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UNFPA: Population Key to National Development
UNFPA: Population Key to National Development
By: Michael Mike
The United Nations Population Fund Agency (UNFPA) has said population management is key to national development by allowing for right choices to be made.
The Country Representative, UN Population Fund (UNFPA) Nigeria, Ms Ulla Mueller, said this at the ‘High Level Partners Engagement on the 2023 Population and Housing Census’ in Abuja, while also disclosing that the Sustainable Development Goals SDGs can only be delivered if Nigeria delivers its 2023 Census, urging everyone to get involved.
She said: “So taking that into consideration when we do a census in Nigeria, that kept a lot on the back. It’s well planned. And it was thought out. It’s a green census. Climate change is real. So we have together with the population commission gone over and beyond to ensure that we apply methodologies that are friendly to the climate to the extent possible. But it’s also going to help us make the right decisions about the climate as we go forward.
“The government has contributed already almost half of this budget and is commendable. We have to stand together figuring out how we take this to the goalpost. If we don’t, the world will actually fail to deliver the SDGs it’s not only Nigeria’s influence in Africa, it’s about Nigerians global influence as the third most populous country in the world 25 years from now.
“We cannot deliver the SDGs if we do not deliver the census in Nigeria so when you contribute to the census in Nigeria, you also contribute to the global promise and achieving and delivering on sustainable development goals and a world where no one is left behind”.
Mueller while assuring of continuous support to Nigeria, said the 2023 population census will offer Nigeria with the chance to choose potentials and opportunities particularly as the country is projected to reach 450 million mark by 2050.
She said: “Nigeria will be 450 million people in 2050 with 3.2 percent growth means the population will be doubled in 22 years is not much of a challenge. So we can choose to be 450 million strong and understand the possibilities and opportunities and well educated and well managed population offers to its country. Or we can choose to be 450 million blind and make decisions based in the dark on guess estimates, which means that we risk putting our investments not where they should be. We risk building schools in places where there are no women delivering children for instance, that would be a bad investment. We need to think about how do we do roads, where is the upcoming markets, that’s where it’s interesting for the private sector”.
She noted that it is estimated today that 70% of the population is under 30, with a lot of that population also under 18.
She added that: “Many of them would always now have started to produce the next generation. How are we going to educate them if we don’t know where they are? How are we going to ensure that there’s access to health care. How are we going to make sure that we have a grid that covers in the right spaces and that we expand that in the right faces? All of this evidence is what a census brings to the table. We were very challenged almost four years ago and I would like to also commend the government because of what many have done. But I also want to say the complexities of a census is mind blowing.”
, UN Resident Coordinator, Mr Mathias Schmale who described census as a capital intensive project, called for mobilization of fund for its success.
Schmale also restated the commitment of the UN to continue to support Nigeria especially in making the 2023 census a success.
The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Dr. Zainab Ahmed, on her part said the need to address the inconsistency in the National Census and statistical system which limits the efficacy of development initiatives premised on obsolete data cannot be over-emphasize.
She said: “Our major challenge over the years had been the lack and/or inadequate funds to readily carry out such huge project in the face of pressing needs for social welfare and human capital development. It is worthy to note that 60 per cent of the funding and other requirements for the 2006 Census could not have been achieved without the invaluable support of the Development Partners, Corporate Bodies and other key Stakeholders. Indeed, the partnership and collaboration in carrying out the 2006 National Census took a lot of burden off the Government of Nigeria and enabled us to conduct a credible exercise whose outcome, served through the years.
“The data from the exercise has been useful in preparing our National Development Plans, implementation of Sectoral Plans and Initiatives, tracking follow-up actions for Global Conventions and Agreements, including the unfinished Agenda of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), the Nairobi Commitments, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals, the Revised National Policy on Population for Sustainable Development among others”.
Also speaking the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Mr. Clement Agba, gave an assurance of a digital, green and transformative census, which would meet international standards.
He said: “The Census was rescheduled for March 2023, but now recommended to hold in May 2023. This is a digital, green and transformative Census that meets international best practices. Some of the activities have been undertaken as scheduled including the conduct of a Trial Census. Government has demonstrated high level of financial and political commitment to the Census project in spite of the election cost and activities. UNFPA is providing significant technical and financial support to the Census programme. A Basket Fund managed by the UNFPA will be established for the redemption of pledges”.
He added that “a total amount of N889 billion would be required to conduct the census. So far the government has committed N291.5 billion to the census making it 46 per cent of total funding for the ncensus. There would be training of 885,000 persons for building numbering and household listing of all buildings in the country for seven days at average of N12,410 per day”.
UNFPA: Population Key to National Development
Nigeria Unveils World-Class Centralised Passport Personalisation Centre
By: Michael Mike
The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has announced that Nigeria’s first Centralised Passport Personalisation and Production Centre is now completed and fully ready to be deployed to end the challenges facing the nation’s passport issuance process.
Speaking at the tour of facility at the Nigeria immigration Service (NIS) headquarter in Abuja on Thursday, the Minister described the acquisition of the facility as a landmark moment in the ongoing reform aimed at transforming the country’s passport issuance system and eliminate backlogs permanently.
He said the project represents one of the boldest steps by the administration of President Bola Tinubu to modernise the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and align it with global best practices.
According to him, unlike in the past when passports were personalised across 96 locations in Nigeria and the diaspora, the new centralised model consolidates production into a single hub for efficiency, quality assurance, and uniformity.
