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Kogi population policy must be part of it’s development plan, says INGRA

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Kogi state government should develop and strengthen its population policy by integrating it into the state’s development plan, a group, Initiative for Grassroot Advancement (INGRA), has urged.

While commemorating this year’s World Population Day, through a press statement, the executive director, Hamza Aliyu, in Lokoja on Monday said it is crucial for a nation and state to have strategic policy on population and how it can take advantage of it for development.

According to him, the era of wasteful expenditure on “white elephant” projects and political jamborees must come to a stop so that scarce resources must be put to the best use of the people.

“Agriculture, health, education and infrastructure must be priority in public expenditure to harness the potentials from our young population.

“Insecurity is a symptom of poor governance and as such Kogi State government must begin to provide a sense of responsible and inclusive expenditure of resources to show our people, especially the youths that government is responsive to their needs and yearnings.

“As of 2022, Nigeria’s population was estimated at around 216.7 million. Between 1965 and 2022, the number of people living in Nigeria increased at an average rate of over two percent. In 2021, the population grew by 2.6 percent compared to the previous year. Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa. By extension, the African continent records the highest growth rate in the world (www.statistica.com)

“The current population of Nigeria is 216,267,500 as of Tuesday, June 28, 2022, based on Worldometer elaboration of the latest United Nations data. Half of the population is aged under 19 years. People aged up to four years old made up the largest age group: 8.3 percent of males and eight percent of females were less than four years old. Similarly, children aged 5 to 9 years held the second largest share of population. On the other hand, people aged 60 years and older represented a small part of population, making it the youngest population in the world, which meant that even if we had replacement growth (each couple replacing itself), our population will still be growing 40-50 years from now!

“The metropolitan area of Kano and Lagos is also among the largest urban agglomerations in the world

“Okene is ranked the city with the highest population in Kogi State with an estimated 439,000 persons (www.staistica.com). This is followed by Dekina, Okehi, Adavi and Ofu. The assumption would have been that the public development in the State should focus on these areas to ensure that people living in those areas get a standard of living that is at best minimal for survival,” the statement said.

Aliyu said there must be a strategy for arresting the population growth looking at the poor GDP growth and economic outlook of Nigeria and especially in Kogi State. 

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Ex-IPAC legal adviser tells Tinubu not to delay the regulation of prices of food items

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***Naira Gains and Losses – Product of APC’s Ineptitude

Former National Legal Adviser  Inter Party Advisory Council of Nigeria (IPAC) Barr. Chukwudi Ezeobika has raised issues over skyrocketing prices of goods and services amidst speculations on a daily basis that the Nigerian Naira is gaining value against the American dollar

Ezeobika who was also a Candidate Anambra South Senatorial District (2018) gave the indication in statement on Sunday.

He said the presumption of gains in the Nigerian currency may be erroneous as they are without the consequent effects on goods and services as the average Nigerian is yet to feel the impact

“The reason for this indescribable phenomenon, just as we have in every sector of the Nigerian economy, is indeed not far-fetched. The wilful resolve by the Bola Ahmed Tinubu – led APC government to continually deceive Nigerians amidst the glaring economic recession and crisis. 

“It is erroneous to yield to the belief that the Nigerian currency can ever make any gains against the American dollar or its economy relevant in the global stage if the country is unable to produce the basic goods and services required by it, to build and develop its dilapidated and or non-existent infrastructure in critical sectors of the economy such as health, power, transport and agriculture. 

“All known indices of economic recession are currently prevalent in the Nigerian economy as can be seen in high and unprecedented costs of goods as well as services and the continued manipulation, by the current administration,  of the Nation’s currency, against the will of the Nigerian people.

“The Federal and State agencies saddled with the responsibility of regulating the prices of goods, most especially food items which are basic to an average Nigerian, have become either obsolete or 

non-existent, hence, the absurdities prevalent in the prices of food commodities such as rice, yam and beans, in most Nigerian markets.  

“The current administration has wilfully and consciously chosen to continue the path of its predecessors by propagating ill-conceived social and economic policies and engaging in projects that are purely unconnected and at variance with the well-being of its citizens.  

