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FG: Nigeria’s population will be third in the world after China and India by 2050

Published

2 years ago

August 12, 2022

FG: Nigeria's population will be third in the world after China and India by 2050

President Muhammadu Buhari has disclosed that Nigeria is projected to be the third most populated nation in the world after India and China by 2050.

The president also put the nation’s current population at 216 million and sixth most populous nation in the world.

Speaking at a national stakeholders’ summit on the 2023 Population and Housing Census at the State House, Abuja, on Thursday, Buhari stressed that due to the rapidly growing nature of the population and large proportion of the youthful population, “Nigeria is projected to be the third most populous country in the World by the year 2050 after India and China.

“With a projected population of 216,783,381, Nigeria is the sixth most populous country in the world and the most populous country on the African continent.”

According to him, deployment of digital technology in the 2023 National Population and Housing Census would ensure effectiveness and more accuracy in the figures.

The president said a reliable, credible, acceptable and successful census would help government in planning for development, especially in bolstering the social security programme that targets more vulnerable Nigerians.

He said: “The country’s inability to conduct a population census in the last 16 years has created an information vacuum as the data from the last census conducted in 2006 has been rendered out of date for planning purposes.

“It has therefore become imperative for the nation to conduct another national census to produce a new set of demographic and socio-economic data that will provide the basis for national planning and sustainable development.

“Population is a critical factor in a nation’s efforts toward achieving sustainable development. People are both the agents and beneficiaries of the development process. Knowledge of the national population in terms of size, distribution and socio-economic characteristics is required for planning purposes. This, therefore, makes the conduct of census an essential governance activity.”

Despite Nigeria’s high-ranking position on the global demographic map, the president said its population censuses had been conducted irregularly and at intervals, longer than the United Nations recommended 10 years.

“This irregular and long interval of census taking in Nigeria, has denied the nation the huge benefits of comprehensive baseline data for evidence-based decision-making.

“Since our assumption of office in 2015, our administration has introduced several poverty reduction and youth empowerment programmes, which are making concrete improvements in the living standards of our people.

“There is a need to ensure that further implementation of these programmes will be driven by the 2023 Census data that will improve the implementation of programmes targeting vulnerable populations and ensuring as widespread coverage as possible.

“The nation requires a new data set to drive the implementation of the recently launched revised National Policy on Population for Sustainable Development and other government policies. The 2023 Census data is also needed to tackle the security challenges bedevilling the country as it will give an overview of the population, where we are and who we are,’’ he added.

Buhari called for support of stakeholders, which include state governments, local government councils, traditional and religious institutions, civil society organisations, private sector, media, development partners, donor agencies and the general populace for the successful conduct of the 2023 Census.

According to him: “Ordinarily, conducting a population census is a routine national event that is the ultimate responsibility of every national government. Census taking cannot be left to the National Population Commission alone.”

Buhari noted that the government would appreciate all support from donors, development partners and the international community in order to ensure that the Commission conducts a census that would be transparent, credible and meet national and international standard.

“Our administration is convinced that the National Population Commission has the commitment and capacity to deliver to the nation a reliable, credible, acceptable and successful census. We are also satisfied with the deployment of technology by the Commission to ensure the conduct of the first fully digital census in Nigeria as the census methodology will enhance the data quality, inspire the confidence of the Nigerian people and acceptability of the census results.’’
Buhari said the summit would further strengthen collaboration and solicit the cooperation and support of key stakeholders for the successful conduct of the 2023 Census, while appreciating the National Population Commission for organising the summit and wishing all Nigerians a peaceful and successful conduct of the census.

“The just concluded Trial Census, in which my household was enumerated in my hometown, Daura, Katsina State has renewed our hope and confidence in the capacity of the Commission to deliver the 2023 Census. The outcome of the preparatory activities for the main census is reassuring that the Commission is progressing in the right direction,’’ the president noted.

He added that knowing Nigeria’s population and using the data to plan for the people and future generations remain a collective duty owed the nation.

“We must all resolve that this duty is satisfactorily carried out in the firm belief that what has joined us together as a nation and our common destiny are far stronger than the negative forces that tend to drive us apart,” he submitted.

Earlier in his remarks, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, who was represented by the Special Adviser to the President, Dr. Habiba Muda Lawal, said the country had a population growth rate of 2.3 percent, and would likely be the third most populated country in the world by 2050.

She said the 2023 census would be the first fully digital population and housing documentation and the outcome would be useful for planning and budgetary allocations.

On his part, Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, represented by Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, praised the president for taking the bold step, adding that the figures would help in national and sub-national planning, particularly for education and health care.

Also speaking, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, said Buhari had once again proven that he would leave a formidable legacy for the nation.

“This administration has proven that things can work in this country. We have seen it in the elections, that polls can be held without rigging. And we are happy to see NPC and INEC working together for a better Nigeria.

“We might not see the impact of some of the decisions taken, but certainly in the future we will see it, at least for the first time our homes will now be coded,’’ he said

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Atiku Honored On 77th Birthday As AUN Marks Founder’s Day

Published

12 months ago

November 27, 2023

Matthew Eloyi

Atiku Honored On 77th Birthday As AUN Marks Founder’s Day

By Ibrahim Abubakar

Yola, the capital city of Adamawa State and its environs, was in a festive mood to celebrate the 77th birthday of its illustrious son, Atiku Abubakar, who was being honored by the American University of Nigeria (AUN), the institution that he established to advance the course of education in Nigeria, on its founder’s ceremony.