He noted that: “Nigeria is now in the league of countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia, India, and Bangladesh that run centralised passport personalisation centres,” stressing that: “This is a big win for the government and a major shift towards efficiency and reliability.”
The new facility, built in partnership with IRISMAT Technologies Limited, deploys advanced machines capable of producing up to 1,000 passports per hour—a massive leap from the previous Iskra machines which only produced 250–300 passports per day.
With this capacity, the NIS can now produce between 4,500 and 5,000 passports daily, enabling Nigerians to receive approved passports within 24 hours to one week.
Tunji-Ojo said: “This centre puts an end to the era of backlogs and delays. When this administration came on board, we inherited over 204,000 pending applications. That chapter is now closed. Everything is automated and efficient, ensuring Nigerians get value for their money.”
He highlighted other key reforms achieved under the current administration to include: Migration to a single passport series – eliminating the old dual “A and B” series system to strengthen document integrity; Diaspora coverage – ensuring all missions abroad now issue the enhanced B-series passport; Global authentication compliance, which means Nigeria has been fully integrated into the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)‘s Public Key Directory (PKD), boosting international acceptance of its travel documents.
He stated that: “These reforms ensure that no two Nigerians carry different passport types, enhance global trust in our documents, and position Nigeria as a serious player in global travel systems.”
The Minister credited the project’s success to strong collaboration between government, the NIS, and IRISMAT Technologies Limited.
He emphasised that the facility was not funded directly from government coffers but through a strategic partnership designed to deliver value.
He also expressed gratitude to President Tinubu, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, the Comptroller-General of Immigration, and all NIS officers who worked tirelessly to deliver what he called “a career and time-defining project.”
Responding to concerns about how the project will impact citizens, the Minister assured Nigerians that the centralisation will drastically reduce waiting time for new passports and changes of data.
He said: “We promised two weeks, but we are working towards one week. With this centre, Nigerians no longer have to wait endlessly. What matters most is service efficiency, and this project guarantees that.”
He described the project as historic, noting that since the establishment of the Immigration Service in 1963, Nigeria had never built such a facility.
“With this centre, Nigeria now stands shoulder-to-shoulder with advanced nations in the management of travel documents. It is a legacy project that will define the future of our passport system,” he said.
Nigeria Unveils World-Class Centralised Passport Personalisation Centre
Police arrest 18 ESN suspects, recover arms and ammunition in Imo
By: Zagazola Makama
The Police Command in Imo has arrested 18 suspected members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), including male and female accomplices, and recovered arms, ammunition and other exhibits in Oguta Local Government Area of the state.
Zagazola learnt that the arrests followed the routine dislodgement of terrorist camps in Umuaka, Njaba LGA, and Ezioha, Mbaitoli LGA, on Sept. 17, which forced fleeing kingpins into hiding in Agwa, Oguta LGA.
Sources said operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit trailed the suspects to Obudi and Ubah communities in Agwa, where 18 suspects were arrested.
They were identified as Okeabia Onyiyechi, 38; Ndukwe Ebube, 19; Mmadubueze Promise, 20; Raphael Echefu, 19; Ibaku Chigemezu, 19; Chika Augustine, 22; Ibuku Pascal, 22; Mbojisochukwu Odueze, 18; Obioma Emenyionu, 21; Christopher Ugonna, 28; Ozioma Onwatugws, 17; Mathew Chibuenyi, 16; Orusakwe Favour, 19; Uzochi Nkiruka, 45; Uzochi Adaeze, 20; Akubuome Chialuka, 20; Ibuaku Caroline, 50; and Godwin Okechukwu Uzochi, 22, all from Oguta LGA and its environs.
Items recovered from the suspects included one AK-47 rifle, three AK-47 magazines, one pump action gun, 90 rounds of live cartridges, two Biafra flags, and various criminal charms.
The sources added that two suspects sustained gunshot injuries during the raid and are undergoing treatment at the Police Clinic.
The sources noted that some of the arrested suspects confessed to several killings within the state, while others were identified in viral videos with terrorist commanders.
“The command is intensifying efforts to track down other fleeing terrorist kingpins, many of whom escaped with bullet wounds during the encounter,”the sources said.
Police arrest 18 ESN suspects, recover arms and ammunition in Imo
Borno: Suspected robbers injure hunter in Gubio attack
By: Zagazola Makama
A Grasshopper’s hunter sustained serious injuries after he was attacked by suspected armed robbers at Jatori village in Gubio Local Government Area of Borno State.
Sources said the attack occurred on Sept. 16, 2025, at about 10:30 p.m., when Dauda Modu Tela, 35, and his colleague, Bulama Adam, 20, were returning from a hunting expedition. They were accosted by three unknown men armed with machetes, bow and arrow.
“During the encounter, Dauda Modu Tela attempted to flee but was shot with an arrow on the neck, sustaining serious injuries,” the sources said.
Security sources immediately visited the scene, documented the incident, and ensured the victim received medical attention at PHCC Gubio before he was referred to University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital for further treatment.
The sources said that efforts are being intensified to apprehend the culprits in collaboration with members of the community,” the statement added.
Borno: Suspected robbers injure hunter in Gubio attack
Nigeria Unveils World-Class Centralised Passport Personalisation Centre
Police arrest 18 ESN suspects, recover arms and ammunition in Imo
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