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With Present Fertility Rate, Nigeria’s Population May Hit 450 million in 2050-AAFP

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With Present Fertility Rate, Nigeria’s Population May Hit 450 million in 2050-AAFP

By: Michael Mike

Association for the Advancement of Family Planning (AAFP) has called on Nigerians to embrace family planning for improve healthcare and economic wellbeing, raising the alarm that at present fertility rate, Nigeria’s population may hit 450 million by 2050 without the economy to support such growth.

The association also pleaded with the federal government to release the N2 billion outstanding in this year’s budget meant to execute Intervention programmes across the country, while also calling on government to incentivize the health sector to encourage Nigerian professionals fleeing for greener pastures to stay back and contribute their quotas to the growth of the sector.

Speaking at an interactive session with journalists in Abuja, Chairman Management of the AAFP, Dr. Ejike Orji said that with the current fertility rate, Nigeria’s population may hit 450 million by 2050.

He decried that the prevailing economic trend and other future expectations will not support such a a spiral population growth, adding that if nothing was done to arrest the situation, it could get to a stage when people may not be able feed.

Speaking on the high fertility rate which the country is currently grappling with, Ejike said there are some developments in fertility rate already which suggested that Nigeria is heading for higher population numbers in the years ahead.

“I mean, there is a high percent rate of fertility, about 4.8 percent percent in Nigeria today. But we would have needed to achieve much more but the fertility rates are still very high. And then, with only that much in transit, we need to get to a fertility rate of at least 4.

“So, we are going back to the fact that we are still not in crisis in any country you see a bulge of young people. Nigeria has 75 percent of the population that is at the age of 34 and largely unemployed.

“So, you have a lot of hungry, angry young men and women all over the place. So, what do you see next? Some of them will start leaving the country.

“That is what we have seen in the Japa syndrome That is happening in the country. All our trained young doctors, ICT, are leaving the country,” he said.

Orji who expressed appreciation for the government’s payment of the $4 million counterpart fund, also appealed to the federal government to help release the N2 billion outstanding in this year’s budget for family planning programmes.

While drawing historically analysis, Orji said: “Nobody is in doubt that Nigeria is facing a national crisis, unless people who refuse to agree, is not in which they can decide. In 1960, when we got independence from the British, our population was just about 42.5 million, while the British people that colonized us was about 50 million.

“Our income per capita at that time was higher than the British people. In the last census we did in 2007, we were 140 million. Now Britain is just 60 million, while we are well above 230 million” .

“And that’s why we are quite excited that the $4 million was supposed to be used about a month or two ago. And we’re now calling for the N2 billion left to be used by this year. And to make sure that conversation is heard loud and clear, The fifth, the eighth Nigerian family planning conference is coming on the 6th of December,” he said.

Orji used the opportunity to highlight issues that will future during the December family planning conference saying that stakeholders will devote more attention to issues of sustainable financing through advocacy and resource mobilization, drive multi stakeholder accountability and advance rights-based quality services.

On his part, the President of the Albino Foundation, Mr. Jakes Apelle who spoke on behalf of the Persons with disabilities urged Nigerians to remove minds from the religious and cultural inhibitors to family planning and highlight the health and economic benefits therein.

With Present Fertility Rate, Nigeria’s Population May Hit 450 million in 2050-AAFP

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Insurgency: Northeast Governors Call for Reappraisal of Strategies

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Insurgency: Northeast Governors Call for Reappraisal of Strategies

By: Michael Mike

Governors of the six Northeast states of Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe and Taraba have called for a reappraisal of strategies in the ongoing war against insurgency in the region.

Rising from the 11th Meeting of the North-East Governors’ Forum (NEGF) held in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital on Thursday, the governors, in a communique, noted with dismay the rising activities of the insurgents in the subregion and called for the armed forces, other security agencies and community leaders to reappraise their strategy in the counter insurgency onslaught in the region.

The Forum while commending the Federal Government in its effort at improving the security of the country and resolve to collaborate and support in all matters to address emerging security issues in the country. however noted that addressing the security challenge in the Northeast requires a multidimensional approach of not only the kinetic strategy but also addressing the root causes such as youth employment through vocational and technical education, improved road networks, improving education and reducing poverty.

The Forum promised its commitment to addressing the issues of security by tackling the current situation while addressing some of the root causes.

The Forum also noted that the poor road network in the subregion is contributing to the insecurity in the region, and called on Mr. President to as a matter of urgent concern address the issue of abandoned project which is critical to addressing poverty, insecurity and general underdevelopment of the subregion.

The Forum also recommitted itself to the opening up of the subregion to investment opportunities, agriculture for food security, combating climate change, skills acquisition and the industrialization of the subregion to provide employment to the teeming youths who are vulnerable to recruitment into the army of the insurgents.

