Today Is World Statistics Day

Today is World Statistics Day. It is celebrated on twentieth October every five years.

In this special report, ABS Correspondent, Blessing Dennis, samples opinion of people on the day.

World Statistics Day is set aside to celebrate gains of the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics, which involve collecting, analyzing, and interpreting large amount of numerical data.

There is no doubt that the world benefits from  statistical research and data in areas of politics, economy, environment, health among others.

In an interview, the Head of Mass Communication Department, Federal Polythenic Oko, Barrister Fidelis Oduah, said statistics serve the purpose of helping a person, group, society or nation survive economically, socially, politically and healthwise.

He noted that statistics deals with history, past and present events, adding that over one hundred countries celebrate the day because one cannot do without statistics.

Contributing, the Secretary, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, Oko Chapter, Mr. Ben Obiora, said the day emphasises the need to know exact number of people living in a particular country, to enable leaders plan well for citizens.

Mr. Obiora, who noted that statistics allows man make new discoveries and improve living condition, adding that even when predicting the weather, meteorologists rely on statistics for accuracy, while industries rely on it for safer products.

He lamented that Nigeria does not have required strong database for storing information, urging government to assist in data management.