“The Nigerian Legislature ought to, as a matter of urgency, re-discover its essence in enacting relevant laws which have direct bearing on the lives of ordinary citizens, re-position itself in its oversight functions and periodically justify the huge budgets passed yearly to maintain the legislative arm of the Nigerian government. 

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Ganduje: Northern Patriots accuses Kano Gov of lack of Clear Agenda

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***Say, he is Progressing In Error

The Northern Patriots (NP) has take a swipe at Governor Abba Yusuf for lacking in any clear blueprint or agenda for the people of Kano State.

Comrade Dominic Alancha, the national president of the group, gave the indication during an interview on TVC’s Journalists Hangout on Sunday.

According to Alancha, the governor has instead resorted to a witch-hunt and political vendetta against his predecessor Alhaji Umar Ganduje all in the name of a probe.

Comrade Alancha indicated Governor Yusuf is progressing in error as his perceived case against Ganduje is dead on arrival as it is not within the jurisdiction of the state to probe him.

The Northern Patriots, however, advised the governor to focus on governance and if indeed he wants to recover state funds, he should look the way of Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.

“It is unfortunate that Governor Abba Yusuf is progressing in error. Instead of focusing on advancing governance, he is out for a witch-hunt and political vendetta against his predecessor,” he said.

“I don’t think that he is aware that there is a judicial pronouncement on this matter. The state can’t prosecute Ganduje, it is the responsibility of the federal high court.

“For me, this case is dead on arrival. If he’s transparent enough, he should have gone back to 2011 or even beyond to probe his political godfather because there are a lot of accusations against Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso of corruption and misappropriation of state resources.

“For example, in 2011, there was a 5km contract purportedly allocated to each of the 44 LGAs. Unfortunately, to date, 1km of that road has not been constructed.

“If any probe is to be done, it should be based on transparency and accountability. But this whole case is diverting the attention of the people from seeking transparency and good governance from the governor.

“Abba has nothing to point out as his achievement in the last 11 months. Rather, he is busy setting up committees to probe his predecessor.

“I think it is proper for him to sit down and make his priorities known. He should set out a clear agenda for the people. ”

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Fubara vows to liberate Rivers people from oppression

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Gov. Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers has vowed to his to liberate Rivers people from bad governance and oppression.

Fubara spoke on Saturday at a thanksgiving rally organised by the SIMplified Movement at Ibaka, Okirika Local Government Area.

The SIMplified Movement, a pro-Fubara group, organised the event to mark the governor’s successful election and victory at the Supreme Court.

Fubara who spoke through Awajinombek Abiante, the member representing, Andoni/Opobo/Nkoro federal constituency in the House of Representatives, said that Rivers people had been oppressed for too long

”A reggae artiste named Lucky Dube, once sang about the imprisonment of the mind, that song mirrors our pathetic situation in Rivers state today.

”Few days ago, a report revealed that many schools in the state lacked teachers, and are dilapidated.
”This reported decay and shortage of teachers did not happen in the last 10 months of my administration, it is an accumulation of neglect.
”They decided not to build schools because they want to imprison the minds of our people, to make us blind in loyalty and unable to ask questions,” he
Fubara said that his government had already commenced efforts to revive the education sector by renovating schools and recruiting more teachers.
”It is for this sake that this government has come to guarantee liberty and break the chains that have held us bound,” he said.
The governor said that his administration had commenced the rehabilitatiin of Okirika Grammar School to provide a sound learning ground for the people of the area.
According to him, his administration would listen to the yearnings of Rivers people and take actions without making noise about it.
Also speaking at the event, Mr Anderson Allison, APC member representing Okirika/Ogu/Bolo federal constituency in the House of Representatives, said that membership of the SIMplified Movement spanned across political parties.
Allison said that prominent politicians and the elite class in Rivers were in support of Fubara due to his integrity and commitment to the service of the state.
”Fubara sees the welfare of Rivers people as a priority, he has also demonstrated dedication to good governance and service delivery.
”The governor has been in office for just 10 months and has already achieved a lot without resorting to abuses, this is how a leader should behave,” he said

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