It also noted the role of the Northeast Development Commission (NEDC) in the development of the subregion and
called on the Commission to be more engaging with the various state governments on development needs and prioritize transportation infrastructure, education, and health, while equally calling on the Commission to rededicate itself to its core mandate which is to rebuild the subregion after the devastation of the insurgency and be more proactive in the delivery of existing project in the subregion by keeping track with project delivery timelines.

The Forum noted the significance of the Nigerian Law school Yola Campus within the region and resolved to support its
expansion by providing additional hostel accommodation, water supply and other facilities to improve the admission capacity of the campus and make it more conducive for training, and resolved to work closely with the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education (NCAOOSCE) by providing office space in each state, support the enrolment of Almajiri and out-of-school children into formal school, provision of vocational and technical education as well as develop a unified approach to addressing the menace in the subregion.

The next date for the meeting was fixed for 27th – 29th, July, 2025 in Jalingo, Taraba state, and at the meeting were Governors of Adamawa, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe States, with the Governor of Bauchi state represented by the Deputy Governor

Insurgency: Northeast Governors Call for Reappraisal of Strategies

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Kadafur paid Condolence visit to families and victims Rann and Chibok attacks

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Kadafur paid Condolence visit to families and victims Rann and Chibok attacks

…… Call for community engagement and collaboration with security agencies

By: Our Reporter

In Rann, the Borno State Deputy Governor His Excellency Dr Umar Kadafur led a government delegation on a condolence visit to Rann, the headquarters of Kala Balge Local Government Area.

It could be recalled that a few days ago at the Furunduma area in Kala balge, an IED explosion claimed lives of over twenty people and some injured during the attack that claimed several lives and suspected to be a Boko Haram insurgents.

During the visit, the Deputy Governor and other members of the delegation prayed for the departed souls and wished them eternal rest . They also prayed for the families and the entire community to bear the irreparable loss.

Dr Kadafur condemned in the strongest terms the heinous act of the insurgents, calling for intense prayers to avert future occurrences and emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts with security operatives to sustain peace that was regained in the region.

The delegation visited Rann General Hospital to sympathize with those injured in the attack, praying for their quick recovery. The Deputy Governor announced that all medical bills for the injured would be covered.

The Deputy Governor made cash donations of N300,000 to families of the 27 affected victims and also a cash support as a morale booster to military personnel, Police force, Local vigilante, Kesh Kesh and Civilian JTF , including youths group at Rann.

The Chairman of Kala Balge Local Government Area, Hon. Zanna Ajid Musa Ajid expressed gratitude to His Excellency the Executive Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum , Deputy Governor, and the delegation for their timely support and condolences.

…….. In Chibok LGA

The delegation led by His Excellency, Dr Umar Usman Kadafur also proceeded to Chibok town on a similar condolence visit to the families of affected attack by Boko Haram insurgents, whereby fourteen people were killed, church and houses were burnt down with properties worth millions of Naira.

The deputy governor said, “We were here to sympathise with you and the families of recent attacks, lives and properties were lost whereby we can only condone you and pray for the deceased. We are here to support the families and victims but we cannot replace what has been lost, life is irreparable “.

Dr Kadafur condemned the attack and supported the families with similar cash support of 300,000 to victims families, assured that the government will support them in rebuilding their destroyed church and houses.

Members of the delegation which includes
Member Borno State House of Assembly representing kala Balge LGA Hon.Dige Mohammed , Commissioner for Religious Affairs and Former Chairman kala Balge LGA Zanna Jabu. Member House of Assembly representing chibok LGA, Former Chairman chibok and Hon.Hauwa Mai Musa .

Kadafur paid Condolence visit to families and victims Rann and Chibok attacks

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One killed, another injured in Kum village ambush in Riyom

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One killed, another injured in Kum village ambush in Riyom

By: Zagazola Makama

A man was killed and another critically injured on Tuesday night following an ambush by unknown gunmen in Kum village, Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The victims, identified as Joshua Ezekiel, 48, and Dung Jatau, 51, were reportedly riding on a motorcycle along the Riyom to Kum road at about 8:15 p.m. when they were attacked by armed men who opened fire on them.

Residents said the injured were rushed to the General Hospital in Riyom, where Ezekiel was pronounced dead on arrival. Jatau is currently receiving medical treatment and is said to be in stable condition.

Tension remains high in the area as locals express concern over the safety of rural commuters, especially during evening hours.

Community leaders in Riyom have called for calm and urged residents to remain vigilant. Meanwhile, efforts are underway to identify and apprehend the attackers.

Police said they have lunched investigation into the incident.

One killed, another injured in Kum village ambush in Riyom

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