Peter Obi | File Image
Obi: Today, it is even more painful to see that many households can no longer afford even the most basic sustenance
By Valentine Amanze
The Labour Party (LP) leader and 2023 Presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has expressed concern over the current Global Hunger Index, which placed Nigeria among the 20 nations facing the worst hunger crises.
Obi lamented the Nigeria’s situation in his message to mark the 2024 World Food Day.
Obi pointed out that by August 2024, more than 31.8 million Nigerians were experiencing severe food shortages due to escalating security issues and the removal of fuel subsidies.
His words: “It was also reported that 15.6 million Nigerian children are grappling with hunger.
“Furthermore, the United Nations has warned that 82 million Nigerians could face hunger by 2030 if urgent steps are not taken to address food insecurity.”
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Obi further disclosed that Nigeria’s domestic food inflation was among the highest worldwide, with food prices increasing by 37.5% year-on-year as of August 2024.
On the World Food Day celebration, Obi said that was meant to raise awareness of hunger and food insecurity, while advocating a renewed commitment to tackling the issue head-on.
“This global observance is especially significant to us in Nigeria, where food prices are soaring daily, making even basic necessities unaffordable for the majority.
“Severe hunger has now tragically become a member of many Nigerian households. This is a nation that was once considered the giant of Africa, with the most arable land on the continent,” Obi said.
He said that it was strange that Nigeria was struggling with hunger, given the country’s vast agricultural potential.
“It is disheartening that despite our richly blessed, fertile lands, Nigeria is suffering from a deepening food crisis,” he added.
“In the past, I was concerned that many Nigerian households spent most of their income on food, leaving little or no room for savings or other essentials.
“Today, it is even more painful to see that many households can no longer afford even the most basic sustenance,” Obi said.
To combat hunger, Obi called for targeted investment in agriculture, focusing on improving security to allow farmers to return to their lands and adopting modern mechanised farming techniques.
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