Planned Hunger Protest

Media reports indicate that some faceless groups are planning to organise protests in the mode of the #EndSARS’ over the pervasive hardship in Nigeria. Those behind this notice of intent argue that the government seem not to be doing enough to address food insecurity threatening to impose massive malnutrition on the populace. We consider this an important issue that needs to be addressed urgently.

Experts posit that a crisis arising from food insecurity can pose a serious challenge to national security. What brought down the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) was not nuclear bombs.  A food crisis triggered the French Revolution. Already, the country, for over 15 years, has been battling with terrorism and banditry. Adding food crisis into the mix will be, in our view, doom foretold. The current economic situation has left many Nigerians struggling to make ends meet. The cost of living has skyrocketed, with basic commodities such as food, fuel, and electricity increasing daily.

Federal Govt Warns Organisers Of Hunger Protest Against Violence

In its latest forecast, the United Nations predicted that 82 million Nigerians, about 64 per cent of the country’s population, may go hungry by 2030. The world body called on the government to tackle climate change, pest infestations, and other threats to agricultural productivity. 2030 is a mere six years away, not enough time for the economy and food security managers to sit and ponder.

As a newspaper, we are compelled by the exigencies of the time to remind the government of its primary responsibility: the welfare of the people. The government is constitutionally obligated to ensure the citizens’ welfare and security.

Regardless, we are appealing to the government to nip in the bud any excuse anyone may have for plunging the nation into another #EndSARS-like protest. The last one was traumatic, with many lives lost and properties destroyed. The country is yet to recover from its aftermath, and another one could have even more devastating consequences.

The Senate recently admonished the federal government to urgently address the food crisis and the issue of electricity tariff hikes to avoid an impending mass protest that may plunge the country into chaos. That rare rebuke from a pliant Senate may have been influenced by recent happenings in Kenya, where violent protests by citizens against the government’s move to increase taxes evolved into demands for better governance and the resignation of President William Ruto.

As a newspaper, it is our professional duty as the people’s watchdog to be proactive, especially on matters that impinge on the collective well-being of Nigerians because we are involved. We commend the government for donating 20 food trucks to each of the 36 states for onward distribution to almost 163 million multidimensionally poor Nigerians. We consider the quantity of food in those trucks a tiny drop in a mighty ocean of want and penury.

In addition to those trucks, the federal government must take urgent action to address the ill-advised hike in electricity tariffs, petrol prices, and the foreign exchange crisis that negatively impacts on the real sector and by extension, the average Nigerian in the street.

Therefore, it is important for the government, at all levels, to take concrete and genuine steps to address the food crisis and hardship facing Nigerians. This is not the time for empty promises or cosmetic measures. The people need real solutions that will alleviate their suffering in a meaningful manner.

One critical area that the government needs to address is inflation. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) claims that as of June, the rate of inflation was 34.19 per cent. This is an official government figure. But the National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mining and Agriculture (NACCIMA) insists that the rate is over 90 per cent. Nigerians are inclined to agree with the position of those businessmen and women because they are the operators of the economy. They are not politicians.

That association, in our opinion, is not out to discredit the government but to compel it to take steps to improve agricultural productivity and other factors that can enhance the overall well-being of Nigerian citizens across all sectors. This can be achieved through increased investment in agriculture, the provision of subsidies to farmers, and the creation of a favourable environment for agro and other businesses to thrive.

Coming back to the planned protest over hardship in Nigeria, regardless of its justification, we urge the government to preempt any action that may lead to any protest. The people are suffering, and the government is responsible for providing for them. It is time for the government to take decisive action and provide real solutions that will alleviate the suffering of Nigerians. The government must do all within its power to heed the warning of William Shakespeare: Beware the anger of a patient, hungry man.