AKSG Launches Roadmap For Harnessing Demographic Dividend

By Bassey Nkponam
UYO
The Akwa Ibom government has unveiled the Roadmap for Harnessing Demographic Dividend in the State aimed at complementing the ARISE Agenda blueprint of Pastor Umo Eno-led administration.
Produced by the Ministry of Economic Development and funded by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Roadmapis a multi-sectoral document which presents a pathway to strategically harvest demographic dividend by setting the right priorities and channeling resources to implement specific activities aimed at reaping the dividend.
At the official launch and dissemination of the roadmap for harnessing demographic dividend in Akwa Ibom State, organised by the Ministry of Economic Development, the coordinating and supervising Ministry, which took place at Villa Hilton and Apartment, Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo, the commissioner for economic development, Mr. Emem Bob, described the roadmap as a strategic document which holds the potential to redefine the Akwa Ibom State’s trajectory and significantly enhance the quality of life for its citizens.
Bob explained that the concept of Demographic Dividend refers to the economic growth potential that arises from changes in a population’s age structure, particularly when the working-age population grows larger relative to dependents population with low fertility rate, saying that the document presents a unique opportunity for Akwa Ibom State.
He noted that the importance of demographic dividend cannot be overemphasised as it will promote sustainable economic growth and development, as well as strategically reposition the State at the top among the comity of states in Nigeria and international arena.
Bob explained that the Roadmap is more than just a policy document but a blueprint designed to set clear priorities for harnessing the demographic dividend, channel resources effectively towards implementing targeted programmes and activities, align the Ministry of Economic Development’s efforts with the State government’s ARISE Agenda, and foster sustainable socio-economic growth.
The commissioner noted that in collaboration with the United Nations Population Funds(UNFPA), the document reflects a shared vision to maximise the potential of the youthful population of the State as it addresses critical areas such as education, health care, employment, and inclusive governance, ensuring that no one is left behind.
He lauded the UNFPA for the funding, technical expertise and collaboration in developing the roadmap, and thanked stakeholders which contributions, he noted, underscored the importance of partnerships in driving sustainable development.
Bob thanked the State governor, Pastor Umo Eno, whose administration, he noted, is committed to effective implementation of activities spelt out in the demographic dividend roadmap, saying the document will complement the achievement of the ARISE Agenda.
According to him, the Umo Eno-led administration is consolidating on the foundation laid by past administrations to invest massively in youths, particularly in the area of skills and entrepreneurial development.
He called on the stakeholders -Ministries, Departmentsand Agencies, development partners, private sectors, non-governmental organisations, academia, community-based organisations, traditional rulers, religious bodies and the media – to work in synergy for robust harvest of the fruits of Demographic Dividend in the State.
The programme coordinator and head of Calabar Office, Mr. Andrew Kikima, who joined the launch virtually, gave a rundown of the document, listing its benefits to Akwa Ibom, while soliciting the cooperation of stakeholders to enable its implementation.
Giving an overview of the roadmap, the project consultant, Dr Noah Olasehinde, defined demographic dividend as the economic growth potential that can result from shifts in an age structure of the population, and mentioned the two types of demographic dividend as labour income(transitory), and asset income(permanent).
Olasehinde, who attended the event virtually, listed the platform for demographic dividend as economic life cycle, children, working adult and the aged, while the components of demographic dividend are thematic pillars, broad objectives for each pillar, investment options, key activities, performance and monitoring indicators as well as timelines.
He listed the four thematic pillars to be good governance, health and wellbeing, inclusive education and skill development, as well as employment and entrepreneurship.
Olasehinde listed the objectives of demographic dividend among others as promoting an accountable and transparent governance system by implementing comprehensive legal and judicial reforms, saying Akwa Ibom is the first state in the South South geopolitical zone to develop her Demographic Dividend Roadmap.
Presenting the Demographic Dividend Roadmap at the event, the director, International Cooperation in the Ministry of Economic Development, Dr Uduak Ekong, described demographic dividend as economic benefits and growth accrued to a country or state when the working population is more than the dependent population with low fertility rate which has to do with low infant mortality rate.
According to her, demographic dividend data in 2022 showed that Akwa Ibom had 58 percent of its citizens in the age bracket of the young population, while the remaining 42 percent belonged to the dependent population, noting that this realisation led to the development of the document with the support of the UNFPA.
Ekong said the roadmap will go a long way to support the ARISE Agenda and its achievement in aspects such as poverty alleviation, health, education, agriculture and others, stressing that as a multi sectoral document, there was need for all stakeholders to work together to ensure its implementation and workability.
In their separate goodwill messages, representatives of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), development partners, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), etc, appreciated the UNFPA for sponsorship of the demographic dividend document which, they acknowledged, will complement the ARISE Agenda initiative of Governor Umo Eno.