By Emmanuel Kwada
The Adamawa State Bureau of Statistics (ADSBS), in partnership with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the World Bank, has kicked off a transformative five-day training workshop for enumerators tasked with implementing the Adamawa State Gross Domestic Product (SGDP) initiative.
The event, held at the Government House Conference Hall, marks a significant step toward strengthening the state’s economic framework and supporting Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri’s eight-point agenda for economic stability.
In a powerful opening address, Barrister Auwal Tukur, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), represented by Dr. Mary Paninga, Chairman of the Adamawa State Planning Commission, emphasized the administration’s unwavering commitment to leveraging data-driven tools like the SGDP to propel the state forward.
“The Gross Domestic Product is one of the most powerful economic tools available,” Tukur declared.
This training is a welcome development that complements our aspirations to improve the lives of Adamawa’s citizens
“It measures the monetary value of final goods and services, enabling us to estimate economic activity, identify high-potential sectors for employment and revenue generation, and make evidence-based decisions for development.”
Tukur highlighted the timeliness of the workshop, noting that a robust SGDP will streamline budget preparation, medium-term expenditure frameworks, sector strategy analysis, and debt sustainability assessments.
“This training is a welcome development that complements our aspirations to improve the lives of Adamawa’s citizens,” he added, pledging the Fintiri administration’s continued support for the ADSBS and the broader national statistics system.
He urged participants to approach their roles with dedication and called on facilitators to impart knowledge effectively, aligning with global statistical best practices as outlined in the UN Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics.
The SSG also appealed to key stakeholders—including the Ministries of Finance, Budgetary and Economic Planning, and other relevant organizations—to collaborate closely to ensure the SGDP compilation’s success. “This exercise is critical for the development of our state,” he stressed.
The indispensable role of GDP at both national and sub-national levels
In separate remarks, representatives from the National Bureau of Statistics, the Chairman of the Adamawa State Board of Internal Revenue, and the Chairman of the ADSBS Governing Board underscored the importance of accurate data collection.
They commended the state government for prioritizing the workshop and encouraged enumerators to exchange experiences to enhance the quality of their work.
Delivering the welcome address, Statistician General of Adamawa State, Yohanna Yakubu Dzarma, emphasized the indispensable role of GDP at both national and sub-national levels.
“The significance of GDP cannot be overstated,” Dzarma said. “It creates opportunities, guides economic planning, and determines each state’s contribution to the national economy.” He expressed optimism that the training would equip enumerators with the skills needed to produce reliable data for Adamawa’s growth.
It creates opportunities, guides economic planning, and determines each state’s contribution to the national economy
The workshop, attended by enumerators, government officials, and development partners, signals a new era of economic precision and accountability for Adamawa State.
With the Fintiri administration’s backing, the SGDP initiative promises to unlock the state’s potential, paving the way for sustainable development and improved livelihoods.
As the training progresses, all eyes are on the enumerators, whose work will lay the foundation for Adamawa’s economic future.
