Labor Party, LP, 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi on Wednesday declared that Nigerians can no longer afford sustainable food due to the nature of their incomes.
Obi lamented that even though Nigeria is blessed with abundant arable land, households are suffering from hunger.
He made this statement through a post on X to mark the celebration of World Food Day 2024.
Mr. Obi said: “Today, the world marks World Food Day, a critically important global event that raises awareness about the issue of hunger and food insecurity and reminds us of the need to address food security and stop hunger. .
“This global compliance is especially important for Nigeria, where food prices are rising by the day, putting basic food items out of reach for most people.
“Nigeria, once the giant of Africa and the country with the most arable land on the continent, is now suffering from severe hunger, an unfortunate situation for many families.
“It is sad that Nigeria is battling food insecurity and hunger today, considering the rich and vast arable land that we are blessed with as a nation. He lamented that he spent most of his income just on food, leaving nothing for savings or other urgent needs.
“Today, most Nigerian families are distressed that their incomes are no longer enough to support their own food sufficiency. Food prices are soaring, food inflation is soaring, and food crises are on the rise. Hunger is worsening day by day and has become a national crisis.
“In its latest food security report released last week, the World Bank likened Nigeria’s worsening food security crisis to war-torn countries like Yemen, with people facing severe food shortages and widespread hunger. He noted that the number has increased significantly.
“Today, the Global Hunger Index ranks Nigeria as the 20th most hungry country in the world. In August 2024, over 31.8 million Nigerians will die due to security challenges and the removal of fuel subsidies. It was reported that 15.6 million children are facing hunger in Nigeria.
“The United Nations has predicted that 82 million people, or about 64 per cent of Nigeria’s population, could go hungry by 2030 if governments do not address the threat of food insecurity.
“Food inflation in Nigeria continues to be among the highest in the world, with food prices increasing by 37.5% year-on-year as of August 2024.Sadly, these reports paint a modest picture of the severity of this crisis. I believe that there is a real food crisis and hunger.
“I have long argued that moving the country from consumption to production is the surest way to combat food insecurity and rescue the country from the current food crisis.
“I have likewise stated unequivocally that our nation’s greatest asset is the vast uncultivated lands of our north, coupled with our vast demographics. Must be done.
“A country like Niger State, which is twice the size of the Netherlands (excluding water) and cannot feed itself or its people, yet the Netherlands exports $100 billion worth of agricultural products a year.
“If we prioritize investments in agriculture by combating the insecurity that keeps farmers away from their farms and introducing modern methods of mechanized farming, we can fight hunger and achieve national food security.” You can do it.
“Our commitment to a new, richer Nigeria continues, with fast-growing productivity, a nation free from hunger and an abundant food supply.”
