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UNFPA: Population Key to National Development

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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

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Indian factory manager slumps, dies in Edo community

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Indian factory manager slumps, dies in Edo community

By: Zagazola Makama

A 47-year-old Indian national, identified as Kalidass Arunachalam, has died after suddenly slumping while on duty at a factory in Ologbo, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.

Zagazola Makama gathered that the deceased was a production manager with Green Hills Agricultural Products Ltd. He was said to have collapsed at about 11:30 a.m. on Friday while working at the company premises.

Company representatives, including another Indian national, Tushar Tukaram Phadtare, along with the Managing Director, Suleman Dauda, and the Chief Security Officer, Lt. Col. Thompson Udom (rtd), rushed him to God’s Spring Best Care Hospital in the Obaretin Community for urgent medical attention.

A medical doctor at the facility, identified as Dr. Kingsley Dele, later confirmed Arunachalam dead while efforts were still being made to revive him.

Officials later visited the hospital where the body was found lying face up on a hospital bed with a drip attached. No visible marks of violence were observed on the corpse.

The remains of the deceased were deposited at the mortuary, and efforts are ongoing to contact the Indian Embassy to inform his next-of-kin and facilitate diplomatic procedures.

Indian factory manager slumps, dies in Edo community

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Three missing after boat carrying passengers, vehicles capsizes in Taraba

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Three missing after boat carrying passengers, vehicles capsizes in Taraba

By: Zagazola Makama

At least three persons, including a two-year-old child, are missing after a boat capsized on Friday night while ferrying passengers and vehicles across the Namnai River in Taraba State.

Zagazola Makama reports that the boat, which was transporting several passengers and three vehicles, capsized around 8:40 p.m. due to overloading and reckless navigation by the operator.

According to sources, the operator defied standing safety protocols by loading three vehicles onto the boat instead of the approved maximum of two. The mishap occurred while the boat was attempting to dock at the riverbank, when a strong wave destabilised it, causing it to overturn.

While many passengers were rescued by local divers and first responders, three victims identified as Aishatu Rilwanu, Baharatu Danasabe, and Yusuf Badaru, a two-year-old child all residents of Jantaro Ward in Mutum Biyu remain unaccounted for.

Rescue team were mobilised to scene as both community members and security personnel intensify the search and rescue efforts.

As of the time of filing this report, the rescue operation is still ongoing.

Three missing after boat carrying passengers, vehicles capsizes in Taraba

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Security operatives arrest 22 suspected Aiye cultists in Ogun, including two soldiers

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Security operatives arrest 22 suspected Aiye cultists in Ogun, including two soldiers

By: Zagazola Makama

Security operatives in Ogun have arrested 22 suspected members of the Aiye confraternity during a coordinated raid at Hilltop Hotel in Osiele, Odeda Local Government Area.

Sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation, which took place on Friday night, followed credible intelligence received by officers at the Odeda Division regarding the unlawful gathering of cultists at the hotel.

The sources confirmed that a joint tactical team comprising officers from Aregbe Division, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), and the Anti-Cultism Unit stormed the hotel and apprehended the suspects.

Among those arrested were 19 males, three females, and two serving military personnel, suspected to be linked to the cult group.

Items recovered from the suspects include one UTC axe, a cut-to-size barrel gun, and several blue beret caps, all identified with the Aiye cult group.

The sources said that the State Criminal Investigation Department’s Anti-Cultism Unit at Eleweran has been directed to conduct a discreet investigation into the incident, while further profiling of the suspects is underway.

The sources said individuals or groups found engaging in such criminal acts would face the full weight of the law.

Security operatives arrest 22 suspected Aiye cultists in Ogun, including two soldiers

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