The former Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Peter Okebukola, has expressed concern over the growing population of the continent of Africa.
He said this during a press conference organised by the Centre for Human Security and Dialogue (CHSD), Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, on the 83rd birthday celebration of the former president, Olusegun Obasanjo.
Okebukola, who is the Director, CHSD, noted that Africa’s population is growing at about 2.9 per cent, noting that the challenge of unemployment, poverty needed to be addressed to save the continent.
He said: “Africa’s population is growing at about 2.9 per cent and there is danger in that because if we do not harness the power of our huge youth bulge, then there is danger ahead.
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“If unemployment is creeping in, poverty is creeping in, we are going to have a phenomenon where the seed of terrorism, hatred and political violence will begin to germinate.”
Okebukola explained that Obasanjo’s birthday since he left office in 2007, had been a platform to promote development agenda relevant to the growth and advancement of Africa.
He said the 2020 events would bring together former heads of state and government in Africa.
“If you look at the history of all the birthday celebrations since Baba left office, you will find that we make it a season or a day of celebration as well as a day of thinking through issues that affect the development of Nigeria and development of Africa.
“I’m happy to let you know that the resolutions of all of these meetings, conferences, seminars, symposia have been used by different countries in prosecuting their development agenda,” he added.
He added that keynote addresses would be delivered by former President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf; former president of Sierra Leone, Ernest Bai Koroma and former Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Hailemariam Desalegn.