POLITICS
Reps Demand Policy to Check Rising Nigeria Population
By Orkula Shaagee, Abuja
Members of the House of Representatives yesterday called on the Federal Government to come up with a conscious and a clear cut policy to check the rising and alarming tides of the geometrical rate of Nigerian population.
The House also urged the Government to aggressively move and re-energize its family planning program.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Afolabi Rasheed Olalekan on the “Need for a Clear Cut Policy to Check Nigeria’s Rising Population”.
Moving the motion, Hon. Olalekan noted that, “fifty-eight years after political independence, rule, Nigeria is still struggling to find its footing as other nations that attained independence in the 1960s due to an ever increasing population without commensurate economic development; that at independence Nigeria population was at 45.2 million according to available data from the National Bureau of Statistics, while Britain Population was 52.4million, however, the current Nigeria population estimated at 200,980,215 Britain current population estimated to be 66,963,173, based on the United Nation estimation as at Sunday, July 7, 2019, constituting a change of about 344.4% and 27.6% between 1960 and 2019 respectively.”
The House was disturbed that Nigeria population is growing faster than its economy, with the current population growing rate, Nigeria GDP Per capital which was $92.96 at independence currently stood at $2,178, and as per world bank estimates makes it a poor country despite been African’s largest economy, while that of Britain which was $13,827 in 1960 is now $42,986, and South Africa the second largest economy with a GDP per capital of $433.94 in 1960, is now $6,325, with that of Egypt the 3rd largest economy having a GDP of $708 in 1960 currently stood at $2.549, with over 80% of Nigerians still living below poverty level;
“Aware that Nigeria is ranked 152nd among 188 nations in the global human development index of the United Nation program, also in terms of GDP per capital at nominal values, Nigeria is ranked 131st by IMF, 128th by World Bank and 133rd by United Nation respectively.”
Consequently, the House further called on the Federal Government to invest in Agriculture, technology, human development and policy that will change the course of our economic development; and mandated the Committee on Population (when constituted) to ensure implementation.
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By Eze Okechukwu, Abuja
The Federal Government of Nigeria spent a whopping N1.16trillion on fuel subsidy, losing N16.20billion to crude and product issues while deducting a total of N1.20trillion from the federation account as sales and proceeds in 2021.
Disclosing this in Abuja yesterday during his presentation to the Senate Public Account Committee (SPAC) probing the 2021- 2023 Audit Report on the Oil and Gas Industry conducted by Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), the Chairman of Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Dr Mohammed Bello Shehu added that pipeline repairs gulped N22.
05billion and strategic stock holding N6.75billion in that fiscal year.Speaking further, the RMFAC boss revealed to the Committee that during the period, the intention of the derivation objective was undermined by the way it was computed.
“The practice of computing 13% derivation on the balance of revenue after deductions from the total collections is contrary to the intention of the derivation objective “, he said.
However the Senate Committee Chairman on Public Account who was a former Accountant General of the Federation, Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo stood down the reports of the Niger Delta Development Commission ( NDDC) ‘s submission saying the measure was to offer members enough time to study the report while ordering the Agency to reappear midweek.
Senator Dankwambo who was visibly upset following the non – appearance of the Auditor – General of the Federation for the investigative session without any valid or representative however threatened that the Auditor General must unfailingly appear before the Committee on Tuesday next week or risk a forced appearance through the invocation of the powers of the National Assembly.
” The Auditor – General must unfailingly appear before this committee on Tuesday next week or risk invocation of powers of the National Assembly against him , which will lead to forced appearance”, he said.
The Chairman of Orile-Agege Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State, Akinola Idowu, has flagged off the disbursement of N100,000 monthly business support grants to selected residents.
The programme was held on Thursday at the council secretariat with 50 beneficiaries in attendance.
In his address, Idowu said that the initiative fulfilled his administration’s promise to improve welfare and promote grassroots economic development in Orile-Agege.
He reaffirmed commitment to people-oriented governance aimed at improving livelihoods, encouraging entrepreneurship and reducing poverty in the council area.
The chairman urged beneficiaries to invest the funds in productive ventures that would grow businesses and create employment opportunities.
He assured that the monthly empowerment would be sustained, with more deserving residents from every ward benefiting in subsequent editions.
“Governance is meaningful only when it directly impacts the lives of the people,” Idowu said.
He reiterated resolve to implement programmes that promote inclusive development, economic prosperity and shared progress across Orile-Agege LCDA.
Peju Owolabi, one of the beneficiaries, commended the chairman for the timely intervention to strengthen small businesses and support household incomes in the LCDA.
Another beneficiary, Miss Basanya Taofikat, thanked the leadership of the council for the support and prayed for a successful tenure for the chairman’s administration.
Adeshina Ademola, a shoemaker and a beneficiary lauded Idowu for contributions to grassroots development.
Ademola said that the grant would help expand his business.
Other beneficiaries described the initiative as a testament to the administration’s dedication to empowering residents and fostering self-reliance.
The City Boy Movement (CBM) has replaced its Oyo State Coordinator, Ahmed Ajibola, following allegations of gross misconduct, insubordination, and conduct prejudicial to the interests of the organisation.
This is contained in a statement issued in Ibadan on Thursday by the Director-General of the Movement, Mr Francis Shoga.
Shoga said that Ajibola’s replacement followed allegations of making offensive comments about the Movement’s patron, Seyi Tinubu and derogatory remarks directed at President Bola Tinubu.
The movement’s D-G also accused Ajibola of engaging in conduct capable of bringing the image and reputation of the City Boy Movement into disrepute.
The CBM consequently announced the appointment of Adewale Oladiti as the new Coordinator for Oyo State.
Oladiti’s appointment, Shoga said, was due to his commitment, grassroots engagement, and willingness to contribute to the growth and advancement of the organisation in the state.
The City Boy Movement is a support group associated with the political interests of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
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