The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja 11 has urged the Federal Government to control the birth rate in the country or be prepared to face the consequences occasioned by overpopulation.
The Traditional Ruler pointed that it is unfortunate at the rate Nigerians give birth without adequate enlightenment about birth control.
He said this could make the population of children alone in the next few years to hit 80 percent of the nation’s entire population.
A development which he believes may spell disaster for the nation.
Ooni Ogunwusi said this at the Ile Odua when he played host to children from over 80 public and private schools from across Ile-Ife town in Osun state in commemoration of the Children’s Day.
“I thank God for keeping our children intact in all they have been doing, the truth be told, as a nation we are not mindful of these children enough especially as regards their future, we should be celebrating them every day, not only on a day set aside for them.
“if you look at the demography of today, 60 percent of the entire population today is below the age of 30. They are growing very fast, nobody is giving them any sense of belonging or instilling hope in them. Nobody is selling the products Nigeria to them, the only time they sell Nigeria to them is when they are in school.
“We need to be very serious in this country. Over 120 million Nigerians are less than 30 years old – that is saying something to us in this country, it’s about time for our leaders to get serious.
“Nobody is talking about birth control in Nigeria and that is a huge keg of gunpowder which we are all sitting on”,he said.
