The Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has
called on world leaders to take decisive action to ensure developmental efforts
meet and surpass the pace of population growth in order to reduce inequality
and engender inclusive growth across the world.
Obaseki, who said this in commemoration of the
World Population Day marked every July 11, noted that growing population
shouldn’t be seen as a curse but a challenge for developing countries to
articulate innovative pathways that would drive inclusive and sustainable
development.
According to him, “The World Population Day reminds
us of the need to be circumspect in a number of policy issues, especially as it
affects population growth and its implications for economic development and
social cohesion.
“On a day like this, it is imperative to make the
case for planned parenthood and family planning to ensure that the world’s
population doesn’t become untamable.”
Noting that this year's theme: ‘Family Planning is
Human Right’, makes it imperative for families to determine the size and
spacing of their children, the governor said it behooves on government to
provide structures for individuals to dream and actualise their dreams.
“Due to its economic implications, growing
population has been a double blessing for developing countries, such that many
are still grappling to articulate policies to manage the growth and the
attendant socio-political as well as economic fallouts of a bulging population.
He said: “However, we cannot wish away the significance
of human life. Hence, even as the debate and policy actions are tweaked to
contain population growth, governments and world leaders should take critical
actions to ensure that development meets needs of people, in such a way that
they would be assured of support structures to carve out their destinies and
live happy, fulfilled lives.”
The governor said the state government had
undertaken a number of development initiatives to help in delivery of
affordable, accessible healthcare, quality basic education and expand the space
for wealth creation so as to deepen inclusive growth and development.
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