Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, expressed deep concern over the recent warning from the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) stating that 31.5 million Nigerians face acute hunger and severe food insecurity between June and August 2024. He emphasized that Nigeria’s ranking as one of the 20 hungriest nations globally, placing 109th out of 125 countries on the Global Hunger Index, is distressing.
Obi stressed the urgent need for the government to take decisive action to enhance food production in the country to combat the escalating hunger crisis and the resulting discontent among the populace, which has been forewarned.
In a post on his social media platform on Wednesday, the former Anambra State governor lamented the compounding challenges in the country, including soaring living costs and high inflation rates, exacerbating the economic situation. He highlighted the distressing reality that many Nigerian households are now allocating a significant portion of their income solely to food expenses, leaving other essential expenses unmet.
Obi recalled previous warnings, such as the Cadre Harmonisé report in January 2023, which indicated a risk of hunger for nearly 25 million Nigerians between June and August 2023 without urgent intervention. Despite calls for action, the number of Nigerians facing hunger increased to around 26.5 million by the end of 2023, with projections for further deterioration in 2024, as indicated by the latest report.
The presidential candidate reiterated his longstanding advocacy for transitioning Nigeria from consumption to production, particularly through substantial investments in agriculture, leveraging the vast arable lands predominantly in the Northern regions. He emphasized that addressing insecurity and supporting farmers with adequate resources are critical for boosting food production and averting the looming hunger crisis.
Obi concluded by reaffirming the imperative of building a productive Nigeria, emphasizing the need for concerted efforts to mitigate the hunger crisis and foster economic stability, particularly in the agricultural sector, which holds the key to sustainable food security and national development.