Without any doubt Nigeria’s population increases on daily basis. Several factors could aid rapid increase in population in any given nation. These factors include: improved health care delivery, scientific and technological advancement, absence of war, improvement of economic activities, provision of social amenities amongst others.
Demographic studies show that if the population of a particular nation increases without further improvement of its commercial activities, the citizens of that country might suffer in terms of their living standard.
According to Malthusian Theory of population proposed by a frontline economist, Thomas Malthus, if a population of a nation outgrows its food supply there would be economic chaos such as starvation.
Chukwunenye Iheanacho Okereke in his book entitled, “Basic Demographic”, observed that overpopulation is a circumstance where population exceeds available food and material resources, adding that such situation usually cause over-capacity utilization of capital (fixed and current), land and labour to increase productivity for the demand of the teeming population. Chukwunenye Iheanacho Okereke went further to say that a nation with over population will face several challenges such as domestic price instability unemployment, obstacles to economic growth and disequilibrium in balance of payment. He, however proffered solutions which include: deficit financing of projects, family planning through contraceptive use, introduction of family life education to adolescents, and on interim importation of food.
It is very common to see women in the rural communities give birth to babies every nine (9) months. The fertility rate in the rural areas is too high as many men prefer to maintain large families. Most of the children in the local communities do not have access to good health, portable water, better sanitary condition and others. Several rural parents cannot take care of their babies effectively. Their concern is only to produce babies without adequate care due to poverty at the rural level.
Laughably, most rural dwellers do not believe in birth control as they see child bearing as “God gift”. There is no controversy that children are the heritage of the Lord.
Without being told, today’s Nigeria economy demands that there should be birth control so as to give one’s children better education and care.
Therefore, the time has come for governments at all levels and the relevant agencies to commence an enlightenment programme to educate the rural women and their husbands the need for birth control in the society.
There are better methods of birth control by applying empirically proven contraceptive. These include: condoms, piles, Intra-Uterine Devise (IUCD), coil, douche, cervical caps and gels, vaginal foams and suppositories, injections, diaphragm and sterilization (mastectomy and vasectomy). ###
Damiete West
08037502931
