By Victor Akinkuolie, Ado-Ekiti

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has declared that the inability of governments at all levels to integrate the spiralling population rate into development plans has significantly contributed to the increasing poverty, hunger, and neglect suffered by Nigerians.

Oyebanji argued that a developing nation like Nigeria, with a rising and explosive population driven by an unrestrained birth rate, must establish a proper economic policy that caters to all citizens to reduce the poverty index.

Oyebanji spoke in Ado Ekiti on Thursday while declaring open a seminar tagged “Integration of Population Variables into Development Planning,” organised by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and Bureau of Statistics.

The governor, represented by his Deputy, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, charged governments to devise ways of obtaining accurate population data that can guide policymakers in making strategic economic decisions to benefit the nation.

Oyebanji noted that the alarming indices of hunger and food insecurity, deprived populations, unemployment, crime, and associated social issues make it essential for the government to plan effectively for its population.

He commended the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning for organising the workshop, expressing hope that it will significantly aid in addressing the critical issue of identifying population variables to be integrated into development plans.

Reflecting on past government actions, Oyebanji said, “The National Policy on Population for Sustainable Development was established in 1988 and revised in 2004 due to emerging issues such as rising poverty, food insecurity, HIV/AIDS, effects of population on environmental degradation, special needs for the girl-child and the vulnerable, reproductive and sexual health matters, women’s empowerment, and gender equity/equality.

“The revised policy aims to improve the standard of living and quality of life, promote maternal and child health, achieve a lower population growth rate, and address internal migration and population distribution.

“Other goals include sustained economic growth, poverty reduction, and capacity building to ensure a robust response to pandemics and infectious diseases, balanced urban and rural development, and a harmony between population growth, available resources, and socio-economic development.”

Oyebanji added that recognising the explosive population, his administration’s six pillars were crafted to cover thematic areas like Human Capital Development, Agriculture and Rural Development, Industrialisation, Good Governance, Arts, Culture and Tourism, Youth Development, and Job Creation.

“Let me reiterate that the present administration, led by our visionary Governor, will continue to make people the centre of our planning and development efforts. I urge individuals, and both governmental and non-governmental agencies to support this initiative and the State Government’s efforts,” he assured.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Oyeniyi Adebayo, praised Oyebanji for prioritising the poor, youth, pensioners, and all strata of Ekiti in his development plans.

Adebayo urged participants to engage deeply with the intellectual discourse to gain the knowledge needed for applying population variables in achieving the government’s development goals.

Contributing to the discussion, the Commissioners for Women’s Affairs, Peju Babafemi; Capacity Building, Prof. Patrick Tedela; Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun; and Director General/Special Adviser, Office of Transformation and Delivery, Dr. Moyo Ekundayo, highlighted that planning is central to development.

They stressed that governments at all levels can no longer exclude population dynamics from their development plans, stating that accurate data offers a pragmatic approach to addressing economic challenges facing citizens.