He however warned that uncontrolled population growth was a matter for concern.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari has asked Nigerian youths to devote themselves to seeking to know about the founding fathers of Nigeria, important personalities in their regions and derive inspiration from them.
Buhari, who made the call in his Sallah message through a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, also made a case on increased food production in the country and awareness on population explosion.
Amid steady rise in the inflation rate and prices of food items in Nigeria, the former President said he is pleased that more Nigerians have taken to the farm to grow more food so as to bring prices down and feed the nation.
He however warned that uncontrolled population growth was a matter for concern.
Buhari, while speaking to journalists shortly after joining Emir of Daura, Dr Faruk Umar Faruk, to observe the Eid prayer at the township Eid ground on Sunday, 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 urge 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.”
The former President reflected on the massive crowd at the Eid in Daura and expressed concern at unchecked population expansion in the country, saying it will bring a lot of problems to future generations.
He said, “There is a need for greater discussion and awareness about this problem, as well as a need to invest more in education and health.
“Considering the situation in the country, and in the spirit of the Sallah, let us help one another and be our brother's keepers. I wish everyone a happy Sallah.”
Also speaking to members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) who paid him homage, Buhari said, “The scheme continues to be a strong fabric holding the country together”, and urged successive administrations “to continue to strengthen it.”
According to him, NYSC remains one of the greatest achievements of General Yakubu Gowon (Retd.) as Head of State.