From Sola Ojo, Abuja
National Secretary of the Labour Party (LP), Alhaji Umar Ibrahim, has raised the alarm that Nigeria’s hunger crisis may escalate, and may increase insecurity in the country if decisive steps are not emplaced to ensure food security.
He based his submission on the recent poverty rate of 40.7 per cent and a staggering 87million Nigerians living below the poverty line.
Ibrahim made the disclosure on the heels of a string of devastating stampedes that claimed lives of 65 Nigerians in Oyo and Anambra States, as well as Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja, all of which occurred during food distributions.
Ibrahim attributed the tragedies to the crippling poverty and hunger plaguing the country. He added that millions of people have been resorting to desperate measures to survive.
The LP scribe urged the All Progressives Congress-led federal government to re-assess its priorities and redirect its policies towards food production. He cited the vast underutilisation of Nigeria’s land resources and the need to revitalise the aquatic economy.
According to him, the World Bank estimates that Nigeria’s poverty rate has surged from 38.9 per cent in 2023 to 40.7 per cent currently, earning the country the dubious distinction of having the second-largest poor population globally, after India.
“As reported, about 40 children died during a stampede at a carnival in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, 20 residents of Okija community in Anambra State lost their lives in a similar stampede. Also, more than 10 people died following a stampede in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
“One major reason some people resort to crime is hunger. Nigerians in millions have been subjected to hunger, arising from other reasons such as rising inflation and poor economic management.”
