Mr Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) has said the projected Nigerian population in two decades is scary.
Nigeria last had a census in 2006, with a disputed population estimate of 140 million. The projected population for 2021 is 211.4 million.
China, the world’s most populous has 1.4 billion people. India has 1.38 billion. United States is third with 332million, followed by Indonesia with 275 million and Pakistan with 238million.
Nigeria is world’s sixth most populous nation. But Mustapha believes the narration will change soon, without explaining the basis of his forecast.
“Given one decade or two decades from now, Nigeria will become the third most populous country, coming after China and India”, Mustapha said on Monday.
He spoke at the launching of a book written by Dr Manassah Jatau, a retired Deputy Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service.
The book is titled, “A Sociology for Medical Practice.
Mustapha said there is the urgent need to put in place control measures to keep the country’s population growth in check.
“There is an urgent need for us to begin to plan for this increase.
“Right now, we are dealing with the youth population and we have not been able to provide solutions to some of the complaints in the country.”
The SGF appreciated the author for his deep insight into issues of leadership in determining the effectiveness and efficiency of organisations, especially in physical and economic wealth, as captured in the book.
Mustapha further emphasised the need to develop Nigeria’s traditional medicine, adding that it would create employment, develop the nation’s pharmaceutical products, as well as improve its economy.
“There is also need for the introduction of traditional medicine. It will reduce the level at which Nigerians visit other countries for medical treatment,” the SGF added.
Mr Adewale Adeniyi, Assistant Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), eulogized Jatau for a job well done, stressing that the issues of health and environment could not be over-emphasized.
Adeniyi noted that the retired Customs boss left indelible footprints in the service of the NCS, which are worthy of emulation, adding that the author has successfully married sociology and medicine.
Prof. Ibrahim Njodi, former Vice Chancellor, University of Maiduguri, who reviewed the book, said that the book contains both the knowledge of medicine and sociology.
Jatau stated that “man is a social being and his health is influenced by numerous social factors, and the causes of most diseases lie deep in the social factors.”
He explained that the book would help to recognise the cure, as well as prevent the occurrence of diseases and illnesses as it emphasizes healthy living conditions in human population and eliminates hazards to health.
Jatau therefore appealed to government, scholars, medical practitioners and the public to take a critical look at the book and use it as a basis for their discussions and research.
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