This is why it is such a big deal that the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Olasupo Ayokunle, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar can all agree on one thing.

The Nigerian Tribune reports that these three religious leaders are unhappy with the high mortality rate of pregnant Nigerian women.

They all say that the number of women that die during childbirth on a daily basis is too much. Thus, they are calling on the Federal Government to make a huge investment in Family Planning.

CAN President, Dr Ayokunle, describes the high mortality rate as heartbreaking.

He advises the government to consider family planning during budgetary allocation adding, “CAN will continue to support family planning programme.”

The Ooni of Ife has an appeal for Nigeria and its government. He urges everyone to more passionate about the issues of child spacing and family planning and not just “talk about it,” but “to pay more attention to this national disaster.”

In his words,“We all talk about it but scratch the surface but it is something deeper than that and something we must take very seriously in our country.”

While acknowledging the terrible situation, the Sultan of Sokoto spoke on the misrepresentation of religious groups on the issue of family planning.

According to him, Islam and its Islamic clerics are not against family planning or population control.

ALSO READ: Cardinal Onaiyekan says interfaith dialogue will help the country

This was all said at the 5th Annual Family Planning Consultative Stakeholders Meeting in Abuja.

It was jointly organised by the Ministry of Health and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), with the theme: “Investing in Family Planning: Key to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria.”

Other speakers included the UNFPA Representative in Nigeria, Dr Diene Keita.

She revealed that Nigeria holds the title for the highest number of women and children dying in Africa and the 2nd highest in the world.

However, she said that this can be changed with improved investment in family planning and population control.

The event had the Ooni of Ife as a special guest while the Sultan was represented by the Emir of Shonga.