Northern Governors to Initiate Discussions on Birth Rate-Muftwang
Plateau State Governor Caleb Muftwang discloses that the 19 northern governors in Nigeria will initiate discussions on the region’s high birth rate.
He emphasised the importance of taking action to safeguard the education and well-being of children born in the region.
“We are facing a critical situation,” Muftwang expressed on Tuesday, cautioning that the inadequate infrastructure for nurturing the potential of the young population in the region could potentially exacerbate the widespread issues of banditry and terrorism in the three northern geopolitical zones of Nigeria.
He also mentioned that certain individuals who disrupted the state’s “peaceful” #EndBadGovernance protests were from outside the state.
The governor expressed concern over the lack of accountability among the influential individuals in the northern region, resulting in the manipulation of the younger generation by criminal elements who have led them into engaging in insurgency and banditry.
Muftwang stated, “We are left with no choice.” Now is the time to take advantage of the situation. I believe it is quite common for the affluent individuals in the northern regions to ensure that their children receive a high-quality education by enrolling them in prestigious schools, both within their local communities and abroad.
If that is the situation, the emphasis should not be on the quantity of children you possess, but rather on implementing measures that necessitate you to take responsibility for your offspring. We should consider implementing a strategy that incorporates both incentives and consequences.
I hesitate to declare this as the upper limit of your child count. I am unable to initiate that conversation, but rest assured that the Forum of Northern Governors will be the ones to kickstart it. We will ensure that we expand it to include a nationwide consultation.
It is important to recognise that religion carries a responsibility towards society, and we must ensure that it does not hinder societal progress. We need to ensure that religious leaders are in sync with the current global realities.
The governor emphasised the government’s commitment to ensuring that every child receives an education, stating that parents will be held accountable for their children’s attendance in school. He reassured state residents that no child will be left without an education during his tenure, which concludes in 2027.
According to Muftwang, agriculture and food security are crucial in combating poverty. However, the persistent issue of banditry has posed a significant obstacle. He stressed the importance of reclaiming lands and using them effectively to ensure food security.