Hunger protest and need for food security

The hunger protest, which rocked some states in the country during the Democracy Day celebration on June 12 has indicated that Nigerians are battling with hunger, occasioned by soaring cost of living. The cost of food items across the country has hit the roof making it difficult for many households to purchase them. With inflation, […]

The hunger protest, which rocked some states in the country during the Democracy Day celebration on June 12 has indicated that Nigerians are battling with hunger, occasioned by soaring cost of living. The cost of food items across the country has hit the roof making it difficult for many households to purchase them.

With inflation, which reaches 40% and erodes the purchasing power of many Nigerians, there is an urgent need for the government to address the hunger challenges to avert unpleasant consequences. As the saying goes, “A hungry man is an angry man”. Nigerians are not happy with or are frustrated by the skyrocketing price of goods and services amidst growing poverty in the country.

Many economic experts have blamed the removal of petroleum subsidies and the unification of dollars by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu as the trigger of the cost of living in the country. To add salt to the injury, insecurity has bedevilled farming communities. The activities of rapacious bandits coupled with herders/farmers conflicts have driven many farmers from their farms and caused food shortages in the country.

Indeed, this has caused severe hunger, affecting individuals, communities, and the country as a whole. The implications of hunger are many and can be seen thus: Malnutrition. Hunger can lead to malnutrition, which can cause stunted growth, weakened immune systems, and poor health outcomes. Recently, there was a disturbing report from Bauchi State on many communities hit by malnutrition with the children worst hit.

Besides malnutrition, hunger also causes poor health. Chronic hunger can lead to a range of health problems, including anaemia, vitamin deficiencies, and increased susceptibility to diseases.

Government should embark on agricultural development, food distribution, poverty reduction, food assistance, sustainable development, food fortification, support small scale farming, improve food storage, promote nutrition education, and collaborate with international organisations like the UN’s World Food Programme.

By implementing these strategies, the Nigerian government can make significant progress in tackling hunger and ensuring food security for its citizens.

Ibrahim Mustapha wrote from Kaduna State