As Nigeria marks Children’s Day, a Federal commissioner with the National Assembly Service Commission and child rights advocate, Hon. Taiwo Oluga, has called for urgent and decisive measures to address the issue of unchecked family size, warning that overpopulation poses grave consequences for the welfare of children and the development of society.
Speaking on the significance of the day, Hon. Oluga emphasized the need for a national conversation around responsible parenting and population control.
She noted that many children today are victims of systemic neglect, often born into families lacking the capacity to provide basic needs such as education, healthcare, and proper upbringing.
“The rising number of children born into poverty and hardship should concern every policymaker. Without sustainable population planning, we are risking the future of our children and the stability of our society,” she said.
Hon. Oluga, however, commended the Federal Government for its ongoing efforts to lift families out of poverty and improve access to quality education across the country. She specifically applauded initiatives targeting the most vulnerable, including school feeding programmes, cash transfer schemes, and educational support services.
She also gave special recognition to the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her unwavering commitment to women and children through the *Renewed Hope Initiative*, a key component of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration.
According to Hon. Oluga, the First Lady’s interventions have brought attention and resources to issues affecting women and children, creating a more inclusive platform for social support and development.
“As we celebrate our children today, we must also celebrate efforts that are already in motion to build a better future for them. The First Lady’s Renewed Hope Initiative is a beacon of hope for millions of women and children. We must support and amplify these efforts,” she stated.
Hon. Oluga who represented Irewolede/Ayedaade/Isokan federal Constituency of Osun State called on religious, traditional, and community leaders to actively promote the culture of planned parenthood, while urging civil society and the media to intensify advocacy on population control and child welfare.
She reaffirmed her personal commitment to policies and programmes that prioritise the rights and well-being of children, urging the nation to seize the moment to secure a prosperous future for generations to come.
