BY October 31 this year, Nigeria’s population is expected to hit 166 million mark just as the world population is projected to rise to seven billion from six billion.
With this figure, Nigeria will be contributing about 2.4 per cent of the world population and at the same time, about five million people are added to Nigeria’s population on a yearly basis. On the global scale, however, additional 78 million people are added to the world population yearly.
The Chairman, National Population Commission, Chief Samu’ila Danko Makama, gave the figures yesterday in Abuja at an event to mark the 2011 World Population Day.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has revealed plans to spend N6.6 billion or $42 million for reproductive and maternal health in the next five years.
The agency’s country representative, Agathe Lawson, said the fund was received from the Department for International Development, United States Agency for International Development and Nigerian government for commodities services.
Increase in Nigeria’s population from 140 million was said to have been occasioned by the current yearly exponential growth rate of 3.2 per cent postulated from the 2006 census.
Makama disclosed that the commission had already proposed 2016 for another round of census, which is in line with the United Nations convention to update the data realised from the 2006 and subsequent survey carried out thereafter.
While the Federal Government is yet to make approval for next census, he said, already the commission had solicited United States support for the next census.
The 2011 global theme is “Approaching a World of Seven billion People Counting on Each Other” and the national theme is “Nigeria Population Growth: Implications for sustainable Development.”
While allaying fear of adverse effect of the population growth, the NPC boss explained that the increase signifies a positive development. According to him, people are now relatively living longer with growing awareness on the benefits of having fewer children. Citing the inequality in the living standards of the people, he said many are vulnerable to food insecurity, shortages in water, power/ energy, and weather related disasters.
“A cursory look at the data on our population growth rate of 3.2 per cent creates some fear of the consequences of rapid population increase. The challenge, however, is for government, civil society organisations and individuals’ responsibility to use data provided for informed policies relative to the population of Nigeria,” Makama said.
The Executive Director of UNFPA, Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin, declared that the global and national milestones present a challenge, an opportunity, and a call to action.
His message read by the UNFPA Country Representative to Nigeria, Lawson, disclosed that the agency was launching a global campaign called seven billion actions to create a more just and sustainable world.
“Reducing inequities and improving living standards of people alive today and for generations to come will require new ways of thinking and unprecedented global cooperation and national initiatives. The moment to act is now,” she said.
The United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, said the birth of the earth’s seven billion inhabitants presented an opportunity to celebrate the common humanity and its diversity.
The message read by the United Nations Development Programme Country Representative in Nigeria, Mr. Daouda Toure, underscored the necessity to end poverty and inequality to unleash vast human potential.
He added: “We have enough food for everyone yet nearly a billion go hungry; we have the means to eradicate many diseases, yet they continue to spread; we have the gift of a rich natural environment, yet it remains subjected to daily assault and exploitations. All people of conscience dream of peace, yet too much of the world is in conflict and steeped in armaments.”
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everydayWith this figure, Nigeria will be contributing about 2.4 per cent of the world population and at the same time, about five million people are added to Nigeria’s population on a yearly basis. On the global scale, however, additional 78 million people are added to the world population yearly.
The Chairman, National Population Commission, Chief Samu’ila Danko Makama, gave the figures yesterday in Abuja at an event to mark the 2011 World Population Day.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has revealed plans to spend N6.6 billion or $42 million for reproductive and maternal health in the next five years.
The agency’s country representative, Agathe Lawson, said the fund was received from the Department for International Development, United States Agency for International Development and Nigerian government for commodities services.
Increase in Nigeria’s population from 140 million was said to have been occasioned by the current yearly exponential growth rate of 3.2 per cent postulated from the 2006 census.
Makama disclosed that the commission had already proposed 2016 for another round of census, which is in line with the United Nations convention to update the data realised from the 2006 and subsequent survey carried out thereafter.
While the Federal Government is yet to make approval for next census, he said, already the commission had solicited United States support for the next census.
The 2011 global theme is “Approaching a World of Seven billion People Counting on Each Other” and the national theme is “Nigeria Population Growth: Implications for sustainable Development.”
While allaying fear of adverse effect of the population growth, the NPC boss explained that the increase signifies a positive development. According to him, people are now relatively living longer with growing awareness on the benefits of having fewer children. Citing the inequality in the living standards of the people, he said many are vulnerable to food insecurity, shortages in water, power/ energy, and weather related disasters.
“A cursory look at the data on our population growth rate of 3.2 per cent creates some fear of the consequences of rapid population increase. The challenge, however, is for government, civil society organisations and individuals’ responsibility to use data provided for informed policies relative to the population of Nigeria,” Makama said.
The Executive Director of UNFPA, Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin, declared that the global and national milestones present a challenge, an opportunity, and a call to action.
His message read by the UNFPA Country Representative to Nigeria, Lawson, disclosed that the agency was launching a global campaign called seven billion actions to create a more just and sustainable world.
“Reducing inequities and improving living standards of people alive today and for generations to come will require new ways of thinking and unprecedented global cooperation and national initiatives. The moment to act is now,” she said.
The United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, said the birth of the earth’s seven billion inhabitants presented an opportunity to celebrate the common humanity and its diversity.
The message read by the United Nations Development Programme Country Representative in Nigeria, Mr. Daouda Toure, underscored the necessity to end poverty and inequality to unleash vast human potential.
He added: “We have enough food for everyone yet nearly a billion go hungry; we have the means to eradicate many diseases, yet they continue to spread; we have the gift of a rich natural environment, yet it remains subjected to daily assault and exploitations. All people of conscience dream of peace, yet too much of the world is in conflict and steeped in armaments.”
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