Daud Olatunji
Former President Muhammadu Buhari has voiced his concerns over the unchecked population growth in Nigeria, warning that it could pose significant challenges for future generations.
Buhari made these remarks on Sunday after joining the Emir of Daura, Dr. Faruk Umar Faruk, for Eid prayers at the township Eid ground in Daura, Katsina State.
In a statement released by his spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, Buhari reflected on the massive crowds at the Eid prayers, highlighting the urgent need to address the issue of population expansion.
“There is a need for greater discussion and awareness about this problem, as well as a need to invest more in education and health,” Buhari stated.
He stressed the importance of preparing for the future by managing population growth responsibly to avoid overburdening future generations with insurmountable problems.
Buhari also called for a collective effort in increasing food production, expressing satisfaction that more Nigerians are taking up farming to combat rising food prices and achieve food security.
He urged citizens to continue this trend, emphasising self-reliance.
The former president encouraged Nigerians to support local produce, noting that the foundation for a prosperous and stable country has been laid by successive governments.
He particularly appealed to the youth to play an active role in nation-building and to draw inspiration from the nation’s founding fathers and regional leaders.
He said “I am Wishing everyone a Happy Sallah. May this special festival bring joy, prosperity and wonderful health to everyone.
“I use this occasion to make an appeal to all citizens to make Nigeria self-reliant. Let us grow our own food. We have shown that we can do it. This is not the time to relent when we see prices going up.
“Let us buy what is produced in the country. The foundation of a prosperous and stable country has been laid by successive governments, and I encourage our youth, in particular, to continue to play an active role in various nation-building efforts.
“I urged the youth of the country to seek to know about the founding fathers of the nation, the important personalities of their regions, and derive inspiration from them.”
Speaking to members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), who have a tradition of paying homage to him during Sallah, Buhari lauded the scheme as a significant achievement of General Yakubu Gowon’s administration.
He urged successive administrations to continue strengthening the NYSC, recognizing it as a vital fabric holding the country together.
In his customary gesture of goodwill, the former president donated a cow, ten bags of rice, and cash to the NYSC members to celebrate the occasion.
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