infrastructure, relies on reliable statistical data to drive policy decisions.

“We cannot underestimate the importance of data gathering. Even in our homes, we need data to plan effectively. As a state, it is even more critical to have accurate statistics to inform government policies and ensure meaningful development,” she stated.

She stressed the importance of the training, stating that it provides an opportunity for statisticians to stay updated with modern data collection techniques and the latest statistical software used globally. According to her, His Excellency, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, has been instrumental in supporting initiatives like this, ensuring that resources are made available for continuous capacity building.

“If the Governor asks for the number of farmers in Delta State today, we must be able to provide that data instantly. This is why we must keep training and retraining our statisticians to meet global standards,” Amromanoh added.

In his felicitation message, the Statistician General of the Federation, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran noted that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is an important macroeconomic indicator that measures the growth of economic activities at the national and sub-national levels, indicating the economy’s strength.

According to the Statistician General, who was represented by Principal Statistician, National Bureau of Statistics, Abuja, Mrs. Ese Ekorhi, “This collaborative effort between the National Bureau of Statistics and the States’ Statistical Agencies demonstrates the importance of data-driven decision-making in promoting economic growth and development at the sub-national level.

“The compilation of State Gross Domestic Products (SGDP) will provide valuable insights into the economic performance of each state, enabling policymakers to make informed decisions that will foster sustainable growth and development. This exercise is a testament to the power of collaboration and the shared
commitment to promoting evidence-based policymaking”.

Earlier, the Director of Statistics, Ms. Nkechi Maduemezie, revealed that Delta State’s statistical records are up to date until 2022, making it the only state in the country to achieve this milestone.

“We have successfully compiled data across 46 components, and our state data is robust and actively in use,” she stated. “This exercise is vital, and we are committed to demonstrating our contribution to the national GDP. Delta will continue to prove that it is one of the states driving Nigeria’s economy.”

The workshop is part of a nationwide initiative to strengthen statistical systems across states, ensuring uniformity in data collection methodologies. Participants were urged to take the training seriously, as their work directly impacts the state’s ability to plan effectively and implement developmental projects based on accurate data.

The training will also equip enumerators with the necessary skills to collect and analyze data for the Delta State GDP, a critical indicator for assessing the state’s economic performance and planning future initiatives.

As Delta State continues its march toward sustainable economic development, programs like this reaffirm the government’s commitment to evidence-based decision-making and policy formulation.