ActionAid seeks urgent security, food reforms
The General Assembly of the ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) has urged the Federal Government to urgently reform the national security architecture to address widespread violence and by extension boost food security across the country. It made the call in a communiqué issued at the end of the assembly’s review of the state of the nation. The […]
The General Assembly of the ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) has urged the Federal Government to urgently reform the national security architecture to address widespread violence and by extension boost food security across the country.
It made the call in a communiqué issued at the end of the assembly’s review of the state of the nation.
The communique signed by the Convener of the General Assembly, Dr Steve Onya, said despite the ongoing implementation of the “Renewed Hope” agenda, millions of Nigerians continued to face severe economic hardship.
The other socio-economic challenges also include persistent herder attacks, civilian casualties from military airstrikes, and the violent suppression of protests.
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The assembly said despite the declaration of emergency in food security, there has been no significant change in plans, budgets, or actions within the sector that would meaningfully change the situation.
In the education sector, the assembly raised concern over the technical failures and safety concerns that continue to undermine students’ futures, with the failures of JAMB and WAEC exposing the fragility of institutions. They similarly decried the state of the public health system that has remained under strain.
Onya expressed concern over the deteriorating situation in the country, citing economic instability, rising food prices, worsening inequality, high inflation, growing insecurity, and governance failures.
Also speaking at the briefing attended by the AAN Country Director, Mr Andrew Mamedu; Chairperson, Board of Directors of AAN, Ms Rabi Isma, said insecurity in the North Central region had contributed to rising food prices, while the country’s increasing debt burden posed a serious threat to economic sustainability.
She urged the federal government, as well as Plateau and Benue state governments, to declare a state of emergency on security and adopt a coordinated, civilian-sensitive security strategy to end the ongoing violence.
Isma also noted the need to ensure the protection of both farming communities and herders in order to sustain agricultural productivity and reduce conflict.
She said though the federal government had declared a national emergency on food security, there has been no major policy shift, increase in funding, or implementation of tangible actions to tackle the crisis.
She called for immediate scale-up of targeted food and livelihood interventions in conflict-affected and food-insecure areas, especially in the North Central and North-East regions.