World Population Day, Idris Animasaun advocates for rights of women, girl child and exploring the abundance of social media in global population campaign
Idris Animasaun an environment enthusiast sustainable development and good governance advocate while speaking with our correspondence in commemoration of the world population day emphasizes on the need to explore new media in drawing the much needed ahead of the forthcoming national census by National Population Commission. The World Population Day which is a day set aside by resolution 45/216 of December 1990 of the United Nations General Assembly aimed at seeking attention on the urgency and importance of population issues, by enhancing awareness of population issues, including their relations to the environment and development has continued to be celebrated every 11th day since the very first of such in 1987. Highlighting the importance of social media, Mr. Idris Animasaun places adoption of strategies aimed at reaching out to youth via the most popular mediums in area of engagements and awareness. In his words, “Few weeks ago while appearing as a guest analyst on a radio program to speak about the population census, I expressed great concerns on the need for National Orientation Agency across every states of federation to set up and grow their online media presence with graphical contents. While commending the effort of the Oyo State Chapter under the Chairman of the agency, Mr. Kayode Odedodun on their activities and sensitization during the INEC registration and PVC collections, implementation of naira redesign of the federal government, much of such presence can be said on CENSUS. We should break the norm of limiting the campaigns to Radio and TV gingles, print media advertorials but also the opportunities abound social media. Most of our youths now spend so much time on their respective social media platforms such as Whatsapp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok etc. It is now becoming imperative for concerned agencies should set up account to engage their new audience by running sponsored adverts, streaming of live events and awareness”. Mr. Idris while reacting further to journalists discussed the theme of this year celebration 2023 which is Unleashing the power of gender equality: Uplifting the voices of women and girls to unlock our world’s infinite possibilities. It is becoming important that adequate priorities are put in place for inclusivity of female gender in all spheres of life. We need to start showing concerns and responsibility by recognizing the great impact the works of Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Oby Ezekwesili, Late Dora Akunyili and many others who distinguished themselves when given a chance to serve this nation. We need to give them more opportunities to play their own role in the development of our nation he concluded.