IPPAN Inaugurates Exco In Makurdi The Independent Print-Media Publishers Association of Nigeria (IPPAN) in Makurdi, the Benue State capital today, 31st October, 2011 inaugurated her new Exco. The event which took place at Empire Suites ushered in the exco which was elected, 14th October, 2011. The new IPPAN Exco include Tahav Agerzua as Chairman, Ode Enyi as Vice President and Edward Aki as Sec-Gen. Others are: Samson Kukwa Yanor, P.R.O; Samuel Ogbaji, Treasurer; Maurice Tsav, Fin. Sec.; Jiji Jack, Social Secretary; Nelson Ogbu, Asst. Sec; Ray Num, Legal Adviser; and Lawrence Okwe, Auditor. The exco also has three Ex-Official members who are Anawah I.J, Simon Okewu and Babs Osigbe as Ex-officio I, II, III respectively.

IPPAN Inaugurates Exco

BSPC/UNFPA Celebrate As World Population Hits 7 Billion

BSPC/UNFPA Celebrate As World Population Hits 7 Billion

By Damian Daga

As the world marks the 7 billion population mark today, 31^st October, 2011, the Benue State Planning Commission (BSPC) in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has lined up activities for celebrating the historic day.

According to a statement from the office of the Benue State Planning Commission, signed by Director, Population and Development, Tersoo Nomyongo on behalf of the Commission’s DG/CEO, Mrs. Dorcas Ukpe and made available to the media, they are scheduled to present gifts to the mother of the 7^th billionth child to be birthed at midnight, 31^st October, 2011 in Makurdi, Benue State.

The statement outlined that the significance of the celebration is meant to lay emphasis on the growing world population in light of the attendant socio-economic issues especially as it relates to vulnerable groups such as women, children and the physically challenged.

Other activities lined up to commemorate the day include a radio talk show and press conference to highlight the significance of the day to be held by Mrs. Ukpe among other discussants. Also, a media and youth event is lined up to mark the day in grand style.

Speaking earlier in a media parley in her office, the DG BSPC who noted that the theme of the population celebration is “lack of planning, is planning to fail” enumerated that the Benue State’s government policy plan, Our Benue, Our Future emphasises on education and empowerment of girls and women, boys and men for the development of the state.

To this end, she called on all and sundry to support the Suswam administration the world marches towards the 7 billion population mark in order to invest in human capital development in the state for future assets.

In another development, the UNFPA Executive Director, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin in a statement said, “our world of 7 billion presents unprecedented challenges and opportunities. We must meet the challenges and seize the opportunities now to chart a sustainable, equitable, healthy and socially just path to the future.”

His statement brings to the fore the fact that 7 billion is not the story of a number, “it is the story of the people. 7 billion people who need enough food, enough energy, good opportunities in life for job, education, rights and freedom.”

Little wonder, Mrs. Ukpe enthused that Benue State is part of the global celebration with the full knowledge of the challenges the population growth attracts but is poised to surmount them.