Governor Caleb Muftwang of Plateau State has announced that the 19 northern governors in Nigeria will begin discussions on the region’s high birth rate, emphasising the need for measures to support the education and welfare of the growing population.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, Muftwang described the situation as a “time bomb,” warning that the lack of infrastructure for human capital development could exacerbate banditry and terrorism in northern Nigeria.
Muftwang attributed some of the disruptions during the #EndBadGovernance protests in the state to external elements, noting that the northern elite has failed to take responsibility for the region’s youth.
He criticised the elite for sending their children to elite schools locally and internationally while neglecting the young population at home, leaving them vulnerable to criminal indoctrination.
“We don’t have an option. At this point, we must take the bull by the horns,” Muftwang said. He stressed the importance of implementing a carrot-and-stick strategy, ensuring that parents take responsibility for the children they bring into the world.
He emphasised that while setting a maximum number of children is not his place, a broader national dialogue is necessary.
The governor called for the inclusion of religious leaders in addressing these issues, stating, “We must ensure that religion does not become a setback to society.”
He assured residents that by the end of his tenure in 2027, no willing child in Plateau State would remain uneducated.
Muftwang also highlighted agriculture and food security as key strategies to combat poverty, pointing out that banditry has hindered land productivity.
He called for reclaiming lands to ensure food security and put them to productive use.
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