By Ekhator Osasogie Mercy

The National Population Commission (NPC) has appealed to residents of Edo State to cooperate with its officials who are conducting the 2024 Nigeria Verbal and Social Autopsy (VASA) study in the state.

The Federal Commissioner of the Commission in charge of Edo State, Dr. Tony Aiyejina who made the call at a press briefing in Benin City, noted that the survey is part of the commission’s technical and specialised surveys designed to generate empirical findings and relevant data for government policy engineering to attend to the needs of the citizenry.

He pointed out that the VASA survey is being conducted by the NPC in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health (FOMH) which is a follow up of the 2023-2024 National Demographic and Health Survey that was conducted in May this year.

While appealing for the support of traditional rulers, religious and opinion leaders and residents on the imperatives of a smooth and successful VASA survey, Dr. Aiyejinaemphasised the role of these critical stakeholders in enhancing the success of the survey.