By Abiola Olawale
As Nigerians commemorate the 2024 Eid-el-Kabir celebration, immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari has raised Concern over the country’s increasing and unchecked population growth.
The immediate past president underscored the necessity for a nationwide discussion on the subject matter in order to tackle the burgeoning and exploding population growth of the country without corresponding productive endeavors such as agriculture and manufacturing.
Buhari, who addressed the press shortly after joining the Emir of Daura, Dr Faruk Umar Faruk, to observe the Eid prayer at the Daura township Eid ground on Sunday, said there was a “need for greater discussion and awareness about this problem, (uncontrolled population growth) as well as a need to invest more in education and health.”
The former President, however, expressed delight and happiness about the fact that several Nigerians are now going into farming to ensure the country produces more food.
According to him, it is a commendable development that would bring high prices of food items down.
The former President who wished all Nigerians a Happy Sallah, also prayed that this special festival of Eid-el-Kabir will bring joy, prosperity and wonderful health to everyone.
He said: “Let us grow our 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.”