Esther Salifu
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC )/Transparency International in Nigeria (TI Nigeria) have said Nigeria is among the top five countries in the world with the highest under- five mortality rates.
The Executive Director, Mr Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC ) /Transparency International in Nigeria (TI Nigeria) disclosed this during the Nigeria population conversation seminar and the launching of the Nigeria population : “citizens perception survey report” held in Abuja.
The Director urged Nigerians to embrace the idea of smaller family to boycott raging poverty, unemployment, child mortality and other socio upheaval.
Tafsanjani said, “ Regrettably, Nigeria is among the top five countries in the world with the highest under- five mortality rates. In addition to the general leaving causes of under five mortality , studies have highlighted the survival probabilities, the impact of socio- economic, demographic and environmental factors as major threat to the survival of under- five mortality in Nigeria.
He said while population affect every facet of societal development, discussion around population remains, uncommon in Nigeria and this puts Nigeria’s population which is projected to reach 400 million by 2059 , doubling the current estimate at a demographic nightmare”.
“This fact has been buttressed by multiplier effects of youth unemployment, insecurity, inaccessible healthcare services , food insecurity, education , inequality and other challenges that undermine socio-economic development of Nigerian.
“More than 50% of girls are not attending school at the basic education level , 1 million girls drop out between the first and last year of primary school , likewise about 53.40% of Nigerian youths are unemployed.
“This again exposes our country to most of the social crimes perpetuated by youths including the accelerated level of prostitution, armed robbery , rape and all facets of violence can be largely”, he added.
Mrs Edu Effiom , Member of the Advisory Board , population matters stressed on maintaining ecosystem in its natural form is critical for human wellbeing .
“More than 65% of Paris Agreement signatories commit to restoring or conversing ecosystem, however in recent decades there has been an extensive loss of tropical forest .
She further stated that “ population action international agrees with IPBES that population size , growth , density and migration are underlying causes of biodiversity loss .
slow down population growth , this will not only ease off pressure on the living environment, but will also empower the women and families.
Mrs Yinka Adefowope also stressed on the need for women to embrace family planning .