In his address, Atiku did a critical appraisal of the performance of the university in its 19 years of existence.

He noted that 19 years is the age of accountability, stating that it is time for stock-taking.

Quoting Socrates, the legendary Greek philosopher, he said that: “unexamined life is not worth living.”

The 2023 PDP presidential candidate raised some fundamental questions about whether the school has followed the vision of its founder in providing American-styled educational system that focuses on leadership development, critical thinking and problem solving and skills, noting that even if the school is not established for profit making purposes, it should generate enough revenue for self-sustenance and to plough back for future development.

Atiku declared that part of his vision was to make the university grow and serve humanity and not to make money for him, stating that he has never collected any money from the school in the 19 years of its establishment.

He said the school is a gift from him to the society and humanity to provide world-class educational platform to develop future leaders.

Atiku therefore enjoined the university administration to be more dynamic and align more proactively to the changing economic and technological world.

He charged them to re-examine their strategies, define their priorities and look for new ways and tools to generate revenue to be self-sustaining.

The high point of the occasion was the commissioning of the Law Faculty of the university by the founder.

In the welcome address at the event attended by many dignitaries from across the country, the Chairman of the Governing Council of the university, Senator Ben Obi welcomed the guests while wishing Atiku Abubakar a happy birthday.

He explained that the purpose of the occasion was to celebrate the founder and the former vice president of the country (1999-2007) and to inaugurate the new president of the university.

Speaking at the occasion, the keynote speaker, Dr. Steven Titus, who is a veteran college administrator and the President Emeritus of the Iowa Wesleyan University, hinted on the importance of the occasion.

He praised the founder for his commitment to education and the vision of establishing the university.

And while presenting a birthday gift to Atiku on behalf of his family, he said that he was moved by the founder’s passion and love for education, describing Atiku as a gift to the world of education.

In his own speech, Professor De Wayne Frazier who is installed as the 6th President of the University thanked Atiku for his vision, generosity for establishing the University, and the opportunity given to him to be part of that vision.

He also thanked the chairman of the governing council for the support, stating that his inauguration marks the beginning of a new era in the history of the university.

He promised to uphold the values of excellence and integrity as enshrined in the foundation of the university, pledging to build on the already laid foundation to move the institution to greater heights.

General

NEMA, SEMA distribute food items to Sokoto flood victims

Published

1 year ago

November 8, 2023

Matthew Eloyi

NEMA, SEMA distribute food items to Sokoto flood victims

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in collaboration with the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has commenced the distribution of food and non-consumables to victims of the 2023 flood in the state.

This was disclosed in a statement signed on Wednesday and made available to newsmen by SEMA’s Information Officer, Abubakar Abdullahi.

According to the statement, the distribution which started on Tuesday, was part of efforts to leverage the pains suffered by residents of the Kebbe Local Government Area of the state over the flood.

SEMA Special Adviser, Nasiru Kalambaina, who was represented by the Director, Relief and Rehabilitation, Mustapha Umar, urged the beneficiaries to make use of the items judiciously.

While speaking in his remarks before the flag-off, the Sole Administrator, Kebbe LGA, Sanusi Kebbe, used the medium to thank and commend the Sokoto SEMA for the quick facilitation of items brought to them by the NEMA.

Some of the beneficiaries who spoke with newsmen commended NEMA and the state government for the timely arrival of the items.

Meanwhile, SEMA and the state’s NEMA operation office jointly assessed the situation of banditry incidents that led to the displacement of various communities in the Sangi, Ungushi, Girkau and Margai wards of the LGA.

During the assessment, the joint team discovered that over 200 households were affected by the banditry incidence out of which many were said to be killed by the bandits.

Speaking during the inspection, Kebbe commended the joint team for coming to assess the situation.

In his remarks, Umar sympathised with the affected communities on behalf of the state government and assured them that after the assessment, a report would be compiled by both agencies to be forwarded to the appropriate concerned authorities for further necessary actions.

The assessment was witnessed and also coordinated by SEMA’s Director of Finance, Kabiru Garba, while NEMA Sokoto’s head of operation was represented by Amìnu Ambursa.

NEMA, SEMA distribute food items to Sokoto flood victims

General

Appeal Court declares Natasha winner of Kogi Central Senatorial election

Published

1 year ago

October 31, 2023

Matthew Eloyi

Natasha sworn in as Kogi Central Senator

Appeal Court declares Natasha winner of Kogi Central Senatorial election

The Court of Appeal in Abuja, on Tuesday, declared Natasha Akpoti-Uduagan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the Kogi Central Senatorial Election held in February 2023.

The court further dismissed the appeal filed by Abubakar Ohere of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for lacking in merit.

Recall that the state’s Election Petitions Tribunal, in September, had invalidated the victory of Ohere and declared Akpoti-Uduagan winner of the Kogi Central Senatorial election.

The Tribunal Chairman, Justice K. A. Orjiako, delivered the unanimous judgment of the three-man panel, revealing that Ohere’s results were inflated in nine polling units in the Ajaokuta Local Government Area.

He added that the Independent National Electoral Commission reduced Natasha’s results in those areas and omitted the results of three other polling units meant for Natasha in the same LGA.

The Tribunal judgment led Ohere to seek redress. However, the Appeal Court further maintained that Akpoti-Uduagan won the election.

Reacting to the appeal court verdict, Akpoti-Uduagan posted on her official Facebook page “We won the Appeal. Joy amidst tears. Thank you Kogi Central. This is us together 🙏🏽”